The contraceptive pill burst onto the scene about fifty years ago. Since then, there have been new advances that have made it more effective. The only thing that hasn’t changed is the daily dose. This begs the question, is the pill still a good choice for contraception?

The birth control pill is one of the most effective methods of birth control with the pregnancy prevention rate being around 99 percent. The rate varies depending on the concentration of hormones in the pill but the effectiveness stays above 90 percent no matter which type of pill you take.

This is how the pill ideally works. When you take it, hormones are released into your system. Some pills have estrogen and progestin, while others have either. The level of hormone prevents ovulation. That’s the point at which an egg is released from the ovaries and travels down the fallopian tubes in hopes of meeting its sperm counterpart and creating a baby. Without an egg, there is nothing for the sperm to seek out.

There are various side effects with the pill. For instance, you can experience nausea, pain, vomiting, breast tenderness, headaches, bloating or decreased sex drive. It sounds a lot like what you already feel while you’re on your period. Certain side effects increase with the length of time on the pill and your age. Smokers are not encouraged to use the pill because there is an increase in the risk of heart disease and blood clots if you are over thirty-five.

Pros to Using the Pill:

• The pill, when taken properly, does prevent pregnancy.
• Certain pills have other benefits besides pregnancy prevention. With the brand Seasonale, for example, all of the pills contain the same dose of hormone. These pills are designed to prevent a period for eight months out of the year. Other pill brands help with acne, abnormal bleeding and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
• The pill can be taken at any time during the day but it is best to take it at the same time each day.

Cons of Birth Control Pills:

• You have to remember to take it. There are instructions on the package for what to do when you miss a day, but another form of contraception is suggested until you take the pill for at least seven consecutive days.
• The contraceptive pill doesn’t prevent sexually-transmitted diseases including HIV.
• They can be expensive if your insurance doesn’t cover them.

The contraceptive pill is still the choice of many women today. If you get into a routine of taking it, you are less likely to forget it. For pregnancy prevention it is a highly effective method of birth control, but it does not prevent STD.

IUDs: Contraceptives without Worry

When the time is right, many women are eager to begin their family. Until then, if you are within the child-bearing age range, pregnancy can occur even if you aren’t ready. To prevent unwanted pregnancies, seek a form of birth control that works for you and your lifestyle. One such method is the IUD.

IUD stands for intrauterine device. Earlier devices included the Dalkon Shield which fell out of favor some twenty or more years ago when women began getting serious infections with them. Now, the IUD has made a comeback, with safer methods than ever before.

The IUD is over 99 percent effective at stopping pregnancy. It rivals the traditional birth control pill for pregnancy prevention. With an intrauterine device, pregnancy is prevented for anywhere from five to ten years as long as the device stays in place.

The general shape of an IUD is like a capital letter “T.” the device is inserted into the vagina by a doctor. The top of the device extends into the fallopian tube openings with the rest of it hanging inside the vagina. There are two strings that extend from the end of the device for easy removal when you are ready.

There are two types of IUDs on the market: copper and hormonal. The copper IUD is branded ParaGard. It can be inserted for up to ten years at a time. The device works by releasing copper into the vagina which in effect, kills the sperm. The device also inhibits implantation of the egg should the sperm reach it.

The Mirena is a hormonal IUD. It contains hormones much like the pill that makes the uterus unsuitable for implantation by an egg. It has the same shape as the copper IUD and inhibits the motility of the sperm to reach the egg.

Pros of IUD Methods of Birth Control:

• Both IUDs, copper and hormonal, offer protection from pregnancy without worry. The device stays in place with low maintenance. Doctors recommend you check once a month for the presence of the strings to be sure it is still in place in the vagina.
• The Mirena offers women lighter or, for some, the absence of periods. Also, cramping is virtually nonexistent with the hormonal version.

Cons of IUDs:

• IUDs do not protect against sexually-transmitted diseases. If you are not in a monogamous relationship, this device may not be for you.
• There is a chance of bacterial infection after insertion.
• The device can expel itself spontaneously. This is why doctors recommend you check to see if you can feel the strings regularly. Once the device is out, pregnancy can occur at any time.
• Heavy menstrual bleeding is a side effect.

IUDs offer birth control without worry. You don’t have to remember each day to take something or have to concern yourself with regard to insertion and removal. IUDs work best when the two partners are committed to each other, but are not ready to start a family just yet.

Contraception is used to prevent pregnancy. Some methods have the additional benefit of preventing sexually-transmitted diseases such as syphilis and HIV. They are called barrier methods of birth control. One popular barrier method is the condom.

The idea behind the condom is that it would provide a barrier between the egg and the sperm. If the two can’t get together, then they can’t make a baby.

Condoms have come a long way in the last 90 to 100 years. They have been made of rubber, animal skins and plastic. Some have been thick and some really thin. Their first job is to prevent pregnancy.

Condoms work by fitting over the male penis or into the female vagina. Female condoms are sold, but they haven’t taken off as well as the traditional male condom. Condoms that are the right size fit snuggly but leave room at the top for ejaculated semen. Female condoms fit in the vagina using two rings to secure it.

Animal skin condoms aren’t used much anymore. It was usually sheepskin condoms that were sold. Just like your skin, sheepskin had tiny pores in it. These pores were large enough for certain diseases to be transmitted from one partner to the other. If you are concerned with other issues besides pregnancy (and most of us are) animal skin condoms are a definite no-no.

Latex condoms compose the majority of condom brands. They have no tiny pores and have a percent pregnancy prevention rate in the mid-80s. Unfortunately, some people are allergic to natural rubber latex. When you think of latex allergies, you first think of gloves being a problem, but using a latex condom causes its share of irritation and rashes down below.

Companies have also created a polyurethane, or plastic, condom for those with latex allergies. It is also supposed to be effective, provided you use it in the same careful way as you would any condom.

Pros of Condoms:

• Condoms are a barrier 85 percent of the time against pregnancy. That percentage increases when using condoms that contain a spermicidal ingredient such as nonoxynol-9.
• Condoms also protect against sexually-transmitted diseases if using latex or plastic varieties.
• Condom manufacturers have created a line of condoms that are designed to combat the complaint of decreased sensitivity. Users can choose from extra sensitive, warming condoms, colorful condoms (including glow-in-the-dark), ribbed and even flavored condoms.
• Condoms are cheap and can be picked up for free from most health departments.

Cons of Using Condoms:

• Female condoms can cause vaginal irritation from the rings.
• Condoms only work if you use them and use them properly. A poorly fitting one can malfunction, as can one that is out of date.
• They are not always easy to put on. Poor placement can lead to possible pregnancy or STDs.

Condoms are a favored method of birth control because they do double duty. With the new features for condoms it is easier to work them into your sexual experiences and therefore make sure they get used each and every time. But again, they are only as effective as the way you use them, and how often.

Practicing abstinence doesn’t necessarily mean that the person is a virgin, although many parents would be happy with that scenario until their son or daughter turns fifty! Abstinence can come after a scary time when you thought you were pregnant or you contracted an STD. From that point on you or your child might decide to leave sex alone until they can handle the consequences, whatever they may be.

That is, after all, what effective birth control is really all about. It is about having choices and making smart ones. It is about avoiding bringing any child into the world that is not completely wanted. It is also about avoiding pregnancy until you are old enough to handle it physically and emotionally. Most teens are not able to do that.

If you are a young person or a parent, know the true meaning of this birth control option before jumping on any moral high horse, and also keep in mind that condoms do protect against many STDs.

Sex encompasses any form of penetration. That includes oral and anal sex. You might think that since you can’t get pregnant from these alternatives to vaginal intercourse that you are in the clear.

That is not true and doesn’t constitute abstinence. Contracting a sexually transmitted disease is a real possibility with both of these methods. Think about this too – certain STDs can prevent you from ever having a baby in the future as well, once you eventually did decide you wanted one.

For abstinence to work, it has to be understood by both people in the relationship. This avoids those sexually tense situations where it is harder to back off once things get started down the road of intimacy.

Abstinence is still practiced by many people. It is not necessarily staying away from sex until you are married, but until you are ready to handle the responsibility of pregnancy or other negative costs.

When you are truly ready, you will know. Until then, enjoy life and other parts of a relationship that so easily can become clouded by the activity of intercourse.

As a parent, you are naturally concerned about your daughter getting pregnant. A daughter is concerned about that and also the risk of acquiring a sexually-transmitted disease. For some, the answer lies not in conventional birth control but abstaining from sexual activity altogether.

Abstinence is saying no to sex until you are ready. Over the years, there has been a debate amongst parents, their children and medical professionals as to how effective the abstinence message can be.

With the high incidence of teen pregnancy, condoms were available in health clinics. Some parents thought their teens were being encouraged to have sex as a result of this availability.

Medical professionals wanted to keep them safe from pregnancy and things that were much worse, and could not understand what all the fuss was about.

As a man or a woman, teen or adult, sexual activity carries with it some risks. A person with multiple partners increases their risk of pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases with each new contact, even with protection. There is also the reality that even if you are being faithful, your partner may not be.

The only foolproof method of birth control and avoiding STDs is abstinence. But, is it a choice that is still possible?

The answer is yes, of course. Abstinence will be a part of various stages of a person’s life and is a conscious choice.

(Continued in Part 2)

We all know that smoking is bad for us. So why is it so hard to quit?If you find yourself lacking in motivation to even try, or are struggling to give up, here is a timely article that can help motivate you to quit once and for all.

Reasons to Quit Smoking

Here is a handy article on what we can all do every day to stay on top of our finances, and our health!http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/moneyhappy/196161

Do you know your number? Most people don’t. And that’s a shame, since your number can offer a peek at your health.

By your number, we mean your body mass index (BMI), which indicates whether your weight falls within a desirable range for your height.

Depending on your classification, you may or may not wish to think about losing weight.

It is a useful tool to determine whether or not you need to lose weight because it takes into account all body types.

Here is a really handy Body Mass Index Calculator

http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

One of the reasons why it is so hard to stick to our diet is that we feel so deprived. Like we have a looong list of things we can’t eat, and a short and shorter one of things that we can.

So instead of deprivation, why not cultivation? Add a new food every day that you might not otherwise try, like a star fruit or a parsnip or a cloudberry.  They are yummy, sweet, and healthy for you, and you will feel like you are having a real treat even though all fruits and veg are light in calories if eaten in moderation, and have lots of healthful fiber.

5 stars
Fantastic health advice for aging well, and a great website to use as a resource.

If you are looking for a fabulous newsletter for the over 50s for your parents, or even yourself, you will not want to miss Johns Hopkins Health After 50. Each issue is crammed with the kind of news you need to know about your health. They deal with about dozne main topics every month, from arthritis to memory to vision. The editors who work on the newsletter all teach at the medical school, so the information is cutting-edge, but you can understand it easily when you read it. My parents wouldn’t miss an issue, and I always find things I never knew about my health. Since 50 is the new 20, you won’t want to miss all this great information.

They also have free Special Reports and free email health alerts you can sign up for into your email box every time they put up a new article. So if you’re interested in weight loss or diabetes, for example, they will email the article direct to you. The site is totally free and they add a new article almost every day.

It’s great if you’re a caregiver for older parents too, so you can learn more about your loved one’s health conditions, and effective prevention strategies. This is especially important if you have, for example, heart disease in the family, and want to take steps to avoid a heart attack.

http://www.healthafter50.com

In October, you often see a lot of orange and black as people begin to decorate for Halloween, but more and more, you’re starting to see pink.  That’s because October has taken on a whole new and more important meaning.  October is breast cancer awareness month.  </font><font face=”Courier New”>Breast cancer is the most common cancer amongst women, and affects thousands of women every year. The good news is that it is only the 8th killer of women #1 is heart attack) and it is treatable.

In fact, there are millions of breast cancer survivors out there.  The key is early detection and treatment.  That’s why October is dedicated to educating people about breast cancer and how to prevent and treat it.

Like many cancers, the earlier it is detected and treated, the more likely it is to go into remission.  There are several steps you can take to increase your chances of detecting a problem early.

* Get yearly or bi-yearly mammograms.  You may need to get a mammogram more often if your doctor thinks there might be a problem, or if you have a history of breast cancer in your family.

* Do a monthly breast self-exam.  This is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your own breast health, and it’s also how most breast lumps are discovered.  Learn to look at and feel your breast for any changes in color, shape, size, texture, and any lumps.

* Get a yearly exam.  See a doctor for a yearly breast and reproductive exam.  They can help detect early problems and address any questions of concerns you might have.

* Don’t ignore problems.  Many women are embarrassed to talk to their doctor about their breast or reproductive health, but what might be a small issue now could turn into a big problem later.  No question is silly and no problem is too small; never be afraid to talk to your doctor.

Protecting yourself is just the first step in fighting breast cancer.  The second step is informing others of the dangers and precautions as well.  Every woman, including your mother, sisters, daughters, friends, co-workers, and any other women you know, should be aware of the dangers of breast cancer and how to protect herself.

That’s why it’s important to talk to the women in your life.  You can even start a group with your friends and family to remind each other to do monthly breast exams and to get your yearly mammograms.

In addition to prevention and education, another key part of getting rid of breast cancer is treatment.  While you may not be cut out to be a cancer researcher, you can donate your time and money to organizations fighting to eliminate breast cancer.

Not only can you donate money directly to them, you can also buy products that support the cause as well.  Just look for the pink ribbon on labels at your local grocery store.

While breast cancer can be devastating for many women and their families, this October you can start helping to prevent and treat breast cancer in your neighborhood and around the world, as we all work together to find a cure. An then think about wearing a red ribbon in February for women’s heart health month!!