Menstruation Cycle - Birth Pills

Today's birth control pills include hundreds of options to prevent pregnancy and/or address reproductive health issues such as cramps, acne and cysts.

By MARY SHEDDEN


Long gone are the days when the term "the pill" applied to one medication with just one function: birth control.

Today's birth control pills include hundreds of options to prevent pregnancy and/or address reproductive health issues such as cramps, acne and cysts. Though there are many alternative forms of contraception these days — from patches to implants and vaginal rings — an estimated 11.6 million women ages 15 to 44 use the pill, making it by far the leading method in the United States. When used properly, they can be more than 90 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.

And yet, since the first birth control pills appeared in 1960, potential health problems have been an ongoing source of concern, primarily because of a link to blood clots and an increased risk of cervical, liver and breast cancers.

More recently, however, numerous scientific studies have linked the medication to reduced risks for ovarian and endometrial cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Tampa gynecologist Jill Hechtman says that although all the research and controversy may be puzzling, women should remember that every kind of birth control pill has its benefits, risks and side effects. "Every single one has its own positives and negatives," she says.

Adding to the confusion are some high-profile lawsuits and Food and Drug Administration penalties against the makers of Yaz, the nation's most popular oral contraceptive. In 2008, Yaz was preferred by 18 percent of the women taking oral contraceptives, according to IMS Health's annual review of pharmaceutical sales.

Earlier this year, the FDA ordered Bayer Healthcare to correct its ads promoting Yaz's power to quell acne and cramps — and apologetic TV commercials now on the air reflect just that. Several class action suits targeted Yaz for containing hormones that boost potassium levels, which can be dangerous for women with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease.

Hechtman says while Yaz isn't for everyone, it can be a reasonable option for some women, including those at risk of polycystic ovarian syndrome, a disorder characterized by infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods, excessive hair growth, acne and obesity, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Hechtman, who does not receive financial support from any drug maker, says a woman and her health care provider should weigh the scientific facts alongside the woman's medical history and lifestyle needs. For example, several oral contraceptives minimize or eliminate menstrual cycles altogether, something Hechtman says is healthy when done appropriately.

"All birth control can be effective unless you don't use it properly," she says.

Women who want birth control to help treat conditions such as cramping or heart disease, as well as those who smoke, first need to consider the risks of any form of birth control. They'll find that most of the birth control pills on the market today contain a combination of estrogen (hormones naturally produced by the ovaries) and progestin (which mimics the reproductive hormone progesterone).

Pills containing higher levels of estrogen have been cited in some studies for possibly increasing health risks. "That's what we think increases the risk of blood clots and heart attacks," Hechtman says. Low-estrogen combination pills are popular, but they've been found to increase the risk of breakthrough bleeding.

That doesn't mean progestin-only or "mini" pills are the solution. Hechtman says these pills have to be taken at the same time every day, and they, too, tend to increase the chance of spotting between periods.

Finally, Hechtman warns, what works for a friend may not be the best option. She says some women try several different oral contraceptives before finding one that meets their needs with minimal side effects.

"The most important thing you can do is talk to your doctors about what you are looking for."

WHICH PILL IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Today, hundreds of different kinds of birth control pills exist, many of which treat health conditions unrelated to birth control. There are several key types of pills on the market including:

Traditional pill: Taken every day, it releases estrogen and progestin for 21 days, and a placebo is used the other seven days when the period happens. Comes in both monophasic – where the same amount of hormones are released in each dose – and triphasic – where hormone dosage changes each week.

Extended cycle, three month: A low-estrogen dose is taken every day for three months, with a seven-day placebo regimen that allows for menstrual bleeding.

Extended cycle, one year: A low-dose pill designed to be taken for a full year, with no hormonal breaks. Menstrual bleeding is suppressed altogether.

Mini-pill: The progestin-only pill is taken at the same time every day and in a cycle similar to traditional birth control pills. Periods do take place.

Sources: Mayo Clinic, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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To read more about DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF INFERTILITY please follow this link:
Overcoming Infertility
 

Overcoming Infertility

Discover the principles to becoming pregnant naturally from women who succeeded despite long years of trying even after failing many medical tests and procedures regarding their inability to conceive.

You see now, how old knowledge and old experiences are good but when you get new knowledge and new experiences and combine it with your old ones –you definitely will get a new result.

Dr. Irina

"You Can Overcome Infertility"

Which will tell you about all the infertility treatments used by modern doctors. You will learn in which situation what treatment is more appropriate for you, why the treatments fail sometimes and what kind alternatives exist, plus learn how to increase your chances using these methods.

Here is one of my recent letters...

***

Hi Dr Irina

I just could not wait to tell you this, at last it looks like we have succeeded with conception. I have been trying to have a baby for nearly 10 years. I failed 6 IVF's and I think it's all because of my PCOS .

The last IVF treatment was really different from the many treatments I had before. My pregnancy is 29 weeks now and I feel kicking and moving inside my belly all the time. I had an ultrasound test done yesterday and doctor said it is a girl and everything is going well.

I really love when my girl moves inside me - it means she is all right and healthy.
I talk to her and sing songs as you told me to do for better brain development of the baby.

***

To read more about DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF INFERTILITY please follow this link:
Overcoming Infertility
 

 

Menstrual Cycle Ovulation Calculator

Ovulation calculator

If you're trying for a baby, knowing when you're ovulating can seem a bit confusing especially if your periods aren't regular. To stand your best chance of conceiving, you need to use an ovulation calculator.


An average woman's menstrual cycle is 28 days but cycles can range from 22 days right up to 36. Your menstrual cycle begins on the first day of your period and continues up to the day before you start your next one.

Use our free ovulation date calculator to find out when you're ovulating over the next six months.

Alternatively, follow these three steps to calculate your ovulation date and find out when you're likely to be most fertile.
Step 1: Your Menstrual Cycle

When your next period starts, make a note of the date. The following month, when your period comes again, make a note of this date, then count the days in between. This will give you your cycle length. You may need to do this for more than one month and take the average, especially if your cycle isn't regular. Remember also that coming off the Pill will reveal your true menstrual cycle.

Example:
Period starts = 1st January
Next period starts = 3rd February
Days in between (including 1st Jan but not 3rd Feb) = 33 days.

Your menstrual cycle length is 33.
Step 2: Your Fertile Dates

Using the chart, find the right number in the menstrual cycle length column (33 for the above example) and read across for your ovulation day and most fertile days.

Cycle length	Ovulation	Most fertile
22	Day 8	Days 7-9
23	Day 9	Days 8-10
24	Day 10	Days 9-11
25	Day 11	Days 10-12
26	Day 12	Days 11-13
27	Day 13	Days 12-14
28	Day 14	Days 13-15
29	Day 15	Days 14-16
30	Day 16	Days 15-17
31	Day 17	Days 16-18
32	Day 18	Days 17-19
33	Day 19	Days 18-20
34	Day 20	Days 19-21
35	Day 21	Days 20-22
36	Day 22	Days 21-23

Step 3

Work out your ovulation and most fertile dates. For the above example:

First day of last period = 3rd February 2008
Cycle Length = 33
Ovulation (19 days later) = 22nd February 2008
Most fertile (18-20 days later) = 21st and 23rd February 2008

Once you know your ovulation date, as a rule, you are most fertile the day before, during and the day after. However, because sperm can survive for up to seven days in the right conditions you could be fertile before and after these days.

N.B These figures are based on averages and should be used as a guide only. Days and dates may differ from woman to woman.

To continue reading ... please follow this link to page 2

Menstruation Cycle Explained

Article Source: goodtoknow .co.uk/family/171819/Ovulation-calculator

Photo Source: electrical-res. com/EX/10-17-00/fhe033.jpg