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Risky business 2: Migraines, high blood pressure, and blood clots
I’ve written before that accidental pregnancy is the most serious health risk of many birth control methods. But there are other risks to consider, too. All modern methods of birth control can have positive and negative side effects—Bedsider has information about both for each method. Hopefully anyone who wants to avoid a pregnancy can find […]
The ring’s got perks
Heavy periods affect lots of women, with consequences ranging from annoyance to missed days at work or school. We know from previous research that the pill and the hormonal IUD can help reduce heavy menstrual bleeding and increase women’s sense of well-being. But new research from Egypt shows that the ring is another good option […]
Tim, 27, the ring
Tim’s girlfriend made the choice to get the NuvaRing, aka the ring , and he’s cool with that; he thinks it’s her body, her choice. For him, the ring is great because it lets him go condom-free and really feel her, but sometimes Tim and his girlfriend can also feel the ring during sex. When […]
How to get a prescription filled
We love that you’re taking charge of your life and getting a prescription filled, but we know it can be a little confusing your first time. Here are the basics: Your health care provider (doctor, nurse, or clinic counselor) will give you a slip of paper (the prescription or script) that includes your name, the […]
The Ring: It won’t get lost in there!
The vaginal contraceptive ring , aka the ring or NuvaRing, is an easy to use, safe, and effective birth control option. It’s a soft, flexible ring that you change once a month. When I discuss vaginal contraception with my patients, some are initially wary about using a vaginal birth control method and have lots of […]
All about prescription birth control
The IUD , the implant , and sterilization . To get the most effective birth control methods—an IUD, the implant, or, if you’re looking for something permanent, sterilization—you have to visit a health care provider. (BTW, we can help you find one here .) Visiting a provider might seem like a pain, but for women […]
The contraception learning curve
Not everybody’s doing it: about half of U.S. women younger than 20 are sexually active. But among women who are having sex, younger women are more likely to experience an unintended pregnancy. What’s the deal? First let’s look at the numbers. A new report shows that, compared to older women, sexually active women aged 15-19 […]
Side effects: The good, the bad, and the temporary
We’re not gonna lie—sometimes birth control has side effects, and sometimes those side effects can suck. But we can think of (at least) three reasons why this shouldn’t get you down or make you give up on protecting yourself from accidental pregnancy. 1) Different strokes for different folks Everyone’s body is unique and a method […]
Avoid the gap
The story goes something like this… Girls meets boy. Girl goes on the pill. Girl breaks up with boy. Girl goes off the pill because she’s not dating anybody. Girl meets another boy. And he is hot. They hook up, but the girl is not on birth control at the time. Girl gets pregnant. We’re […]
Hello, birth control
This article was updated on July 18, 2014. Birth control may seem like a modern idea, but it’s actually been around for thousands of years. They say women in ancient Egypt used crocodile dung suppositories to avoid pregnancy. (Um… ew!) Condoms made of animal intestines were used in Europe as early as the 17th century. […]
