New birth control pill Nextstellis
Nextstellis is a new birth control pill that uses the hormones estetrol and drospirenone. Drospirenone is the same progestin that is used in some other combination birth control pills, such as Yasmin, and the progestin-only pill, Slynd . What makes Nextstellis different is that it’s the only birth control pill to use estetrol, an estrogen […]
What’s an ovarian cyst?
A cyst is basically a bubble—a collection of fluid with a thin wall around it. Functional cysts are formed when a follicle (the fluid-filled sac that develops around an egg during ovulation) grows larger than expected . Sometimes they can cause un-fun symptoms like abdominal discomfort, pelvic pain, pain during bowel movements, or pain during […]
Is the pill killing your sex drive?
Like most medications, the birth control pill comes with a few side effects. Most of them are mild and similar to the symptoms you may have right before your period—like nausea, bloating, breast tenderness, and mood swings. Thankfully, these side effects often go away after a few months. But some pill users feel that the […]
Can birth control make my acne better?
From the pill to the patch , the ring to the IUD , there are a few options to choose from to keep your birth control covered and your skin clear. Here’s what two of our medical advisors suggest. Option 1: A combined hormonal method If you have acne, any combined hormonal birth control method […]
Will over-the-counter birth control pills ever happen?
In recent years there have been plenty of headlines about the birth control pill becoming available over the counter. There has even been a proposal about it in Congress . But what does all of this actually mean for women who use the pill ? First, a definition. What exactly does “over the counter” mean, […]
How to get birth control delivered right to your door
Life is too busy to wait in line for your birth control. Good news—you can skip the pharmacy and order birth control pills , the patch , the shot , and the ring online! For a while now, you’ve been able to shop online for non-prescription methods (like condoms and emergency contraception ). Now several […]
Combined hormonal versus progestin-only birth control
Three of the most common forms of birth control—the pill, the ring, and the patch—all work the same way. They’re all considered “combined” hormonal methods, meaning they contain two kinds of hormones: estrogen and progestin. Other hormonal methods—the shot, the implant, hormonal IUDs, and the progestin-only pill (a.k.a. minipill)—contain only one kind of hormone—a progestin. […]
Is it safe to lose blood by spotting a lot?
Spotting, which can happen with a bunch of different methods, doesn’t make you lose that much blood, even though it might seem like it. We have a Provider Perspective article about it if you want to learn more. Still not working? You may have more luck on a pill with a slightly higher dose of […]
Mail order birth control for a good cause
For years now, people have been able to use the internet to buy the types of birth control typically found in the aisles of a pharmacy, like condoms and spermicide. Now there’s a pioneering project making prescription birth control accessible online. It’s called PRJKT RUBY, and it lets people (ages 18 and up) order the […]
Which medications can mess with birth control?
Many women using birth control with hormones—including the pill , the patch , and the ring —have heard that antibiotics can make these methods less effective. Thankfully, that’s not true for most antibiotics. But there are medicines that can interfere with some kinds of birth control. Let’s talk details, why these meds mess with birth […]
