Gold-standard birth control: The IUD and the implant
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By: health
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May 24, 2012
In terms of effectiveness, not all birth control methods are created equal. And if there was any doubt as to which methods stand out in that arena, an article by the folks behind the Contraceptive CHOICE Project (just published in the New England Journal of Medicine ) should put it to rest. The Contraceptive CHOICE […]
The HPV vaccine won’t make you wildly promiscuous
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By: health
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January 25, 2012
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new study about women across the U.S. who used the HPV vaccine, a.k.a. Gardasil, between 2006 and 2008, which found that participants’ sexual behavior was about the same regardless of whether or not they’d had the vaccine. The study did find a few differences in […]
The Obama Administration makes it official!
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By: health
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January 25, 2012
We shared this via tumblr last week, but for those who somehow missed the big news, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has decided to include almost all employers in the new health reform ruling that requires them to cover birth control in their health insurance plans without co-pays or deductibles. If you’re […]
Breaking news: Plan B One-Step will stay right where it is
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By: health
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December 7, 2011
UPDATE: Plan B One-Step emergency contraception is now available over the counter without a prescription or age restrictions. Here’s what we know about it so far ! There’s been a lot of talk in recent days about an expected FDA decision to make Plan B One-Step, a popular form of emergency contraception (EC) , available […]
Minding the unplanned pregnancy gap
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By: health
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September 14, 2011
There are some things—acne, awkwardness, a curfew—it’s generally safe to look forward to outgrowing once your teenage years are behind you. One hazard that’s not so easily shed? Unplanned pregnancy. According to a report from the Guttmacher Institute , the proportion of US pregnancies that are unintended—already higher than other developed countries—rose slightly from 2001 […]
Full birth control coverage? Thanks, President Obama!
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By: health
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August 17, 2011
If you happened to catch the folks at Planned Parenthood doing a little dance earlier this month, it was for a good reason. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) just announced that by this time next year, new health insurance plans will have to cover any FDA-approved birth control method your doctor prescribes […]
Affordable birth control and health care reform
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By: health
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July 21, 2011
UPDATE: President Biden has opened the enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act health insurance plans for 2022. You can now enroll in one of these plans until January 15, 2022, at healthcare.gov . Some states have their own open enrollment periods and websites for signing up. Check to see if your state does . […]
How to get a prescription filled
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By: health
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April 15, 2011
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 […]
Which birth control pill is right for me?
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By: health
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December 15, 2010
It’s always been more than just birth control. It helped spark the sexual revolution. It’s a feminist icon that’s been letting people live life on their own terms for 50+ years. And if you’re thinking about using it, here’s everything you need to know to find the right one. While an IUD or implant may […]
Introducing ella: A new emergency contraceptive available in the U.S.
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By: health
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November 30, 2010
Several emergency contraception options—or EC—were already available to us in the states. EC pills are sold at pharmacy counters and sell under brand names like Plan B One-Step or Next Choice. A Copper-T IUD, like the Paragard IUD, is available at a health centers. There’s also the Yuzpe Method where you can use combination birth […]