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Starting the pill: How about now?
Sometimes old ideas die hard. One good example is the old idea that you have to start taking the pill on a Sunday, or start it five days after your period begins. Research has shown that this is just plain wrong. Out with the old… In the old days, health care providers often advised women […]
Good call, ladies! IUD use is up in the U.S.
When a lot of people start doing something new—say, using an IUD for birth control instead of the pill —it takes a few years for researchers to catch up with them. That’s why we’re just hearing now , thanks to the latest analysis of the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) , that way more […]
Birth control and heart attacks and strokes—oh my!
“Nothing in life is risk free, and that includes birth control.” Margaret Polaneczky, MD, comes to this simple, spot-on conclusion in her post about a new study on hormonal birth control and women’s risk of heart attack or stroke. The good news? The risks with even the riskiest of types of birth control are still […]
Gold-standard birth control: The IUD and the implant
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 […]
Earth Day Reminder: Birth Control is Green!
Kirsten Moore is a consultant for the Reproductive Health Technologies Project (RHTP). It’s almost Earth Day and you’re thinking about what you can do to help the planet. An article blaming your birth control pill for a plethora of environmental woes, from intersex fish to male prostate cancer, shows up in your twitter feed. So, […]
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 […]
DIY IUD Removal: Yesss or yeeeck?
According to new research from the University of California, San Francisco, some women like the idea of being able to remove their own IUD—so much so that it might make them more willing to try one in the first place. Women who liked the idea of removing their own IUD said it was because they […]
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 […]
IUD use is up—but not when it comes to emergency contraception
The good news: U.S. women with health insurance are increasingly opting for low-cost IUDs . New research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed a sixfold increase in IUD use by insured women from 2002 to 2008. The increase was less dramatic among women under 25, even though the IUD has now […]
Birth control spotlight: The IUD
If every method had to battle it out for the title of “Most Effective Birth Control”, the IUD would be a top contender. It’s more than 99% effective with normal use. (Not perfect use; good old normal use works that well.) Once inserted, the Paragard IUD can last up to 12 years and the Mirena […]
