Here Are Different Types of Birth Control

Contraception is a term used to prevent pregnancy. There are different types of them around. Some are used by men while others are for women.


There are two major methods of birth control namely barrier or hormonal. Aside from that, the other types include sterilization otherwise known as surgery, withdrawal, natural family planning and the simplest which is abstinence.

Let’s talk about each of them.

• The first is the barrier method wherein the male or the female uses a condom to prevent the sperm from ever entering the female’s uterus. The male condom comes in many brands, color and flavors and is usually made of latex rubber. This is placed over the penis when it is erect prior to intercourse.

The female condom on the other hand is made of polyurethane and is seven inches long. This allows it to protect the cervix, vaginal canal and the immediate areas surrounding the vagina. It is inserted into the woman’s vagina also prior to intercourse.

• Another barrier is known as spermicides. It is a chemical designed to kill sperm and this is available as foam, jelly, foaming tablet and as a vaginal suppository.

• You also have the diaphragm that is a soft rubber dome which stretches over a flexible ring that contains spermicides in the form or cream or jelly.

This is placed inside the woman’s vagina and placed over the cervix. Women should take note that this should not stay inside for more than 3 hours prior to intercourse.

• The cervical cap is a small cup made of the same material as a condom. It is also filled with spermicidal cream and inserted into the girl’s vagina and placed over the cervix.

• The last is the contraceptive sponge which is a soft saucer shaped device made from the same material as the female condom.

Now that we have discussed the different barriers, it is time to discuss about hormonal birth control methods.

Hormonal devices appear in the form or an implant, patch, pill or shot. They are designed to prevent the woman’s ovaries from releasing an egg monthly, cause the cervical mucus to thicken so the sperm will have a difficult time penetrating the egg or thin the lining of the uterus which reduces the chances of a fertilized egg from ever implanting on the uterus wall.

Some experts believe that they are very effective but they cannot protect you from sexually transmitted diseases or STD’s.

• Birth control pills can be acquired from your health provider. Depo-Provera is an injection that costs a little bit more than the pill and can prevent pregnancy for 3 months. Something similar to Depo-Provera is lunelle but this can only prevent pregnancy for up to one month.

• The Nuva Ring or vaginal ring is a flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina for three weeks before this is removed and replaced with a new one. The ring contains chemicals such as estrogen and progesterone that releases this into the body.

• The birth control patch works like the ring as it releases hormones into the body while the IUD is a small plastic device that contains hormones and copper and changes the cervical mucus to decrease the chances of an egg from fertilizing.

• Withdrawal is simply removing your penis out of the girl’s vagina before ejaculation. Sterilization closes the fallopian tubes permanently and this is better known as tubal ligation. Men can have the same thing and this is called a vasectomy.

• Natural family planning is simply controlling the number of kids that you want to have.

• Abstinence is not engaging in sexual intercourse at all that is perhaps the most effective type of birth control.

Read More

Understanding The Different Types of Birth Control Pills

There are many different types of birth control pills. Women nowadays have a lot of option when it comes to this subject. That is great news. The only downside of it all is how those pills affect a woman's body to accumulate the pounds and gain weight.

Read More

Have You Heard Of The Birth Control Patch

If you don’t like wearing a contraceptive or taking it orally, you can slap it to your skin because there are birth control patches available in the market.


The birth control patch is a thin, beige colored, four and a half centimeter square patch that is applied to the skin. Each patch contains hormones that release chemicals into your bloodstream.

The chemicals found in the patch are progesterone and estrogen that are designed to prevent ovulation which is the release of an egg from the ovaries during a female’s monthly cycle. When this happens, a girl can have intercourse without the risk of getting pregnant.

The birth control patch also does something else and it thickens the mucus that is produced in the cervix making it difficult for the sperm to ever reach the eggs. Sometimes, the hormones themselves may affect the lining of the uterus so if ever the egg is fertilized, it will have a difficult time attaching itself to the walls of the uterus.

Proper usage of the birth control patch is done based on her monthly menstrual cycle. This will be applied to the skin for 3 weeks in a row and then on the fourth week, she remains patch free so she can have her monthly period.

The patch should be applied to one in four areas of the body namely the abdomen, buttocks, upper arm or torso. The trick is making sure that the patch is placed on the same day each week because this is the only way to make sure that it is effective.

So, if you decide to put on a patch on a Tuesday, this should be replaced on Tuesday the following week. Once you remove the old one, put the new one close to the previous area as this avoids skin irritation. Do not apply the new patch if the skin has a cut, is color red or irritated.

First time users of birth control patches are advised to use an additional form of contraception during the first 7 days of use. This is a failsafe in the event that the birth control patch falls off.

Birth control patches are waterproof and sweat proof so you can continue doing your daily routine. You must never apply soap and other skin products because this may affect its ability to stick on your skin.

Because the birth control patch releases chemicals into the bloodstream, you may experience some side effects. This includes abdominal pain, breast tenderness, fluid retention or raised blood pressure, irregular bleeding, headaches, menstrual cramps and nausea.

Not all women may also use birth control patches. If you are 35 years of age, suffer from blood clots, chest pain, diabetes, high blood pressure, headaches, known or suspected tumor, hepatitis, heart diseases and allergic to patches, it is advised that you find another birth control method.

Some drugs may also complicate the effectiveness of the birth control patch. These include certain antibiotics that are used to treat seizures, migraines and tuberculosis. When you speak to your doctor about birth control methods, it is best to undergo a physical examination and reveal to him or her any other relevant information about your medical condition.

Birth control patches are easy to use. You just have to put it in the same area each week and best of all, it doesn’t cause any interruptions when you are having sex.

Read More

What Are The Different Forms of Birth Control

Although there are many different forms of birth control, some women are afraid to take any of each because they are scared of the side effects. The most common that these pills have as an effect relates with the issue of gaining weight.


Ask a woman who is not afraid of getting fat. You will not find so many. But if indeed there is a case wherein a woman chooses to gain more weight for health related issues, they will resort to other means. This is especially true if the person involved is not sexually active and don't have a dependence on birth control pills.

But if the person who wants to gain weight and has also used the pills, she may just continue doing so for the purpose of adding up more pounds. There is nothing wrong with that especially if she is only doing what she thinks is right.

A woman knows her body better than anybody else. But to get a scientific truth to the claims, she may also opt to see a doctor to ask for advice on what pills to take for the purpose of adding more weight. If that is not what she wants to happen, she may also ask for a suitable birth control that will match her body type.

Other Forms of Birth Control
If you don't want to depend on the pills to avoid getting pregnant, there are other types of contraception that you can choose from. For whatever reasons, may it be because you don't want to add on to your weight or whatever else, here are some of the other types that you can choose to avail.

Implant Contraception
Through this method, a rod will be inserted under a woman's skin. This rod will release small amounts of progestin, a type of hormone, into the bloodstream. This is not so popular because it causes heavy bleeding.

Injected Ones
You can also opt to inject that contraception. This method can be done just once in every three months. Most of this type contains only progestin. This will stop a woman from ovulating and will halt the eggs that have been fertilized to be implanted on the uterine lining.

Condom for Women
This can also be called Fermidom or female condom. This can be likened to a loose pouch that is used to line the vagina. This has flexible rings at its two ends. This can be bought without prescription, but isn't really that popular that is why it is hard to find it in stores.

Condom for Men
This is being used by men during the sexual act itself to avoid his discharges from being transferred into his partner that may later cause pregnancy. This will also help prevent transmission of the diseases caused by sex.

The Natural Family Method
This can be done by religiously looking at your calendars. Women must take note when they last had their menstrual period so that they could avoid making love with their partners on those days when they are fertile.

The abovementioned are some of the different forms of birth control. Choose the one that fit you best if you don't want to opt for the pills. That way, you will avoid getting pregnant and you will also not be subjected to the pills' main side effect, that is gaining weight.

Read More

Here Are Couple of Tips to Prevent Yeast Infection

It’s not that difficult really. There are a number of simple and easy to follow ways in preventing yeast infection. You don’t have to make things as complicated as they sound. Simple, straight to the point prevention tips as well as solutions or cure can help make your life a lot easier and a lot comfortable
compared to having a yeast infection. A couple of tips to prevent yeast infection are to follow so sit tight and continue reading.

Yeast infection results from the increase growth of the fungi Candida. The fungus is present in most of us so there’s no actual ways of preventing contact with the said bacteria. However, what you can avoid is having contact with a moist environment. Fungus grows well in a warm, most environment, and Candida is not an exception.

Among the things that you better avoid in order to prevent the full development of the infection includes wet clothing especially bating suits. These are quite obvious since we just mentioned that fungus likes growing in warm and wet environment. Tight fitted pants, most especially jeans are a no-no. You should avoid leotards and spandex as well. The tight contact of the clothes to your skin prevents the area to breathe. The close skin contact also might cause some uncomfortable feelings and also trigger some reactions worsening the situation.

Nylon material on your underwear is also a good thing to avoid. Cotton would be ideal choice being clean and has a fabric that allows breathing space. Likewise, avoid pantyhose. Or you really want to wear pantyhose, just wear cotton underwear underneath.

Other tips that we suggest cover your personal hygiene. Keeping yourself clean especially down there is something that all women should do. Keeping your vagina clean and dry  after you take a bath or a shower will help prevent the unnecessary growth of the Candida fungus. If you’re accustomed in using deodorant napkins, perfumed tampons, or other feminine hygiene products that have been colored or perfumed, start avoiding them right away. Stick with the all natural stuff. It’s better for you, for the environment, and especially better for me.

If you have a pretty active sex life, be sure to insist using condoms. Although yeas infection is not a sexually transmitted disease, having safe sex is just a good advice. Okay, let’s move on shall we?

Normally medicines should be good for you but in order to prevent yeast infection, it is best to avoid antibiotics since this will upset the balance of microorganism in your body favoring the growth of the Candida fungus. Unless prescribed by your doctor, stay away from antibiotic pills for a while.

Also, foods high in carbohydrates and sugar are a source of food for the yeast as well. So unless you want to keep feeding your yeast something that will help it grow, then you better stick with some fresh foods like vegetables and fruits for a while. Also, in eating your food, it has been recommended to eat fresh fruits and vegetables separately from cooked food. When you combined cooked and fresh, the food will tend to ferment in your stomach. The fermented food will harbor the growth of more bacteria aside from the fungus that you already have.

The more you should learn t control your food intake if you are diabetic. Monitoring and keeping the appropriate amounts of sugar level is a good way to keep you healthy as well as keep the fungus at bay.

These are but a few tips to prevent yeast infection. As you move along your research, you will get to know more about the techniques that can be used to avoid yeast infection as well as other methods that would help you cure the infection, in case you already have one.

Read More

A Complete Guide on How to Confirm a Yeast Infection

The best way how to confirm a yeast infection is either you make an appointment with your doctor to perform a diagnosis or taking an over the counter test. Your doctor will perform a physical assessment and take a sample of your vaginal discharge. An over the counter test, on the other hand,
works much like a home pregnancy kit test where the pH balance in your system is tested to confirm the presence of a yeast infection.

It is always a good idea to confirm that you have a yeast infection before finally deciding to treat it with over the counter medications. You may end up doing even more harm to your self if you treat a condition that you do not have. A yeast infection is a bothersome condition, to say the least. However, self medicating a suspected yeast infection may disrupt the normal pH balance of the vaginal area, causing the proliferation of microorganisms which may lead to actual infections.

The trouble with resorting to over the counter yeast infection medications right away is that women are using them for the treatment of something they do not actually have. A woman who goes through certain signs and symptoms in and around her vaginal area may immediately think she is experiencing a yeast infection. But the truth is there are many other infections that also demonstrate the presenting signs and symptoms of a yeast infection. These may include bacterial vaginosis, Chlamydia and even gonorrhea.

However, there are three specific signs and symptoms of a yeast infection: discomfort, appearance and odor.  If you are experiencing the stated signs and symptoms, you are most likely suffering a yeast infection.

The most obvious symptom of a yeast infection is the discomfort in the affected area. This is certainly one of the revealing and most common symptoms of a yeast infection. The kind of discomfort is often described as an intense burning or itching sensation. Pain in urinating is experienced because of the irritated lining of the vaginal area. In severe cases the infected individual may experience extreme discomfort in the area that carrying out normal daily activities such as walking is impaired. Sexual intercourse too becomes painful for most affected women.

Another way which will help you consider the likelihood of a yeast infect ion is by taking note of the appearance of the affected area. Most individuals afflicted with a yeast infection describe in their private area – specifically, in the vaginal area – in terms of an unsightly white clump of material that resembles curdled milk. Redness and soreness is evident in the affected area. A discharge may or may not be present, depending on the case. Note that only about 20% of women afflicted the infection report the presence of a discharge in the vaginal area. The discharge may be clear to whitish or slightly yellowish, and may be anywhere from thin to thick consistency.

Lastly, another sign that may help how to confirm a yeast infection is the distinct odor. The discharge may or may not be accompanied by a starchy odor, the kind that resembles bread or beer. Notice that yeast is used in bread making as a leavening agent, and in beer making for fermentation. That is because the infection basically is a fungal infection – commonly caused by Candida albicans, a form of yeast.

Read More

Now Is The Best Time To Be aware of the various symptoms of yeast infection

Yeast is a fungus. Yes that’s something you should know about. Why? Well, because knowledge is part of finding a solution to your problems. The truth is, vaginal infections do vary. Despite some inherent similarities, there are different causes of the infection and each one may require specific
kinds of treatment. If you don’t know which one is which, you might end up applying a different treatment which may cause more hard that good I bet. Yeast infection symptoms don’t have much unique characteristics which would allow you to distinguish. Of course, we do encourage that you have your doctor examine your condition to get more accurate diagnosis and thus a more effective treatment.

Yeast, or Candida as it is known scientifically, are present on any normal human skin. Also, moist areas like the mouth and more specifically you vagina, are common places where yeast can grow. Do not be alarmed. According to studies, a large number of women carry yeast in their vaginal area. In fact it is said that almost 50% of women have yeast. So, if it is normal why the infection? There are actually several reasons, one of which is when there is an excess presence of yeast in the area. Another one is when new yeast materials are placed into the same area.

Some other reasons include taking oral contraceptives, diabetes mellitus, use of vaginal sprays like perfume and even hygiene sprays for women.

There are several tell tale signs that you might have some infection in your sensitive parts. But like what have been mentioned earlier, the symptoms of vaginal yeast infection have a number of similarities with symptoms of other infections

The first sign of possible yeast infection is experiencing itchiness in that region. There may be several other conditions where itchiness is the primary indication. That may be, but combining itchiness with the following other symptoms would help you narrow down your list of culprits and eventually identify the disorder as yeast infection. Other symptoms include burning, and soreness. A good indication also would be if pain is being experienced during intercourse.

Sometimes, pain is also felt during urination. You might want to have yourself checked since pain should never be ignored. If you feel pain, and this applies to all parts of your body, consult your doctor quickly. The matter might be worse than you earlier thought it was.


Also, the presence of vaginal discharge may be a good indication as well. Take note, however, that vaginal discharge is not always observed in women with yeast infections. Nevertheless, it is something that you should take note of. The discharge is often odorless and has a whitish color. The appearance and texture is similar to, pardon the comparison, to cottage cheese. Vulvodynia is the term used to describe the pain experienced in the vulvar area.

After knowing the symptoms and, of course, proper consultations from your doctor, hopefully your yeast infections might have been cured completely. There are times, however, when yeast infection occurs with the same women. An estimated size of 5% will experience problems of recurring yeast infections. The reasons why yeast infections recur may be due to more underlying medical conditions that you have.

For the most part, it would be best to observe closely your health and the various yeast infection symptoms to get to know what steps you would need to undertake next.

Read More