In 1961, the FDA approved the use of female oral contraceptive pills (commonly known as birth control pills) and the world has never been the same. Currently there are well over 60 different birth control pills on the market and an estimated 12 million women in the United States using birth control pills. For most …
Continue ReadingPut A Ring On It
There is a new kind of birth control on the market, and it’s called Annovera. Annovera is a silicone ring, containing two female hormones, an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) a progestin (segesterone acetate). Like other rings on the market, it’s meant to be inserted into the vagina, and kept in place for 21 days. Then removed …
Continue ReadingMeet Phexxi, Your New Best Friend
Introducing Phexxi: An FDA-Approved, non-hormonal, birth control option If you’ve been looking for a non-hormonal birth control option, Phexxi may be one to consider. Available as of September 2020, this FDA-approved vaginal gel contraceptive is significantly more effective than spermicides, the other topical (cream and gel) options. Phexxi is 93% Effective Phexxi is a cream …
Continue ReadingMillennial Women and Birth Control
In most Millennials are strong minded, socially liberal, and willing to argue causes they believe in. Millennials have made it clear that they support sex education within school districts and believe in contraception that is easily available and accessible to everyone. More and more Millennials are using the both the IUD and hormonal implants for …
Continue ReadingBirth Control Made Easy
Thanks to recent advances in technology, so many things can be ordered and executed while we are in our PJs. Currently, in both New York as well as California, (with plans to include other states) birth control can be obtained using an app called Nurx. Here is more information about this in an article entitled, …
Continue ReadingBirth Control Pills and Vulvodynia
A recent study published in The British Medical Journal found that low-dose estrogen plus levonorgestrel birth control pills seem to be the safest in terms of cardiovascular risk. It is important to note that all hormonal birth control pills have the potential to cause vulvodynia. The tissue in the vulvar vestibule has androgen receptors so …
Continue ReadingA quick guide to IUDs.
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small contraceptive T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus for an extended period of time. IUDs either contain copper or the hormone levonorgestrel and are the most effective form of reversible birth control. There is one type of copper IUD called ParaGard. ParaGard can remain in the uterus …
Continue ReadingThe sponge — it’s back!
Remember the Seinfeld episode where Elaine freaked out when she heard her beloved sponge was going off the market? I remember wondering, ‘What the heck is a sponge??” Well, the sponge is back and I’m sure Elaine is dancing somewhere in excitement. (Wait a minute…how old would Elaine be now???) The sponge is a form …
Continue ReadingBirth control pill for men?
Men of reproductive age have traditionally been restricted to using condoms and the withdrawal method to prevent pregnancy. Condoms have been the most reliable method as they can be up to 98% effective at preventing pregnancy if used consistently and correctly. However, with typical use that percentage drops to 85%. Historically it has been the …
Continue ReadingMirena.
What is it? Mirena is a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) that’s inserted into the uterus for long-term birth control. It can be left in the uterus for up to 5 years. It’s a small T-shaped plastic frame that releases a type of progestin hormone called levonorgestrel into the uterus. Most of the hormone stays locally …
Continue Reading