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 ReadingWorld AIDS Day.
Since 1987, December 1 is recognized globally as World AIDS Day, and December is AIDS Awareness Month in the United States. The purpose is to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and prevention. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): About 1.2 million persons in the United States are infected with …
Continue ReadingDiaphragm.
When discussing birth control options with my patients, the diaphragm often comes up. The most important thing to know about using a diaphragm is that it’s most effective at preventing pregnancy ONLY when used with a spermicide. If you have a sensitivity or allergy to spermicide; the diaphragm may not be for you. Also, the …
Continue ReadingNatural family planning.
We have long known that hormonal birth control (pill, ring, or patch) can have an adverse effect on sexual functioning for some women. Hormonal birth control can decrease testosterone levels and increase a protein (SHBG) that binds to testosterone, inhibiting its function. Having sub-optimal testosterone levels can negatively affect sexual functioning. Therefore, we often recommend …
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