“The Pill” — two words synonymous with birth control. But more than 50 years after oral contraceptives became commonplace, they remain an option only available to women.
Tag: birth control
End of The vasectomy? New Implant Allows Men to Turn Their Fertility On and Off With the Flick of a Switch
From vasectomies to the male contraceptive pill, there have been many attempts to shift the burden of birth control burden onto men. Now one German entrepreneur believes he has the solution – a ‘switch’ to stop sperm from reaching the penis. The valve – which is implanted internally is designed to divert the flow of sperm back to the man’s testicles, making him temporarily infertile. If he later decides he wants a wants to become a father, he simply locates the implant in his scrotum and flicks the switch back, allowing sperm to be ejaculated.
7 Surprising Things That Can Mess With Your Birth Control Pill
If taken properly, birth control pills are 99.9 percent effective (relieving, right?). But taking them effectively includes timing them right, storing them properly, and making sure your body is clear of other drugs or chemicals that could interact with your hormones and throw your body off whack. With so many things that can have a slight effect, from common medication to everyday foods, it can be hard to tell if we really our taking that pill effectively. If we aren’t, it can be equally difficult to pinpoint where we’re going wrong.
Why Over-the-Counter Birth Control Is Stalled
Women in California and Oregon will soon be able to get hormonal birth control from a pharmacist without a doctor’s visit, thanks to new state laws passed by blue-state legislatures and signed by Democratic governors. Meantime, key Republicans in Congress have taken up the mantle of over-the-counter birth control, partly to weaken the Democratic rallying cry that the GOP is waging a “war on women.”
Other Benefits of Birth Control Pills
You know that birth control pills can keep you from getting pregnant. But the pill can have other benefits, too. One survey found that more than half of women who take birth control pills do so for reasons other than avoiding pregnancy.
5 Signs Your Birth Control Isn’t As Effective As It Could Be
If you’re already using birth control, then you’re (sadly) already ahead of much of the pack in terms of avoiding an unwanted pregnancy. But you should still be on the lookout for signs that your birth control isn’t as effective as it could be. Whether it’s because you’ve chosen a method that isn’t optimal for you in some way, because of lack of knowledge, or because of simple user error, you could still end up pregnant — and many birth control users do.
Did Shoddy Birth Control Cause 113 Pregnancies?
When a pharmaceutical company made a huge packaging error, users of its birth control got pregnant, a new lawsuit alleges. Now they want answers.
More Women Are Choosing Long-Acting Birth Control Now
The number of U.S. women who use long-acting reversible contraceptive devices is soaring, according to a new federal report. The National Center for Health Statistics this week released findings from a national survey based on personal interviews of about 10,400 women. Whereas the birth control pill and the condom are the most commonly used methods, the number of women using long-acting implants such as intrauterine devices (IUDs)—the third-most common method—has gone up dramatically since the beginning of this century.
Birth Control: Stroke Risk Higher In Women Taking The Pill, Other Risk Factors
New findings published in the journal MedLink Neurology reveal that using birth control pills may increase stroke risk in women, particularly among those who are already at a higher risk of stroke.
The 1 Birth Control Pill Risk You Should Know About Above All Else
The Internet is flooded with information about contraception these days, and you have probably heard your fair share about IUDs and diaphragms and any other form of birth control that is available through your insurance provider. As you’re wading through the muck of statistics, though, there are a few things you need to pay attention to more than others. If you’re either currently taking the birth control pill or you’re shopping around for new contraception, listen carefully — because the most significant risk you face when you choose the Pill is developing blood clots.