What is your family planning goal for right now? Hmmm? Perhaps you may wish to delay having a child for a while, or maybe you want to get pregnant now (or some point in the near future)? Whatever your answer is to these questions, understanding natural family planning (or NFP) may be of some assistance. Fertility awareness teaches you how to identify the natural fertility signs that your body reveals. In a sense, it's the natural language spoken by a woman's body!
NFP Chart Photo © 2007 DELC
Happy 4th of July - this holiday is a day to reflect upon the birth of our nation (luckily, there wasn't a contraceptive to prevent this from happening)! It is also a day where US citizens should stand tall and proud of their country and what it stands for. After all, America's birthday is about independence.
Part of the responsibility that comes along with this freedom is our independence to make personal reproductive choices about sex, our bodies and birth control. We have the amazing liberty to choose between a great array of contraceptive choices. So, on this 4th of July holiday, I am asking you that, just as you may be sorting out which firework to light off first, you should also be sorting out which birth control method you can exercise your independence in using. I realize, though, that deciding upon a method can be a hard decision and a very personal one at that. To help you out, here are some factors and questions to consider when choosing the best birth control method for you.
Amongst the celebrating, parades, and Independence Day parties, you may find that some of the fireworks follow into the bedroom. Just as there are safety precautions that you should take when using fireworks, you, too, have a powerful arsenal at your disposal in case the sparks kept flying (and contraception was not part of the fanfare). It is not too late to take steps to reduce the chances of a potential unplanned pregnancy.
Many people may be aware of Plan B One-Step (the morning after pill) but do not use it because they think it's too late. Emergency contraception is available over the counter and can be taken up to 3 days after unprotected sex (perhaps even up to 5 days). So, once the flames have cooled down, its not to late to protect yourself and take advantage of one of the personal liberties we are so lucky to have.
If, 9 months from now, you only want the 4th of July to be reminiscent of our founding fathers and the birth of our nation, and you do not want to be adding a new father or birth to the nation, then learn about the steps that can be taken to help prevent this from taking place.
Fireworks Photo Courtesy of Microsoft Online
They say a picture is worth a thousand words - then what about a video? What better way to learn about IUDs? An intrauterine device, or IUD, is a highly effective birth control method available to women.
Both the Mirena IUD and ParaGard provide long-term, effective contraception without sterilization.
IUD Stories... Please Share:
Photo © Blausen Medical
Today, I received the following question from Emma, one of my contraception newsletter subscribers,
"My doctor switched my pill from Femcon Fe to Loestrin 1/20 because I needed to be on a lower estrogen pill. I just picked up my pill pack from the pharmacy and it doesn't have any placebo pills. Is this normal? Also, do I have to wait to take the new pills, or can I start them right away?"
There is nothing wrong with your pill pack Emma! Some pills come in what are called 21-day packs. These packs contain 3 weeks worth of active hormone pills. Instead of taking the inactive (placebo) pills for the last week, you just take nothing. Then, you just start up your next pack. They are just as effective as 28-day packs. You can also start taking the Loestrin the day after your last Femcone Fe placebo pill. As long as there are no gaps in your pill use, the new pills will be effective right away.
21-Day Pill Pack Photo © 2011 Dawn Stacey
