Contraceptive Pill

Since husband is away and just comes home yearly, birth control is not that much of a big deal for us. When I know he's coming, I take pills. Yes, ever since I'm a pill user. We haven't tried other methods yet.

Of course as a user, awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of it is a MUST.

Did you know that aside from preventing pregnancy it also has health benefits?

Read on.

• Highly effective reversible contraception. Birth control pills provide highly reliable contraceptive protection, exceeding 99%. Even when imperfect use (skipping an occasional pill) is considered, the BCPs are still very effective in preventing pregnancy.
• Menstrual cycle regulation. Birth control pills cause menstrual cycles to occur regularly and predictably. This is especially helpful for women with periods that come too often or too infrequently. Periods also tend to be lighter and shorter.
• Reduce menstrual cramps. Birth control pills can offer significant relief to women with painful menstrual cramps.
• Decreased risk of iron deficiency (anemia). Birth control pills reduce the amount of blood flow during the period. Less blood loss is helpful in preventing anemia.
• Reduce the risk of ovarian cysts. The risk of developing ovarian cysts is greatly reduced for birth control pills users because they help prevent ovulation. An ovarian cyst is a fluid - filled growth that can develop in the ovary during ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary).
• Protection against pelvic inflammatory disease. Birth control pills provide some protection against pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious bacterial infection of the fallopian tubes and uterus that can result in severe pain and potentially, infertility.
• Can improve acne. Birth control pills can improve acne. For moderate to severe acne, which other medications can't cure, birth control pills may be prescribed. The hormones in the birth control pill can help stop acne from forming.
• Reduces the risk of symptomatic endometriosis. Women who have endometriosis tend to have less pelvic pain and fewer other symptoms when they are on the Pill. Birth control pills won't cure endometriosis but it may stop the disease from progressing. The pills are the first-choice treatment for controlling endometriosis growth and pain. This is because birth control hormones are the hormone therapy that is least likely to cause bad side effects.
• Improves fibrocystic breasts. 70 - 90% of patients see improvement in the symptoms of fibrocystic breast conditions with use of oral contraceptives.
• Improved excess hair (hirsutism). Women with excessive facial or body hair may notice an improvement while taking the Pill, because androgens and testosterone are suppressed by oral contraceptives. High androgen levels can cause darkening of facial and body hair, especially on the chin, chest, and abdomen.
• Prevents ectopic pregnancy. Because birth control pills work primarily by suppressing ovulation, they effectively prevent ectopic pregnancy as well as normal pregnancy. This makes the pills an excellent contraceptive choice for women who are at particular risk for ectopic pregnancy, a potentially life-threatening condition.
• Helps prevent osteoporosis. Several studies show that by regulating hormones, the pill can help prevent osteoporosis, a gradual weakening of the bones. However, the results of different studies are conflicting (1-3).
• Does not affect future fertility. Using the pills will not affect a woman’s future fertility, although it may take two to three months longer to get pregnant than if a woman did not take pills.
• Easy to use. Does not interrupt foreplay or sexual intercourse.
• Safe for many women. Research for over 40 years has proven long term safety.

While it may have benefits other than the usual effects, there is said uncommon but possibly be dangerous.

• Heart attack.
 The chances of birth control pills contributing to a heart attack are small unless you smoke. Studies have shown that smoking dramatically increases the risk of heart attack in women age 35 years or older, which is why pills are generally not prescribed to women in this age group who smoke.

• Blood pressure.
 Women taking birth control pills usually have a small increase in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, although readings usually remain within the normal range. Blood pressure should be closely monitored for several months after a women starts taking oral contraceptives, and followed yearly thereafter.

• Migraines and stroke.
 Women who take oral contraceptive and have a history of migraines have an increased risk of stroke compared to nonusers with a history of migraine4.

• Blood clots (Venous thromboembolism).
 Women who use birth control pills are at a slightly increased risk of having a blood clot in the legs or lungs. Studies consistently show that the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is two to six times higher in oral contraceptive users than in nonusers. The risk of blood clots is highest in women with clotting disorders or who have previously had a deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Other risk factors include obesity, older age, having several family members who've had blood clots before old age, air travel, and having to lie or sit for a prolonged period, as you might after major surgery.

• Headaches.
 Headaches may start in women who have not previously had headaches, or can get worse in those who do.

• Depression.
 Depression (sometimes severe) and other mood changes may occur.

• Nausea and vomiting.
 This side effect usually goes away after the first few months of use or can be prevented by taking the pill with a meal.

• Breast tenderness.
 Your breasts may become tender or may get larger. Breast tenderness is relatively common during the first month of BCPs and uncommon thereafter.

• Breakthrough bleeding or spotting.
 Spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods is very common in the first cycle of pills or if pills are missed or taken late.

• Decreased enjoyment of sex.
 Some women experience a decreased interest in sex or a decreased ability to have orgasms.

• Weight gain. 
Some women report slight weight gain. Weight gain is often caused by fluid retention or estrogen-induced fat deposits in the thighs, hips, and breasts. Weight gain may also be related to a reduction in physical activity or increased intake of food. In some women the androgenic effects from the progestins in their OCs can increase their appetite.

• Chloasma (spotty darkening of the skin on the face).
 Darkening of the skin on the upper lip, under the eyes, or on the forehead (chloasma). This may slowly fade after you stop taking the pills, but in most cases, it is permanent.

• Interactions.
 Birth control pills may not be as effective if you are taking certain medications. Some antibiotics, antifungals, anticonvulsants, herbs like St. John's Wort, can change the amount of the contraceptive hormones absorbed by the stomach and the metabolism of these hormones.

• Not suitable for everyone.
 Some women should not take pills if they have specific health conditions, including some types of diabetes, liver disease, cardiovascular disease. Women with risk factors for heart disease, such as those with high blood pressure or who are obese, are also at higher risk when on the Pill.

• Sexually transmitted diseases.
 Birth control pill does not offer any protection against sexually transmitted infections.

• Must be taken every day.
 You must remember to take the pills at the same time every day. Pills must be taken every day, even if a woman does not have intercourse that day. Must use a secondary form of birth control for the initial seven days of use.

• Diarrhea or vomiting. 
Anything that makes the pill go through your system too fast can make the pill not work as well because it was not absorbed or, worse, if it is lost in the vomit.

• Cost.
 The pill costs more than some other methods of contraception.  http://www.emedexpert.com

So before using contraceptive pill make sure you are 100% fine to use it, health wise. Otherwise, you are more at risk.

I'm Loyal to Modess

Ever since I first used it.

I have used other brands before which promises comfortable experience during menstrual period. But for me it wasn't at all comfy but very irritating. Girls, if you know what I mean.

Then came Modess. All the irritation that comes from my old brand was replaced with true comfort. I don't have to worry about leakage when I'm using its night pad. I haven't got a trouble about it and so I'm loving it.

And the last time I bought my monthly stock of napkins, I saw this new Modess Cottony Soft Ultra Thin in a box. I find it cute, hehehe! So I grabbed one for another comfortable new experience.

Yummy Sunday #1: Beef Brocolli

Tips to Avoid Wrinkles and Aging Skin

I am not endowed with beautiful skin. I don't even know which category it belongs. :)) At my age, wrinkles are typical, exception goes of course to women who has more than enough money to maintain such beautiful skin. On my part, I just have to rely what's available and suits my budget. But the big problem is, oftentimes I get lazy to even do my beauty ritual everyday. Maybe I should blame myself for not taking care of my skin in the first place. I have been in and out of facial center but not in regular basis. The obvious reason-- budget.

Anyway, how can someone avoid wrinkles from showing on the face unnoticeable?

I got these tips from Andrew Jacono at RealSelf.

I suggest that my patients take a proactive approach to the appearance of their skin from an early age. We should all be exfoliating and moisturizing our skin on a daily basis.

1) I recommend microdermabrasion treatment, or an Alpha Hydroxy acid (such as glycolic or lactic acid) to remove dead layers of the skin. Both are available over the counter. Interestingly men exfoliate their facial skin each day when they shave, so they have this advantage.

2) Moisturizing the skin from youth will help prevent wrinkles from forming prematurely. The use ofRetin-A is also crucial as it helps the body maintain its collagen layers as we age, long before the visible signs of aging set in. In fact, it is the only such treatment that can do so.

3) Botox is also one of the best preventative treatments for aging. When we flex the muscles of the face the skin folds. Over time this will etch the skin surface, causing wrinkles. I have many patients who start preventative Botox treatments in their twenties.

*sigh*

I guess I have to rely on using OTC products.

I'm Baccckkk!!

OK, so I have neglected this blog for quite a while. I decided to use this again for some reasons. I just hope I will be able to update this regularly just like my other blogs.

I also did template change to look new, just apt for the comeback!

Well,let's see what we will have here....

Follow Me Back Tuesday

Have a great Tuesday to y'all!

Tips for Your Oily T-zone

How bothering it is to see your face in the mirror all shimmering and shining with oil. Do you imagine yourself cram for a remedy  to lessen the oiliness instantly  just to avoid further shame and annoyance? I have experienced that myself, because I am the queen of oiliness. Not the queen, just experiencing mild problems about that. And boy,how shameful when I'm passing like a boutique and when I peek over the glass to see the display I see my oily face instead, horrifying! And so I would rush to comfort room and retouch.

I am planning to go to derma these coming days and get my facial. I have neglected to maintain my facial care for ages now.

So anyway, think that I am done with my facial and after few weeks I'm back again to before, what would be my resort just in case I go short-budgeted for an expensive facial treatment?

I guess this tips would help:

Daily Skin Care Needs for Oily Skin

Cleanse morning and night. - People with oily skin do well with a gel based or "soapy" cleanser. This will help clean out pores and strip away excess oil. Look for a cleanser that says specifically for oily skin. Looking for one with great reviews? Alpha Hydrox Facial Wash (compare prices).

Use a toner to pick up left over dirt, oil and cleanser A step that I personally believe in, but is many times forgotten is using a toner. Simply apply toner onto a cotton ball and swipe over your face paying special attention to the areas that may be forgotten such as the crevices around your nose.

Use a light moisturizer. Many people with oily skin are afraid of moisture, but guess what? Your skin needs it. Use something light, like a serum to give your face the moisture it needs.

Weekly Skin Care Needs for Oily Skin

Exfoliate once or twice a week. Exfoliating your skin helps to get rid of the dead skin cells and encourage cell turnover, which brings healthy skin to the surface faster. If you're acne prone, be gentle. Over exfoliating can cause more breakouts.

Use a weekly mask. There are some fantastic masks on the market that help clean out your pores and tighten them. Large pore size is a common complaint for those with oily skin, so pick a day each week for your weekly mask. It will quickly become a routine when you see the difference it makes. Masks made with clay are great for oily skin.

Occasional Skin Care Needs for Oily Skin

Acne treatments as needed. Using a spot treatment or an all over face acne treatment will help combat acne and help keep it at bay. Use as needed, but remember, acne starts before you can see it. If you're prone to acne popping up on a regular basis, use an acne treatment once a day on a continual basis. source

Very high maintenance.
Well, that's what it takes to be beautiful.