Birth Control Options - A Hard Look At The Morning After Pill

Of the birth control options available, none have been so embroiled in controversy as AR486 or The Morning After Pill. Birth control and birth control options have been a hot topic in religious circles since (no pun intended) inception. But you can't dispute the fact that most forms of birth control have been effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies.

The Morning After Pill is designed to be a birth control method that prevents pregnancy after sperm has been released into the woman’s body. While conception isn't guaranteed at this time, given the right set of circumstances, there is a good probability that the woman could get pregnant.

The Morning After pill has been a birth control option available in Europe for many years and has recently made its way to the United States. There has been much debate over whether or not the morning After Pill is a viable birth control option and it’s availability without a prescription has all come under fire.

Birth Control Options – Is the morning after pill for you?

What is the Morning After Pill? Well actually the Morning After Pill is a series of high dosage birth control pills that are taken over a 12-hour period. Women that have had unprotected sex in the last twenty-four hours can take the Morning After Pill in an attempt to prevent pregnancy.

Morning After Pills contain estrogen and progesterone, as do regular birth control pills. The concept is that the high doses of these hormones will work to prevent conception and the menstrual cycle will begin. Of course, the Morning After Pill isn't guarantee against pregnancy and should only be considered on an emergency basis.

Birth Control Effectiveness

The Morning After Pill is a form of birth control and has also been referred to as an emergency contraceptive. The large dosage of hormones works to prevent ovulation or fertilization. RU486 may also stop the implantation of the blastocyst after fertilization has already taken place.

Progesterone based Morning After Pills have progestin lenonorgetrel in 1.5 mg doses. Users can take the progestin in one dose or two equal doses. The progestin only Morning After Pill is available in 44 countries around the world.

The Yuzpe regiment of pills is a combination of estrogen and progestin. Two doses must be taken in 12-hour intervals and it is considered to be a bit more effective than the progestin only regimen.

Mifepristine is a drug that is used as emergency contraception or as an abortifacient. In the US Mifepristone is not used as emergency contraceptive method. However, in China, it is often used for this purpose. In the US, Mifepristone is not among the emergency contraception measures that are approved.

Birth Control Options

The Morning After Pill is not the same as the Abortion Pill. Abortion Pills are taken after the fetus has attached itself to the wall of the uterus. A pregnancy is already established whereas with the Morning After Pill, no pregnancy has been determined.

Emergency contraception is frowned upon by Pro-Life groups that consider that life commences the moment the wheels of conception begin to turn. All the same, groups that support the use of the Morning After Pill site that the process prevents ovulation and the egg is not released. Consequently the Morning After Pill is along the equivalent to birth control pills. The egg is not released and is not imbedded in the lining of the uterus.

The Morning After Pill can now be purchased without a doctor’s prescription. The side effects that women may get with Morning After Pills include nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness and blood clot formation. It is also important to note that the Morning After Pill provides no protection from any sexually transmitted diseases.

Again, the Morning After pill should not be considered contraception. This is an emergency measure that shouldn't be abused. If you are having sex, then use other forms of birth control that will work to make pregnancy less likely and protect against STD’s. Apply responsible sexual behavior and guard yourself from undesirable results and learn more about your birth control options before you engage in any sexual activity.

About the Author

Tess Barksdale is your average new century woman, author, mother, daughter, friend, and businesswoman. Tess writes on many topics but loves discussing all things women. Find out more about birth control options by visiting Tess at her website at http://womenshealthreport.org or her blog at http://womenshealthreport.org/blog

Article Source: Content for Reprint

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Menopause And Exercise - 6 Great Reasons To Do It

Exercise Can Help Menopause

Regular, vigorous exercise at menopause time can help reduce many of the commonest symptoms of menopause. It will also help deal with heart disease and osteoporosis. Use exercise as part of a holistic 'menopause programme' which should include attention to diet and relaxation as well as use of natural remedies including herbs.

Here are the 6 great reasons to exercise at menopause time:

1. Exercise, Menopause And Feeling Good

Aerobic exercise improves your mood and relieves tension. This helps to reduce the depression and anxiety which can accompany menopause. This is thanks to the hormones called endorphins released by exercise. For some people the good feelings last for several hours after the exercise has finished.

2. Exercise, Menopause And The Brain

Exercise improves blood circulation to the brain. This helps to counteract the poor memory and fuzzy brain which often accompany menopause.

Use ginkgo herb at this time too. Ginkgo helps memory and other brain functions. Try a 3-month course.

3. Exercise, Menopause And Abdominal Fat

Aerobic exercise helps to reduce abdominal fat. This is the place where weight easily goes on during menopause.

Aerobic exercise involves continuous, moderate exertion over an extended time. For example, running, hill walking, swimming and tennis are aerobic; golf, weights and exercise machines are not, because of the frequent breaks.

4. Menopause And Osteoporosis

Strength training (at a gym) stimulates bone growth and delays the progress of, or onset of, osteoporosis. If possible, start this before menopause begins; the earlier the better.

5. Exercise And Heart Health

Exercise helps to improve cholesterol levels. This adds to the benefits for the heart and arteries provided by increased physical fitness.

6. Menopause, Exercise, And The Immune System

The lymphatic fluid is an essential part of the immune system. Exercise is the main factor making this vital fluid flow through the body. So exercise helps ensure maximum health both during menopause and at other times because it stimulates the immune system.

What You Can Do

* Take up a sport and play several times a week.
* Take long, regular country walks over rough terrain.
* Try yoga; once learned, you can do this yourself at home conveniently and at low cost.
* Go to the gym and set up a training programme in consultation with a qualified member of staff.

Start To Exercise Now

Start a programme of regular exercise at menopause time and see how great you feel for it. Start slowly but regularly and you will often see your symptoms improve steadily. In addition you will help your weight to stay moderate and benefit every organ and system of your body. This must make sense!



Max Hill, a practitioner for 20 years, loves sharing what he knows. On www.herbal-menopause.com he gives valuable information about menopause symptoms. Get the benefit of Max's experience and knowledge.


Article Source: Artipot

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Menopause & Perimenopause

Menopause is just a point in time — the date on which you haven’t had a menstrual period for a year. Perimenopause is the period of hormonal fluctuation that leads up to menopause; it can last from five to 15 years or longer. Early menopause does occur for a tiny fraction of women, but the term is mostly used by women — not practitioners — when symptoms occur much earlier than “normal.” Medical menopause is menopause brought about by medical treatment — typically hysterectomy or cancer treatment — and an incredible 25% of women enter menopause this way.

Hormonal balance is our normal state. When we have menopausal symptoms, we are suffering from hormonal imbalance — an abnormal state. About 80% of women today experience symptoms of hormonal imbalance — more than ever before — because of the extraordinary demands made on their bodies and the inadequate support provided. Fortunately, nearly all women can find relief from the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause by restoring that balance — naturally and without drugs. And we’re here to show you how.

Why do women come to us with so many unanswered questions? Why do so many women feel dissatisfied with the answers they’re getting from conventional medicine?

The simple answer is that conventional medicine breaks everything down into separate parts that can be separately controlled — and that’s not how the female body works. As you explore our website and find the answers you need, keep in mind that every aspect of your life affects your health — and that no symptom or health problem can be viewed (or controlled) in isolation.

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