Birth Control Myths Every Woman Should Know About

March 12, 2008 at 3:06 pm · Filed under Birth Control, Health ·Tagged

Myth: The pill is effective immediately upon taking it.

Fact: The pill typically needs to be taken for at least 20 days continuously, depending on the type of pill you are taking, before it is effective.

Myth: You can’t get pregnant for several months after you get off the pill.

Fact: Your hormonal cycle re-establishes itself after you quit taking the pill. You can absolutely become pregnant after you get off the pill.

Myth: Condoms are 100% effective all the time.

Fact: Yes, condoms are extremely effective, however, they are not 100% reliable. The reason for failure is usually due to improper or inconsistent use. Sometimes condoms are also defective. Condoms can often rip open or slip off.

Myth: Withdrawal is 100% effective all the time.

Fact:  Withdrawal does not work the way that a lot of people think it does. There is active sperm on the penis before ejaculation.

Myth: You can avoid pregnancy by standing up while having sex.

Fact:  You can get pregnant in any sexual position.

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Role Models in Fiction

March 6, 2008 at 9:20 pm · Filed under Role Models ·Tagged ,

Who are your favorite role models in fiction? They can be from books, movies, tv shows, etc.

Some of mine:

Hermione (Harry Potter)

The girls from Little Women – Louisa May Alcott

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Waxing V. Shaving

March 3, 2008 at 4:36 pm · Filed under Hygiene ·Tagged ,

 What are the pros and cons of shaving and waxing? Which is for you? I hope this list helps you decide.

Waxing

  • It takes longer for hair to grow back.
  • When it does grow back, it tends to be finer and thinner.
  • Hair has to be a certain length to be waxed, about 1/4 of an inch
  • It can get messy, painful, and expensive
  • You run the risk of ingrown hairs
  • If you don’t know how to do it yourself, you have to find somebody who does

Shaving

  •  Quick – you can do it at your own pace
  • The only supplies you need are a razor and some type of shaving gel
  • Hair grows back faster than with waxing
  • It’s very easy to cut yourself, depending on where you are waxing
  • Discreet – you can do it private
  • Hair comes back stubbled

If I’m missing something, let me know!

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Weekly Woman No. 1 – Inga Muscio

February 27, 2008 at 10:09 pm · Filed under Powerful Women, Weekly Woman ·Tagged

Inga Muscio is the author of Cunt, a book I recently began reading. I have not read very far, but I must say that I absolutely love it so far. I really cannot wait to finish the book.

In Cunt, Inga Muscio calls for women to embrace their private parts – in every way. She calls for women to reclaim that term, make it something positive.

I agree. I say, let’s love our cunts.

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Birth Control – Barrier Methods

February 27, 2008 at 9:51 pm · Filed under Birth Control ·Tagged , , ,

 Barrier methods of birth control are very popular, because they are temporary and do not mess with your hormones. The idea of barrier methods is that you place something either on the penis or in the vagina that will block the movement of sperm towards the female’s egg.

The most popular of all the barrier methods is the male condom. It is basically a latex or polyerethane sheath placed over the penis. There is also a female version that has a flexible ring at each end, one inside and one outside the vagina.

There are other devices that can be placed inside the vagina. Contraceptive sponges are held in place over the cervix. The cervical cap is another cervical barrier. The diaphragm is one very popular choice among women looking for a cervical barrier, and it is held in  between the vaginal walls.

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Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women

February 23, 2008 at 11:39 pm · Filed under Powerful Women ·Tagged ,

Here is the list for 2007 – Forbes Most Powerful Women

First 25:

1 Angela Merkel Chancellor Germany
2 Wu Yi Vice premier China
3 Ho Ching Chief executive, Temasek Holdings Singapore
4 Condoleezza Rice Secretary of State U.S.
5 Indra K. Nooyi Chairman, chief executive, PepsiCo U.S.
6 Sonia Gandhi President, Congress Party India
7 Cynthia Carroll Chief executive, Anglo American U.K.
8 Patricia A. Woertz Chairman, Archer Daniels Midland U.S.
9 Irene Rosenfeld Chairman, chief executive, Kraft Foods U.S.
10 Patricia Russo Chief executive, Alcatel-Lucent U.S.
11 Michèle Alliot-Marie Minister for the Interior and overseas territories France
12 Christine Lagarde Minister of economy, finance and employment France
13 Anne M. Mulcahy Chairman, chief executive, Xerox U.S.
14 Anne Lauvergeon Chief executive, Areva France
15 Mary Sammons Chairman, chief executive, president, Rite Aid Corp. U.S.
16 Angela Braly Chief executive, president, WellPoint U.S.
17 Marjorie Scardino Chief executive, Pearson PLC U.K.
18 Wu Xiaoling Deputy governor, People’s Bank of China China
19 Brenda Barnes Chairman, chief executive, Sara Lee Corp. U.S.
20 Ruth Bader Ginsburg Supreme court justice U.S.
21 Oprah Winfrey Chairman, Harpo U.S.
22 Margaret Whitman Chief executive, president, Ebay U.S.
23 Queen Elizabeth II Queen U.K.
24 Melinda Gates Cofounder, cochairman, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation U.S.
25 Hillary Rodham Clinton U.S. senator, New York U.S.

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C-Section Risks

February 23, 2008 at 11:01 pm · Filed under Pregnancy / Birth ·Tagged , ,

With the popularity of women opting for c-sections, I thought it might be interesting to look into some of the potential risks of having a c-section over a normal birth. That is not to say that I think they are necessarily a bad idea, it just interests me.

Risks for the mother:

  • Infection of the uterus, bladder, or kidneys
  • Increased blood loss – about twice as much as with vaginal birth
  • Decreased bowel function – This can also result in bloating and discomfort
  • Anesthesia used can lead to Pneumonia.
  • Longer hospital stay – three to five days average
  • Longer recovery time at home

Risks for the baby:

  • Pre-mature birth – baby could be delivered too early
  • Respiratory Issues
  • Low Apgar scores
  • Fetal injury caused by surgeon

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Birth Control – Hormonal Methods

February 23, 2008 at 9:44 am · Filed under Birth Control ·Tagged , , ,

Nuva Ring

  • “set it and forget it”
  •  “more contsant” hormone levels than other methods
  • worries that it might come out
  • side effects include dryness, nausea, headaches
  • change once a month
  • soft plastic ring worn in the vagina for three weeks a month that blocks ovulation
  • 92% effective

The Patch

  • easy to remember
  • convenient
  • once a week application
  • side effects include breast pain and nausea at first
  • adhesive skin patch you replace weekly
  • blocks ovulation
  • 92% effective

The Pill

  • predictable periods
  • Clear skin
  • Have to remember to take it everday
  • Emotional highs and lows
  • many different brands
  • side effects include spotting, nausea, and headaches
  • 92% effective

Effectiveness ratings are  based on typical use, not perfect use.

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Abortion Timeline

February 22, 2008 at 8:05 am · Filed under Birth Control ·Tagged ,

Short History of Abortion:

1821 – USA’s first abortion regulation enacted in Connecticut to protect women against abortion inducement through poison

1856 – Pro-lifer Horatio Storer established a drive by AMA to end legal abortion

1873 – Comstock Act bans access to information about abortion and birth control

1890 – Abortion regulated by statues advocated by the AMA permitted upon referral of physician that it will save the life of a mother

1959 – ALI proposes model penal code for state abortion laws

1961 – Vacuum-style abortions spread and are thought to be safer than other methods

1961 – President Kennedy calls for appeal of abortion laws

1970 – Hawaii becomes the first state to allow abortions performed before 20 weeks of pregnancy and New York repeals criminal abortion law

1972 – Eisenstadt v. Baird

1973 – Roe v. Wade; Comstock Act repealed; Doe v. Bolton

1979 – Bellotti v. Baird

1980 – Harris v. McRae

1989 – Webster v. Reproductive Health Services

1992 – Planned Parenthood v. Casey

1993 – President Clinton lifts ban that forbids doctors in a clinic from mentioning abortion as an option

2003 – Partial Birth ban Act of 2003

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Birth Control Pt. 1 – Long Term Methods

February 22, 2008 at 6:00 am · Filed under Birth Control ·Tagged , , ,

IUD

  • Stands for “intrauterine device”
  • Placed in the uterus for 5 to 10 years
  • World’s most widely used method of reversible birth control
  • Must be fitted and placed inside or removed by qualified medical practitioner
  • Plastic T-shaped fram
  • Generally have failure rates of less than 1% per year
  • The presence of the device prompts the release of leukocytes and prostaglandins by the endometrium. They kill sperm and eggs.
  • Does not protect against STDs
  • Safe to use while breastfeeding
  • Many pro-lifers view this method as an abortifacient
  • Possible side effects: may introduce bacteria into the uterus, risk of pelvic inflammatory disease due to insertion
  • Heavier menstrual periods, sometimes more painful
  • String can sometimes be felt by men during intercourse
  • Increases risk of miscarriage
  • Can  be used as emergency contraception up to 5 days after intercourse (99% effective)

Depo-Provera

  •  Injected every 3 months
  • Advantages: highly effective, injected every 12 weeks, culturally acceptable, minimal drug interactions, can be used while breastfeeding
  • Warnings / Precautions: can require up to 14 days to take effect, no protection against STDs, effects period, causes bone loss
  • Side effects: menstrual irregularlitis, abdominal pain, weight change, headache, asthenia, nervousness

Sterilization

  •  Vasectomy – In males, the vasa deferentia are cut and closed. This prevents sperm produced in testicles to enter semen.
  • Tubal ligation – In females, also known as “having your tubes tied”. Fallopian tubes are closed.
  • Hysterectomy – In females, the uterus is surgically removed.

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