Articles from Dr Fox related to contraception (information, advice, and treatment options).
Wondering if you might be pregnant can be a difficult time. You may be either desperate to be pregnant, or desperate not to be pregnant – but either way, you want to know as soon as possible – and be sure of the result.
Read on and see what pregnancy testing is all about, how and when to test, and what the results may mean.
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“Maybe if period pain burned calories, it would be worth it!” – so states the popular meme. If only that was true! But love them or hate them, periods are here to stay … at least until the menopause!
Read on and see…
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The press reported this week that since the contraceptive pill was first launched – and this was 60 years ago! – we could have been doing it differently! They also stated that one of the reasons behind this was to please the Pope!
Let’s try and put this medical conundrum into understandable terms, and try to prevent confusion!
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In the UK, nearly a quarter of women aged 16–49 are regular pill users – it’s a popular form of contraception.
There are many pills available and all are very effective. Combined oral contraceptive (COC) pills are over 99% effective and the progesterone only pill (POP) or ‘mini pill‘ is 97% effective – so which one is right for you?
My first consideration is one of practicality. Pills must be taken regularly. For those who work shifts, live between more than one place, are chaotic or prone to forgetfulness, the pill may not be reliable. The COC has more leeway regards missed pills as well as being more effective than the POP, so is usually chosen unless there are specific reasons not to. Read in full
News articles over the weekend (7-8 May 2016) revealed that women in the UK are paying an astonishing five times more for the morning after pill than those in other European countries.
Experts have also expressed outrage at the hoops that must be jumped through to get the drug, calling on the government to make it available off the shelf, as well as reduce the price. Unlike in France, Scandinavia, and the United States, the pill is not available without a consultation; women are required to undergo a consultation and discuss their sex lives with a pharmacist or doctor in order to access the time-sensitive emergency contraception.
High costs and a difficult process to obtain the morning after pill have resulted in what Anne Furedi of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service calls a framework that is “insulting, expensive and does not meet women’s needs”, according to The Independent. Read in full
‘The pill’ is a very effective form of contraception – but only when taken correctly! Alas it’s one of those medications that is subject to user error, and in this case missing a pill can have a profound effect on your life.
Women (and couples) in this predicament are usually searching for instant information, and luckily there are ways to take immediate measures to get back on track with the pill and prevent pregnancy.
So without further ado, here is what to do. Just keep in mind that this information is only for the combined pill. The combined pill Qlaira works slightly differently and the rules here may not apply to you. Please see the ‘patient information leaflet’ link below. Read in full
We all want to trust our contraceptive but how reliable are they really? There are statistics out there but how do we interpret them?
The background level of fertility varies naturally between couples. Many forms of contraception are affected by “user reliability”. Women’s natural fertility declines from the age of 27 and men’s from age 60, so there are lots of factors to consider. Statistics often quote a figure for “consistent and correct” use (often from clinical trials) but these are often very different from “typical” use, which is a more helpful figure to most people. Read in full
Routine medical care for women taking the oral contraceptive pill includes annual check-ups with a doctor or nurse. During these check-ups, blood pressure and weight are normally measured, and you will be advised when your cervical screening is due.
Enquiries will be made to see if the pill being taken is still the best contraception option, and whether changes need to be made, because of side effects, symptoms such as irregular or difficult periods, or simply because of increasing age. Women over 35 years who smoke should not take a combined pill (pill containing oestrogen).
Women who have recently started or changed their pill, or who are at higher risk, may need pill checks more frequently than 12 months and you will be informed of this at your review. If you want to change your pill then this needs to be done with your usual provider to ensure there are no contraindications to this. Read in full
