ORTHO EVRA®, Ortho, Doribax,Elmiron, Levaquin

Doribax - Pharmacokinetics

2010-05-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

Distribution

On average, about 8.1% of plasma proteins attached to Doripenem, it is also separate from drug concentrations of plasma. Doripenem’s distribution volume is close to that of extracellular fluid volume in humans (18.2 L). When Doripenem is essentially stable the average volume of distribution is approximately 16.8 L. Within the few of the body’s fluids and tissues, Doripenem is able to be filtered successfully as well as reach concentration levels that are able to restrain from more vulnerable bacteria than what is required.

Metabolism

When metabolized, Doripenem breaks down by means of an enzyme called dehydropeptidase-I into an inactive ring-opened metabolite.

Excretion

In young and healthy adults, the elimination half-life of Doripenem considering the average plasma terminal is normally around 1 hour. The plasma clearance is about 15.9L/hour and the average renal clearance is 10.3 L/hour. Research has been found that Doripenem is filtered by the glomerulus capillary bed in the Bowman’s capsule and the tubular secretions in the nephron.

Birth Control Options - What kind of birth?

2010-05-27T08:36:00.001-07:00

The type of birth control you choose depends on your needs. Some people only need to prevent pregnancy. Other people may also want to protect themselves or their partners from diseases that can be passed by having sex. These diseases are called sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some STIs include acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), chlamydia, human papillomavirus (HPV),herpes, genital warts and syphilis.

Talk with your family doctor about the pros and cons of each birth control option

Birth Control Options - What are barrier methods?

2010-05-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

Barrier methods include the diaphragm, the cervical cap, contraceptive sponges and condoms. These methods prevent pregnancy by blocking sperm from getting into the uterus. Barrier methods must be used every time you have sex.

A woman must visit her doctor to be fitted for a diaphragm or a cervical cap.

Using a diaphragm, cervical cap or contraceptive sponge may increase the risk of urinary tract infections in some women. Some women have allergic reactions with these methods.

Birth Control Options - Are condoms a good choice?

2010-05-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

Yes. Condoms aren’t expensive and are widely available. Condoms are an especially good choice if you or your partner are also having sex with other people or if either of you has had sex with other people in the past.

Condoms offer the most protection against STIs of all the barrier method options. Using a spermicide with condoms can offer better protection against pregnancy, but it does not increase your protection against STIs . Spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 can cause genital irritation and can actually increase your risk of catching an STI.

Female condoms aren’t as effective as male condoms, but they may be a good choice if a man won’t use a male condom.

Birth Control Options - What about the pill?

2010-05-27T08:33:00.001-07:00

Birth control pills work mostly by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg by the ovaries). Most pills are made of two hormones called estrogen and progestin. For the pill to work, you have to take it every day.

Some common side effects of birth control pills are nausea, headaches, acne, increased blood pressure, breast tenderness, bloating, weight gain and depression. However, not every woman who takes the pill will have side effects. You may have to try several types of birth control pills before you find the type that is best for you. The pill may reduce cramping and shorten the number of days of bleeding during the menstrual period. The pill may also help premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Women who take the pill should not smoke.

Birth Control Options - What is the vaginal contraceptive ring?

2010-05-27T08:32:00.001-07:00

The vaginal contraceptive ring (brand name: NuvaRing) is a thin, flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina. It releases hormones that keep you from getting pregnant. These hormones are the same ones used in most birth control pills. The ring is left in the vagina for 3 weeks. It doesn’t have to be in a specific position in the vagina. You remove the ring after 3 weeks and your period will start. After 7 days, you insert a new ring.

If the ring is out of your vagina for more than 3 hours, it may not work effectively when you put it back in. To protect against pregnancy, you will need to use another form of birth control until the ring has been in all the time for 7 days in a row.

Women who use the vaginal ring should not smoke.

What about hormone shots and implants?

2010-05-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

Hormone shots (brand names: Depo-Provera, Lunelle) work much like the pill to prevent pregnancy. They may have some side effects, such as headaches and changes in your period, mood and weight. A Depo-Provera shot prevents pregnancy for 3 months. A Lunelle shot prevents pregnancy for 1 month.

Hormone implants (brand name: Norplant System) are no longer available. If you are currently using hormone implants, you should talk to your doctor to see what your birth control options will be when your hormone implants expire. The implants prevent pregnancy for 5 years, but you can have them removed at any time.

Birth Control Options - What about an IUD?

2010-05-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

“IUD” stands for “intrauterine device.” An IUD is put in a woman’s uterus by her doctor. It’s made of flexible plastic. It isn’t known exactly how IUDs prevent pregnancy. They seem to stop sperm from reaching the egg or prevent the egg from attaching to the uterus.

Some IUDs used in the past were related to serious health problems. Today IUDs are safer, but they still have some risks. Most doctors prefer to use IUDs only in women who have already had a baby. Side effects of IUDs include heavier bleeding and stronger cramps during periods.

Birth Control Options - What about being sterilized?

2010-05-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

Sterilization is when a man or woman has an operation to permanently prevent pregnancy. If you’re sure that you don’t want to have children or you don’t want more children, sterilization may be the right choice for you.

Tubal ligation (also called “getting your tubes tied”) involves closing off a woman’s fallopian tubes so eggs can’t travel through them to reach the uterus. A device called Essure can also be used to close off a woman’s fallopian tubes. Essure is a metal coil that is inserted into your fallopian tubes by your doctor.

Men are sterilized with a vasectomy. The man’s vas deferens (sperm ducts) are closed off so sperm can’t get through.

Birth Control Options - Birth Control Pill

2010-05-27T08:22:00.000-07:00

To put off parenthood or just to avoid unwanted pregnancies, many couples have made birth control pills a part of their daily routine. In fact, this contraception if one the most popular forms of female birth control. These contraceptive pills can be taken orally and are very effective at preventing pregnancy.

There are mainly two kinds of pills that you will find on the market. One type of birth control pill has artificial estrogen and progesterone while the other is comprised of just progesterone. These usually come in a pack of 21 or 28 pills and have to be taken daily at a particular time of the day. Some newer brands of pills, though, require you to take the hormonal pills for 90 or more consecutive days. To get the contraceptive pill, you will need a prescription from your doctor.

How do the Pills Work?
When you take an oral combination pill (those with both estrogen and progesterone), the hormones present block the release of an egg from the ovary. This is the primary method through which the pill works. The pill also helps in thickening the cervical mucus so that it becomes harder for sperm to move and fertilise an egg in the fallopian tube.

Progesterone-only pills generally do not prevent ovulation but instead thickens the cervical mucus to prevent fertilisation from occurring. Both these kinds of pills may also thin the uterine lining, which can prevent implantation from taking place if an egg is fertilised.

Birth control pills offer no protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

Who Can Use Them?
Most healthy women can use oral contraceptive pills to avoid pregnancy. However, there are instances where this method may not be suitable and other birth control options may be better. Some typical cases where you should not use birth control pills include:

If you are over 35 years of age
If you smoke
You have a history of heart problems
You have known or suspected cancer of the uterus or breast
You get vaginal bleeding
Have a history of blood clots
You have liver disease or inflammation of the liver
You get frequent migraines or headaches
You have been diagnosed with high blood sugar or high blood pressure
You require bed rest after a major surgery
Woman who are under 35 and suffer from epilepsy, diabetes, sickle cell disease or any heart or liver problem should abstain from using birth control pills. Also, some women may have religious or moral objections to using this form of contraception and may prefer to us natural birth control or hormone-free contraceptives.

If you are considering using oral contraceptives, find more information about which oral contraceptive is best for you here.

Effectiveness of Pills
Research and use by many women has shown that birth control pills are as much as 99.9% effective in preventing pregnancy when used perfectly. Perfect use refers to taking the pill at the exact same time every day (so that your hormone levels stay consistent) and not forgetting any pills. However, with typical use, the pill may be as low as 92% effective. Typical use means that you do not take the pill at the exact same time each day and that you might sometimes forget to take a pill.

It has been seen that certain drugs like antibiotics, anti-fungals, anti-HIV protease inhibitors, and anti-seizure medications affect the efficacy of birth control pills. Therefore it is always better to ask your physician about the drugs you can take along with the pill. If you are being prescribed a drug, make sure to mention to the doctor that you are taking the birth control pill.

Sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea may also lessen the effectiveness of the contraceptives. Pills can also fail to prevent pregnancy if you miss one or more doses or take an irregular dosage. If you have been sick, are using a medication that can interfere with the pill or miss a dose, consider others methods of birth control, like a condom, until you get your period to help prevent pregnancy.

How to Use the Pills
If you are prescribed 28-day birth control pills, your pill pack will consist of 21 days worth of hormonal pills and seven days of sugar pills. During the seven days of the sugar pills, you will get your period. Women using 21-day birth control pill packs will take only hormonal pills for 21 consecutive days before stopping their pill for one week. During this pill-free week, you will get your period. At the end of the pill-free or sugar-pill week, you will start another pack of hormonal pills. Women on other forms of birth control pills may take the hormonal pills for a longer period of time before breaking for a period.

It is important to take a pill at the same time everyday particularly if you are using the progesterone-only pill. If you delay the time by 3 hours or more, you might have to use another effective birth control method in addition to your pill. Linking your pill taking to a daily activity, like eating breakfast or brushing your teeth, will help you make it a part of your daily routine. Other women find it helpful to set a watch alarm so that they never forget to take their pill.

If you do forget to take a pill, take the missed pill as soon as you remember and continue with your regular schedule. If you miss two or more pills, consult the instructions that come with your birth control pills.

Although the pill is usually effective as soon as you start taking it, it is generally recommended to use a secondary contraceptive method for the first week to month of use.

Advantages
The many advantages of using a birth control pill are:

It is safe and easy to use
Periods become more regular and lighter
Future fertility is not affected
Intercourse is not interrupted
May protect women from cancer of the ovaries and the uterus
Reduces acne
Fewer menstrual cramps
Protection against pelvic inflammatory disease
May reduce your risk of an ectopic pregnancy
Disadvantages
Drawbacks to this contraception include:

Has to be taken everyday
Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases
Is less effective when take along with some drugs
Increase risk of strokes
Cannot be taken without a prescription
Side Effects
Many women complain of birth control pill side effects although these discomforts have been reduced to a large extent nowadays as pills contain a much smaller dose of hormones compared to when they were first put on the market. Some of the more common birth control side effects include:

Missed period (consult your physician if this happens)
Spotting or bleeding, usually during the first three months. If your bleeding is severe, consult with your doctor.
Breast tenderness
Weight gain
Water retention
Nausea
Mood swings
Darkening of the skin
Decreased sex drive
These birth control pills side effects usually subside after 2-3 cycles. If symptoms persist, it is always good to keep your physician informed. Though serious problems are not frequent, there are some complications associated with using the birth control pill:

Blood clots in the brain, heart, lungs or legs
Jaundice (rare)
Liver tumors (rare)
Gallstones (rare)
High blood pressure
Also check out are articles on the risks of birth control pills, on how smoking affects the pill, on the links between the pill and IBD and on how birth control pills affect your libido.

Availability and Cost
The cost of birth control pills will vary according to the brand you use and where you obtain your pills. Some health clinics may provide the pills at a reduced cost or possibly for free. Some insurance policies may cover some or all of the cost of the prescription.

It is very important that you keep your physician informed of any bodily changes while you are taking the pill and to get a complete gynaecological check up done once every year.

Find out what women are saying about the Yasmin pill on our birth control forum.

Birth Control Options - Hormonal methods of contraception

2010-05-27T08:20:00.000-07:00

There are two main types of hormonal contraceptive which can be used by teens: the contraceptive pill, and the injectable hormonal contraceptive. If used properly, both are extremely effective in providing protection against pregnancy – but they provide no protection at all against sexually transmitted diseases. For very good protection against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, a hormonal method should be used at the same time as the male condom.

In some countries, contraceptive patches (that stick to the skin) and rings (that go inside the vagina) are also available.

The contraceptive pill (sometimes known as the birth control pill)

What does ‘going on the pill’ mean?
People often talk about being ‘on the pill’. This means they are using the oral contraceptive pill as a method of contraception. This has nothing to do with oral sex, and just means that the contraceptive is in pill form which is taken orally (swallowed).

How does it work?
The pill contains chemicals called hormones. One type of pill called ‘the combined pill’ has two hormones called Oestrogen and Progestogen. The combined pill stops the release of an egg every month – but doesn’t stop periods.

The other type of pill only has Progestogen in it. It works by altering the mucous lining of the vagina to make it thicker. The sperm cannot then get through, and as the sperm can’t meet the egg, the girl can’t get pregnant.

What do you do?
Usually a girl has to take one pill every day for about three weeks. She then takes a break for seven days while she has her period, before starting the cycle again (or instead, she may take ‘sugar’ pills for those seven days, i.e. pills that don’t actually have any affect, but which are taken purely so she keeps in the routine) for seven days.

It’s very important not to forget to take these pills. If this happens, protection against pregnancy is lost. The Progestogen-only pill also has to be taken at the same time every day.

How effective is the pill?
It’s a very effective method of contraception if it is taken correctly. If the pill is taken exactly according to the instructions, the chance of pregnancy occurring is practically nil. But if a girl forgets a pill, or is very unwell, its effectiveness is reduced. Another disadvantage of the pill is that it does not provide any protection against STDs. For very good protection against both pregnancy and STDs, the birth control pill should be used at the same time as the male condom.

Injectable Hormonal Contraceptive

How do you use it? How does it work?

The most popular form of this type of contraception, Depo-Provera, involves the girl having an injection once every twelve weeks. The injection is of the hormone Progestogen. The injection works in the same way in the body as the Progestogen only pill, but has the advantage that you do not have to remember to take a pill every day. It does however have the same disadvantage as the hormonal pill, in that it provides no protection against STDs.

The Contraceptive Implant

What is it?

The ‘implant’ is a newer form of contraceptive, which has become available in some countries, such as the UK. It is a small tube, a little over an inch long, which is inserted under the skin on the inside of a girl’s arm.

How does it work?

The implant works in a similar way to the contraceptive pill, but instead of taking a pill every day, hormones are steadily released into a girl’s body from the device. This is seen as an advantage, particularly for girls who have trouble remembering or don’t like having to take a pill every day. However, the implant can cause unwanted side effects, and like the other hormonal contraceptives, the implant does not protect against STDs.

The morning after pill

If a girl has had unprotected sex, but doesn’t want to have a baby, one option is ‘the morning after pill’ – an emergency contraceptive that can prevent pregnancy, when taken after sex. The name is actually a little bit misleading, as it doesn’t necessarily have to be taken ‘the morning after’ – it can work up to 72 hours after you’ve had sex. However, it’s most effective when taken within 24 hours of sex, and the sooner you take it, the better. In a lot of countries you can get the morning after pill for free, as a prescription from your doctor or healthcare provider. In some – including the U.S. and the U.K – you can also buy it over the counter at pharmacies.

Although the morning after pill can be an effective way to avoid pregnancy if you have had unprotected sex, you shouldn’t rely on it, or use it regularly. It’s not as effective as other methods of contraception, and can have side effects. What’s more, it won’t protect you from HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Birth Control Options - Rhythm Method

2010-05-09T23:00:00.000-07:00

Not all women are comfortable with using birth control methods that involve hormones, like the birth control pill, or like the feel of using barrier contraceptives, such as the sponge. Whether for personal or religious reasons, numerous women opt for natural family planning (NFP) as their contraceptive of choice. Though not the most reliable or effective birth control around, the rhythm method is one that has long been used by women all over the world.

Rhythm Method

This method is also known as fertility awareness, periodic abstinence or the calendar method. It is a way of avoiding pregnancy by simply not having intercourse during the days when you ovulate. Many couples wishing to have a child also use this method to time intercourse during the time of ovulation in order to improve their chances of conception.

If you wish to use this method of birth control, you will need to track your menstrual cycle to understand your body’s pattern and know precisely the days when you are most fertile. Then, by avoiding intercourse on those days or using other birth control options, such as condoms, it may be possible to prevent pregnancy.

How Does it Work?

This method of natural birth control is based on an individual’s menstrual cycle. Typically, sperm can survive inside the female reproductive system for around 5 to 7 days, but an egg can only live for 24 hours. Therefore, it is possible that your egg may get fertilised even 2 or 3 days after intercourse when ovulation occurs and sperm is already present in the body. However, 24 hours after you have ovulated, it is fairly safe to say that pregnancy will not occur until your next menstrual cycle. But how can you know just when you are most fertile?

Most menstrual cycles can be divided into three phases:

Pre-ovulatory infertility phase
Fertility phase
Post-ovulatory infertility phase

The first day of your period is considered to be the first day of your cycle. In order to determine the pre-ovulatory infertility phase, you will need to track your menstrual cycles for at least six months. After this time, take your shortest cycle and subtract 19. For example, if your shortest cycle was 26 days, then you would subtract 19 from 26. This would leave you with 7; you will remain infertile until the 7th day of your cycle.

The post-ovulatory infertility phase is calculated by deducting 10 from your longest menstrual cycle. For example, if your longest cycle was 32 days, then 10 from 32 would be 22. Therefore, on the 22nd day of your cycle you would resume another infertile period. This would also mean that, from day 8 to 21 of any given cycle, it would be necessary for you to abstain from sex or use another contraceptive method, as the likelihood of pregnancy is significantly increased at this time.

Who Can Use It?

Most natural birth control methods need you to be very aware of each and every change that occurs in your body. Knowing the length of your monthly cycles, noticing the changes in your cervical mucus and paying attention to changes in your body temperature can all help to keep you aware of your fertility. Therefore, those who have irregular cycles cannot really benefit from the Calendar Rhythm Method. Additionally, teenagers, who often do not have regular cycles yet, are also advised against using this method.

Because this method requires the use of periodic abstinence, it is recommended more often for people in long-term relationships. Furthermore, the rhythm method offers no protection against STDs, like HIV and chlamydia. This is another reason why it is more often recommended for couples in long-term, monogamous relationships where both partners have tested free of STDs.

It is always better to consult your physician before practising this method, as he will be able to advise on the exact way you can track your cycle and if you need to use any other devices that might help in knowing your ovulatory phase.

Effectiveness

Imperfect use of this birth control option or having intercourse during the fertile days has lead to a relative increase in the failure rate of rhythm method. Of about 100 women using this method, around 25 may get an accidental pregnancy. Even with perfect use, though, the rhythm method is still only 91% effective meaning, out of 100 women who use this method perfectly, nine will be become pregnant every year.

Reliability

There are many factors that make rhythm method a not very reliable way of birth control. Apart from the usual mistakes that anyone can make, like tracking your cycle incorrectly, using the wrong formula to find the infertile or fertile phase, having intercourse during fertile days or maybe unwillingness of a partner, this method also has certain flaws.

The formula used to determine your fertile time is based on the assumption that all women ovulate halfway through their menstrual cycle. Although many women do ovulate halfway through, others ovulate earlier on while some don’t ovulate until just before their period. Also some women get mid-cycle bleeding that they may mark as a normal menstrual cycle, leading to a wrong calculation of cycle days. As a result, your fertile phase may not be accurately predicted, causing you to unknowingly have intercourse during a fertile time.

Another reason for the increased failure rate is that you use past cycles to predict future cycles. In most cases, past patterns are sufficient in providing you with a guideline for future cycles. However, any changes to your lifestyle, such as taking medication, dealing with stress, illness, starting menopause or breastfeeding, and chances are that your cycle may change. Even without these factors, the reality is that all women have a slightly different cycle every month. And this can affect just when you ovulate and are fertile during a cycle.

With numerous other methods of birth control available nowadays, the rhythm method is used more often as an added safety measure and a way of knowing your body better rather than as a primary form of birth control.

Advantages

As a natural birth control method, using the rhythm method to track your fertile days is relatively simple compared to using a contraceptive patch or receiving hormone injections. Other advantages are:

Almost anyone can practice it
Does not require any apparatus
Does not interfere with foreplay or intercourse
Has no effect on long-term fertility

Disadvantages

One of the biggest disadvantages of the rhythm method is that it does not protect against STDs. Other disadvantages include:

Takes a lot of time to track the monthly cycle
You cannot start using this method instantly and will need to note your cycles for at least 6 months first
Partner may not be willing to cooperate

Side Effects and Cost

Unlike other birth control, the rhythm method does not have any birth control side effects associated with its use. Additionally, costs for this contraceptive are minimal as all you really need is a calendar and a pen. However, before starting this method of contraception, it is best to discuss all its pros and cons with your health care provider.

Join our Birth Control forum to find out what other women are saying about the many various methods of contraception.

For more information on natural birth control, visit our Timing Intercourse page.

Birth Control Options - Natural Family Planning

2010-05-09T22:54:00.000-07:00

One of the oldest methods women have used to control their fertility has been through natural family panning, or fertility awareness. Natural family planning is made up of a variety of techniques, including the rhythm method,ovulation method, Standard Days Method, and the sympto-thermal method, and is based on the fact that a woman is most fertile around the time of natural birth control, they can also be used to help a couple that is trying to conceive.

Benefits of Fertility Awareness
There are many advantages to using family planning techniques:

Women are able to have a better understanding of how their body works Has no side-effects Does not require the use of any drugs or chemicals Relatively inexpensive Requires the cooperation of both partners Can be used to prevent a pregnancy as well as help a couple conceive

The Disadvantages of Natural Birth Control
While family planning methods are popular with some people, others find the techniques to be too time consuming. Unfortunately, if you do not practice this type of birth control properly and consistently, there is a good chance you will become pregnant. However, perfect practice of these techniques have been shown to be just as effective as other types of contraceptives. Additionally, because fertility awareness methods require the involvement of both partners, this type of natural birth control may not be suitable to those people who are not in a long term, committed relationship.

Another disadvantage of fertility awareness methods is that none of them offer any protection against sexually transmitted diseases. This is why it important to use this form of birth control only when you are in a long term, committed relationship. Otherwise, it will be necessary to use condoms when you have sex to prevent the transmission of STDs.

Before You Begin
If you and your partner would like to use fertility awareness as your form of contraception, it is a good idea to get some training in these techniques first. This will help to ensure that you are using these methods properly to avoid pregnancy. Contact your health care provider or pregnancy resource center who can offer you training or refer you to some one else that specializes in training couples. Here are some of the methods that you should consider:

Standard Days Method
Ovulation Method
Rhythm/Calendar Method
Sympto-thermal Method
Basal Body Temperature Charting
Fertility Computers