Conditions and Management

The birth control shot is an effective type of contraceptive injection that prevents pregnancy by releasing the hormone progesterone into a woman’s bloodstream). Although it is considered one of the most convenient methods of birth control, it does come with some side effects.

Here is a closer look at what you need to know about the birth control shot and the effects it can have on your body.

What Is the Birth Control Shot?

The Depo-Provera™ birth control shot is a type of birth control that is administered in the form of an injection once every 12 weeks. It boasts an efficacy rate of up to 99.7 percent. It is a popular choice among women who are unable to use estrogen-based contraceptive methods because it only contains the hormone progestin.

What Are the Side Effects of the Depo-Provera™ Birth Control Shot?

Here is a look at some of the more common side effects of this birth control shot.

A Loss of Bone Density

One concern associated with long-term use of the Depo-Provera™ shot is the potential loss of bone density. The Food and Drug Administration notes that when the shot is used regularly for more than two years, women are more vulnerable to experiencing bone thinning and broken bones. For this reason, the use of this shot should be limited to no longer than two years.

Many doctors recommend that women who receive this shot take calcium and vitamin D supplements to help mitigate its effects on bone density. When bone loss does occur as a result of the shot, it is considered permanent. Depo-Provera™ carries a black box warning indicating this risk.

Weight Gain

Another potential side effect of the Depo-Provera™ birth control shot is weight gain. Research shows that two-thirds of women reported gaining five pounds during their first year using the shot.

By their second year, the figure had climbed to eight pounds, while those who continued taking the pill gained an average of 16.5 pounds by year six. This equates to approximately three pounds per year. Although not all women will experience this side effect, it is an important consideration for those who struggle to maintain a healthy weight.

Irregular Menstrual Bleeding

One of the most commonly reported side effects of the birth control shot is changes to a woman’s menstrual cycle. Irregular spotting and bleeding can occur for more than a year in some women, but there is no way of predicting who will experience this particular side effect and to what degree.

For women who find this side effect particularly frustrating, switching to a different method of contraception is the only viable solution. However, some women can enjoy short-term relief while their body gets used to the shot with supplements such as Lysteda and Ponstel.

Missing Periods

Like some other methods of birth control, such as intrauterine devices, birth control shots can cause menstruation to cease altogether in some women after they have received a few injections; others may experience much later periods.

For many women, this is considered a benefit of the shot rather than an unpleasant side effect. Indeed, some women start using this method of contraception in hopes of putting an end to their period.

According to clinical studies, more than a third of women who use Depo-Provera™ will stop getting their period after six months of treatment. After a year, this number climbs to 55 percent, while 68 percent of women will stop getting periods by the second year.

Mood Changes

Some women experience changes to their mood, including experiencing anxiety and depression. Almost 11 percent of women using the shot reported nervousness in clinical trials, while 1.5 percent reported experiencing depression.

However, the evidence showing that the shot caused these effects is considered inconsistent. Nevertheless, women with a history of depression should be monitored while using the shot and stop using it if they experience symptoms of depression.

Delayed Fertility

Depo-Provera™ is considered an effective and long-lasting birth control method, but it is important to note that unlike some other methods of birth control, it may take some time for women to begin ovulating normally again after they discontinue use.

Women who would like to get pregnant after using this shot should expect to wait at least nine months before successfully conceiving. Research shows that 68 percent of women got pregnant within their first year of stopping Depo-Provera™; this number reached 93 percent 18 months after stopping the shot.

Abdominal Pain

In clinical trials, 11.2 percent of women using Depo-Provera™ reported experiencing discomfort or pain in their abdominal area. It is important to keep in mind that severe abdominal pain can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, which may occur while using the shot.

Therefore, women who experience this side effect should immediately seek emergency care. Although it is rare, an ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening.

Reach Out to the Raleigh Women’s Health-care Team

To discuss the advantages and drawbacks of various methods of birth control and find one that suits your needs, schedule an appointment with the women’s health-care team at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today.

The birth control pill is the most common type of contraception used by women around the world, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is 99 percent effective when used properly, but that means taking it every single day at exactly the same time.

Unfortunately, this can be difficult to do consistently, which means that the pill may be 91% effective. Here are some tips for staying on schedule and how you can maximize protection from pregnancy with the pill.

Take Your Pill at a Time That Works for You

When you first start taking birth control pills, consider a time that works with your lifestyle. Look at your schedule and find a time to take the pill every day of the week. If you wake up early, taking it then may be a good idea, but what happens when you want to sleep in on the weekend? Choose a time when you are consistently available to take the pill.

Set a Reminder on Your Smartphone

Modern smartphones make our lives easier in many ways, and the ability to set daily reminders is undoubtedly one of them. There are several ways to use your phone to help you remember to take your birth control pill, from setting a daily alarm to go off at the right time each day to using the reminder feature in a calendar app or downloading a dedicated reminder app. There are even birth control pill reminder apps that have built-in trackers to help you manage your cycle.

However, there are a few reasons you may not want to do this. For instance, you may like to turn your phone’s alarm off if you’re busy and then forget to take your birth control pill.

Some people are trying to reduce their reliance on smartphones and may have certain times when they choose not to use them. Meanwhile, if you are usually with many others, you may not want your phone’s alarm to interrupt. However, there are other options to help you stay on schedule.

Make Taking Your Birth Control Pill Part of Your Daily Routine

Another good way of remembering to do something each day, such as taking your birth control pill, is by combining it with another daily habit that you do regularly. After all, routine is the key to making something consistent.

Look at your daily schedule and see where you can fit in taking your pill. For example, you may decide to take it every morning after breakfast or after you take your shower. Whatever habit you decide to tie your birth control to, keep your pill pack in the same area that you will be, as this makes it more convenient to remember to do so..

If a friend or family member also takes medication at a certain time each day, both of you may want to take it at the same time to help each other remember.

Set Your Pills in a Visible Place

Even if you do set a reminder, you may still be worried that you are going to forget to take your pill from time to time. Many people find that keeping them in a place where they will see them each day can serve as an effective visual reminder. When you leave your birth control container on your dresser, night stand, or kitchen counter, it will be more difficult to forget taking it.

If you are frequently not home at the time you take your pill, consider leaving them in your purse so that you always have them with you. However, do not leave your pills in the bathroom as temperature and humidity changes may impact their efficacy.

Write It Down

Studies have shown that writing something down can help your brain to better remember it. This is why taking notes in school is so effective. Therefore, consider jotting down a reminder to take your pill.

If you use a paper calendar or planner, write down the time that you need to take your pill in the entry for each day. Alternatively, you could use post-it note reminders and put them where you are likely to see them often, such as your fridge.

Schedule an Appointment With the Contraceptive Care Team

If you have any questions or concerns about birth control usage, reach out to the contraceptive care team at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today to schedule an appointment.

The birth control pill is an effective, convenient, and safe way for women to avoid unwanted pregnancies, giving them control over their reproductive health. However, those who are using the pill for the first time may be overwhelmed by everything they need to learn.

Here are some tips for making your oral birth control pill experience as smooth as possible.

Find Out When You Can Expect Protection

The amount of time it takes for your pill to offer you protection from pregnancy depends on where you are in your menstrual cycle when you start taking it and the type of pill. There are two main types of birth control pills: combination pills that contain estrogen and progestin and a progestin-only pill.

With the combination pill, you can expect immediate protection if you begin taking it within five days of your period. However, if you start taking it in the middle of your cycle, your doctor may recommend that you use backup contraception for anywhere from 7 to 14 days depending on the brand of pill you are taking.

Those taking progestin-only pills, however, can enjoy protection after 48 hours of starting the pill regardless of the point they are in their menstrual cycle. Your doctor should explain this to you when they prescribe the pill, but be sure to ask any questions you may have about the timing of your pill’s effectiveness. You should also find out what steps to take if you miss a pill as this varies by brand.

Give Your Body Time to Adjust

Birth control pills release hormones into your bloodstream, and you may notice some changes as your body adjusts. For example, some women may experience spotting or even bleeding between periods. This is a natural reaction to introducing the hormones and is not normally a cause for concern.

However, if you experience any type of symptom that has a negative impact on your quality of life, contact your gynecologist to find out if it could be related to your pill.

It takes many women two to three months to get used to a new birth control pill. But sometimes a pill is simply the wrong fit for a woman’s body chemistry. In this case, it is often recommended to try a different type of birth control pill with a different combination of hormones to see if it works better for you. Your doctor can guide you through this process and help you find a suitable solution.

Start Taking the Pill on the Last Day of Your Period

You can begin taking birth control at any point in your cycle, but some doctors recommend beginning the first pill on the Sunday after your start your period. This is considered ideal timing because the pill should start working right away, unless your body mass index is 30 or greater.

Nevertheless, many physicians suggest continuing to use condoms while taking the first pack of birth control pills as you are more likely to forget to take a pill as you adjust to your new routine.

Additionally, keep in mind that birth control pills do not offer any protection against sexually transmitted infections, so you should only give up condoms when you are having sex with someone whose health status you trust.

Consider Taking Your Pill in the Evening

The most important thing you can do to ensure you get maximum protection against pregnancy is to take your birth control pill at the same time every day. Choosing the right time from the start makes it far easier to establish a routine and stick with it.

Many women find that taking their birth control pill in the evening after dinner works well. First, like many other medications, taking it with food or right after eating can reduce the chances of experiencing nausea and other unpleasant side effects.

It also means that if you are one of the few women who does experience nausea from your birth control pill, you will likely sleep through it. Moreover, by making it part of a post-dinner routine like brushing your teeth, you are less likely to forget it.

Your birth control pill’s effectiveness will decrease if you take it at different times of the day, so choosing something that happens every day, like eating dinner, provides you with a good time marker to signal it is time to take your pill. Many women also find that setting an alarm on their phone as a reminder really helps them stay compliant.

Schedule an Appointment With Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness

If you would like to learn more about oral birth control pills, reach out to Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today to learn more about your available options, schedule an appointment, and find the right solution to meet your needs.

A vaginal ring, also known as a birth control ring, is a type of contraceptive device that is placed inside the vagina and works to protect pregnancy around the clock. There are two main types of vaginal rings, and they operate slightly differently. Here is a closer look at the vaginal rings available and how they work.

How Do Vaginal Rings Work?

The two main types of vaginal rings available are NuvaRing and Annovera. These rings contain the hormones estrogen and progestin, which are also found in many birth control pills and are similar to the hormones naturally made by your body. The ring is placed inside the vagina, where it releases the hormones that are absorbed into your body through the vaginal lining.

These hormones work to stop ovulation from occurring, which means there will not be an egg available for sperm to fertilize. This is what stops pregnancy from occurring. They also work to thicken cervical mucus, which can also block sperm and render it unable to swim to an egg, providing an additional layer of protection against pregnancy.

The ring should not be taken out during sex. In fact, it is made to be worn at all times, including while having sex. If you do take your ring out for any reason and it is left out of your body for more than two hours , you will not be protected from pregnancy.

NuvaRing

NuvaRing is a small and flexible ring that you place inside your vagina once a month. Women who use NuvaRing can decide whether they would like to get their period each month for added reassurance that they are not pregnant or skip it by using the ring continuously. NuvaRing contains enough hormones for 28 days of protection.

If you wish to get your period, you can wear the ring for 21 days or28 days depending on how often you want to get your period, before removing it for seven days. Then, place a new ring after seven days without using one, taking care to start and end ring usage on the same day of the week each time.

If you would rather skip your period, you can do so safely by keeping a ring in your vagina at all times. Every 28 days, you should take out your ring and replace it with a new one.

It is not unusual to experience some bleeding or spotting when you are trying to skip your period with the ring. This should go away after several months, but it is safe to use menstrual cups, pads, and tampons with your ring in place as long as you take care not to pull the ring out when removing them.

Annovera

Annovera functions very similarly to NuvaRing. However, it contains enough hormones to last for up to a year, or 13 cycles. It is normally left in the vagina for 21 days and then removed for seven days. Women can expect to get their period during the seven ring-free days. Then, the same ring should be replaced for the next 21 days.

The placement and removal days should always be the same day of the week. For example, if it is placed on a Sunday it should be removed three weeks later on a Sunday.

How to Use a Vaginal Ring

Using a vaginal ring is easy. If you are using Annovera, you need to wash the ring with a mild soap and lukewarm water before placement.

With clean hands, squeeze the sides of your ring together with your fingers and push it gently into the vagina. If you are unable to feel it while walking, it has been placed correctly. If it is uncomfortable, moving it around slightly or pushing it in deeper can help improve its placement. It is not possible to push it in too deep or lose it inside the vagina.

When it is time to remove your ring, you can simply hook your finger through it and remove it gently from the vagina. If you are using NuvaRing, it should be discarded after use. However, because Annovera can be used for multiple cycles, you should wash the ring with mild soap and lukewarm water and dry it thoroughly prior to placing it into its case for safekeeping until it is time to start using it again.

Reach Out to the Women’s Health-care Professionals at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness

For more information about whether a vaginal ring is the right birth control method for you, reach out to the experienced women’s health-care professionals at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness to schedule an appointment today.

Vaginal yeast infections are an unfortunate part of life for many women. These infections are caused when the candida fungus, which is a normal part of your vagina’s microscopic bacterial ecosystem, grows out of control.

In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that vaginal candidiasis is the second most common vaginal infection behind bacterial vaginal infections, leading to around 1.4 million outpatient doctor visits each year.

Although a vaginal yeast infection is not considered a sexually transmitted infection, many people associate them with sex because they do tend to develop after vaginal intercourse in certain women who are prone to them.

Although the timing can sometimes be a coincidence as many other factors can also trigger yeast infections, there are still some steps that can be taken to keep these infections at bay.

How Does Vaginal Intercourse Lead to Yeast Infections?

It is important to understand how vaginal intercourse can result in a yeast infection. and are the result of a normal fungus in the vagina growing uncontrollably. In the case of vaginal intercourse, bacteria from your partner’s penis, finger, or sex toys can be introduced into your vagina’s ecosystem and disrupt it, triggering a yeast infection.

Ways to Prevent Yeast Infections

Here is a look at some effective ways of reducing your chances of experiencing a yeast infection after sex.

Take Precautions

If you are concerned about getting a yeast infection from sexual activity, a condom or dental dam can help minimize the spread of bacteria through sexual activity.

Wash Up Afterward

It is important to bathe after sexual activity if you are prone to yeast infections, taking care to avoid the use of perfumed soaps and hygiene products in the genital area as these can increase your likelihood of a yeast infection.

You should also avoid douching as these products can disrupt your vagina’s natural balance of bacteria by removing the beneficial bacteria there that serve to fight infections. Do not use a hot tub or take an extra hot bath.

Wear Breathable Undergarments

One effective way of avoiding yeast infections both after sex and in general is by sticking to breathable underwear. Look for underwear that is made of cotton as it can help keep you dry and does not retain heat and/or moisture.

Many types of lingerie are made with other materials, so it may be worth considering whether something you are wearing for sexual activity could be contributing to your yeast infection.

You should also make sure the clothes you wear around your genitals are as loose as possible after sex to reduce your chances of a yeast infection. This includes jeans and pants, as well as pantyhose and tights.

Eat Yogurt With Active Cultures

One easy way to reduce your chances of experiencing a yeast infection after sex is consuming yogurt that contains active cultures. These cultures add to your body’s healthy bacteria that keep yeast under control and infections at bay.

Avoid Partners With an Active Yeast Infection

Although penile yeast infections are not as common as vaginal yeast infections, they do exist and are not unusual. A yeast infection can show up on the penis despite not being considered a sexually transmitted infection.

It is important to keep in mind that having penetrative sex with an individual who is experiencing a penile yeast infection also raises your risk of experiencing a vaginal yeast infection. Likewise, you can pass a yeast infection onto your partner.

Therefore, it is best to avoid sex until your partner is no longer experiencing the symptoms of a yeast infection. This can also help prevent passing the same infection back and forth.

Avoid Sexual Activity With a Partner With Oral Thrush

Researchers have shown that your risk of a yeast infection increases when you receive vaginal oral sex because it introduces bacteria and candida from the gums, tongue, and mouth of your partner to your vagina. The risk is even higher if your partner has oral thrush, so avoid this type of activity until they have recovered.

What Are the Symptoms of a Yeast Infection After Sex?

Keep in mind that the symptoms of a yeast infection may take a couple of days or even a week to develop. If you feel discomfort immediately following sexual activity, it is unlikely to be a sign of a yeast infection.

Some symptoms to watch for include intense itching, irritation, redness, and a type of white discharge that resembles cottage cheese, either in your underwear or when wiping your vagina. You may also experience some pain while urinating, which is why yeast infections may sometimes be confused with urinary tract infections. Some yeast infections do not have any symptoms.

Reach Out to the Health-care Team at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness

If you are experiencing yeast infections, a doctor can help you identify the cause and develop a plan to keep this frustrating problem under control. Contact Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today to schedule an appointment with the knowledgeable women’s health-care professionals.