There are many  types of birth control methods out there for both women, and men to choose from, things like physical methods, barrier methods, and hormonal methods. The physical method is when the male, or female is surgically altered in order to block or throw off the reproductive track. Most older men, and women have this method performed because they have already had kids, are just do not want them anymore, and get this done, so they do not have a pregnancy happen. In the male this process is called a vasectomy, this is where the doctor will cut open the scrotum of the male, and surgically cut, or block the tube which carries the sperm to the penis. In the female the process is commonly called “tying the tubes”, which is basically the same thing just in a female. Another type of birth control that is very popular nowadays in the younger population is the barrier method. This is the type in which a male, or a female uses something to block the sperm from entering the vulva.

The object that is most commonly used by the male is called the condom, which is a piece of latex that covers the penis, and prevents the travel of sperm into the vagina. The female object that is used is called the diaphragm, which is the same thing as a male barrier, its just used on the female, and is connected to the cervical bone so it is secure. The hormonal method is the most popular method nowadays for women to use to prevent pregnancy. Since its release in the early 1990′s the birth control pill, has became more, and more popular over the years, and is now taken by more then one-million women worldwide. The birth control pill has also been found to be used in the younger population as well, while parents try to get them to take it so that they know that there kids will not get pregnant. The hormones in the birth control pill, are that of estrogen, and progestin, these hormones throw off the female reproductive track, and do not allow the fertilization process to take effect. There is also a method in which prevents pregnancy for up to fourteen weeks at a time, this is called Depo Provera.

Depo Provera is a birth control shot that is administered by your local doctor usually once every twelve weeks to ensure its still active within the body. This is a large shot of a hormone similar to that in the birth control pill, progestin. The shot has been proven to be ninety-nine percent effective, and the patient either gets the shot in the buttocks, or the upper arm. There different types are just some of the different methods in which people use to help prevent pregnancy. Many doctors recommend the use of the barrier the condom, whenever having sexual intercourse because it not only prevents pregnancy, but the condom also helps in preventing you from getting any STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease).

Birth control is very important in the modern society. This is because more and more people are choosing to take charge of their lives and determine the number of children they wish to have if at all. Birth control has helped many people and couples in society bring up healthy families reducing the load of having too many children who would otherwise be neglected.

However, choosing a birth control method can prove to be a very daunting task. Every person wants to choose a method that will be suitable for them. For this reason, it is vital for you to know what to consider when you are choosing a method of birth control. The following factors should be considered and when you have evaluated different outcomes and considered side factors, you will be in a position to make a good decision that you will not regret.

• Health risks As you well know, there are many birth control methods that might do you more harm than good; especially if you have a medical condition. For example, hormonal birth control methods like the combined estrogen and progestin is not recommended for women who are over the age of 35. Habits like smoking will further compromise the effect of certain methods with regard to birth control. Women who smoke should not use the combined hormonal methods due to health risks. Also, women who have a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, blood clots and even migraines should seek medical help when it comes to choosing the right method.

• Your return to fertility is also a very important factor to consider. This is because there are methods of birth control which will take away fertility for a longer time than you anticipated. Such methods include a shot of Depo-Provera. This progestin-only method has been reported to cause a lot of heartache to women who may end up loosing their fertility altogether. It is vital for you to consider a method that will enable you conceive at the time you wish to conceive.

• Effectiveness is the other great factor to consider. Every individual or couple wants to use a method that will guarantee good results. It is not always possible to have full guarantees with various birth control methods but, there are those that are more effective than others. Hormonal implants and injections top the list when it comes to effectiveness. Birth control pills, patches, rings and others follow. Methods like use of condoms, spermicides and diaphragms are moderately effective compared to the other methods. Your choice should be effective when it comes to preventing pregnancy.

• Protection from sexually transmitted diseases is also very important. It might even be more important than the risk of getting pregnant because your life is at stake. There are effective methods of birth control that will not do you justice when it comes to protecting you from diseases transmitted sexually. The use of condoms is the leading method when it comes to this form of protection. Therefore, it is wise to use a combination of various methods to protect yourself effectively from pregnancy and from contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

• Permanence is another key point to consider. You want a method that will serve you in a duration that is most suitable. For those who do not want any children or do not want more children, a permanent method like female tubal ligation or male vasectomy will be just right. However, if you do not want to do away with your fertility, it is advisable to stick to the more temporary methods of birth control.

• Finally, it is vital to consider other benefits that a birth control method can bring. For example, there are hormonal methods that have been seen to be effective against acne. Others have been seen to reduce menstrual cramping and pain. Let your health care provider guide you into making the best decisions with this regard.

Keep in mind that you want the methods to work for you. If you have a method that is doing the opposite, it is time to re-evaluate and consider the above factors. Chances are that there will be a method or methods that will work great to help you avoid unwanted pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted diseases.

Centuries ago, women really did not have a say about whether they want to have a baby or not. Nowadays, however, women have the capacity to plan their lives, careers and family with the help of contraceptives, particularly birth control pills — which is considered as a contraceptive that is around 92% to 99.75% effective. Statistics show that this oral contraceptive is still the number one choice of women. However, birth control pills do not work to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, reproductive tract infections and AIDS/HIV.

Although The Pill can be considered as an effective way to control birth, a lot of women are still afraid to use it because of perceived side effects. Moreover, oral contraceptives are not for everyone. Women who are above 35 years old, smokers, and have liver diseases, heart problems, inexplicable vaginal bleeding, history of stroke or heart disease and cancer should not take pills. And of course, women who think that they are pregnant should absolutely not take contraceptive pills.

Side Effects Of Taking Birth Control Pills

As mentioned earlier, there are quite a number of women who are afraid to take oral contraceptives because of side effects. They feel that their protection against unwanted pregnancy does not outweigh possible adverse effects that may be brought about by using The Pill.

Here are some of the side effects that women believe can be caused by taking oral contraceptives:

Increase Risk Of Certain Types of Cancer

If there is one thing that really prevents a lot of ladies out there to try taking pills, it is the fear of increasing their risk of having cancer, particularly in the breasts, ovaries and other reproductive organs. Some decades ago, it is believed that contraceptive pills increase the likelihood of women getting gynecological cancers for about 40%. In reality, however, the oral contraceptives that are available nowadays actually help in preventing cancer, particularly those related to the female reproductive system. To be on the safe side, it would be better for you to seek medical advice before using oral contraception, especially if you have a family history of cancer.

Unwanted Weight Gain

According to studies, the average weight increase of women who are taking oral contraceptives is about 3 kilograms in a period of one year. However, this slight weight gain can also be due to normal aging process, slow metabolism and even lack of exercise. Although the weight gain caused by pills is only minimal, there are women, especially those that are in their 20s, who do not want to take the risk of ingesting something that may contribute unwanted pounds. Probably, this is due to the popularity of being skinny.

Bloating And Fluid Retention

Women who are using contraception will attest that there is a link between The Pill and water retention. It seems that high doses of estrogen in birth control pills can really cause weight gain due to retention of fluid. If the contraceptive that you are using has a high dose of estrogen, you might want to try one that has a lower dosage.

If you are experiencing swelling of the arms and legs, as well as abdominal cramping, chest pains, extreme headaches, and eye problems, then it may be wise to visit your doctor immediately because what you are experiencing might be extreme side effects from contraceptive pills.

For women who are experiencing water retention due to menopause, monthly period, or normal use of birth control pills, one way of getting rid of the swelling is taking natural supplements such as Expelis, which is designed to eliminate excess fluid in the body safely. For more details, visit http://www.expelis.com/.

Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine. http://www.thearticleinsiders.com.

What is birth control?

Birth control refers to any activity, medication, or equipment used to prevent pregnancy. There are many types of birth control available for women who do not wish to become pregnant. The decision on which method is right for you should be made with your physician, as well as with your partner.

Birth control methods work in different ways to prevent pregnancy, including the following:

-creating a barrier that blocks sperm from reaching the egg

-killing sperm

-preventing eggs from being released by the ovaries

-changing the cervical mucus to hinder sperm from moving into the uterus

-altering the tissue lining the uterus so that a fertilized egg cannot implant

What are the different types of birth control?

Some methods that do not require a prescription from your physician include the following:

abstinence – not having sexual intercourse.

spermicides – foams or creams placed inside the vagina to kill sperm; these may also provide some protection against sexually transmitted diseases, especially when used with a latex condom.

male condoms – a thin tube made of latex or a natural material that is placed over the penis. The sperm is collected in the end of the condom. Latex condoms may provide some protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

female condoms – a liner made of latex or natural material that is placed inside the vagina. Latex condoms may provide some protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

natural family planning – timing intercourse to avoid “fertile” days using various methods of monitoring body temperature, watching for changes in cervical mucus, and the use of ovulation prediction kits. This method, often known as the “rhythm” method, has a high risk for pregnancy.

Some methods that require a prescription include the following:

oral contraceptives (birth control pills) – medications taken daily that prevent ovulation by controlling pituitary hormone secretion. Usually, oral contraceptives contain the hormones estrogen and progestin. Some types are progestin-only.

In addition to prevention of pregnancy, oral contraceptives have several health benefits including regulating menstrual cycles and decreasing the amount and length of menstrual periods. This can help increase iron stores in women with iron deficiency associated with excessive bleeding. Prevention of certain ovarian and endometrial cancers is a significant benefit of the use of oral contraceptives. Some research has found that some benign (non-cancerous) breast diseases, including fibroadenoma and cystic changes, occur less frequently with the use of oral contraceptives. Recent studies have also suggested that oral contraceptive use may reduce the occurrence of severe disabling rheumatoid arthritis.

mini-pill – unlike the traditional birth control pill, the mini-pill has only one hormone, progestin. Taken daily, the mini-pill thickens cervical mucus and prevents the sperm from reaching the egg. The mini-pill also can decrease the flow of your period and protect against PID and ovarian and endometrial cancer.

Norplant/Implants – capsules containing the synthetic hormone levonorgestrel, implanted under the skin in the upper arm of a woman, which continuously prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg for up to five years. Anesthesia is required for insertion and removal of this type of birth control.

Depo-Provera – a progesterone-like drug given by injection to prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation. The effects last for about three months and another injection must be given to continue birth control effectiveness.

monthly injections – a new type of contraceptive that combines two types of hormones, estrogen and progestin, in a monthly injection. These hormones work to prevent ovulation and continue regular menstrual periods. The injection must be repeated every 28 to 33 days to be effective.

patch – this is a skin patch worn on the body that releases the hormones estrogen and progestin into the bloodstream. It is most effective in women who weigh less than 200 pounds.

diaphragm or cervical cap – a dome-shaped rubber cup with a flexible rim that is inserted through the vagina to cover the cervix. This type of birth control must be inserted prior to having sexual intercourse.

hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring – a ring that is placed inside the vagina around the cervix. The ring releases the hormones estrogen and progestin.

intrauterine device (IUD) – devices placed in the uterus through the cervix by a physician. The IUD works by preventing an egg from being fertilized in the tubes or from attaching to the wall of the uterus. IUDs containing hormones must be replaced annually, while copper IUDs can last up to 10 years.

intrauterine system (IUS) – the IUS is a small T-shaped device that is placed inside the uterus by a physician. It releases a small amount of hormone each day to prevent pregnancy.

Essure- a thin tube is used to thread a tiny, spring-like device through the vagina to the uterus into each fallopian tube. A material in the device causes scar tissue to develop and permanently plug the tubes.

Surgery that results in the inability to become pregnant includes the following:

hysterectomy – removal of the uterus and usually the ovaries and fallopian tube. This is a permanent form of birth control.

tubal ligation or tubal occlusion (“tying the tubes”) – surgery to cut, cauterize, or band the fallopian tubes to prevent the egg from being transported to the uterus. Tubal ligation is designed to be a permanent method of birth control. Although certain types of tubal ligations can be reversed, the reversal procedure may not be successful.

vasectomy – cutting or clamping the vas deferens, the tubes that carry the sperm from the testes – are blocked. The testes still produce sperm, but the sperm die and are absorbed by the body. This is a permanent male birth control measure.

Methods that have been suggested as preventive, but may actually present a high risk for pregnancy include the following:

-withdrawal before ejaculation

-sexual intercourse during menstruation

-standing up immediately after sexual intercourse

-douching after sexual intercourse

Can’t remember to take the pill or need something longer term?

1. Intrauterine Device (IUD)

The intrauterine device, also know as “IUD”, is the most popular form of reversible birth control in the world with more than 85 million women users. An IUD is a soft flexible “T-shaped” plastic device that is inserted into the uterus to be used for contraception. The device is inserted and removed at separate office visits. The IUD is one of the safest, most effective and private methods of birth control.

Effectiveness: IUDs offer a very effective, safe, and hassle free contraception option and they last for a very long time.

Pregnancy: The ability to become pregnant returns quickly when IUD use is stopped.

There are two IUDs currently on the market in the USA:

a) The Mirena® IUD

Offers 99.9% effective birth control for up to 5 years. This device has a small amount of progestin hormone on it that usually makes your period lighter, and in some cases stops your period. Women tend to like these lighter periods on this IUD. Some women may experience irregular and/or heavier periods for the first 3 to 6 months after insertion but this usually resolves with ongoing use.

b) The ParaGard® IUD

Offers 97%-99% effective birth control for up to 10 years. The device is non-hormonal and has a small amount of copper on it. Occasionally women may have heavier periods on this IUD.

2. NuvaRing®

NuvaRing® is a once a month contraception. It is a comfortable, flexible contraceptive ring that prevents pregnancy by releasing a low dose of hormones. The ring need only be replaced once every four weeks – it is left in place for three weeks and taken out for the remaining week each month. Many women who use the vaginal ring have more regular, lighter, and shorter periods.

Effectiveness: Less than 1% of women will get pregnant each year if they always use NuvaRing® as directed and less than 8% will get pregnant each year if they don’t always use NuvaRing® as directed.

Pregnancy: If you decide you want to become pregnant, stop using NuvaRing®.

3. Depo-Provera®

Depo-Provera® is a birth control shot that is administered in the arm and lasts three months so you only have to think about it four times a year (every 12 weeks). The birth control shot does not contain estrogen, another type of hormone that is in many types of birth control, including the pill, patch, and ring. This means the shot can be a good choice for women who cannot take estrogen and for women who are breastfeeding. For most women, periods become fewer and lighter. After one year, half of the women who use the birth control shot will stop having periods completely. Some women have longer, heavier periods. Some women have increased spotting and light bleeding between periods.

Effectiveness: Less than 1% of women will get pregnant each year if they always use the birth control shot as directed and less than 3% of women will get pregnant each year if they don’t always use the birth control shot as directed.

Pregnancy: Because the birth control shot is long lasting, it can take a long time to get pregnant after getting your last shot – anywhere from nine months to more than a year. So, Depo-Provera® is not a good birth control method for you if you are thinking of getting pregnant soon.

For more information check out Savannah gynecologist.

Joe Edwards, M.D. is a Savannah gynecologist who enjoys writing about health issues that affect women. Check out his website Savannah OBGYN.

Most men and women use birth control options to prevent unplanned pregnancy and STD. There are some types of birth control options. There are some various facts about birth control options and people have to consider the method they want to use them. You can select a birth control method for protection if you do not want a partner and want to have sex.

You have to know and learn about the different alternatives. So it makes you easy to choose and see the pros and cons of the birth control options.

Condoms

Condom is the most simple birth control options. You can buy condoms at anytime and anywhere. Condoms will be 80% effective when it is used correctly. You can see how to put on a condom correctly at here. There are two types of condoms; male condoms and female condoms. Please try types of condoms which comfortable for you!

Pills

When you choose the birth control pill then you better consult about your health in the health care clinic. Birth control pills are very effective birth control options for preventing pregnancy, if taken in accordance with the prescription. Birth control pills have weaknesses that can not prevent sexually transmitted disease

The Contraceptive Patch

The contraceptive patch has a weakness. Some women may have allergy due to the glue but the contraceptive patch is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. It is comfortable to apply. The contraceptive patch works slowly by releasing hormones that prevent the release ovum.

Spermidices

Spermidices are effetctive up to 80% and they are available in drug stores. Spermidices are suppositories or jellies. Spermidices are used in vagina and up next to cervix an hour before the sexual intercourse.

The Vagina Ring

The vagina ring is 99% effective. The vagina ring prevents the woman body releasing ovum. The vagina ring is clear and soft, worn in the vagina.

How to select birth control options?

The best way to choose birth control options is to take advice of health care advisor. She/he will recognize your body physiology. This way you can decide birth control options that you will apply.

Isaq writes for Birth Control Options, a site that tries to inform for wise mothers. For more great pregnancy articles, visit my Signs of Pregnancy articles.

A cautionary letter was sent by the Food and Drug Administration to Bayer Heath Care last month warning of deviations in quality control in the production of its birth control pills in Germany for the United States, according to the New York Times.

Blood clots, strokes and other health concerns have long been associated with birth control pills. And Bayer is now the subject of 74 lawsuits from women experiencing these problems after using Yaz and Yasmin, the Times said. The pharmaceutical company also drew a crackdown from the FDA in February over claims in TV ads that Yaz helped clear up acne and premenstrual symptoms.

“Whether this turns out to be a serious issue or not, when a drug is stigmatized in public, people just withdraw from taking it,” said Martin Brunninger, a European analyst, according to the Times.

What is surprising is that in the more than one hundred online comments in the Times story, most of them are scathing in their critique of hormonal birth control methods.

“I am 59 years old and a registered nurse,” says Katherine from Boston, about the Times story. “Mine was the first generation of women to use the pill. I never trusted it.”

In a blistering but candid letter to the editor of StLToday.com, in St. Louis, Sherry Tyree, responding to the Times story, wrote that Natural Family Planning is used around the world and has no side effects. The reason it isn’t covered in the media is that “nobody makes money from NFP. You won’t see ads for it on TV the way you’ve seen those Yaz ads. Your doctor isn’t going to teach you about it: he’s got 15 minutes with you until he sees his next patient.”

Women in Berwyn, Cicero, Stickney, N. Riverside, and other western Chicago suburbs with questions about the risks of various kinds of birth control methods and natural alternatives can call WomanCare at 708-795-6000. Or go to WomanCare Services.

Since birth control pills or oral contraceptives are popular with many people, there just might be a chance that this approach to treating acne might gain ground. Birth control pills or oral contraceptives can control androgens from performing their tasks. But does it really work? There’s only one way to find out.

When to Use Birth Control Pills?

The pill helps to even out the irregular flow levels of your estrogens and progesterone. You will want to use birth control pills if:

1) You regularly engage in sex with one or more partners and need oral contraceptives.

2) You regulate your monthly cycle through oral hormonal therapy.

3) You are taking the anti-acne drug Accutane.

The pill alone is all that’s needed by women who have mild acne and need oral contraceptive protection at the same time. Acne that is moderate to severe requires stronger treatment measures – an oral contraceptive which can be used in tandem with either topical or oral acne therapies.

Alternative Contraceptive Methods Against Acne

If for moral or religious grounds you are unwilling to take the pill or switch to other contraceptive methods, you may want to consider other curative options such as anti-androgens or physical therapy.

The other methods of hormonal contraception like the birth control patches and rings affect acne differently and can sometimes aggravate it. Depo-Provera, a contraceptive injectable which contains synthetic progesterone, can even initiate a severe acne breakout from time to time.

Accutane (isotretinoin) is a very potent anti-acne preparation that has been linked to severe birth deformities. Women undergoing Accutane treatment are often prescribed birth control pills to stop pregnancy from occurring. Apart from abstaining from sex, the first line of defense in birth control for women taking Accutane is the pill.

Taking birth control pills for acne treatment has its share of advantages and disadvantages. Be on the safe side. Seek your doctor’s advice to know what is the right birth control pill for you.

How Does Birth Control Pills Work on Acne Control?

The role of birth control pills in acne treatment is to keep androgens from affecting the oil glands. Birth control pills contain estrogen which regulates the female’s monthly cycle to discourage ovulation. Apart from inhibiting ovulation, estrogens help treat acne by:

1) Decreasing the release of free testosterone or androgen from the ovary

2) Preventing the released free testosterone from stimulating the oil glands to manufacture and release excess oil.

Estrogens can diminish the rising amount of androgen in your system by releasing great amounts of SHBG proteins that “capture” and stick to the androgens, preventing them from stimulating the oil glands to release excess oil that triggers acne.

The most effective oral contraceptives in the treatment of acne are the ones that have estrogen and progestin, a man-made progesterone, working in tandem. The standalone progestin pill, also known as the minipill, is a good oral contraceptive with less adverse reactions. The more recent progestins have the capability to show great improvements against acne.

Wong Darren is an online medical researcher on acne treatment and skin care. He has completed 20 Acne Medication Reviews and 30 Acne Treatment Reviews. For more information, visit his website: Acne Treatment 2009 now.

Can birth control pills solve your every problem, including headaches? You might think so, judging from some TV commercials.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now says that a drug company has gone too far, and the agency has ordered Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals to run a $20 million ad campaign correcting claims that their popular birth control pill Yaz can clear up acne, general mood problems, irritability, anxiety, and premenstrual symptoms.

In a Feb. 10 article titled, “A Birth Control Pill that Promised Too Much,” the New York Times said that the FDA’s action was “an unusual crackdown on deceptive consumer drug advertising.” The FDA action was joined by attorneys general in 27 states.

But the $20 million ad campaign that Bayer must run is only “chump change” for the pharmaceutical giant, according to Bruce L. Lambert, a professor of pharmacy administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago, as quoted in the Pharma Marketing Network Forums. For them, he said it was “just the cost of doing business.”

Indeed, drug companies spent $5 billion in direct-to-consumer advertising in 2007, which is more than twice the total FDA budget, according to the popular blog Cab Drollery. Since some of its more popular products are nearing their patent expirations and opening manufacturing to generic competitors, Bayer has piled on the advertising to increase its market share.

“Obviously that $5 billion ad budget was money well-spent for the pharmaceutical companies,” Cab Drollery said, “but hardly beneficial to the people who watched the commercials….”

Advertising for oral contraceptives includes little about various possible side effects such as breast cancer, bloodclot formation, and cardiovascular disease.

Women in Berwyn, Oak Park, Stickney, LaGrange, Cicero, Westchester, and nearby towns can learn more about the true effects of oral contraceptives by contacting WomanCare Services in Berwyn, IL.
WomanCare Services offers help to women facing unintended pregnancies in the near southwest Chicago area. Go to WomanCare Services. Or call 708-795-6000.

Before you read this article, I am duty-bound to tell you that this article is for women only (though I am sure men will be curious to read it)!

To take or not to take birth control pills for controlling acne is a very sensitive topic, if not controversial! Is taking birth control pills to control acne is right for you? How does birth control pill work on acne? Can hormones in the birth control pill stop acne from forming? At least thousands of such mad trains must be rushing the mind of a woman, who is consuming the pills with the twin important purposes! Every pill creates fresh doubts, fears and complications in her thought process. Because research on this subject is still a kindergarten stuff and the fear of side-effects hang prominently in her mind.

Moral aspect of taking birth control pills is in itself a never ending debating topic. If it is intended to control acne, why it should be related to birth control pills? The alliance looks unholy. Is it considered as a cost-saving device? And if the birth control pills were to fail from the original purpose for which they are intended and acne appears on the face, who will protect the psychological balance of that women? One such bad case, is sufficient to pour cold water on the result of thousand good cases!

The skin of many acne prone women have responded positively and have indeed showed marked improvement, thanks to the intake of birth control pills. For the glow of the skin, women are likely to consider that no sacrifice, no experiment is great. What checks can be applied if such individuals start consuming birth control pills, to whom they are not intended at all! Apart from the humor element involved in these observations, over the years this problem is going to assume serious dimensions and certain tangible steps will have to be well thought out to check this.

When you take mild dose of contraceptives orally, estrogen-related side effects- headache, nausea and breast tenderness- may show their weak presence. The weight gain is also low.

So do you take birth control pills with the cure of acne in your mind? Make your decision very carefully taking into account the risk factors. Just for the greed of curing acne, why to risk your body to heart attack, cancer of the breast or blood clots? If you are a smoker, the condition will still be worse. Your present state of depression may be due to this pill-taking! Many more side effects are waiting in the wings to take over-fluid retention, dark skin patches, bleeding in the vagina, to quote a few.

So, do you want a clear mind or a clear skin? The bargain may prove too hard, that it may give rise to psychological problems. Therefore, take each pill and put each step forward, with utmost caution, firstly by preparing your mind very well.

For, this is a mind over matter topic. Therefore, CAUTION!

This time, you need to consult not only the dermatologist, but your dear gynecologist first!

Ashish Jain writes about several different topics. For more information on acne visit http://www.acnetalks.com and also visit the main articles page: http://www.acnetalks.com/index.html To comment on this article visit: http://www.acnetalks.com/2006-06-30/birth-control-pills-and-acne-clear-mind-or-clear-skin.html

Other than specific acne treatment creams and gels, birth control pills can also be used to treat acne among women. In the early years, doctors were just conceptualizing the possibilities that oral contraceptives can be used to treat acne. These days however, there are already a great number of oral contraceptives that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as efficient acne treatment medications. These include Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Estrostep.

Not as the first option

Although birth control pills can be used to treat acne, dermatologists point out that these contraceptives should not be used as the first line of defense against acne breakouts. Such are prescribed by physicians only after careful consideration of the woman’s reproductive capabilities and needs. In most cases, such is only recommended only after all the other topical and systemic medications for acne manifestations have been tried and tested. This can also be used if the woman with acne really wants to use birth control anyway.

According to experts, birth control pills should be used with other forms of acne treatment methods. The medications that are usually paired with oral contraceptives are topical retinoids and other forms of treatments that make use of benzoyl peroxide.

How oral contraceptives work against acne

Most birth control pills contain certain amount of progestin and estrogen. These pills work by altering the natural hormonal patterns of females using the estrogen ingredient – ethinyl etradiol. They decrease the amount of testosterone in the body and prevent acne breakouts caused by hormonal imbalances. Once testosterone production is reduced, the skin’s oil glands also produce less amount of oil. As a result, plugging and clogging of the pores of the skin can be reduced, if not totally prevented.

Women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are more prone to acne breakouts. In these cases, birth control pills can be thoroughly effective in clearing the lesions and scars caused by the syndrome. Birth control pills which have progesterone ingredients can also reduce the breakout activity by decreasing the amount of androgen hormones in the bloodstream. Aside from clearing acne, oral contraceptives can also reduce the excessive hair growth caused by PCOS.

Birth control pills should be taken on a daily basis. During the first three weeks of the month, you should take the “active” pills. The placebo pills are then taken on the last week, during the time when menstruation occurs as well.

Some possible side effects

The side effects of birth control pills may vary from one person to another. Others do not experience side effects while others may suffer from serious illnesses. Some patients report of nausea, weight gain, breast tenderness, menstrual spotting, and mood swings. A few studies also reported that oral contraceptives as acne treatment solutions can also cause blood clots, stroke, headaches, gallstones, increase in blood pressure, and depression.

Depending on the formulation and the ingredients of the pills, they can also cause an increase in the testosterone levels of the body. If this happens, the acne condition can eventually get worse. For best results, it will be best if you consult your doctor before taking any pill. Basically, there are many kinds of pills that you can use, depending on the cause and severity of your skin condition. The dermatologist knows which pill will be best for your acne problem.

Darren is an online medical researcher and webmaster of: 1. Acne Treatment 2. Acne Treatment Reviews 2009 Reviewed Acne Treatments: 1. Clearpores Reviews 2. Exposed Reviews 3. Acnezine Reviews 4. Zenmed Reviews 5. Proactiv Reviews 6. Vilantae Reviews Also, don’t forget to download your 70-page Acne Ebook for FREE!