Whelehans Health News

Contraceptives Part 5   This is the final of my 5-part series on contraceptives. To see the whole more detailed article check it at www.whelehans.ie   Side effects of contraceptives While contraceptives are safe and effective methods of preventing unintended pregnancies, they can sometimes cause side effects. While side effects are rare, here are some of the more common ones.   Hormonal contraceptives (oral, patches, and injections) can cause nausea, headaches, breast tenderness, and mood changes. IUDs can cause abdominal pain, cramping, backaches, and irregular periods. Barrier contraceptives (such as condoms and diaphragms) can cause irritation or allergic reactions in...

Contraceptives Part 4   Emergency contraception   Emergency contraception, commonly referred to as the morning-after pill, is available by GP prescription or over the counter in pharmacies. Emergency contraception can help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or if the regular method of contraception fails, such as a broken condom or missed contraceptive pill. Levonorgestrel and ulipristal are two types of emergency contraception pills. While levonorgestrel works primarily by preventing ovulation, ulipristal is a selective progesterone receptor modulator that blocks the effects of progesterone, delaying ovulation and altering the endometrial lining.   To be effective, the emergency contraceptive pill should be...

Contraceptives Part 3 Non oral contraceptives   Last week I discussed oral contraceptives, this week i discuss non oral options.   Vaginal Ring The vaginal ring (also known as a contraceptive ring) is a flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina and releases hormones progressively for three weeks. It is over 99% effective when used correctly. It is an option for women who have difficulty remembering to take an oral contraceptive daily. E.g., Nuvaring® (contains etonogestrel and ethinylestradiol.)   Inserting a vaginal ring is a straightforward process that can be done at home. First, wash hands thoroughly to maintain...

Contraceptives Part 2   Oral Contraceptives (Continued) Last week I described the two types of oral contraceptive pills are progesterone only contraceptives (POCs) or combined oral contraceptives (COCs) where progesterones are combined with oestrogens.   Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) Advantages of COCs over POCs Higher efficacy: COCs have a lower failure rate compared to POCs. When taken correctly, COCs are around 99% effective in preventing pregnancy, while POCs have a slightly higher failure rate (but still nearly 99% effective if taken properly).   Better Cycle control: COCs provide better control over the menstrual cycle so better control at regulating irregular...

Contraceptives Part 1   Contraceptives help individuals and couples address their reproductive goals by preventing unintended pregnancies. There are various types of contraceptives available including hormonal, non-hormonal, and long-acting contraceptive methods.   Types of contraceptives   Hormonal Contraceptives Hormonal contraceptives contain synthetic hormones, such as progesterone and oestrogen, that regulate ovulation and prevent pregnancy. They come in various forms, including oral pills, patches, injections, vaginal rings, and implants. Note that progestins is the term used to describe synthetic, laboratory created hormones that mimic progesterone and act as it does in the body.    There are several synthetic progesterone hormones, also...