GENERIC NAME: Oral Contraceptives or OCs (also known as Birth Control Pills or BCPs)

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Oral contraceptives (OCs) are medications that prevent pregnancy. They are one type of birth control. OCs may contain combinations of estrogen and progestin or progestin alone. Combinations of estrogen and progestin prevent pregnancy by inhibiting the release of the hormones LH and FSH from the pituitary gland in the brain. LH and FSH play key roles in the development of the egg and preparation of the lining of the uterus for implantation of the embryo. Progestin also makes the uterine mucus that surrounds the egg more difficult for sperm to penetrate and, therefore, for fertilization to take place. In some women, progestin inhibits ovulation (release of the egg).

The combination OCs are called “monophasic,” “biphasic,” or “triphasic.” Monophasic OCs deliver the same amount of estrogen and progestin every day. Biphasic OCs deliver the same amount of estrogen every day for the first 21 days of the cycle. During the first half of the cycle, the progestin/estrogen ratio is lower to allow the endometrium to thicken as it normally does. During the second half of the cycle, the progestin/estrogen ratio is higher to allow normal shedding of the lining of the uterus to occur. The triphasic OCs have constant or changing estrogen concentrations and varying progestin concentrations throughout the cycle. There is no evidence that bi- or tri-phasic OCs are superior to monophasic OCs, or vice-versa.

PRESCRIBED FOR: OCs are prescribed for the prevention of pregnancy. When taken as directed, OCs fail in less than 1 in every 200 users over the first year of use. OCs also are prescribed to treat mid-cycle pain which some women experience with ovulation. OCs, while regulating the menstrual cycle, reduce menstural cramps and heavy bleeding, and, because of the reduced bleeding, they may prevent the anemia that can develop in some women. Doctors sometimes prescribe higher doses of OCs for use as “morning after” pills to be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse to prevent fertilization and pregnancy.

DOSING: Many of the OCs come in easy to use dispensers in which the day of the week or a consecutive number (1, 2, 3, etc.) is written on the dispenser with a corresponding tablet for each day or number. For example, some Ortho-Novum dispensers are labeled “Sunday” next to the first tablet. Thus, the first tablet is to be taken on the first Sunday after menstruation begins (the first Sunday following the first day of a woman’s period). If her period begins on Sunday, the first tablet should be taken on that day. For OCs that use consecutive numbers, the first tablet (#1) is taken on the first day of the menstrual period (the first day of bleeding). Tablet #2 is taken on the second day, and so on. Still other packages instruct women to begin on day 5 of the cycle. For such products, women count from day 1 of their menstrual cycle (day 1 is the first day of bleeding). On the fifth day, the first tablet is taken. Tablets then are taken daily.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Estrogens can inhibit the metabolism (elimination) of cyclosporine, resulting in increased cyclosporine blood levels. Such increased blood levels can result in kidney and/or liver damage. If this combination cannot be avoided, cyclosporine concentrations can be monitored, and the dose of cyclosporine can be adjusted to assure that its blood levels do not become elevated.

Estrogens appear to increase the risk of liver disease in patients receiving dantrolene through an unknown mechanism. Women over 35 years of age and those with a history of liver disease are especially at risk.

Estrogens increase the liver’s ability to manufacture clotting factors. Because of this, patients receiving warfarin (Coumadin) need to be monitored for loss of anticoagulant (blood thinning) effect if an estrogen is begun.

Fertile days within monthly cycle are few days before ovulation occurs. What make those days fertile is the type of cervical fluid that is been produced by the hormone estrogen. When the fluid is fertile, it will be able to keep sperm alive until the egg is released or dropped for fertilization to take place.

Within the six fertile days of each cycle, the probability of conception is lowest on the first day and high in the rest of the days. This is most relevant for the earliest days in the menstrual cycle, which is the most likely to be the earliest and least fertile day of the cycle.

Fertile days are days that there is possibility for conception. Within the fertile days there is a peak day which is the most fertile day of all. If you should have sex during your fertile time or day and insured that you hit the peak day, you will greatly enhance your ability to conceive.

To identify your fertile days or times during a monthly cycle can be done by thorough checking and observing changes from your body like seeing milky, creamy or lotion like cervical fluid, which is accompanied by wet vaginal awareness. The last day of milky, creamy or lotion like fluid can be considered your peak day If you do not produce egg white cervical fluid. When using the waking body temperatures or cervical position, it is easier to know when your fluid is becoming more fertile.

Be warned that having sex during the fertile days is not sufficient to produce pregnancy. Here, pregnancy depends on the viability of the sperm and egg, the receptivity and good condition of the uterus, and other factors which varies among couples.

Let’s talk about the stages a woman undergoes before finally getting to the age of being a mum.

Such stages are: Puberty, Menstruation, Ovulation Fertility, pregnancy, child bearing and infertility. All these stages in the life of female are duely affected by the things they eat or not, what to do or not to do as in exercise etc.

Baby making is a process in a life time. It is all about recreation and reproduction. The joy of every parent is to produce and have successors in life. Baby making issues then, is mainly for new and expectant parents.

At times, sex of the baby to have will become a problem due to personal preferences. Pregnancy is one of the biggest physical changes your body undergoes, so before starting out desiring to be pregnant, make sure you are in the best possible condition of health.

Poor eating habits and regular consumption of alcohol, for instance, can lower the quality and quantity of sperm, making conception more difficult. And since infertility is nearly as much a man’s issue as a woman’s — up to 40% of fertility problems can be traced to men.

As a Dad-to-be you have some work to do to hasten or make easy the conception of your Wife. Your life style, what you eat, drink, and otherwise ingest can affect the quality of your sperm. Nutrition has a direct impact on the potency of sperm.

For a couple, eating right will boost your chances of conceiving a child. Having read this article so far, you have a glimpse of what you are supposed do in terms of your nutrition and lifestyle issues.

Let me end this article by making very clear that you and your husband are 90% responsible for enhancing your chances of your ability to conceive through proper lifestyle and the correct nutrition.

Period pains can be a real pain at times, meaning, causing you to suffer from severe stomach cramps or the actual menstrual flow putting stop to any plans of visiting a nudist camp. Some women cope and carry on regardless when menstruating, but sadly for others they find their period pains disabling in more ways than one. Aside from stomach pains there are headaches, bloating, and tenderness of the breasts. These are just some of the symptoms why women dread coming on each month. However in contrast we have women shouting “bloody hell” after a condom split and wait in anticipation for their period to show.

Approximately 75 per cent of all menstruating females suffer from premenstrual syndrome. Sadly women accept the pain involved with periods and believe it is all part of the package, when in fact, nutritionists and alternative therapists say pain is never normal and can be alleviated. One leading contributor cited for detonating the symptoms of PMS is nutrient deficiency. It is in every ailing woman`s best interest any recommendations of a natural solution for relieving period pains should be considered..

If the body cries out for nutrients then you need to replenish it. Daily diets may not contain the necessary nutrients the body needs to work efficiently. What needs to be done is to locate the area lacking in nutrient deficiency and find a suitable replacement. No doubt you aware that eating healthy is vital for persons well being. Soothing period pains by eating a proper balanced diet should be considered because it can also help ease the symptoms by normalizing hormone function.

Abstaining from food is not healthy and it is most profound to eat regularly to combat irritability and fatigue. Eating less can leave you feeling weak. Regular meals ensure your body has a constant supply of nutrients. Caffeine intake needs to be reduced to three cups of coffee or tea per day; both drinks are known to aggravate PMS. If you are desperate to stabilize the pain from your periods then talk to an herbalist. Some women find drinking herbal tea, fruit/vegetable juice or water is better for their health than that of drinking coffee or tea. Girls that enjoy the odd tipple (alcohol) should reduce consumption to three glasses of wine (or equivalent) per week). If you don`t then period pains come with more agonizing symptoms from a hangover.

Cut down or cut out sweet edibles like cakes and biscuits. Eating healthy not only replenishes lost nutrition`s it makes sense. Oats, brown rice, nuts, brown bread, sunflower seeds and beans along with at least five portions of fruit or vegetables are all healthy foods. Oily fish eaten at least three times a week is good for the system, eating oily fish helps increase your body`s fatty acids, magnesium, iron, zinc and vitamin E and B. Before taking vitamin supplements talk to your doctor. Although a health eating plan is suggested to relieve period pains a proper diet also reduces stress levels. Another method tried and tested is massage. Massage has a powerful affect on relieving stress that leads to tension, pain and hormone imbalance. Yoga too comes highly recommended as a form of medication to relieve stress. Aromatherapy oils are working for some women who swear it eases their discomfort. Overnight miracles on ridding pain do not exist. It can take months for period pains to ease off. Before going on a diet or taking up exercise consult your doctor.

Herbal remedies can ease menstrual pains, aching muscles or stomach cramps. Some herbs contain hormone-like properties which help normalize the body`s hormonal levels which then encourage relief for bloating, pain, nerve tension and irritability. Try relaxing in a warm bath with a few drops of camomile or clary essential oils.

As men and women continue to marry and have children later in life because of social and financial reasons, they may pay the price by being unable to conceive and have children. As there is a decrease in fertility with advancing age, women over 35 are at a higher risk for miscarriage and other gynecological problems.

A woman’s fertility declines gradually over her life span. Although there are occasional occurrences of pregnancies in women in their late 40s and older, most women lose all fertility by age 45. There is a noticeable difference in the fertility of a woman at age 20 compared to a woman at 30, and an even noticeable decline in fertility in women between ages 35 and 40. This occurs because a woman’s eggs age as she ages. Most women start with 300,000 eggs at puberty, but by the age of menopause (50-55 years) only a few thousand eggs remain. These eggs are older, thus making fertilization and implantation less possible. In addition, the older the woman, the greater the risk for miscarriage, chromsomally abnormal children, and other medical problems associated with pregnancies and deliveries.

However, with modern technology older women have more options and success at conceiving. Although they usually do not respond as well as younger women to in vitro treatment (IVF), clinics are continually improving the success rate of IVF treatment in older women. Some clinics recommend assisted hatching, blastocyst embryo transfer, and preimplantation diagnosis.

Other fertility treatments include egg donation.embryo donation, and surrogacy. Egg donation allows implanting a younger woman’s egg in your uterus. This is particularly popular for older women and has a higher success rate than fertility drugs and other implantation methods. Embryo donation is used if the male partner also has a fertility problem associated with his sperm. If pregnancy is not possible, a surrogate may agree to become pregnant and carry your baby using your partner’s implanted sperm. Whatever the fertility problem, technology has found a way to treat it. Older women now have many options available to them to fulfill their dream of having children.

In recent years, more and more women look for a natural way to deal with menopause. For some, it’s about learning more about natural medication for menopause, including menopause herb formulas, while others search for menopause the “best stuff” for hot flashes.

That said, let’s begin with natural medication for menopause. Later in our article, we will discuss menopause the “best stuff” for hot flashes and menopause herb formulas.

Get acquainted with Black cohosh. Black cohosh is heralded as an herbal remedy for combating menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. In fact, as far as a natural way to deal with menopause, black cohosh has even been recommended as an alternative to standard hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which has proven dangers as well as it can produce unwanted side effects in many women. Indeed, this herb is considered a natural medication for menopause, meaning herbal remedy.

Meet Dong Quai. Donq Quai is a member of the celery family and one of its best-known uses is that of regulator of the female reproductive system. It’s most widespread use is to deal with women’s ailments such as premenstrual syndrome, menstrual cramps, irregularity, and the symptoms of menopause, including alleviating hot flashes and vaginal dryness, amongst others.

Chase away menopausal symptoms with Chasteberry. Chasteberry has quite the reputation has being a helpful herb for combating many menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes. As such, it too is considered a natural medication for menopause as well as a natural way to deal with menopause. Chasteberry works to stabilize hormones involved in the menstrual cycle and can be beneficial in controlling symptoms of menopause. In addition, chasteberry is used to help relieve premenstrual syndrome symptoms, amongst others.

Try your luck with red clover. Red clover is rich in phytoestrogens — naturally occurring plant compounds. Studies suggest that herbs rich in these plant-based compounds may relieve the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes. More specifically, red clover is rich in isoflavones, an important class of phytoestrogens. It may even play a role in osteoporosis prevention.

Check out soy products. Soybeans harbor isoflavones (class of phytoestrogens). Research suggest that high intake of soy reduces menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes. Like red clover, soy may possibly reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis.

Become familiar with other natural medication for menopause, meaning natural alternatives that may help. Some other natural herbs and substances that may help in your quest for a natural way to deal with menopause include:

* Vitamin E may reduce the intensity of hot flashes.
* DHEA may possibly reduce hot flashes as well as bone loss.
* Sage is an herb that may help suppress perspiration and harbors phytoestrogen properties.
* Wild yam root and sarsaparilla are natural estrogen promoters and they too have been used as a natural way to deal with menopause symptoms.

Unlike your carefree days when you wolf down a grease-filled burger and fries from the local diner, or when you could drink your friends under the table, you now have to think about yourself in a responsible manner.

To that end your diet during pregnancy needs to be a healthy one. You need to think about what is best for not only you, but also for your baby. Drinking is out, and so is smoking. You might also want to think about lessening the amount of coffee you consume and maybe even switch to something like an herbal tea that is suitable for pregnant women.

If that fills your head with dread, not to worry, there are other alternatives to living a coffee laden life, and your doctor will be better able to help you with that and with other food or drink substitutions you might need to make.

Your diet during pregnancy is very important and whatever suggestions that your doctor gives you should be looked into very seriously. Most of the time if you have been following a sensible eating plan, there will be very little that you need to change about your present diet.

If there is something however, like letting go of the smokes and the alcohol, you are better off following your doctor’s advice about your diet during pregnancy.

This might be the one time in your life where you feel that you are finally able to indulge yourself without feeling guilty about it – after all, you are “eating for two” – but indulge too much and you might find your weight gain spiraling through the roof instead of making a steady climb.

You will be advised by your doctor as to what a good weight gain is, and to that effect you should adjust accordingly your diet during pregnancy so that you gain weight sensibly. Otherwise you might find that after your have baby that the weight stubbornly refuses to come off, and you will have a harder time of it in the end.

This should be a time of joy for you, and your diet during pregnancy should make your life easier, not harder. The hard work will come later, when you have to stay up nights and soothe your crying baby.

Want to ditch those “Mommy jeans?” You can! Having a baby may change your body, but it doesn’t have to make it bigger! After two pregnancies of my own that resulted in a 40 and a 60 pound weight gain, I’ve learned some simple tricks to losing that baby fat.

Now, I’m going to share them with you:

Get Rid of All the Junk Food

Sad, but true, the simple fact is, it’s impossible to lose weight (and keep it off) if you’re allowing yourself to gorge on cookies, bagels and soda pop all day. Stick to low-calorie snack alternatives like fresh fruit, chopped veggies and light dips, a baked potato - it’s more filling and nutritious, not to mention less fattening than chips, rice cakes, popcorn, low-salt pretzels, or low-fat or sugar free puddings and ice cream bars. Substitute flavored waters, teas, vegetable or low-sugar fruit juices for high calorie drinks.

Watch The Time of Day That You Eat

We all know that we shouldn’t eat after 7 pm, but have you tried eating your largest meal during the day when your body is burning calories more efficiently? Try eating a big breakfast, mid-day snack and an early dinner, followed by a light nutritious snack in the early evening.

Indulge After Exercising

After my daughter was born I decided to take an exercise class in the evenings twice a week to help shed my extra weight. It was there that I learned an important lesson: your body burns calories much faster for an hour or so after strenuous exercise than at any other time of the day. So, if you just have to have that brownie, or dip of ice cream, do it right after exercising, when your metabolism is in high gear.

Walk Every Day

Walking at a brisk pace for just a half an hour every day can be a big boost to your metabolism, your energy levels and your weight loss. Babies love being in the fresh air, and many will fall right to sleep from the soothing jostling of the stroller. So put on your walking shoes, bundle up baby and hit the streets every day.

Eat A Well-Balanced Diet

While it’s true that getting rid of all the junk food in your house is a great start to losing weight, eating a well-balanced diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and low-fat snacks can all help you burn calories more efficiently.

Have Your Babies Before You Turn 26

Ok, so you may not have much control over this one, but remember, the average woman’s metabolism decreases by one-half percent every year after the age of 26, making it more and more difficult to lose unwanted weight every year! So, while having babies later in life may seem like a good idea for your career and lifestyle, it may not be so great for your waistline.

Breastfeed as Long as You Can

While you do need to consume more calories when you breastfeed, most nursing moms agree that if they eat a well-balanced and nutritious diet, breastfeeding helps them lose more weight at a faster rate then their bottle feeding friends. Why? The simple fact is, it takes a lot of energy to make enough milk for a baby to eat in a day. Breastfeeding helps increase your metabolism and use more calories. Plus, many breastfeeding moms report that they pay more attention to the types of foods they are eating since it directly affects the quality of their milk.

Alli Diet Pills

If you’ve stopped taking your birth-control pill in the hopes of conceiving, don’t be surprised if a plus sign on a home pregnancy test follows soon after. A new study from Brunel University in the United Kingdom shows that women who’ve taken oral contraceptives for at least five years are able to conceive just as easily as non-users.

What’s more, researchers found that the longer women took the Pill, the greater their chances of getting pregnant within six months to a year after they went off of it. (The reasoning: The Pill protects against complications such as endometriosis, which can make it harder to get pregnant.)

Prospective parents can breathe a sigh of relief, since these findings refute older research suggesting that the Pill delayed conception after women discontinued it. “It’s been a long-standing myth that women on the Pill have a lag time in returning to conception,” says David Plourd, M.D., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Naval Medical Center in San Diego. “We know that if you miss one pill you can get pregnant.” After the last pill is taken, levels of hormones drop immediately, allowing women to revert to their normal fertility levels right away — and with no effect on future fertility, says Dr. Plourd.

The findings bolster the many other benefits oral contraceptives provide, such as protection from pelvic infections, a decreased risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer, and lower rates of anemia. (Since women have lighter periods on the Pill, they lose less iron.)

Will taking birth control pills harm my future fertility?

Only 1% of post-pill women have amenorrhea and resulting fertility problems, after discontinuing the Pill. With such a low rate, it is likely that this is merely a coincidence.

The biggest risk to fertility in Pill users is that they are not protected from sexually transmitted disease unless they use condoms as a secondary method. STDs can turn into Pelvic Inflammatory Disease–a severe infection of the female reproductive tract. Infection of the tubes can lead to infertility. But, as I will discuss below, the Pill can also protect you here.

Many aspects of the Pill protect fertility via its non-contraceptive benefits. In other words, the Pill prevents diseases and conditions that could impair fertility. For starters, even though the Pill leaves the door open for STDs, if you should be unlucky enough to catch one, it will still help you out. The Pill decreases the build-up of the lining of the uterus. So when the organism of the sexually transmitted disease tries to make its way up the female reproductive tract, the diminished lining gives it less to hang on to. As a result, it is less likely to reach the tubes and therefore less likely to cause the damage that results in infertility. A woman on the Pill has 50% less risk of pelvic inflammatory disease. Likewise, since the Pill usually works by preventing ovulation, there is less ectopic pregnancy in Pill users. Again, this protects against a malady that can damage tubes. The last way it helps guard against tube damage is by preventing growth of endometriosis.