How they Work

THE BEST WAY TO NOT GET PREGNANT IS TO NOT HAVE SEX. PERIOD.

But if you decide you want to become sexually active, protect yourself- wisely.

The birth control pill is an effective form of contraception if taken properly (everyday around the same time of day).   Taking a medicine the same time everyday can be difficult.  Be honest with yourself about yourself!  If the pill is not for you, there are other options…

Birth control is essentially synthetic forms of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.  When estrogen levels peak, your body knows to release an egg and begin the process of ovulation.  The pill keeps these hormones level, thus prohibiting the release of an egg.  If there is no egg, then your body cannot get pregnant.  Birth control pills also make the lining of your uterus unable to support the implantation of a fertilized egg.

Pros

Despite the obvious benefit of preventing an unexpected pregnancy, many birth control pills cause other benefits such as clear skin, and lighter, less painful menstrual cycles.  They can also give women a chance to prepare themselves for a planned pregnancy by becoming healthy and quitting bad habits, such as smoking. 

Cons

Birth control pills can have some negative effects.  There is an increased risk for blood clots in women who smoke or have diabetes.  They can also have some irritating side effects such as bloating, water retention and nausea.  One of the most off-putting side effects reported is weight gain, though most doctors maintain that this is just a myth and that with diet and exercise, this is not an issue.

Some helpful tips

Despite the wide use of birth control, The Center for Disease and Control Prevention still claims that almost half of the pregnancies that occur in the U.S. are unexpected and another study claims that nearly a third of the women who begin birth control will stop within the year, usually do to financial or insurance issues.

Unfortunately, this is something that I deal with in my office every day, especially in young girls.  If you are under the age of 18 and are considering becoming sexually active (or already are), I suggest that you have a conversation with a health professional or a responsible adult to discuss your options.  Most doctors would be happy to discuss options with you over the phone if you are unable to come into the office.

For women over the age of 18 who are considering using birth control pills, I suggest trying a generic brand to cut the cost.  They are just as effective and sometimes less than half the price.  Finally, for parents of young women, it is important to begin this dialogue early.  If you suspect that your child may be sexually active, it is important to talk to them about protection and try not to seem judgmental.  It is more important for them to receive the protection they need for their decisions than to make a mistake that could have been prevented.

Here are some places in the New Orleans area where you can find advice and prescriptions for birth control pills:

Planned Parenthood

4018 Magazine St.

8200 Hampson St.

Family Planning Clinic

3308 Tulane Ave.

St. Vincent’s Maternity Clinic

1510 Veterans Blvd.

There is a lot of speculation about the harmful effects of energy drinks.  Much of this has to do with the lack of FDA regulations.  Soft drinks containing more than 71 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per 12-oz. must label the amount of caffeine on their can or bottle—this is not the case for energy drinks.

A recent study from the John Hopkins University School of Medicine indicated that most energy drinks on the market do in fact contain less caffeine than a cup of brewed coffee (which contains about 200 mg per 12-oz. serving).

Before you go crack open a Red Bull, there are some other issues to consider.  Energy drinks may not have a whopping amount of caffeine, but it does contain a huge amount of sugar—about 14 teaspoons for 16-oz.  They are also pretty high in calories.  A 16-oz. Rock Star contains 260 calories, the same as a candy bar.  The truth is if you were to take in an equal amount of calories, but did it with something healthful like chicken breast, wheat bread or milk, you would enjoy the same energy boost and increase your health at the same time.

Frequent energy drinkers also run the risk of becoming addicted to the caffeine.  Symptoms of caffeine withdrawal include headaches, shaking, nausea and fatigue. 

As with anything, discuss this with your doctor if you have a question or concern about what is BEST FOR YOU!  This is especially important if you have a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure! 

Do you have any tips or suggestions for boosting energy naturally?