Birth Control

Scientists claim that having sex without condom can actually be good for man's and woman's mental health.

A study conducted by Professor Stuart Brody, of the West of Scotland University, Paisley and his team revealed that sexual relationships without condom use were linked to better mental health for both partners.

Female condom is a barrier method of contraception, which can be used for protection against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The condom represents a polyurethane sheath that covers vagina and cervix, preventing sperm from entering the vagina.

For many years specialists were dubious about withdrawal method, considering it far less effective than such birth control methods as condoms. However, the recent study published in the June issue of the journal Contraception says that many experts might underestimate withdrawal method for preventing unwanted pregnancy.

In spite of the fact that hormonal contraceptives were developed more than 40 years ago and are widely used by women for prevention of unwanted pregnancy, the same alternative is still not available for men.

The studies conducted by the Medical Research Council Reproductive Biology Unit showed that many men want to have other options of male birth control, including hormonal contraceptives besides the condoms and vasectomy.

Many women choose the birth control pills to prevent unwanted pregnancy. The pill is considered to be safe and reversible birth control method with 99 percent effectiveness. However, the failure rate of the pill can be from 12 to 20 percent if it is used incorrectly. This might be due to the fact that women forget to take the pill or are confused about its proper use.

Many women are concerned about future pregnancy long before they choose birth control pills. Can birth control pills affect woman's fertility? And how long should you wait after you stop taking the pill?

For years researchers tried to find a male birth control pill, to give men an opportunity to share the responsibility for family planning. The development of male birth control has become even closer with the recent studies conducted at the University of Washington in Seattle. The researchers introduced male hormonal contraceptive that could be soon available in the form of injectible, implant or pill.

Chinese researchers say that a new hormonal male birth control has proved to be effective and reversible.

Dr. Yi-Qun Gu, MD, of the National Research Institute for Family Planning in Beijing, China said that the new male birth control can be useful for those couples, who cannot use female contraception.

Nowadays, birth control pill is often prescribed for women to prevent unwanted pregnancy. It is also used for treatment of some conditions, like acne, hormonal disorders, premenstrual syndrome, endometriosis and others.

One of the most dangerous side effects associated with birth control pills is blood clots risk. But can women lower their risk of developing blood clots choosing the particular type of birth control pills?

It is still quite disputable if men would take birth control pills to share responsibility with women while latest researches suggest several options for men. The second conference called "Future of male Contraception" in Seattle that was supported by National Institutes Of Health and WHO presented the newest developments in the field of male contraception.

If you are allergic to latex, using common latex condoms can become a problem. What birth control options do you have in case of latex allergy?
Nowadays, you can choose a number of alternatives to latex condoms, including the use natural skin condoms.

Birth control pills are commonly used by a great number of women who need a reliable form of contraception. Birth control pills are available in various forms and brands, like combined pills, progestin-only pills, morning-after pill and extended cycle pills. All birth control pills have a number of side effects ranging from the mild to more serious ones.

Do birth control methods affect woman's libido? Many women who experience decreased sex drive may not readily associate their sexual problems with birth control method they choose. However, several studies indicate that there might be a connection between contraceptive method and fluctuations of sex drive in women.

Obese women are more likely to get pregnant while using birth control pills, a new study suggests.

Birth control pills work in a different way for women with extra weight if compared to normal-weight women.

Women may soon use contraceptive pills without side effects linked to hormonal contraception, a new study says.

Scientists at the Karolinska Institute in Huddinge, Sweden discovered that protein found in the coating of the mammalian eggs can become an obstacle to conception, the NewScientist reports. The protein called ZP3, takes part in conception and is essential in sperm binding. In other words, sperm needs to bind to ZP3 protein to get through the coating of the egg.

Intrauterine device (IUD) should be offered as an effective option for women seeking for emergency contraception and urine pregnancy testing, a new report says.
Nowadays, the most common emergency contraception method is morning after pill, a birth control method that is used to prevent pregnancy in women who had unprotected sex.

Birth control pill is known to be 92 to 99 % effective in preventing pregnancy. However, you may hear a number of stories, when women got pregnant while on the pill. Many women are concerned about the risk of getting pregnant using birth control pills and what can be done to prevent the failure.

The completely new technique that is called RNA interference (RNAi) affecting the gene that is active in eggs before they can be fertilized by sperm. When the ZP3 gene is switched off by RNAi method, the egg develops without outer membrane where sperm connects to the egg for conception.

Condom is one of the most popular barrier birth control methods for men. It is effective against sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy, being also convenient, when used correctly.