Birth Control Pills Reviews

Alesse–What’s in a name?

Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol, known as Alesse, is an effective birth control method. It’s a combination (has both estrogen and progeterone) oral contraceptive. The hormone levels in Alesse prevent ovulation and change the uterus so that eggs have extreme difficulty implanting. The drug is also sold as: Aviane, Levlite, Levlen, Levota, Tri-leven, Triphasil, Trivora and Triphasil-28.

This brand or other brands

Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol are the synthetic hormones used in Alesse and some other brands. Levonorgestrel is the estrogen and Ethinyl Estradiol is the progestin. Even though other brands have the same hormones, they can affect the body differently. The difference is the dosages vary form brand to brand and if the birth control pill is triphasic, biphasic or monophasic. If you are to switch between brands thinking they are the same, you might be surprised with side effects you’ve never had before or new benefits. Your doctor’s consultation is recommended.

Triphasic, biphasic or monophasic

Combination birth control pills contain both estrogen and progestin and they are multiphasic or monophasic. A monophasic pill, like Alesse, will have the same dosage for the first 21 pills. The other 7 pills (of 28) have no hormones and are there to maintain the habit of taking them regularly. In multiphasic pills the dosage of progestin varies during the 21 days. Estrogen levels in multiphasic (this includes bi and tri-phasic) pills remain fixed. In biphasic pills there are two different levels of progestin and in triphasic there are 3. Oral Contraceptives that vary the progestin hormone levels usually manage side effects better than monophasic pills.

Usage Precautions

Women who are pregnant should not take any hormonal birth control pills as well as women who have just given birth. Anyone with heart problems, blood clots or circulatory problems related to diabetes, uterine or breast cancer (cancers related to hormones), high blood pressure, abnormal menstrual bleeding and liver problems is also advised to avoid Alesse. Also, smokers especially if they are over the age of 35 should avoid hormonal contraceptives.

During the first month with Alesse, it’s a good idea to use another form of birth control such as condoms or a spermicidal cream as a backup. Your doctor can give specific information as to how long to use a back up plan before relying on the contraceptive pill alone.

Follow link to for more Information or to buy Alesse

Looks like someone went out on the street and asked a bunch of men about birth control for men. Interesting in that you get to see some of the reactions to male birth control pills. Personally I’m for it.

Here’s the video:

The deficit reduction act of 2005 had the side effect of affecting birth control pill prices at colleges. Columbia has decided to raise the prices for those in their health care plan. Dartmouth decides to keep birth control free fro students. This is a little weird to me since Columbia is one of the biggest property owners of manhattan’s upper west side, including Harlem, making them a fat cat.I don’t know how much cash Dartmouth has but it seems like they’ve their priorities pointing in a different direction than Columbia.More…

Dartmouth has their stand…

“Although the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 has led students at other colleges to encounter stiff cost increases in birth control, Dartmouth has maintained its policy of providing birth control for free to students under the Dartmouth Student Group Health Plan.” thedartmouth.com/2007/11/28/news/birthcontrol/

Columbia has theirs…

“Many U.S. students have seen a sharp rise in the cost of their contraception lately, a consequence of the federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, effective at the start of this year. At Columbia, women have had to account for the price increases on their own, as Health Services can no longer afford to provide for discounted forms of birth control and emergency contraceptives. For the moment, Barnard College Health Services is still able to offer low prices through stockpiles of these medications, but these stores are limited. Although the only real way to ensure cheap birth control for all students is to address the effects of the 2005 DRA through further legislation, Columbia and Barnard College Health Services should be granted the resources to ensure that such stockpiles are maintained in the interim. The financial pinch felt by many Columbia women in the past year is strong evidence that the University should take immediate action and ensure that its students’ health is fully protected.”
www.columbiaspectator.com/?q=node/28316

Is It Wise Taking Birth Control While Pregnant? by Kitty Barker

I realize that many of us may wonder if taking birth control while pregnant would hurt the baby. First if you have accidentally took some birth control and found out that you are pregnant the baby should be alright especially in the beginning. (Read on …)

The first face - The failure of birth control pills

A recent study has found that overweight or obesity increases the chances of pregnancy while using birth control pills. Gynecologists say that birth control pills (also known as oral contraceptives) have not enough effect on overweight or obese women. (Read on …)

This could be welcome news to some or damn scary to others.

Freed from that pesky period

“Now that the birth control pill Lybrel has been approved, women can view their monthly period as another lifestyle choice. Several contraceptives already tinker with menstruation; Lybrel, which got the nod last week and will arrive in pharmacies in July, would stop them altogether.”

Read the story here: health.usnews.com/usnews/health/articles/070527/4lybrel.htm

Basic Facts, No Moral Implications (Read on …)