Articles filed under 'PREGNANCY & BIRTH'
If you are male and your partner is having trouble conceiving, you might not be familiar with the causes of infertility in men. Causes of infertility in men can be broken down into a few separate categories. Some of the problems can be treated through acupuncture for male infertility, but for other causes of male infertility, there may be no remedy. Your best advice is to go to your doctor to determine the cause of your male infertility.
Causes of male infertility can involve the sperm and problems with its delivery system. Acupuncture for male infertility can help by increasing the blood flow to the reproductive organs. This should lead to greater sperm production and mobility. Acupuncture for male infertility also provides relaxation that can help a man perform better. Environmental factors may also be a cause of male infertility..
What Causes Infertility in Men?: Sperm Issues
One cause of male infertility is the abnormal production of sperm. Sperm can be produced in a manner that is defective, or the sperm may be underdeveloped. Acupuncture for male infertility can help bring blood flow to the area. Another cause of infertility in men is not producing enough sperm. It may be the case that the sperm that are produced swim fine, but there are too few of them. Acupuncture for male infertility can help with sperm production.
Other problems with the sperm quality or sperm count can be caused by infections, such as sexually transmitted diseases, and can cause infertility in men. Certain genetic disorders may also be responsible for male infertility, in that they affect the way sperm function. In cases of genetics, acupuncture for male infertility is generally not helpful. Finally, undescended testes can be a cause of male infertility that affects sperm production.
What Causes Infertility in Men?: Delivery Issues
If the sperm are fine but they are somehow unable to reach the egg, this can be the cause of infertility in men. Some problems with sperm delivery can be as simple as a blocked sperm duct.. Another cause of male infertility, retrograde ejaculation, is a condition in which sperm flows backward into the bladder and are killed. Premature ejaculation can also be a cause of male infertility because the sperm cannot make their way into the uterus to fertilize the egg.
One of the biggest causes of male infertility that acupuncture for male infertility can help with is erectile dysfunction. Acupuncture for male infertility can help a man relieve his anxiety and stress and allow him to get a firm enough erection to have sex. Erectile dysfunction is a cause of male infertility because a man is unable to have an erection long enough to have sex and deliver the sperm. Acupuncture for male infertility can help bring blood flow to the penis to encourage strong erections.
What Causes Infertility in Men?: Environmental Factors
Acupuncture for male infertility cannot help with environmental factors that may cause male infertility. Smoking, alcohol, and recreational drugs are substances that can interfere with fertility in men. These habits can be stopped to increase fertility, and acupuncture for infertility may then be beneficial for you. Other environmental factors that are a cause of male infertility, but which you may not be able to avoid, are environmental pollutants and pesticides. Even too much heat can be a cause of male infertility, if you wear constricting undergarments or use a hot tub frequently.
If you are wondering what causes infertility in men or are looking for your cause of male infertility, Fifth Avenue Fertility Acupuncture can help you use acupuncture for male infertility to solve your problem and help you conceive. Visit their website at http://www.fifthavenueacupuncture.com for more information about their
March 12th, 2012
Sometimes the last resort for infertile couples is in vitro fertilization, and the cost of in vitro fertilization is often foremost in most people’s minds. Because it is a complex medical procedure, the cost of IVF is high. Some couples would like to find ways to reduce IVF costs, but that could be a mistake if having a child is a high priority for you. Hidden costs can creep into the cost of IVF and tend to make those low estimates higher than you would expect. Health insurance often does not cover IVF expenses, so it is left to the expectant parents to foot the bill. If you are determined to have a child, you will find ways to cover the cost of IVF treatments or utilize alternative fertility treatments you can afford.
Cost of In Vitro Fertilization: Just the Basics
The average price of IVF in the United States is $12,000, but it can be as high as $15,000 or as low as $10,000. Factors affecting the cost of IVF will primarily depend on your region of the country, how skilled a practitioner you use, and what extras you want to add to the total costs of in vitro fertilization. This IVF “price tag” is for one cycle of IVF, meaning one harvest of sperm and egg and one placement. Sometimes you can use frozen embryos from a previous IVF procedure to reduce your IVF costs considerably. The price to merely transfer an embryo is $3,000 which is significantly less than the expense of a complete IVF procedure.
Cost of In Vitro Fertilization: Some Extras
In addition to the cost of IVF itself, several accessory procedures are sometimes necessary that can raise the total IVF cost. For instance, if you need the sperm injected directly into the egg, the cost of in vitro fertilization can increase by several thousand dollars. Freezing any additional embryos that were created in the IVF process can also raise the IVF costs by at least a few hundred dollars, or even a thousand dollars. However, embryos can be transferred in the future, cutting the IVF cost of later attempts drastically.
Egg and sperm donation bump up the cost of IVF significantly. The cost of an egg donor is $25,000 to $30,000 per cycle, while sperm donation can raise the IVF cost to $13,000 to $17,000 per cycle. You can also get an entire embryo donated, and this raises the cost of in vitro fertilization. The cost for embryo donation is $5,000 to $7,000 for pre-created embryos. If you would like to choose the donors for the embryo, the cost of IVF could be astronomical.
Cost of In Vitro Fertilization: Money Considerations
In some cases, when IVF doesn’t work for you, certain clinics will give refunds . However, you must carefully read the agreement to understand what a successful cycle means. The cost of IVF may not be refunded if you become pregnant and miscarry later. You also want to consider the agency’s success rate when looking at the cost of in vitro fertilization. If you find a clinic with low IVF costs but without high success rates, then you may need to pay for IVF several times to become pregnant. Financially, it may make more sense to go with the more expensive clinic with a demonstrated record of success in helping couples conceive.
If you are trying to get pregnant and considering the cost of in vitro fertilization , it may interest you to know that acupuncture can sometimes make IVF more successful. You can cut down on the repeated IVF costs with an investment in fertility acupuncture at Fifth Avenue Fertility Acupuncture. Visit their website at http://www.fifthavenueacupuncture.com for more information on how acupuncture can help with the cost of in vitro fertilization.
March 11th, 2012
Have you been struggling with infertility for a long period of time? Perhaps you have gone through endless appointments at infertility clinics to get treatments for your condition. Are you wondering just what keeps you from getting pregnant? Infertility treatments focus on restoring your fertility by looking at the root causes of infertility and helping you get pregnant.
The causes of infertility in women come in three basic categories: 1.) mechanical problems involving your reproductive organs; 2.) hormonal imbalances in the chemicals in your body that regulate ovulation, pregnancy and fertility 3.) or, a disease that affects the functioning or condition of the uterus and which can interfere with hormonal balance. Any of these causes of infertility may send you to your physician and result in a referral to an infertility clinic. Infertility treatments can resolve or correct the causes of infertility and help you get pregnant.
Causes of Infertility in Women: Mechanical Problems
One commonly seen mechanical cause of infertility that requires infertility treatment is a blocked fallopian tube. This is the tube that carries the egg from the ovary to the uterus. If the tube is blocked, the sperm cannot make its way to the egg. One simple infertility treatment in an infertility clinic involves a procedure to “blow out” the fallopian tubes to clear them. Endometriosis can be another cause of infertility that requires infertility treatments. This condition involves the lining of the uterus growing outside the organ, and many infertility clinics will recommend infertility treatments that get this condition under control in order to conceive.
Uterine fibroids are very common in women, but they are not a common cause of infertility. Still, some infertility clinics will recommend infertility treatments that involve removing these benign uterine growths because they can interfere with the egg implanting inside the uterus. Another cause of infertility is pelvic adhesions, which are tight bands of scar tissue that constrict the uterus. A fertility clinic might recommend having these adhesions surgically removed.
Causes of Infertility in Women: Hormonal Problems
Some of the most frustrating causes of infertility that bring a woman into infertility clinics are those that stem from hormonal issues. Ovulation disorders can prevent the egg from releasing from the ovary, and you may need to take medications to stimulate the ovary to release an egg. Another type of disorder that commonly requires infertility treatment is polycystic ovarian syndrome. This condition involves an excess of male hormones in the body that interfere with pregnancy hormones. You may be given infertility treatment to correct the hormonal imbalance.
Another possible hormonal cause of infertility is elevated prolactin levels. Prolactin stimulates the body to produce breast milk and signals the body to prevent pregnancy. An infertility clinic would be able to correct this imbalance with medications. Or, you may experience early menopause – another possible cause of infertility, depending on your age. Some women can experience menopause as early as 40 years old. Even women in their 30s, those who engage in excessive exercise regimens, may find themselves in early menopause. In this case, no effective fertility treatment is possible.
Causes of Infertility in Women: Diseases and Conditions
Many different diseases and the medications prescribed for women can contribute to infertility. You can speak with your doctor at your infertility clinic about your own concerns about infertility. Your physician may be able to adjust your medications or successfully treat your underlying condition so that you are able to get pregnant. Some of the diseases that prompt women to seek infertility treatments at infertility clinics are Sickle Cell Disease, kidney disease, and diabetes. If you have had cancer with radiation, your cancer treatments could be another cause of infertility. You would need to discuss with your doctor at your infertility clinic your diagnosed conditions that are causing infertility. Your doctor will help you to find appropriate options and recommend the right course of action for your infertility treatment.
If you have explored the causes of infertility and are looking for infertility treatments , Fifth Avenue Fertility Acupuncture can help you explore natural treatments instead of going to a traditional infertility clinic for your fertility needs. Visit their site at http://www.fifthavenueacupuncture.com for more information on acupuncture as a treatment for fertility.
March 10th, 2012
When you want to find out the cost of acupuncture, you may run to the Internet for information. Unfortunately, the cost of acupuncture is difficult to pin down. The question “How much is acupuncture?” is hard to answer because many different factors are involved. Of course, like any other medical treatment, you don’t want to skimp on acupuncture costs by going to someone unqualified. The cost of acupuncture is well worth it when you find someone excellent to perform it.
Health insurance is something to consider when you look at the question “How much is acupuncture?” but you have to meet many requirements to get acupuncture costs covered. Usually, the number of treatments you need to have will determine acupuncture cost. No matter how you look at it, the cost of acupuncture can be somewhat pricy, but it is often effective in increasing fertility, relieving anxiety, and even helping with lower back pain. Many factors can affect cost, but acupuncture is often a less costly treatment that other traditional procedures.
How Much Is Acupuncture?: The Right Education
The answer to the question “How much is acupuncture?” will depend on the skill of your acupuncturist. The more education your professional has, the higher the cost of acupuncture will be. If you go to a physician to have your acupuncture performed, the acupuncture cost will be more expensive than if you go to someone who has only a certificate from an acupuncture school. Some acupuncturists are also certified in specialties, such as fertility, and this additional expertise can add to the cost of acupuncture.
Of course, when answering the question “How much is acupuncture?” you do not want to cut corners on expenses by going to someone who is unqualified to perform your proceedure properly. For instance, if you want to pursue acupuncture for fertility, you need to go to an acupuncturist who is knowledgeable about the proper placement and insertion of needles in areas related to reproduction. The cost of acupuncture should not affect the quality of care that you get from your practitioner, but you may not get the best results by going to the least expensive provider of acupuncture.
How Much Is Acupuncture?: Health Insurance
Health insurance sometimes does cover acupuncture costs and can provide some answers to the “how much is acupuncture” question. Some insurance companies will not cover it at all, despite research studies that show how acupuncture can help to resolve certain diseases and conditions. Unfortunately, certain health care providers will not cover the cost of acupuncture no matter how many appeals you make to them or statistics you present to show that the treatment works. Some health insurance companies only cover acupuncture for certain conditions, such as low back pain or infertility. To help with your acupuncture cost, it pays to check into what your health insurance covers.
Because many studies show the effectiveness of acupuncture treatments, the cost of acupuncture should be covered by health insurance companies. The cost of acupuncture is worth the reduction in pain that acupuncture would bring the patient. Some patients have turned to flexible health spending accounts to cover the cost of acupuncture, but most health insurance companies are stubbornly against covering the acupuncture cost.
How Much Is Acupuncture When Performed Frequently?
How often you need acupuncture and for how long will influence the answer to the question “how much is acupuncture” a great deal. Very few conditions require only one treatment of acupuncture. If you need to see the practitioner several times per month, this factor can increase the cost of acupuncture. Because the effects of acupuncture are cumulative, you need to have more than one treatment for the acupuncture to work for your condition. Frequency of treatment usually results in a higher cost of acupuncture, but repeated treatments are necessary for you to get maximum results.
If you are considering acupuncture and want to know the cost of acupuncture, Fifth Avenue Fertility Acupuncture can answer your questions about acupuncture cost, help you with insurance, and guide you to make good choices. Visit their website at http://www.fifthavenueacupuncture.com for more information on their practice.
March 9th, 2012
In our society, abstaining from alcohol can be difficult, especially during parties and family celebrations. But women who are pregnant or even just trying to get pregnant should stay away from alcohol entirely.
For the woman who is dependent upon or an abuser of this legal drug, it may be impossible to abstain from drinking without first undergoing effective treatment. Pregnant women with alcoholism should join an alcohol abuse rehabilitation program and be checked closely by a health care provider during their entire pregnancy.
Because alcohol use appears to be the most harmful during the first three months of pregnancy, serious harm can occur to the fetus before a woman even knows she is expecting. Few are even aware of the possible consequences of their drinking to the developing child, known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
Fetal alcohol exposure is the leading known cause of mental retardation in the Western world. In the U.S., FAS occurs as often as or even more frequently than Downs Syndrome or Spinal Bifida. Symptoms of FAS can include the following:
 * Slowed intrauterine growth
 * Poor growth in the fetus and newborn
 * Possible failure to thrive after birth
 * Delayed development and signs of mild-to-moderate mental retardation, with the average IQ in the mid 60s
* Irregularities of the face, including small head and upper jaw; a short, upturned nose; smooth groove in the upper lip; smooth and thin upper lip; narrow, small eyes with large folds above the eye; heart defects; abnormal joints in the hands and feet; tremors in the newborn; agitation and crying
* Abnormalities of the skeleton
Any woman who is pregnant should avoid consuming alcohol throughout her entire pregnancy, as permanent birth defects can occur during each of the trimesters. It is unknown whether the timing or any specific amount of alcohol consumption is safe for the developing baby. Alcohol crosses the placental barrier and can cause physical, mental, and behavioral problems that can persist for a lifetime.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can be the first sign of possible fetal alcohol damage. Infant ECG and echocardiogram are able to detect problems such as a heart murmur or other heart structural defects. Ultrasound of the fetus can show delayed intrauterine growth.
The primary effect of FAS is permanent central nervous system damage, especially to the brain. The resulting under-formed or malformed brain structures can create an array of primary cognitive and functional disabilities. Among them are poor memory, attention deficits, impulsive behavior, and poor cause-and-effect reasoning. Since the brain develops during the entire pregnancy, the risk of brain damage exists during each trimester. Mental health problems and drug addiction are secondary disabilities that can manifest themselves later in life and be due to FAS.
Many women are unfamiliar with the potential, permanent consequences of drinking while pregnant. The lifetime medical and social costs of each child born with FAS are estimated as just under a million U.S. dollars. The social costs to the family are inestimable. All women who go off their birth control in order to conceive are advised to drink NO alcohol (and take no harmful drugs). It may be difficult to stop drinking, but it is the best way to give a baby the best possible health and start in life.
Sources: Wikipedia and other Internet health-related articles    Â
May 26th, 2008
Some women in their 40s can still get pregnant without assistance from fertility clinics. That’s good news for those who have postponed motherhood, but for women who have completed their family, continuing fertility can be problematic. Today, the Pill and the IUD (intra-uterine devices) are both considered good options for some women in their fourth decade. These two methods are much safer than, for example, in the 1960s and 1970s. In the past, most women over age 40 underwent a tubal ligation (a fallopian tube-tying procedure), or relied on condoms or vasectomy with their male partner.
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Sterilization is now easier for women, thanks to a non-surgical method of tubal treatment called Essure. The new technique was approved by the U.S. government in 2002. No cutting of the abdomen or tying of the tubes is involved. Instead, the doctor works through the cervix, using a thin tube to insert small devices into the ends of the fallopian tubes. These “plugs†in about three months produce scarring to block the woman’s tubes, thus preventing ovulated eggs from reaching the uterus.
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Women over 40 should continue to use birth control until well into menopause. This age group has been shown to have high abortion rates, similar to those of adolescents. Under certain conditions, the Pill is now safe for “older†women. The dosage of estrogen in today’s Pill is greatly reduced and considered by many physicians to be a good alternative for lean, healthy women over 40. The Pill has other benefits besides contraception for appropriate women. It can help to control irregular menstrual bleeding and hot flashes, reduce hip fractures and cases of ovarian cancer. Yet, some physicians urge caution even in lean and healthy women who are approaching menopause.
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If a woman over 40 is significantly overweight, has high blood pressure or diabetes, the Pill would not be a good option. For them, the chances of dangerous blood clots rise sharply. Middle-aged women who are obese, who smoke, have migraine headaches or other identified risk factors might instead consider IUDs or progestin-only treatments termed “mini-pills.†Although higher breast cancer rates have been found in older women taking estrogen-progestin pills to control menopausal symptoms, women 35 and older taking oral contraceptives have not shown an increase in breast cancers.
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Another birth control product called Implanon, FDA-approved in 2006, is a matchstick-sized plastic rod that is implanted under the skin of the upper arm. Implanon is similar to the earlier Norplant and can last up to three years.
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Today’s IUDs are safer and more effective than those used by women in the 1970s. The earlier Dalkon Shield version resulted in a number of serious medical problems due to its defective design. A large class-action lawsuit was filed and millions in payouts were made over the years. American women and their physicians are again considering the IUD as a simple and effective method of birth control.
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Women should discuss with their OB-GYN physician their preferences for contraception, the appropriateness for their age group and their individual health risks. New options in birth control methods and technologies greatly reduce the risk of an unwanted pregnancy.
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San Francisco Chronicle, Mike Stobbe, AP story, April 5, 2008
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23954260/Â
April 8th, 2008
Although still very small, the risk of dying in childbirth is rising in the U.S. Between 2003 and 2004, maternal mortality rates rose from 12 deaths in 100,000 live births to 13 in 100,000 (Fewer than 600 American women giving birth in 2004 died in the process.) Infant mortality is actually more common than death of the mother. In 2004, the rate of infant deaths was 679 per 100,000.
Compared to a century ago, when about 1 in every 100 live births resulted in the mother’s death, the small rise may seem insignificant. But, with our modern technology and outstanding medical care, we should be concerned that the maternal mortality rate has risen at all.
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Looking at possible causes for deaths related to childbirth, three factors may be at least partially responsible:Â the rising rates of Caesarean-section births (now accounting for about 29% of all births); increasing maternal obesity, and more women giving birth in their late 30s and into their 40s.
Today, C-section births are far higher than what public heath experts consider appropriate. As with other surgeries, Caesarean births carry risks from anesthesia, infection, and blood clots. Mothers with several previous C-sections may also be at risk of excessive bleeding or blood vessel blockages.
Women who are heavier can develop diabetes and other complications. In addition, they may have excess tissue. Generally, their babies are larger, making a vaginal birth more difficult. This factor, in turn, can lead to more C-sections.
More women are waiting longer to have their babies than even a few decades ago. Risks of complications to mother and baby are greater to a woman in her late-30s and 40s.
Studies show than at least 40% of maternal deaths could have been prevented had quality of care been better. Sometimes, despite excellent prenatal care and a healthy pregnancy, the mother dies for no apparent reason.Â
The woman’s race and economic status may also be factors. Maternal deaths are at least three times higher for Black women than for white women. Because they often do not get adequate prenatal care, Black women are more susceptible to complications such as high blood pressure.
Getting risk factor – especially diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure – under control before becoming pregnant and obtaining good prenatal care will help to ensure a healthy outcome for both mother and baby.
Source:Â Â Yahoo News
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August 26th, 2007
Several decades ago, doctors routinely told their pregnant patients to gain about 25 pounds but no more than 35 pounds. Today, however, more expectant mothers may already be overweight or obese before conceiving. In these instances, weight gain guidelines should be reduced.
According to the March of Dimes, carrying too much weight while pregnant increases risks to mother and baby. These complications can include birth defects, problems with labor and delivery, death of the fetus, or delivery of very large babies. Overweight mothers are also more likely to produce babies who are too heavy as toddlers.
Setting appropriate pregnancy weight gain guidelines can be aided by referring to the woman’s body mass index (BMI) at the time she conceives. BMI is a combination of height and weight. Women with a “normal†body mass index are still encouraged to gain between 25 and 35 pounds. Women who are especially thin may be encouraged to gain up to 40 pounds. For those with a higher BMI (over 26), 15 pounds of weight gain may be more appropriate.
In 2003, about 1 in 4 expectant women in the U.S. gained more than 40 pounds during their pregnancy, up from 1 in 5 in 1990. Many women are putting on 50 or 60 pounds with their pregnancies, which can cause complications such as gestational diabetes. Obstetricians point out that an obese woman already has stored nutrients and does not need much additional weight to provide for her developing baby.
Women would do well to get their weight under control before becoming pregnant. Once conception has occurred, eating a healthy diet and engaging in moderate exercise are important for both mother and developing child.
Source:Â CNN.com
August 17th, 2007
Results of recent studies have revived the controversy over circumcision in infants. The U.S. leads the way in holding to this practice, although in the past decade or so, the surgical procedure has declined. A 1999 survey of hospital records found circumcision rates varying widely by region — 81% in the Midwest, 66% in the Northeast, 64% in the South and 37% in the West.
In Europe, Asia, and Latin America, baby boys are not routinely circumcised, however Jewish and Muslim faiths traditionally subscribe to circumcision. Recent international studies have cast new light on the subject. Two trials held in Africa involving more than 7,500 men were stopped early because results showed that circumcised adult males had a 51% to 60% lower rate of contracting HIV, the AIDS virus, than their uncircumcised counterparts.
Researchers believe that the warm, moist area under foreskins of uncircumcised men can breed infections. Lifestyle and personal cleaning habits may have more impact on health, however, than the surgical removal of foreskin. In some areas of the world, clean water and soap may not be widely available, and in these areas, circumcision may make sense.
Doctors in the U.S. are split in their opinions on the potential benefits of circumcision. Those opposed believe that circumcision does unnecessary violence to the infant’s genitals, and that the decision should be left to the male in adulthood. Furthermore, they believe that removing a baby boy’s foreskin might diminish his sexual pleasure when he becomes sexually active.
Doctors who favor the procedure point out that studies over the years have shown circumcised males to have lower rates of urinary tract infections, penile cancer (a rare condition), and a variety of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Circumcised baby boys have fewer urinary tract infections and possibly other problems, but these can be treated with antibiotics or other strategies if needed.
Tradition, religion and philosophical beliefs will continue to be factors involved in the emotional choice involving circumcision. In the final analysis, it is up to the parents, guided by information from their baby’s doctor, to make the decision.
Whatever parents decide for their newborn sons will probably be fine, as there appear to be advantages and disadvantages either way. When in doubt, why not leave the penis intact and let the individual decide as an adult?
Source:Â MSNBC
March 5th, 2007
An 18-month study of over 2,000 healthy women ages 18 through 49 who were given continuous-use oral contraceptives to prevent menstruation has been shown to be safe and effective.
Among the study participants, 79% percent had progressively decreasing bleeding days, with an absence of bleeding after one year. In 59%, a complete cessation of menstrual cycles occurred soon after the first month.
Lead investigator David Archer, M.D., a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Eastern Virginia Medical School, expressed excitement over this “significant improvement in the quality of life for women.†The study can be found in the December issue of Contraception.
Dr. Archer asserts that for the first time, continuous-use oral contraceptives have been shown to safely eliminate menstrual bleeding and the symptoms associated with it — cramping, headaches, bloating, and irritability.
The study was conducted at 92 sites in North America where researchers dispensed to participating women a birth-control pill produced by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals under the name Lybrel. The new birth control pill contains 20 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol and 90 micrograms of levonorgestrel.
Traditional birth control pills contain 21 days of active hormones and 7 days of placebos (no hormones) to provide contraception while the woman continues to have monthly periods. More recently, birth control pills that reduce menstruation to four times a year have been on the market.
Now, women can be free of the monthly “curse,†until they are ready to conceive. As the name Lybrel implies, women can choose to be “liberated†from the discomfort and inconvenience of unwanted menstrual cycles.
Source:Â Medical News TODAY
December 18th, 2006
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