HOW WOMEN BECOME PREGNANT ON BIRTH CONTROL PILLS
Lately I have seen quite a few women who became
pregnant while taking birth control pills.
Statistically, 51% of "surprise" pregnancies occur
while a form of birth control was used - or misused!
I can soooo relate to this, as I was personally the
biggest ditzy pill taker ever. So let's talk -----
FACTS FROM 1 - 7
1. Take your pill in the morning! Women are less
likely to forget to take the pill if they take it in
the morning. They are more likely to forget it if
they plan to take it at bedtime and they - um -
like - fall asleep or something.
2. Missing pills and being late taking pills increases
your chances for pregnancy. - duh - The hormone level
starts to decrease rapidly if not renewed every 24
hours. Then the ovary activates, you ovulate, and the
rest is history! Usually there is up to a 3 hour leeway, but don't count on it!
>>>>Almost half of all women forget a pill EACH
CYCLE! - because they never establish a routine.
3. Missing pills also increases breakthrough bleeding
or spotting between periods.
4. New studies show that heavier women may need a
higher dose pill. Women over 190 lbs should not use the
Patch.
5. If you remain on the pill the endometrial lining of
the uterus thins out and period bleeding becomes less
or none at all in some cycles -- that's OK (this is
temporary and it thickens again within a cycle or 2
when you go off). So, if you miss a
period, do not stop the pill. Get an at home pregnancy
test to make sure you are not pregnant, but continue
the pill.
6. Progestins can cause depression and stimulate the
appetite!!!! Good Grief! Depo-provera (the shot) or
certain birth control pills are more prone to do this,
and if this is a concern you may need to change pills
or your birth control method. But don't suddenly stop
because you are experiencing this. Call the office and
we'll talk. Pregnancy tends to cause more weight gain
and anxiety (and depression when not planned) than any
form of birth control I can think of!
7. Some women experience a drop in "libido" - sex
drive - on some pills. (others feel an
increase!)Changing to a triphasic pill could help
this. Also, changing to a non-oral method of birth control like the ring or patch could be beneficial. Now, if you are working, going to school, taking
care of a Him, and kids, cooking, cleaning, researching
on the Internet why all your houseplants are turning
yellow, planning dinner parties, making your own
pasta from scratch and basically feeling responsible
for the universe this week, fatigue is the reason for
lack of sex drive and has little or nothing to do with
the pill!
My goal is to help you feel more energetic, healthy,
and fulfilled. Those qualities make for a happy and
productive life with goals dreamed of, worked toward,
and attained. What more could you want!
Lynne Fiore, NP
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