Dear Yuliya
I'm a lady in a committed monogamous relationship with a gentlemen. We have both been tested for everything possible and no longer use condoms. I take Orthotricyclen every night at around the same hour as directed. However, I forgot to take my pill two nights in a row! Durrr! We have not had sex for maybe 4 or 5 days, however, so all I want to know is how long I should wait?
I do not want TEH BABIES!
Dear I do not want TEH BABIES,
Take your next pill as soon as is possible, along with yesterday's pill. Do not take more than 2 pills at a time. Throw away the other one you missed. Then, it depends on which week of your pills you are on. Most people seem to recommend waiting for 7 days, and if you are on the third week of the cycle, to skip the week of placebo pills and just continue on to the next pack. I'd wait until your period, just in case. If you are in your third week when you forget some pills, then go ahead and start the next pack instead of the placebo, but be warned that with a tri-phasic birth control pill you will likely have breakthrough bleeding. I'd recommend waiting until you're a week into your next pack to start penis-in-vagina sex.
This question actually brings me to one of my favorite things to talk about, though - the many fun things you can do that do not involve penis-in-vagina! Intimacy is many many things and there seems to be somewhat of an over-emphasis on PIV. Some people even call PIV the only "real" sex. You and your partner can enjoy each others' sexuality without it, when something like a missed birth control pill throws you off. There is oral sex, anal sex (if you are into that sort of thing), manual stimulation, mutual masturbation, heck even regular masturbation next to each other, sex toys, and whatever else your imagination may come up with! This might be a good time to just explore each other and come up with new erogenous zones. This is a time for play!
4/24/2007
4/16/2007
PCOS and some remedies
Question: What can you tell me about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) treatments, specifically natural or alternative treatments?
First, a definition. PCOS is an endocrine disorder that affects 5-10% of women - the most common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age. It is characterized by infrequent and irregular menstruation or no menstruation, an excess of androgen activity, and/or polycystic ovaries. There are various reasons why an ovary will produce an excess of androgen and this leads to some of the symptoms of this disease like irregular menstruation, infertility, central obesity, hirsutism, acne, etc. A polycystic ovary is one in which the egg follicle does not fully mature to be released and instead forms a cyst.
Diagnosing this disorder is a complicated task. There are various tests that may be done - a sonogram, testosterone screening, a biochemical screen and lipid profile, or a glucose tolerance test. It is important to note that not all women with PCOS will have ovaries that are polycystic, nor do all ovarian cysts mean that women have PCOS. Make sure to ask your doctor a lot of questions about the tests done or that will be done. Make sure you trust your doctor, as per my previous post. You may or may not want a second opinion.
Treatments options: Since this disorder is often linked with insulin imbalance, a low-carbohydrate diet and plenty of exercise is thought to be beneficial. It may also be useful to take an insulin lowering medication. When restoration of ovulation is a concern, a doctor may prescribe Metformin. Oral contraceptives or cyclic progestins may help with certain symptoms and with restoring menstruation. There are also ways to restore fertility through surgery once pregnancy becomes desired.
As far as natural and alternative treatments, diet and exercise seems to be your best bet. A diet in which most of your carbohydrates come from fruit, vegetables and whole grains is important. These help to maintain a steady blood sugar and insulin level. There are a few sites that provide support and information for women with PCOS - here is a good one. To help plan low-carb meals, there is a variety of cookbooks available that came with current Atkins and South Beach trends. Ask your doctor to recommend a nutritionist to talk to who has dealt with patients with PCOS before. Good luck!
First, a definition. PCOS is an endocrine disorder that affects 5-10% of women - the most common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age. It is characterized by infrequent and irregular menstruation or no menstruation, an excess of androgen activity, and/or polycystic ovaries. There are various reasons why an ovary will produce an excess of androgen and this leads to some of the symptoms of this disease like irregular menstruation, infertility, central obesity, hirsutism, acne, etc. A polycystic ovary is one in which the egg follicle does not fully mature to be released and instead forms a cyst.
Diagnosing this disorder is a complicated task. There are various tests that may be done - a sonogram, testosterone screening, a biochemical screen and lipid profile, or a glucose tolerance test. It is important to note that not all women with PCOS will have ovaries that are polycystic, nor do all ovarian cysts mean that women have PCOS. Make sure to ask your doctor a lot of questions about the tests done or that will be done. Make sure you trust your doctor, as per my previous post. You may or may not want a second opinion.
Treatments options: Since this disorder is often linked with insulin imbalance, a low-carbohydrate diet and plenty of exercise is thought to be beneficial. It may also be useful to take an insulin lowering medication. When restoration of ovulation is a concern, a doctor may prescribe Metformin. Oral contraceptives or cyclic progestins may help with certain symptoms and with restoring menstruation. There are also ways to restore fertility through surgery once pregnancy becomes desired.
As far as natural and alternative treatments, diet and exercise seems to be your best bet. A diet in which most of your carbohydrates come from fruit, vegetables and whole grains is important. These help to maintain a steady blood sugar and insulin level. There are a few sites that provide support and information for women with PCOS - here is a good one. To help plan low-carb meals, there is a variety of cookbooks available that came with current Atkins and South Beach trends. Ask your doctor to recommend a nutritionist to talk to who has dealt with patients with PCOS before. Good luck!
4/11/2007
Choosing a doctor
Doctors are important people. They receive a huge amount of schooling and at times it may seem like they know everything and can make everything better. They are our best hopes against the fear of disease and death. They help us maintain our health and happiness. A good doctor is a joy. Not all doctors are good doctors. It is very important to remember that.
There are certain things that you should expect from your doctor. Courtesy and respect, knowledge and the ability to answer questions are just some of the things you should get on your visits. Sometimes you will go to a new doctor and not get some or all of these things. Please remember that you have the freedom and the right to seek another doctor. It can be difficult with certain insurances or in sparsely populated areas, but there is usually at least some choice. Doctors, while great and noble, are not gods. They can be wrong or they can be disrespectful. If your doctor is so intimidating or annoying that you can't bring yourself to come back for much needed care, then that doctor has failed you. Find someone else. Ask around. I've found that it can be useful to ask at your job, since it is likely that your co-workers will have the same insurance. Or you could ask one of the doctors you go to who you like. Don't get stuck with someone who treats you badly in any way.
There are certain things that you should expect from your doctor. Courtesy and respect, knowledge and the ability to answer questions are just some of the things you should get on your visits. Sometimes you will go to a new doctor and not get some or all of these things. Please remember that you have the freedom and the right to seek another doctor. It can be difficult with certain insurances or in sparsely populated areas, but there is usually at least some choice. Doctors, while great and noble, are not gods. They can be wrong or they can be disrespectful. If your doctor is so intimidating or annoying that you can't bring yourself to come back for much needed care, then that doctor has failed you. Find someone else. Ask around. I've found that it can be useful to ask at your job, since it is likely that your co-workers will have the same insurance. Or you could ask one of the doctors you go to who you like. Don't get stuck with someone who treats you badly in any way.
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