Thursday, October 26, 2006

Contraceptive Pills

Not more than a few decades ago the birth control pill was viewed as a sign that a young, unmarried woman was being promiscuous. Over the years that idea has changed and contraceptive pills are now an important part of many women’s health regime.
Preventing pregnancy is an important concern for almost every young woman. Not wanting to forego the pleasure of becoming close with someone, young women are recognizing that contraceptive pills are one of the most effective ways to control when they have a baby.
One of the major concerns with taking birth control pills in the past has been the potential side-effects. It has become a common misconception that a woman should expect to gain upwards of ten pounds after she starts taking contraceptive pills. This was indeed a real and warranted concern several years ago but it isn’t anymore.
In recent years new medications have been introduced that have a lower dose of the hormones needed to control ovulation. This means that a woman will have a much lower chance of developing side-effects including the dreaded and unwanted weight gain.
The method for administering these pills hasn’t changed much over time. In most cases the contraceptive pills are taken for a period of twenty-one days. During the next seven days, the pills aren’t taken and the woman can expect to have her period. The entire cycle beings again and as long as a woman doesn’t forget her daily pill, she can expect a high protection rate against pregnancy.
Along with the assurance that you’re protected against getting pregnant, the pills have some additional benefits. In some cases, contraceptive pills can help with very painful cramps. Some young women are prescribed the pills as a treatment for their monthly cramps. This has proven to be a successful method of helping relieve some, if not all, of the pain.
Regardless of why the woman is taking the pills, it’s really important to remember that they offer no protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore using another method of protection in addition to the contraceptive pills is the best idea.
A yearly examination is needed when taking the pills to ensure that the woman is healthy. Older women should discuss the additional health risks associated with taking contraceptive pills over the age of thirty-five. I don’t need to go on and on about the dangers of smoking, but for women taking the pill, there is added risk for smokers.
If you are a woman of child bearing years who wants an effective way to ensure that you don’t become a mom before you are ready, think about contraceptive pills and how you can incorporate them into your life. After all, having a baby is a big decision and although it can be a welcome surprise, choosing when it happens is often the better way to go.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Bikini Waxing

If there is one thing in the world you will not catch me doing, it is bikini waxing. I’m sorry, but there are just some things that are sacred and the bikini area is one of those things. Perhaps if I was younger and single I might reconsider, but that is still a long shot. When you go for a bikini waxing, you are baring everything you have to a total stranger, and I’m sorry, but this is something I am not going to do for cosmetic reasons. It is hard enough going to a gynecologist, but at least that is essential for good health.
When you go for bikini waxing, you are going in for some of the most humiliating grooming you can imagine. For the most part, you have to get up on all fours and spread your legs as far as you can, while pushing your butt up into the air. Talk about opening up! This is that technician can get to all the nooks and crannies you have down there. They put hot wax on some of the most sensitive spots you have, and rip it off with a strip of paper. Sure, bikini waxing sounds like fun!
There is really no way you can do this at home, though there are kits out there that claim you can. Unless you have a room full of mirrors and six arms, I doubt you can do a good job on your own. You are welcome to try it, of course, but make sure you don’t call me when you can’t remove the wax, and you have accidentally sat upon something that you are now stuck too. If this happens, you are going to have to call the wax company to figure out what to do. This won’t be the most pleasant phone call you have ever made, though I’m sure the operators are quite used to getting phone calls about home bikini waxing gone wrong.
If you are really uncomfortable with the hair you have in your bikini area, and don’t want to go through a bikini waxing every few weeks, there are other alternatives. You can get laser hair removal for that area. You will still be exposed to someone else for a bit, but for the most part, once you are done, you are done for good. Laser hair removal often takes multiple appointments, and costs a lot more than a regular bikini waxing, but at least you will have it over and done with and won’t have to worry about it again.