Birth control pills also referred to as oral contraception, are taken by women on a daily basis to prevent pregnancy.

About Birth Control Pills

Usually, these Birth control pills are “combination pills” they contain a mix of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. They help in preventing pregnancy by making the cervical mucus thicker; this helps in avoiding sperm to swim to an egg. They also Stop Ovulation, there is no release of the egg for the sperm to fertilize.

Birth Control Pills

How to make Birth Control Work Best for you

To make the pill work best for you, it is essential to think about certain things ahead of time. Take your pills daily at the same time for as long as you don’t want a pregnancy. Set the alarm on your phone, place your pills next to things you use daily (like your mobile phone charger, toothbrush), keep your pills in your bag when you travel, you can also make pill buddies help each other. Ideally, you should start your pills on the first day of your menstrual periods. Continue to take one pill every day

Birth control pills come in 21 day or 28-day packs depending upon the brand. Both sets come with 21 “active” pills which are loaded with hormones. The extra seven pills which come in the 28-day set are called “sugar” pills, or “reminder” pills or the placebo pills. They do not have any hormone. These extra pills are there to serve a reminder so that you do not break the habit of taking one pill daily.

Combination pills are also available in the market; they decrease the frequency of menstrual cycle, the number of periods is reduced to one in every three months compared to one every month.

Birth control pills are about 99% effective in preventing pregnancy when taken but missing even a single dose may increase the probability of getting pregnant. Therefore it is recommended to take a pill every single day at same time. Also, it is important to remember that birth control pills do not have any role in protecting against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). It is always advised to use condoms along with the pill to protect against STDs. Since every woman is unique and different, finding the right birth control pill may not be possible with the first prescription. Always consult your doctor if you experience any undesirable symptoms.

What if you Miss Taking a Pill for One Day?

Immediately take one pill as soon as you remember, then take your regular pill at the usual time. You should also consider backup methods such as condoms and try to abstain for first seven days after you missed your daily dose.

What if you Miss Taking more Than One Pill?

When you miss taking a pill for more than one day, your options are dependent on the estrogen in your pill. You should use backup methods like condoms, abstinence, emergency contraception.

What if you Miss Taking more Than One Pill

Possible Side Effects

The birth control pills are simple, safe and effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy. Many girls adjust to them with little to no problem. Few women may have some undesirable side effects like – irregular menstrual bleeding, bleeding between periods, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, tenderness in the breast, headaches. Few may complain of blood clots. New studies have shown both negative and positive link between birth control pills and emotional health. These usually occur within the initial 2 – 3 months of use and vanish after first 2 – 3 months. Women should not stop using birth control pills if they experience nausea or vomiting, to help avoid nauseous feeling it is advised to take pill near bedtime after dinner.

Always talk to your healthcare professional, in case you continue to feel any of the side mentioned above effects after a three month period.

Few side effects which are happily accepted by girls are –regular periods, anaemia (iron deficiency), lighter periods with less bleeding, reduced menstrual cramps, helps in premenstrual symptoms, protect against pelvic inflammatory diseases and improvement in acne. Certain combination birth control pills also protect against breast cancer, ovarian cysts, anaemia and endometrial cancers.

Vomiting and diarrhoea can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Also, certain medicines used in certain diseases can also reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills, like – Antibiotics (rifampin), certain HIV medicines, specific anti – seizures medicine, St John’s Wort.

Birth control pills are not recommended for women who have a migraine, headaches, diabetic, high cholesterol, inherited blood – clotting disorders, high blood pressures and certain types of cancers.

It is best to discuss your birth control options with your healthcare professional before taking any. Always tell your doctor about your medication

The post Every Thing You Should Know About Birth Control Pills appeared first on Home Health Beauty Tips.

Nowadays a breast cancer has become a very common terminology that we hear from our friends, family or maybe some other source. It is very important to diagnose it before it takes your life away. This article is an awareness about what breast cancer is and how to prevent it.

What is Breast Cancer

What is Breast Cancer

Breast cancer means modifications in the normal cells that were healthy earlier, but now due to some changes they became abnormal. Treatment is necessary as without treatment the cancerous cell starts spreading into other parts of the body.

Breast Cancer

Statistics show that it is the most common type of cancer occurring in females and it is the second leading cause of cancer in females. About 1/8th of the females are suffering from Breast cancer. An early diagnosis can prevent the mortality associated with it.

What are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Early symptoms include a lump on breasts, breasts will show changes in size/shape, there may be discharges from nipples (may be bloody discharge), ulcers/changes in skin color, thickening of the skin of breast, the nipple may be inverted, dimpling in the nipple and pain in nipples.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Late symptoms of breast cancer include pain in the bones. This is an indication of the distant spread of cancer. Also, there may be swelling of the lymph nodes, difficulty in breathing and general fatigue.

What are the Stages of Breast Cancer

• Stage 0 – Insitu- meaning cancerous cells are confined to breast ducts
• Stage1-Invasive meaning it has started attacking healthy tissue
• Stage 1 is further subdivided into stage 1a (spread to the fatty tissue of breast) and stage 1b (invasion to the lymph nodes)
• Stage2- cancerous cell is now growing/spreading or both
• Stage3-invasion to nearby lymph nodes or muscles
• Stage4-Metastatic invasion to bones, liver, lungs and brain
• What are the survival rates of breast cancer
• Stage0-100%
• Stage1-100%
• Stage2-93%
• Stage3-72%
• Stage4-22%
• Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Mammography should be done as early as possible so that the treatment can be done at an early stage
Biopsy of the lump which is suspected in the breasts.

How to Self-Examine for Breast Cancer

Check for any lumps on breasts/any abnormalities like Breast discharges/changes in color.

self-examine for Breast cancer

What are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

1. Obesity
2. Age- with the increasing age the risk of developing Breast cancer, no childbirth, childbirth at a late age.
3. Genes- BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes increase risk, family history is also a major risk factor
4. Personal factors- menstruation starting before 12 years or menopause after 55yrs

What is the Treatment of Breast Cancer

1. Surgery
2. Hormone therapy
3. Targeted therapy-it specifically attacks only cancer cells excluding normal cells
4. Surgical treatment

It includes physical removal of the tumor along with some part of the normal surrounding tissue, lymph nodes may also be biopsied at the time of surgery.

1. Mastectomy-whole Breast is removed from this type of surgery.
2. Quadrantectomy-1/4th part of the breast is removed in this type of surgery.
3. Lumpectomy- Only a few portions of Breast are removed.

Other than these there are radiation therapy, chemotherapy for metastatic Breast cancer.
Preventive treatment also includes medications such as Tamoxifen, which is used for women with high-risk factors.

How can we Prevent Breast Cancer

A change in lifestyle can help in preventing this disease. Obesity is the cause of Breast cancer. So maintain the weight, Remaining physically active, brisk walking will help, Control of dietary habits such as less alcohol consumption, prevent tobacco consumption, encourage breastfeeding, consume Citrus fruits, omega-3 also helps in reducing the risk, consumption of soy-based eatables.

How can we prevent breast cancer

Breast cancer is curable only when there is an early approach to the clinician. Any suspected lumps on breasts or any abnormal changes shouldn’t be ignored a patient should consult and get the diagnosis done to rule out cancer.

The post Breast Cancer:Symptoms, Stages, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention appeared first on Home Health Beauty Tips.