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What is emergency contraception?

This procedure of contraception is used for preventing pregnancy after having unprotected sexual intercourse. This can be used if regular birth control method fails or if you forget to use your regular form of birth control. Emergency contraceptive pills are also called morning after pills or the day after pill. These pills can be consumed somewhere in between immediately after sex and 5 days after the intercourse.

These pills contain a high dose of progestin only or a combination of progestin and estrogen. The first dose of the pill should be taken within 120 hours of intercourse and the second dose can be taken 12 hours after the first. Some brands require you to take a single pill within 72 hrs of the intercourse.

The timing and dosage varies from brand to brand and depends on the hormones used and their dose. Emergency contraceptives work by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg, thickness the cervical mucus so that fertilization does not occur and prevents implantation in case fertilization does occur. A woman may have her period a few days after using the emergency contraceptive. After this, she can resume using her regular birth control measure. The copper t intrauterine device can also be used as birth control. It works by preventing fertilization and implantation.

A plastic pouch that is inserted into the vagina before having sex. It prevents pregnancy and also helps aid in the reduction of STD’s. This is one of the few birth control methods that does help in the prevention of STD’s. The open end of the long plastic tube has a flexible tube that stays outside of the vagina. The closed end, also with a flexible tube stays inside the vagina. The condom is inserted just before intercourse. This condom can also be used in the same way in this anus.

The condom covers the vagina from the sperm. When a man ejaculates it catches the sperm, therefore not only reduces the risks of becoming pregnant but also aids in prevention of STD’s. Five out of every 100 women get pregnant when using a condom correctly. To further make the risk even more minimal use a spermicide with it. Any woman who uses tampons can use a female condom. They are safe to use and are also will help prevent you from getting a STD. It can be safely used in the vagina and the anus.

How effective is Seasonale?

Seasonale as a contraceptive medication is gaining popularity worldwide. Use of Seasonale offers you dual advantages. It safeguards you against unwanted pregnancy. Along with, it also frees you from monthly periods.

Estrogen and progesterone content of Seasonale help in altering cervical mucus and linings of uterus. As a result, uterus loses its receptive power for embryo temporarily. Uterus linings also can not initiate early signs of monthly period due to consumption Seasonale. But Seasonale is not effective for all women. It creates several physical and mental side effects. It can elevate your cholesterol and blood pressure level. Hence, women having history of heart disease, diabetes and obesity should not consider Seasonale. Age over 35; excessive smoking and Seasonale are a deadly combination.

Proper consultation with a gynecologist is also required to get the maximum benefit from consumption of Seasonale. There are several drugs which affect the effectiveness of Seasonale adversely. They are antibiotics, seizure medications and Barbiturates. Women using these drugs for other medical complications do not witness effectiveness of Seasonale properly. People having history of cardio vascular diseases are also vulnerable towards negative effects of Seasonale. Hence, before starting this birth control medication make a complete health checkup and consult your doctor.

Yes, there are drug interactions with taking Seasonique. Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol) has the chances of interaction with several other medications. According to the available studies, nearly 430 medicines are said to interact with Seasonique. Out of that, 10 are major drug interactions, 282 are moderate ones and 138 are minor ones. Some such Seasonique drug interactions are mentioned hereunder:

Use of antibiotics like amoxicillin reduces the effectiveness of Seasonique. Even the medicines used for seizures can react with Seasonique. These medicines are Carbamazepine, Felbamate, Lamotrigine, Oxcarbazepine Phenytoin, and Topiramate. Barbiturates medicines such as Amobarbital, Secobarbital, and Phenobarbital are also studied to react with Seasonique. Cyclosporine, Modafinil and Protease inhibitors also have drug interactions with Seasonique. According to the studies, very serious interactions are found when this medication is used along with aromatase inhibitors, sodium tetradecyl sulfate etc. If you are taking any antifungal medications or you are the patient of hypothyroidism and having the medications for the same, it is very important to inform your doctor.

It is therefore important to inform your doctor about the current medications, whether prescription or non-prescription that you are taking, before starting Seasonique. Certain drugs can reduce the effectiveness of this birth control pill and in such a case, the birth control may fail. And certain drug interactions can cause health complications.