Nonviolent Choice: There Are, and Can Be, Better Ways Than Abortion: Contraceptive Failure

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Showing posts with label Contraceptive Failure. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Tips for Contraceptive Success: A Reprise

To reprise our reprints of About.com Contraception Guide Dawn Stacey's advice on preventing contraceptive failure:

To learn more about contraception, please visit Dawn's work on About.com.

Or you can consult the Nonviolent Choice Directory's extensive Pregnancy Prevention resources. The Nonviolent Choice Directory also sells nonprescription family planning and safer sex items through our website.

Tips for Contraceptive Success: How to Prevent IUD Failure

By Dawn Stacey, M.Ed., LMHC, About.com Contraception Guide
(Reprinted with her permission)

Birth control must be used consistently and according to instructions in order to attain maximum effectiveness. In order to lower the chances of birth control failure, follow these suggestions if you curretnly use a Mirena IUD or a ParaGard IUD.

If you have any questions about your birth control method, please contact your healthcare provider. You will lower your chances for birth control failure if you have a proper and thorough understanding of how to use your contraceptive.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: N/A

Tips:
1. It is especially important to check every few days for the first few weeks after an IUD insertion to make sure that it is still properly in place. You should also feel for the strings after your first period since the insertion. Additionally, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor after your first period (and no longer than 3 months after the insertion) to make sure that the IUD is still in place.

2. Make sure to check the strings each month to ensure that the IUD is still in place (your doctor can provide instructions on how to do this).

3. An IUD must be removed if it becomes partially expelled. It is a wise idea to check your pads and tampons during your period to make sure that the IUD has not fallen out.

Most pregnancies happen to Mirena or ParaGard IUD users when their IUDs slide out without them realizing it. Even though the chance of pregnancy while an IUD is in place is extremely low, if it does happen, you should have the IUD removed as soon as you are aware that you're pregnant.

4. If you cannot feel the strings, make sure to use an alternative, back-up contraceptive method, and call your healthcare provider to make sure that the IUD has not been displaced.

5. Some woman may have the IUD strings cut shorter if they are felt by the woman’s sexual partner. When this is the case, sometimes the strings are cut so short that the woman cannot actually check for the strings. Regular IUD checkups can be done at the same time as your periodic gynecological exam.

For the rest of Dawn's reprints:

Tips for Contraceptive Success: Medications and Inhibitors that Lower Hormonal Contraception Effectiveness

By Dawn Stacey, M. Ed., LMHC, About.com Contraception Guide
(Reprinted with her permission)

Certain medications, antibiotics, and supplements can increase the chances of oral contraceptive (birth control pill), NuvaRing and Ortho Evra patch failure. These drugs and medications can cause interactions when used with some hormonal contraceptives.

If you have any questions about birth control methods, please contact your healthcare provider. You will lower your chances for birth control failure if you have a proper and thorough understanding of how to use your contraceptive.

1. Antibiotics

Some antibiotics used to treat infections may cause the Pill to be less effective.

The following antibiotics/antibacterial agents may interfere with pill use:

•Rifampin: used to treat tuberculosis or meningitis
•Rifabutin: used to treat mycobacterium avium complex
•Tetracycline
•Rifapentine: used to treat TB
•Some penicillin derivatives or cephalosporin (Keflin) may also decrease pill efficiency.

It is impossible to determine if taking an antibiotic will interfere with pill use (since each person's body responds differently), so it is wise to use a back-up method while on antibiotic medication as a precaution and ask your doctor.

2. Anti-HIV Protease Inhibitors

Ritonavir is an antiviral drug that is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. If you are using this or another medication for the treatment of the HIV virus or AIDS, ask your healthcare provider if your specific medication will decrease the effectiveness of the pill.

3. Anti-Seizure Medications

Barbiturate medicines for producing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions) could interfere with the effectiveness of the Pill. Examples of these types of medications would be:

•Phenobarbital
•Primidone

The following medications can also help with seizure (convulsion) control in certain types of epilepsy and also treat nerve-related pain. Additionally, Topiramate may also be prescribed to help prevent migraine headaches. These mediactions, as well, may lower pill, nuvaring, or the patch's effectiveness:

•Oxcarbazepine
•Carbamazepine
•Phenytoin
•Topiramate

Please inquire with your healthcare provider if you are taking any of these medications.

4. Antidepressants

Certain medicines prescribed for mental depression, such as Nefazodone, can alter hormone levels. Inquire about these types of medications with your healthcare provider if you are currently being treated with a specific antidepressant.

5. Anti-Fungal Medication

Anti-Fungal Medications, especilally the ones that are typically taken orally for yeast infections can lower the effectivenes of the pill. Additionally, Griseofulvin, an anti-fungal used to treat fungus infections of the skin, hair, and nails may interfere with oral contraceptives or other hormonal birth control.

If you are using one of these types of medications, ask your healthcare provider if your specific medication will decrease the effectiveness of the pill, ring, or patch.

6. Diabetes Medication

Some of the medications for diabetes, including Troglitazone and Pioglitazone can interact with birth control pills. Make sure to discuss these types of medications with your healthcare provider to see if they will affect the use of your oral contraceptives.

7. Anxiety Treatments

Ask your healthcare provider if your specific anti-anxiety medication will decrease the effectiveness of the Pill as certain medicines used to treat anxiety or sleeping problems, such as Diazepam or Temazepam, may interfere with successful combination contraceptive use.

8. Natural Supplements

In addition to prescription medications, certain supplements have been shown to lower the effectiveness of hormonal contraception. These include:

•Soy Isoflavones - natural substances obtained from the soybean plant which claim to reduce the intensity of menopause-related hot flashes and to help maintain strong bones
•St. John's Wort - an herb or dietary supplement that is being promoted for its ability to improve mildly depressed moods

9. Vomiting and Diarrhea

Although not a medication, vomiting and diarrhea may also lower the effectiveness of the pill.

Additionally, the medication, Aprepitant, which is used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting vcan also interfer with the oral contraceptive effectiveness. If you are experiencing these symptoms or taking this medication, use an additional method of birth control and contact your healthcare provider for advice.

For the rest of Dawn's reprints:

Tips for Contraceptive Success: How to Prevent Oral Contraceptive Failure

By Dawn Stacey, M.Ed., LMHC, About.com Contraception Guide

If you use the Pill, it has to be taken at the same time every day; in fact, if you forget to take just 1 birth control pill, you increase your chances of becoming pregnant. During a cycle, if 2 or more pills are missed, the chance of this method failing increases dramatically, especially if an alternative method of birth control (like a condom) is not used. Having a routine is a good way to reduce the likelihood of this happening. It has been show that having a set daily routine can affect birth control consistency. Women without a customary routine are more than 3 times as likely to miss 2 or more pills per cycle.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: N/A

Tips:

A woman should make sure to use the Pill consistently and continually. She should take it at the same time, every day.
An individual who uses the pill should understand how to take the pill properly and what to do if she accidently misses a pill.
If a woman misses 2 or more pills during any cycle, she should use an alternate method of birth control as a back-up.
It is helpful to associate pill use with some other regular daily activity (such as taking it before a person brushes her teeth). This way, taking the pill becomes part of a routine.
A female should remember to bring an extra pack of pills when traveling if she will finish the old pack while away.
It is important to consult with a medical doctor about using a back-up contraceptive method if a woman is prescribed antibiotics or is taking certain herbal supplements or other medications.
If you have any questions about your birth control method, please contact your healthcare provider. You will lower your chances for birth control failure if you have a proper and thorough understanding of how to use your contraceptive.

(Note: See our next reprint from Dawn, Medications and Inhibitors That Lower Hormonal Contraceptive Effectiveness.)

For the rest of Dawn's reprints:

Tips for Contraceptive Success: How To Decrease Failure with the Fertility Awareness Method

By Dawn Stacey, M.Ed., LMHC, About.com Contraception Guide
(Reprinted with her permission)

Natural Family Planning methods must be used consistently and according to instructions in order to attain maximum effectiveness. In order to lower the chances of birth control failure, follow these suggestions if you use fertility awareness as your contraceptive method.

If you have any questions about your birth control method, please contact your healthcare provider. You will lower your chances for birth control failure if you have a proper and thorough understanding of how to use your contraceptive.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: N/A

Tips:

It is essential that you understand how fertility awareness methods work.
It is helpful to have knowledge about the female body and how ovulation and fertilization take place.
Try to make sure that you are using this method precisely and consistently. If not, failure could occur.
It is critical, with natural family planning, that you accurately predict when your fertile period is.
Make certain that you have correctly figured out your ovulation pattern; then, abstain before and after your fertile time..
Remember, it only takes one unprotected act of sexual intercourse to become pregnant.

What You Need:

Calendar
Fertility Charts
Cycle Beads (optional)
Basal Thermometer

For the rest of Dawn's reprints:

Tips for Contraceptive Success: How to Prevent Diaphragm Failure

By Dawn Stacey, M.Ed., LMHC, About.com Contraception Guide
(Reprinted with her permission)

Contraception must be used consistently and according to instructions in order to attain maximum effectiveness. If you use a diaphragm, follow these suggestions in order to lower the chances of contraceptive failure.

If you have any questions about your birth control method, please contact your healthcare provider. You will lower your chances for birth control failure if you have a proper and thorough understanding of how to use your contraceptive.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: N/A

Here's How:

Put spermicide inside your diaphragm AND around the rim EVERY time you use it.
After inserting it, make sure that the diaphragm is covering your cervix (as directed by your doctor).
Wait at least 6 hours after sex to remove diaphragm (do not take it out any sooner).

Tips:

Remember to add additional spermicide into the vagina between each new sexual acts or if more than 2 hours have gone by since the diaphragm has been inserted.
Diaphragms may fail if they are moved out of place by the penis thrusting against the cervix.
Using a condom and spermicide with these devices (especially during your fertile period) can result in the greatest chances of contraceptive success.

(Note: Couples who do not wish the pregnancy risk (however small) of condom and spermicide use during the fertile period [or any other time in the cycle, for that matter] have the option of practicing Outercourse & Oral Sex.--Marysia)

For the rest of Dawn's reprints:

Tips for Contraceptive Success: How To Respond to Men's Excuses for Not Wanting to Wear a Condom

By Dawn Stacey, M.Ed., LMHC, About.com Contraception Guide
(Reprinted with her permission)

(We commend Dawn for addressing this critical component of success with condoms. With condoms as with other methods, women's sexual assertiveness and equitable relationships between male and female partners are essential to preventing unintended pregnancies and abortions, not to mention sexually transmitted infections like HIV/AIDS.--Marysia)

I’ve heard all types of reasons why men don’t want to wear condoms. But, by not using them, your safety is at risk. Using condoms every time you have sex offers the best protection from catching an STD, including HIV . It is even suggested to use a condom if on The Pill (or other prescription method). If a man says that he is “too large” to fit into a condom, open one up, put your hands together (like you’re clapping), roll the condom over your hands, then spread them apart about 12 inches wide – ask him if he is bigger than that!

Here's some excuses men give and responses you can use.

Difficulty: N/A

Time Required: 15 Minutes to Practice Responses

Here's How:

1. If he says: "It ruins the mood."
How to respond: "Having unsafe sex puts me out of the mood. For good!"

2. If his excuse is: "A condom spoils my enjoyment of sex.”
How to respond: “I can't enjoy sex unless we’re protected.”

3. If he says: "If you really love me, you should trust me."
How to respond: “It is because I love you that I want to be sure we’re both protected.”

4. If he complains: "I can’t feel anything when I’m wearing a condom.”
How to respond: “Many condoms have extra features to actually make sex better, and that you will both be better able to relax knowing you are safeguarding yourselves against STD’s and unintended pregnancy. Plus, men can actually experience more pleasure with a ribbed condom than without one at all.”

5. If he says: "Condoms don’t really work; most of them get busted."
How to respond: "If we use it the right way, its 98% effective."

6. If his excuse is: "Wearing a condom is uncomfortable."
How to respond: Suggest a different brand or size.
Or, if you are feeling a bit feisty, you could come back with, "Yes, and so is being pregnant for 9 months and then having to give birth."

7. If he says: "Don’t tell me that you actually think you’ll catch something from me."
How to respond: "I’m sure I won’t, but it's better to be safe than sorry."

8. If his objection is: “But you’re on the pill.”
How to respond: "The pill won’t protect us from STD’s that we may not even know we have – a condom will give us that protection.”

9. If he insists: “But we’ve had sex without a condom before.”
How to respond: “That that was a bad decision, and I don’t want to make it again. We were lucky, and I am not chancing it again.”

10. If his excuse is: "I don't know how to use a condom the right way."
How to respond: "I’ll do it for you."

Tips:
1. Don’t be afraid to ask your partner to use a condom because you think he won’t trust you. If this is so, then it may mean that you don’t trust him enough to ask him to use a condom.

2. Remember, there are many reasons to use a condom. Learn all of the ways a condom can protect both of you, so you can remind him (and yourself) of why you should use a condom every time you have sexual intercourse. Don’t let your partner’s excuses stop you from protecting yourselves.

3. Read these ways of how you can respond to your partner. If it will make you feel more prepared, rehearse them; then, you can be ready to challenge him if he gives you an excuse for not wanting to wear a condom.

4. Remind yourself that asking someone to use a condom shows that you have respect for yourself and for them, so refuse to have sex with someone who does not respect you or themselves enough to use protection.

For the rest of Dawn's reprints:

Tips for Contraceptive Success: How to Prevent Condom Failure

By Dawn Stacey, M.Ed., LMHC, About.com Contraception Guide
(Reprinted with her permission)

Over the counter contraceptives are not perfect. Let’s face it, condoms can break and tear during sex. When condoms break, semen can leak out, so the use of vaginal spermicides with condoms can help to increase your pregnancy protection should condom failure occur. (Typically, 2 - 5% of all condoms tear during use. This can generally be prevented by making sure that you use condoms the correct way. If you have any questions about your birth control method, please contact your doctor. You will lower your chances for birth control failure if you have a proper and thorough understanding of how to use your contraceptive.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: N/A

Here's How:

Read the directions.
Before use, inspect the condom for any obvious tears.
Put lubrication inside the condom. (See Dawn's note below about proper lubricants to use anywhere near a condom.--Marysia)
Make sure you are putting the condom on the right way by leaving room at the top and rolling it on in the proper direction.
Lubricate the outside of the condom. Make sure to use only water-based products intended for use with condoms (such as KY jelly, Astroglide, etc). Any oil-based or petroleum-based products will compromise the integrity of the condom.
After ejaculation, make sure to take the condom off properly by holding the rim firmly, withdrawing penis, and sliding the condom off (away from the vagina).
Tie the condom in a knot - away from the vagina. Then throw it out in a garbage can.

Tips:

Don’t use condoms once their expiration date has passed.
Make sure to store condoms properly (not in hot places).
Watch out for fingernails and/or jewelry which can also cause tears in the condom.

A final note about condom failure, sometimes, no matter what you do, a condom will break. It is always possible that the condom could have been damaged sometime during or after production. Remember, no method is 100% effective!

For the rest of Dawn's reprints:

Tips for Contraceptive Success: What Leads to Contraceptive Failure?

By Dawn Stacey, M.Ed., LMHC, About.com Contraception Guide
(Reprinted with her permission)

Question: What Leads to Contraception Failure?

Unintended pregnancy is a significant concern affecting thousands of people each year. According to a study published in Family Planning Perspectives, 50% of all the pregnancies in the United States were unintended; this includes those conceptions that resulted in abortions, miscarriages or live births. Surprisingly, half of the women faced with these unplanned pregnancies were using contraception during the month that they conceived. Because of these high numbers, it is vital that we know the main reasons for contraception failure as well as some of the risk factors associated with it.

Answer: Contraceptive Failure Varies by Method.

Your contraceptive method of choice greatly impacts your ability to avoid an intended pregnancy. Contraceptive failure can result from a natural malfunction of the birth control method itself. Research has shown that the use of longer acting methods, which require less for the individual to do, tend to help minimize the chances for user error. These methods (like Depo Provera injections, Implanon implants, ParaGard and Mirena IUDs and sterilization) result in the lowest "typical user" rate of contraceptive failure.

When comparing contraceptive effectiveness,

• "Typical use" refers to failure rates for women who do not consistently or always correctly use their birth control.
• "Perfect use" refers to failure rates for those whose use is consistent and always correct.

Demographics Play a Role in Contraceptive Failure

Marriage status:
• 17% of unmarried, cohabiting women experienced contraceptive failure during the first year of contraceptive use.

Age:
•16% of adolescents (aged 19 or under) and 13% of women aged 20 - 24 experienced birth control failure during the first year of use.

Income:
•Contraception failure rates are higher for low-income women.
•Those with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level are almost two times more likely to experience birth control failure than their higher income counterparts.

Some contraceptive methods are more prone to failure than others. Discover ways to decrease the chances of your contraception failing you.

For the rest of Dawn's reprints:

Tips for Contraceptive Success: Introduction to Our Reprint Series from Dawn Stacey, M.Ed., LMHC, About.com Contraception Guide

Unfortunately, no method of contraception is 100% effective; a lot of political commitment and research is needed before that can ever happen.

But please don’t let that discourage you from trying your best! Most methods work pretty well at preventing pregnancy—especially if you use them correctly and consistently every single time you have penis-vagina intercourse.

Want to learn how to boost your odds of preventing unintended pregnancy? Dawn Stacey is a master’s level health educator and licensed mental health counselor who specializes in reproductive health work. She serves as Contraception Guide for the website About.com. She has graciously given us reprint permission for these physician-reviewed About.com articles she authored on preventing contraceptive failure. And for that we thank her. We hope you will, too.

For the rest of Dawn's reprints:

Nonviolent Choice: There Are, and Can Be, Better Ways Than Abortion

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Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Tips for Contraceptive Success: A Reprise

Tips for Contraceptive Success: How to Prevent IUD Failure

Tips for Contraceptive Success: Medications and Inhibitors that Lower Hormonal Contraception Effectiveness

Tips for Contraceptive Success: How to Prevent Oral Contraceptive Failure

Tips for Contraceptive Success: How To Decrease Failure with the Fertility Awareness Method

Tips for Contraceptive Success: How to Prevent Diaphragm Failure

Tips for Contraceptive Success: How To Respond to Men's Excuses for Not Wanting to Wear a Condom

Tips for Contraceptive Success: How to Prevent Condom Failure

Tips for Contraceptive Success: What Leads to Contraceptive Failure?

Tips for Contraceptive Success: Introduction to Our Reprint Series from Dawn Stacey, M.Ed., LMHC, About.com Contraception Guide