Health Question & Answer Time
Health Q & A
Tell Me The Condom Didn't Just Break
If you think your birth control may have failed (whether the condom broke
or spilled or the diaphragm or cervical cap slipped), insert contraceptive
foam, cream, or jelly into your vagina as soon as possible. You may also
want to consider taking the Morning After Pill (see related article) as an
extra precaution.
Douching: A Bad Way To Bond With Mom
The vagina has a natural pH and acidity, which is the body's way to kill
dangerous bacteria and prevent infection. Frequent douching and the use
of vaginal deodorants (aka feminine deodorant or feminine powder) can
upset this balance and lead to infections. Scents in vaginal deodorants
can also cause allergic reactions. Instead of douching, gently wash with
warm water (soap is okay if you¹d prefer to use it), separating the outer
lips and pulling back the hood of the clitoris to clean away secretions
around the glans. Don't even consider douching as birth control, since it
does not work and may even push some sperm up into your uterus. Douching
may be recommended to treat some vaginal disorders but should be done only
on the advice of your health care practitioner.
Oh No, I Forgot To Take The Pill Today!
Take the forgotten pill as soon as you remember and take the next pill at
its appointed time, even if you must take two in one day. If you forget
two pills, take two pills as soon as you remember, then two pills the next
day to catch up and use an additional form of birth control for the rest
of the cycle. You may have some spotting. If you forget three pills or
more, withdrawal bleeding will probably begin, so act as if you are at the
end of the cycle. Stop taking the pills and use another form of birth
control immediately. Start a new package of pills the Sunday after you
realize your mistake, even if you are bleeding. Use the extra method of
birth control from the day you realized you forgot the pills through two
weeks of the next cycle. Refer to the manufacturer¹s patient information
insert since there can be different instructions depending on when in the
cycle the pills are missed.
We Want To Have Sex During My Period But We Don't Want To Deal With
The Blood.
You can hold the flow back by using a diaphragm or cervical cap. Take it
out immediately after sex to avoid toxic shock, which can occur if blood
is not allowed to drain normally out of the vagina. The diaphragm or cap
should be in addition to a condom, the Pill, or another contraceptive
since pregnancy can occur even if you're menstruating!
Go home!