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Questions and Answers: Birth Control
- General
[General Birth Control | The
Pill | Depo Provera | NuvaRing
| Lunelle | Ortho-Evra]
I went off birth control 9 months ago and I haven't gotten my period yet. Why?
I went off
the pill and I haven't gotten my period yet. How long should
I wait before getting on the patch?
I stopped birth control, had my period,
and now it's gone. What should I do?
What is the most proper way to use a condom?
Can I get Family Medicine to cover my birth
control?
What happens during the exam to get birth control?
If you're pregnant and you take birth control,
what could happen?
Where can I get birth control on campus?
QUESTION: I only
had my period twice before I got pregnant at the age of 15.
After my son was born I got on Triphasil 28 (bc pill). I was
on the pill for almost 8 years. Last June, when I went to get
my yearly pap smear at planned parenthood ..the doc said she
can't prescribe me my pills because of my migraine headaches
I use to get..she told me I'd have to pick another form of BC.
Well, I never did pick another form of bc and its been 9 months
now and I STILL havent got my period. I got my period last 4th
of July. Im 24, can you tell me why I dont have it yet? I've
taken numerous pregnancy tests and they always come up negative.
I dont think im stressed out and I havent changed my eating
habits and I have only lost 2 pds since last year. Please help
if you can. (April 18, 2005)
ANSWER: It is difficult to determine why you have not
had a period in the last 9 months, because there are many factors
that may play a role in your specific situation. It is recommended
that you speak with your clinician about your situation.
QUESTION: I stopped
taking the pill over a month ago and I still have not gotten
my period, and I am not pregnant. I want to get on the patch
but do I have to wait until my period comes back first? (April
18, 2005)
ANSWER: It is recommended that you speak with your
clinician before stopping any form of birth control or before
switching methods. If you have specific questions regarding
birth control methods, s/he will be able to answer them for
you. Additionally, if you are concerned about skipping your
period, it is recommended you speak with your clinician.
QUESTION: I started
taking birth control last december well I quit taking it in
march and my period came the 6th every month after that well
august it came on the 10th and I havent had it since. I took
2 hpt's both a minus. Should I consult a doctor. (October
22, 2004)
ANSWER: Keep in mind that there are other reasons besides
pregnancy that could cause your period to be late; exercise,
stress, weight loss or gain, and/or changes in your diet could
all be reasons that your period might be late.
If you are concerned about not having your period or
the possibility of pregnancy, it is recommended you see your
clinician.
QUESTION:
What is the proper way to use a condom to make sure
that it works like its supposed to and minimizes as much risk
as possible? (i.e. Should you use a new condom each time if
having sex repeatedly in succession? Is there a way to check
before hand to make sure a condom will not break during intercourse?
What should a person do if the condom suddenly slips off?)
(August 11, 2004)
ANSWER: Condoms are an effective means of birth control,
and prevent the transmission of many sexually transmitted infections
(STIs). Many couples appreciate the convenience of condoms and
use it as their usual form of contraception.
A condom is made of rubber, polyurethane, or natural membrane
sheath that fits over the shaft of the erect penis. It prevents
pregnancy by catching and holding the man's semen that is released
during ejaculation so that the sperm are not deposited in the
vagina.
The condom, if used consistently and correctly each time is
estimated to be about 97% effective in preventing pregnancy.
Condom breakage and slippage are quite rare (1/2-2% for breakage;
1-2% for complete slippage). To reduce the risk of condom slippage
during withdrawal hold the rim of the condom against the base
of the penis while pulling out. Oil based lubricants and vaginal
creams can degrade latex and increase the incidence of condom
damage.
There are no medical risks associated with condom use. A very
rare side effect may be an allergic reaction to the latex. Polyurethane
condoms are an alternative barrier method for individuals with
latex allergies.
There are over 100 brands available in the U.S.; they can be
plain, flared, narrowed down, nippled, colored, ribbed, or lubricated.
How to use a condom:
Treat condoms gently and keep them out of the sun. With
latex condoms, never use lotions, baby oil, Vaseline, cold cream,
or any other oil-based product -- the oil in these products
weakens the condom. If you use a lubricant, use one made with
water or silicone. Put the condom on before the penis touches
the vagina, mouth or anus, but after it is erected. If the penis
is flaccid the condom will not stay on.
Hold the condom by the tip to squeeze out the air. Leave some
space at the tip to hold the ejaculate (cum). Unroll the condom
all the way over the erect penis. After sex, the man should
hold the condom at the rim (base of the penis) and pull out
slowly while the penis is still hard.
Use a new condom if you want to have sex again or if you want
to have sex in a different place (for example, in the anus and
then in the vagina).
If the condom breaks or slips during intercourse, emergency
contraception (EC) (aka the morning after pill) may be used
to prevent pregnancy. For more information on EC, please see
our EC FAQ link.
QUESTION: I am going to be
a UIC student in the fall and I currently have a birth control
prescription through a regular doctor. I was wondering however
if it is possible to know if my prescription can stay the same
and be covered by the FMC on campus. Is there a list posted
somewhere. I take Mircette, generic- Kariva. Just curious.
(August 5, 2004)
ANSWER: UIC students can receive discounted birth control
from the UIC Pharmacy located in the Eye and Ear Infirmary.
New students (and current students) may obtain a prescription
from the Family Medicine Clinic (FMC) (to be filled at Pharmacy
located in the Eye and Ear Infirmary) in one of two ways:
1) The student may schedule an appointment at the FMC for a
gynecological exam. At this exam, the attending clinician will
prescribe birth control pills, at the patient's request. The
prescription written may be filled at any pharmacy, but if the
student fills it at the UIC Pharmacy located in the Eye and
Ear Infirmary, the discounted price will apply.
2) If the student already has a prescription for birth control
pills from a different clinician, the student may schedule an
appointment at FMC; at this appointment, the attending clinician
will ask for a copy of the student's most recent pap smear/pelvic
exam. Upon presenting this information, the attending clinician
will write a new prescription for the birth control pills for
the student, and she may have that prescription filled at the
Pharmacy located in the Eye and Ear Infirmary, in order to receive
the discounted price.
Before scheduling an appointment with the FMC and/or the Pharmacy
located in the Eye and Ear Infirmary, you should call and verify
that they will prescribe the same birth control pill that you
currently take. The brands/types of birth control pills they
can fill at Pharmacy located in the Eye and Ear Infirmary are
limited, so it would be beneficial to call ahead before you
invest your time in transferring your prescription!
If you have any questions, you can call Family Medicine Clinic
at 312/996.2901.
QUESTION: What do they do when u
go and get your birth control for the first time, like what
kind of test do they give u to see if u can take them. And is
that even accurate that they give u a test I'm new to this subject
and i would really like to know before i go into the doctors
office, and know what to expect. Can you help me? (July
8, 2004)
ANSWER: Clinicians will not administer test to see
if you are able to take birth control, but, depending on the
clinician and their policies and procedures, they would take
a medical history and more than likely do a typical gynecological
visit, which could include the medical history, a breast and
pelvic exam, counseling, and sometimes lab test (at the clinician/patients
request). They may discuss your options for birth control during
the visit.
For your medical history, they may want to know when you last
period was; frequency and length of periods; any bleeding in
between periods; any unusual pain, itching, discharge; family
medical problems; and potentially other information.
They may have you give a urine sample, which can tell if you
are pregnant and it can assist in screening for some health
problems. Urinating prior to a pelvic exam will also empty your
bladder and may make you a little more comfortable for the pelvic
exam.
For the breast exam, the clinician will more than likely discuss
breast self-exam and if so s/he may show you how to do them
as well as feeling for any lumps, irregularities, discharge,
and thickening themselves.
For the pelvic exam the clinician will put your feet in footrests
at the end of an exam table. S/he will ask you to spread your
legs apart and relax as much as possible. Your clinician will
do an external genital exam, which is a visual exam of the vulva
and the opening of the vagina. They will be checking for signs
of irritation, discharge, cysts, warts, and other things at
this stage. They may insert a couple fingers into the vagina
to feel for any irregularities and at this time they may put
pressure on your abdomen as well. The next exam is the speculum
exam, which is where the clinician will insert a plastic/metal
speculum into the vagina. Once the vagina is opened with the
speculum the cervix is visible. You may feel some pressure/discomfort
during the speculum exam, especially if you are tense or if
there is an infection. When the speculum is in place the clinician
will check for any irritation, growth, or abnormality to the
cervix. At this point, a swab can be taken to test for some
STI's if this is a concern of the patients. The clinician will
collect cells from the cervix with a small brush or spatula
and this is for the pap test, which test for any abnormal cells
that may be pre-cancerous or cancerous. After this exam, there
may be some bleeding. The clinician will remove the speculum
as as s/he does this they will be visually checking the vagina
for any abnormalities.
You can ask the clinician to talk you through the entire process
if you'd like and they will inform you of what they are going
to be doing as well as what they are doing. If you do have a
male clinician and would prefer a female to be present you are
able to request this and they should bring a female nurse or
assistant in the exam room.
Planned Parenthood has very reliable information on pregnancy,
birth control options, gynecological exams, and other topics.
They also have clinicians available to do exams, discuss your
options, and prescribe birth control if needed. To find more
information or a location near you, visit www.plannedparenthood.org.
QUESTION: If you’re pregnant and
are still on birth control, how would that affect the baby?
ANSWER: If you are on birth control and are
pregnant you should stop using your birth control and see your
physician.
QUESTION: Is there a place
on campus where a student can receive birth control at discounted
prices?
ANSWER: The UIC Wellness Center, located in
room B19 of Student Center East (formerly CCC) offers free condoms
(male and female) to the UIC Community Monday - Friday, 8:45am
- 4:45pm.
If you prefer prescription birth control, UIC
Family Medicine, located on the west campus, offer a wide
variety of birth control options. Their phone number is 996.2901.
If you click
here, you will find a list of Planned Parenthood locations
in the Chicagoland area who offer birth control services, some
at a reduced cost depending on income. Please call the location
your interested in to find out about discounted prices.
[General Birth Control | The
Pill | Depo Provera | NuvaRing
| Lunelle | Ortho-Evra]
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