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Questions and Answers: Birth Control
- NuvaRing, Lunelle, Ortho Evra
[General
Birth Control | The Pill | Depo
Provera | NuvaRing | Lunelle
| Ortho-Evra]
| NuvaRing |
Will my boyfriend be able to ejaculate
in me with NuvaRing?
How do I know if I'm pregnant on NuvaRing?
QUESTION: I was prescribed
Nuvaring today and I was wondering if while using it, my boyfriend
will be able to ejaculate in me? If it will be safe? (July
16, 2003)
ANSWER: After the Nuvaring (prescribed by a
clinician) is initially inserted, it is recommended the individual
use an additional contraceptive method, such as condoms, for
the entire first cycle (or month). There is no contraceptive
method that is 100% effective, but the Nuvaring has been found,
through trials, to be 98.8% effective when used consistently
and properly. This method does not protect against sexually
transmitted infections (STI's) therefore if there is a risks
of transmitting an infection it is recommended to use condoms,
which will reduce the risks of transmitting some STI's.
For more information, please visit www.nuvaring.com.
QUESTION: how to know if
I'm pregnant while on Nuvaring? OK, me and my boyfriend had
sex but the condom broke, and I spotted about 6-7 days later.
Then I spotted again yesterday, the 11 of June.
ANSWER: It is very dependent on your normal
period schedule and if you are usually regular. It is best to
get a pregnancy test from your clinician to find out.
[General Birth Control | The
Pill | Depo Provera | NuvaRing
| Lunelle | Ortho-Evra]
| Lunelle |
Will Lunelle ever come back onto
the market?
Why did Lunelle get recalled?
Tell me about Lunelle.
Some of my last shot ran down my
arm. I'm late. Could I be pregnant?
QUESTION: When
is Lunelle going to come back? Ever? If it was a problem with
dosage, why is it completely off the market? Was there something
(side effects) that we were not aware of? Where can I get
it if I want it? (July 11, 2003)
ANSWER: Please see the below link to "Questions
and Answers about the voluntary recall of Lunelle" to
help answer some of the Questions you may have.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/021015_lunelle.html
If your questions are not answered feel free to ask more through
this venue.
If you are currently on Lunelle it is highly recommended the
you use an alternative method of prevention/protection. Some
of these can include condoms, the Pill, Depo Provera (progestin-only
injection), diaphragm, among many others. Please see your
clinician to discuss your options.
QUESTION: Lunelle Shot and its
recall.
ANSWER: Lunelle, which is a monthly birth control
injection made by Pharmacia Corporation, has been voluntarily
recalled (as of October 2002) by the company. They are recalling
all "pre-filled syringes due to the lack of assurance of
full potency and possible risk of contraceptive failure".
This recall does not include Lunelle packaged in vials, nor
is any other Pharmacia contraceptive product affected by this
recall.
If you are currently on Lunelle, it is recommended you immediately
begin using a barrier contraceptive method like a male or female
condom and to see your clinician. The UIC Wellness Center offers
free condoms (4 a day) in room B19 of the Student Center East
(formerly CCC).
Planned Parenthood and Pharmacia Corporation have written statements
regarding the recall. Below are the links to both statements.
http://plannedparenthood.org/about/pr/021010_lunelle.html
www.lunelle.com
- click on "Important news", click on 10 October "Pharmacia
Corporation Announces Voluntary Recall"
Pharmacia has also set up two toll-free phone numbers for patients
and health care providers to get more information: Patients
should call (800) 323-4204; Providers should call (800) 691-6813.
QUESTION: I want to know
about the Lunelle birth control shot...
ANSWER: Lunelle is a fairly new birth control
method. Instead of re-inventing the wheel, I will suggest checking
out the Planned Parenthood website at http://plannedparenthood.org/bc/lunelle.html,
which has detailed information regarding Lunelle, and other
birth control methods, for more information.
If you are interested in using a prescribed birth control method
please take a look at www.wellctr.uic.edu
to find information on the UIC Family Medicine, Chicagoland
Planned Parenthood locations, and other clinics that have Lunelle
available.
QUESTION: I have
been getting the Lunelle shot for a few months ago and I get
my monthly period like clock work, but last month I don't think
they give me all my shot cause some of it ran down my arm, and
now I'm over a week late for my period. Could I be pregnant?
ANSWER: With the Lunelle shot, like Depo Provera,
you should not have a period while you are on it. You're next
question might be, why didn't my period stop after the first
month of Lunelle? My answer is - each woman is different. Some
women will cease having their period the month after their first
shot, whereas it might take another woman a few months for her
periods to stop. It is also normal for women to have spotting
as well.
If this does not ease your mind and you are still worried about
the possibility of being pregnant, I would recommend taking
a trip to your doctor to take a pregnancy test.
[General Birth Control | The
Pill | Depo Provera | NuvaRing
| Lunelle | Ortho-Evra]
| Ortho-Evra |
Can I get pregnant during the off-week
of the patch?
I put my patch on after my period,
and I had sex. Could I be pregnant?
I have GTD, could the patch raise my HCG levels?
My girlfriend recently got off the patch,
could she be pregnant?
Can you die from the patch?
Can I get pregnant the same week I
stop using the patch?
I just started the patch and my
period is late. Could I be pregnant?
If I was pregnant and used the
patch, what would happen to the baby?
I'm in the water a lot, will the patch stay
on?
How much is the patch and what are the
side effects?
How long do you have to wait until you can
have unprotected sex?
I'm on the patch but I'm getting pregnancy
symptoms. Why?
QUESTION: Im on the patch,
and Im on my 4th week which means i have to leave it off for
a week, Well I had intercourse Sunday and I took it off monday,
Is there a chance I could become pregnant? im worried! (November
16, 2004)
ANSWER: The birth control pill and the patch impede
pregnancy by preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation).
If eggs aren't released, sperm can't fertilize them and pregnancy
can't occur. These forms of birth control also thicken your
cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to enter the
uterus and reach any eggs that may have been released.
The
pill and the patch are both 99 percent effective at preventing
pregnancy. Therefore, if you are using the patch correctly
and consistently, it would be 99% effective at preventing
pregnancy. If you are concerned about being pregnant, it is
recommended that you take a pregnancy test.
Additionally, it is important to remember that having unprotected
sex increases your risk of contracting a sexually transmitted
disease. Using a condom in addition to your current birth
control method may further reduce the chances of becoming
pregnant.
QUESTION: I am 19-yrs-old.
I have my period regularly and I always get it for 4-5 days.
I was sure that I was done with my period and put my patch on
like i regularly do. My boyfriend and I had sex on the night
that my period ended. Can I get preganant even though I put
my patch on? (November 2, 2004)
ANSWER: The instructions provided with your patch can
help you determine when you should use a back-up method for
pregnancy prevention. If you have any additional questions,
it is recommended that you speak with your clinician. S/he can
help you determine if and when you need a back-up method to
reduce your chances of pregnancy.
For
other pregnancy-related questions, please see our Pregnancy
FAQ link.
QUESTION: I was diagnosed
with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease. I was on chemotherapy
for several months. I finished chemo on August 4th, 2004. I
am doing monthly blood tests to check my HCG levels. They are
now under 2. My doctor is putting me on Ortho Evra. I know that
birth control contains "pregnancy" hormones. I have
three questions:
1. Could Ortho Evra give me a false positive on my monthly blood
tests?
2. Could OE raise my HCG levels? My doctor also told me that
Ortho Evra and birth control in general "promotes tissue
growth".
3. What are the chances that Ortho Evra or birth control in
general, will cause another molar pregnancy and/or cause the
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease to return?
I hope you can help. Thanks so much. (October 22,
2004)
ANSWER: Ortho Evra could not give you a false positive
on you monthly blood tests. Pregnancy test measure the level
of HCG in a woman's body. HCG is a hormone that is produced
by pregnant women, but it is not found in Ortho Evra, therefore
it cannot raise your HCG levels.
For information on side effects of Ortho-Evra, effectiveness,
and other information about the drug please read the information
insert given with all drugs (see the
Ortho-Evra insert on-line).
It is important to discuss these questions with your clinician.
You have the right to research the information s/he gives you
as well as research possible treatment options and ask your
clinician about those options also. It is commendable you are
asking these questions now as it seems like you would like to
be involved in your medical care. Some web sites to visits to
find more information about molar pregnancy, Gestational Trophoblastic,
and Ortho-Evra are:
Ortho-Evra: http://orthoevra.com
National Institutes of Health: National Cancer Institute: http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/gestationaltrophoblastic/Patient
March of Dimes: Ectopic and Molar Pregnancy: http://www.modimes.org/professionals/681_1189.asp
Planned Parenthood: Birth Control: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/
QUESTION: MY GIRLFRIEND
WAS ON THE PATCH FRO OVER A YEAR AND RECENTLY GOT OFF, IF WE
HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF HER GETTING PREG?
(October 5, 2004)
ANSWER: For this and other pregnancy-related questions,
please see our Pregnancy FAQ.
QUESTION: I was informed by friends
that a young woman died from the
patch, I would like to find out more and what brand?
(May 11, 2004)
ANSWER: There is only one brand of birth control that
is administered as a patch and it is Ortho Evra. With any prescription
medication, including all hormonal birth control methods (the
pill, depo, etc.), there are contraindications and side effects
(including death). These can vary among users as each person
reacts differently to medications; current behaviors (i.e. smoking,
etc.) and health status (i.e. high blood pressure, etc.) can
play a role in this reaction as well.
According to the Ortho Evra Consumer Information (if
you read drug information for any prescription birth control
method it would say somewhat similar things) it states the following:
"Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious adverse
effects on the heart and blood vessels from the use of hormonal
birth control methods. This risk increases with age and with
heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day) and is quite marked
in women over 35 years of age. Women who use hormonal birth
control methods should not smoke. Ortho Evra should not be used
by women who have:
a history of heart attack or stroke
blood
clots in the legs, lungs (pulmonary embolism), or eyes, a
history of blood clots in the deep veins of the legs, chest
pain
known
or suspected breast cancer or cancer of the lining of the
uterus, cervix or vagina
unexplained vaginal bleeding
yellowing of the whites of the eyes or of the skin (jaundice)
during pregnancy or during previous use of hormonal contraceptives
liver tumor (benign or cancerous)
known or suspected pregnancy
severe high blood pressure
diabetes with complications of the kidneys, eyes, nerves,
or blood vessels
an allergy to Ortho Evra or to any of its ingredients"
It goes on to state, "For the majority of women, Ortho
Evra can be used safely. But some women are at high risk of
developing certain serious diseases that can be life threatening
or may cause temporary or permanent disability or death. The
risks associated with using Ortho Evra increase significantly
if you:
smoke
have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol
have or have had clotting disorders, heart attack, stroke,
chest pain (angina pectoris), and cancer of the breast or
reproductive organs, jaundice, or malignant or benign liver
tumors
Ortho Evra may be less effective in women weighing more than
198 pounds."
It is important to know all the facts, contraindications, and
side effects of any medication prior to using it; these can
be discussed with your clinician or pharmacist.
It is also important to communicate with your clinician and
be truthful about previous and current medication use, behaviors
(smoking, alcohol use, etc.), and health issues (high blood
pressure, etc.) prior to taking medications as there could be
contraindications that you may not know about.
Since it sounds like you do not know the person who allegedly
"died from the patch" then you may not know the complete
story as she could have had an unknown medical condition, adverse
reactions to the patch, died of something else or it could be
a rumor all together. Although, as said before, it is important
to take into consideration the potential effects medications
can have on a person and discuss these side effects with your
clinician.
QUESTION: I have been on the patch
for 3 months now but now I am ready to begin a family. I just
took of my patch 3 days ago and began my period 2 days ago (2/28/04).
Is it possible for me to get pregnant during this cycle? I am
on a 26-28 day cycle so I believe my ovulation period should
occur within my 14th day. Is this going to be possible? (March
1, 2004)
ANSWER: According to the insert in the Ortho EVRA patch:
There may be some delay in becoming pregnant after you stop
using ORTHO EVRA, especially if you had irregular menstrual
cycles before you used hormonal contraceptives. It may be best
to postpone conception until you begin menstruation regularly
once you have stopped using ORTHO EVRA and want to become pregnant.
There does not appear to be any increase in birth defects in
newborn babies when pregnancy occurs soon after stopping hormonal
contraceptives.
QUESTION: i started
using ortho evra a week ago... on a sunday and was supposed
to get my period 6 days ago. im worried i might be pregnant
but i took 2 pregnancy tests and it says im not. i thought birth
control was supposed to help regulate my cycle... im so confused.
also how long does itt take for the patch to take effect? (February
26, 2004)
ANSWER: If you cease to have your period it is recommended
you contact you clinician as women should continue to have their
period while on the patch. Before prescribing the patch, your
clinician may have done a pregnancy test and you can ask them
if they did so. But if you are worried that you may be pregnant,
it is recommended you contact your clinician to be tested.
As for how long it takes the patch to take effect... it is recommended
you ask your clinician and in the meantime it would be recommended
you and your partner use another form of protection like condoms.
QUESTION: What
would happen if I got pregnant and didn't know it, and continued
to wear my patch. Could this affect my baby?
ANSWER: If you think there is a possibility
of being pregnant or if you miss your periods and you are usually
regular you should get a pregnancy test and see your clinician
immediately.
QUESTION: I am in the water
a lot, will the patch (Ortho Evra) stay on and will the water
affect the strength of this medication?
ANSWER: Yes, the patch is meant to stay on
as well as keep its effectiveness while in the water.
QUESTION: How much is
the birth control patch and what are the side effects?
ANSWER: As with other hormonal birth control
methods, there are side effects to Ortho Evra a.k.a. birth control
patch. As far as "clinical trials of Ortho Evra birth control
patch, some women experienced breast symptoms, headache, application
site irritation, nausea, upper respiratory infection, menstrual
cramps and abdominal pain". For more information on the
cost of Ortho Evra, it is best to check with your pharmacist
or clinician. If you'd like more information on Ortho Evra,
their web site is: http://orthoevra.com/index.html
QUESTION: How long do you
have to wait to have sex if you are on the ortho evra patches
for the first time?
ANSWER: The Ortho Evra patch is fairly new
on the market and should be used with another birth control
method (i.e. condoms) for at least 1 month prior to using it
alone. The patch does not protect against sexually transmitted
infections, it only reduces your chance of pregnancy. If you
would like to protect against STI's it is best to use condoms
as well.
QUESTION: I'm on
Ortho Avra and I spotted on my first period my breast are sore
and I'm getting sick in the evenings and sometimes in the night
but not everyday I took 2 pregnancy tests the first one was
negative and the second one didn't work.
ANSWER: Spotting, nausea, and sore breast can
all be side effects of the birth control. Please see your clinician
for any medical advise on dosage and reactions to the prescription.
[General Birth Control | The
Pill | Depo Provera | NuvaRing
| Lunelle | Ortho-Evra]
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