Women in the US Dismiss the IUD – But Are They Right?

Choosing your method of birth control is not just an issue of sexual health, but of your overall wellbeing. There are various options to consider when choosing birth control, which you need to go through with your partner to ensure you make the right choice for you. One option up for consideration is the IUD, but, although it’s more convenient that a lot of methods, it appears to be less popular than the Pill – especially across the pond. Does the IUD have an unfairly negative reputation, or does the US know something we don’t?

 

Sexual wellness writer Heather Quinlan details, ‘The intrauterine device, or IUD, is a T-shaped device that is inserted into a woman’s uterus to prevent pregnancy. It can be implanted in a doctor’s office, has an amazing success rate of nearly 100%, and is the most popular form of reversible contraception in the world, with over 85 million users.’ Still, while women worldwide have accepted the IUD, only 1.3% of women in the US use the device as birth control. But why is that?

 

‘Many believe that the IUD is a victim of bad PR in the US, due in large part to the Dalkon Shield, a similar-looking device that was promoted as a revolutionary form of contraception in the 1970s,’ Quinlan explains. ‘Unfortunately, the Shield’s makers did not thoroughly research its potential design faults, and the infamous multifilament string (as opposed to a safer monofilament one) caused users to fall victim to pelvic infections, internal scarring and even infertility. Class action lawsuits brought against Dalkon’s A.H. Robins Company totaled over $1 billion and forced it into bankruptcy.’ So it’s not hard to see why American women are wary of the IUD, but this unjust tentativeness has led to an array of misconceptions.

 

However, Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at YaleUniversity, asserts that the IUD can be greatly beneficial to women. ‘It’s a good idea to revisit what you’re using contraceptively, says Dr. Minkin. ‘Someone with good fertility is [often] better off with an IUD.’ Moreover, if you’re a smoker, having an IUD is safer than using birth control pills. ‘There’s no doctor that would advocate smoking,’ Dr. Minkin admits. ‘But if you’re a smoker over 35, the pill greatly increases you chance of cardiac disease.’

 

Let’s get the skinny from some real women who have tried, and loved, the IUD. When Francesca’s, 30, marriage fell apart following the birth of her daughter in 2001, she needed a birth control method she could trust. ‘I couldn’t imagine having a child as a single mother,’ she recalls. But I didn’t want to go the drastic route of having my tubes tied. So I tried the IUD, and it worked like a charm. I didn’t have to remember to take a pill, fill a prescription every month, and one of the best things was, I didn’t get my period.’ When Francesca remarried in 2005 she decided to have the IUD removed. She details, ‘The doctors told me I could potentially get pregnant soon after it was taken out, and they were right—11 months later I had another beautiful baby girl!’

 

Another IUD fan is Jordan 24, who is happily using the device after an unexpected pregnancy caused her to rethink her birth control. She comments, ‘I had heard all these crazy things about the IUD, but I could never remember to take my pill on time, or I’d lose it. This led to me getting pregnant when I was 19. So I knew I needed something that could just do the job without much work from me. It’s now been three years and I’m still very happy with it—I can’t believe more women don’t use it, though I’m glad I do.’

Categories: Benefits, birth, Birth Control, control, Device, dr minkin, IUD, nbsp, Women

Contraception Caution: The Side Effects of Copper T

Even though there are plenty of contraceptive methods around these days, it’s hard to tell which one is best for your sexual wellness. Most of us opt for the Pill and/or a condom, but other methods may be better for your family planning needs. One such device is the copper T, which has a failure rate of less than 1%, but still with any new sexual health device, you need to take care of your wellbeing and watch out for certain side effects. Though the adverse outcomes of the copper T tend to fade away with time, you should consult your GP before you have the device inserted. Let’s take a look at the potential side effects of the copper T.

 

1. Severe bleeding and cramps: Many women who have the copper T inserted complain of bleeding in between periods, as well as severe cramps – but these can be subdued with simple painkillers like ibuprofen. Heaving bleeding during your menstrual cycle and clotting between periods is also a common complaint, and can last for a few months after the device is inserted. These initial pains are often regular and severe, but once these subside you should be experiencing less bleeding and cramping than you had before you began using the copper T. In very rare cases, however, the excess bleeding continues for longer.

 

2. Allergies: If you’re one of a few, rare cases, insertion of copper T can cause you to experience irritation, itching and rashes in the vaginal area. As you might assume from the name of the device, it is covered with a copper coating which doctors believe is the main cause of allergies in these cases. The best way to stop this from happening is to work out whether or not you’re allergic to copper before you have the device inserted. This is vital, as the infection can spread to your fallopian tubes and cause real damage. If you are allergic, have the copper T removed at once and instead go for a hormonal IUD.

 

3. Rejection: Again, this is a rare one but some women find that the device is rejected and ejected by the vagina, all by itself. However, if your uterus pushes out the copper T, you’re at a high risk of getting pregnant as it is very difficult to trace or even notice if and when this has occurred. This is why you HAVE to get regular check ups done every year to make sure your copper T is where it needs to be.

 

4. Cuts in the uterus: The device has been known to cause perforation in the uterus, which means that you need to have the copper T removed immediately. If an emergency removal does not take place, the copper T can automatically move to your other organs, which may mean that you have to have surgery to retrieve it. If, at any stage after getting a copper T fixed inside your uterus, you start to feel any discomfort, you could notify your doctor as soon as possible and go for an internal check up.

 

5. Increased risk of miscarriage and infertility: If you get pregnant while using copper T, you have a high chance of miscarriage as this means the egg has been fertilised somewhere outside the uterus wall. This causes an array of complications and, ultimately, the loss of the foetus. If you suspect pregnancy, you should get it checked immediately and have the device removed if you are expecting. Also, as copper T works by causing inflammation of the uterine lining, it can contribute to secondary infertility later on as the inflammation can produce scar tissue in your uterus, which can make it hard for a baby to implant successfully.

Categories: copper, Copper T, Device, device inserted, miscarriage, rare cases, Side Effects, uterus

Contraceptives to Consider Over the Age of 30

There are a number of reasons why you may want to make a change to your birth control – maybe you’ve realised that you’re not one for remembering to pop a pill every day, or you’re worried about the side effects of whatever contraceptive you’re currently using. Whatever the reason, it can be daunting knowing where to begin, with so many options on the market. Here are some popular choices among women over the age of 30 which could prove effective for you too.

 

The combo pill is a surprising choice, as there a number of myths surrounding the side effects for this particular medication. However, there is a growing body of research which suggests this might not be the enemy as we once thought, with 99 percent success rate and the fact that it can ease some of the symptoms of perimenopausal women, such as mood swings and irregular bleeding. Worried about the increase in cancer? New studies claim it could actually help to prevent ovarian and uterine cancers. If you suffer from migraines, though, it’s probably best avoided, as it is thought to trigger headaches and even raise the risk of a stroke in those who suffer with migraines. The same can be said of women over the age of 35 who smoke, as the oestrogen and smoking can increase the risk of blood clots. Women who are breastfeeding may want to try to progestin-only pill, as this won’t affect the milk supply in the mother – this choice is also popular amongst people who have to avoid the oestrogen pills due to blood clot risks or cardiovascular disease. Smokers are also safe with this particular option, but it’s worth remembering that this is slightly less successful than the combo pill. As with anything though, there are downsides – if you struggle to remember things or don’t stick to a routine, this isn’t the best option. It needs to be taken at the same time every day to be effective.

 

The IUD, or the Intrauterine Device to give it its full name, is great for women who don’t want to think about birth control for a long time. This is 99 percent effective and lasts for up to 12 years, meaning you could get one fitted when you’re 40 and be set until menopause. The IUD is a T-shaped device which is fitted by a GP into the uterus to stop the egg becoming fertilised. There is a risk of mild discomfort for some women, but it doesn’t last and not everyone gets it. The downsides are that your periods and menstrual cramping may increase, but a newer model has potentially put a stop to that. Although Mirena, the new device, only lasts five years it means you can expect lighter bleeding. The implant has a shorter shelf life at just three years, but is a great no-fuss option for women who want a longer-term contraceptive without the fuss of getting it removed – the implant can be removed very easily. It’s a matchstick-sized rod which is inserted into the upper arm to release hormones which curb the release of an egg. It’s also nearly 100 percent effective, so there’s less to worry about. However, if you’re significantly overweight, there is a chance that the implant won’t work for you as well, so you may want to speak to your GP.

 

There are numerous choices for contraception – these are just a selection of the most popular. Speak to your GP about the options which are suitable for you, and they will be able to advice which route you should take.

Categories: Birth Control, combo pill, contraception, Device, effective, percent effective, Pill, sexual health, Women, years

Could You Stomach the Idea of Using Worms to Treat Obesity?

There’s always some miracle pill or fad diet to try, but these are never as effective for your weight loss wellness as you want. Now, researchers have addressed the obesity epidemic with some brand new therapies but thought they may promise results, they’re so horrifying that you might not want to put your wellbeing in their hands.

 

If you have a problem rationing your food intake, there’s the AspireAssist Aspiration Therapy System, which pumps food out of your stomach right after you finish eating. The device was invented by a group of bariatric surgeons and Dean Kamen — who brought you the Segway personal transportation device — and essentially allows you the luxury of eating until you feel you’re about to burst, but without any weight gain. You use a small pump on a tube that connects directly to your stomach, so that 30% of what you ate 20 minutes ago ends up in the toilet. However, critics are calling the AspireAssist “mechanical bulimia” and pointing out that large portions of food can clog the device and that there’s a high probability of infection.

 

Still, if you don’t want to pump out that weight, scientists have found a way to worm it out of you. A study published in Nature Medicine has shown that some parasitic worms secrete a sugar-based anti-inflammatory molecule called glycan. This decreases inflammation in the host so that the worms can better navigate through tissue, but it may also treat metabolic disorders associated with obesity. Donald Harn, the study co-author who worked on the research while at the Harvard School of Public Health, commented, ‘Obesity is an inflammatory disease, so we hypothesised that this sugar might have some effect on complications related to it.

 

For the study, the researchers used the parasite’s sugar by-product on fat mice, and found that these mice were better guarded against insulin resistance, high triglycerides, and high cholesterol than their control counterparts. While the worm sugar won’t make you skinny, it may have a beneficial effect for your wellbeing. Harn noted, ‘We see great promise in this sugar, and we hope that future research and collaborations will eventually lead to marketable therapies for people suffering from disease.’

Categories: Device, Food, mechanical bulimia, nbsp, obesity, Sugar, worms

Student Device Could Revolutionise Breast Cancer Surgery

Students in America have developed a pioneering device that could slash the amount of lumpectomies in half. When your wellness is affected by breast cancer, you may need to undergo a lumpectomy so that the doctors can remove your cancer cells. However, because of the high fat content of the samples, your doctor won’t be able to scan tissue to check that all cancerous cells have been removed, but the new device is set to change this.

Designed by Johns Hopkins University, the device attaches an adhesive film to your breast tissue, so that pathologists can scan samples within 20 minutes of surgery. This means that,  if you do indeed still have cancerous cells, your doctor can remove them while you’re still on the table, and so you won’t need to put your wellbeing through second or third follow-up operations. As it stands, it can take days for samples to be scanned, which can also cause delays in other treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

With most tumours, a pathologist can flash-freeze the tissue and slice off paper-thin samples for microscopic examination. Then, if cancer cells are seen to extend to the outer edge or margin of a sample, the surgeon can remove more tissue from the patient. Because of breast tissue’s high fat content, it does not freeze well and this causes the samples to smear, form gaps and become unsuitable for a quick review. However, by applying a film before the tissue is sliced, the new device holds the delicate tissue together and prevents damage to the samples during the slicing process.

According to student inventor Hector Neira from Maryland, ‘We spoke to breast cancer surgeons. They told us that they are desperate for something that will allow them to remove the tumour in its entirety the first time, so that the patient doesn’t have to come back for a second surgery.’ So the device was born, which has now been tested on animal tissue and human breast samples from a tissue bank. While the device is still in its prototype stage, and it is yet to be used on patients, the students hope to give breast cancer patients the same rapid review that commonly occurs when other tumours are removed.

One of the inventors Anjana Sinha of Princeton, New Jersey, commented, ‘We’re not doing it for the money. We want to improve healthcare practices and raise the standard of care for these breast cancer patients. Why can’t they get the same type of quick results that people with other types of cancer receive?’ Melissa Camp, a Johns Hopkins assistant professor of surgery who worked with the team, added, ‘I think the students…are addressing a very real need in the field of breast cancer surgery. Accurate assessment of margin status during the initial operation will lead to fewer re-operations, and this will be beneficial for patients in many respects. I look forward to their continued work!’

Categories: breast cancer, Device, lumpectomy

New Phone? How to Get Rid of Your Old Device

With Earth Day not long gone, now is the perfect time to remember the simple values of environmental wellness. Whether you need to work on turning things off when you don’t need to use them, or simply just remembering to make sure your crisp packet ends up in the bin when you’re finished with it, there’s always something you can do to make a positive impact on the planet’s wellbeing. A great place to start is with your mobile phone.

The proper disposal of mobile phones is important to the environment, and throwing them into the bin should never be an option. You can sell your phone, donate it or even trade it in and get money off your new one, but if these options run out, you should always recycle your electronics. If your phone is busted and no one will be able to get any use out of it, recycling is a great way to go – but that doesn’t mean you have a long way to go before you reach your local recycling.

These days, a lot of shops and carriers will recycle your phone for you. Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, exPhone, your carrier’s shop or your manufacturer’s website may be good places to take your phone off your hands. You won’t get much more than a “thank you” going down this route, but you’ll at least be secure in the knowledge that your device will go through the proper channels of disposal or reuse instead of ending up in a landfill somewhere. If you send in your device to Envirophone, you could even get some money out of it.

If you want more than a pat on the head when you get rid of your old devices, selling them will help you do your bit for the planet, and your bank balance! Presumably, if you’re getting rid of your old phone, you’re going to need a new one and so selling your old devices can help you to get the money you need towards it. Many users sell their devices on online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay or Gumtree. However, if you have an Android device, Swappa is your best bet as this site is used exclusively for trading and selling Android phones.

New Phone? How to Get Rid of Your Old Device

Categories: Device, devices, money, phone, Phones, recycling, Selling

New Hidden Devices Will Help You Survive Heart Attacks

Suffering from a heart attack in a public place may now become a less dangerous event, thanks to defibrillators that are hidden away all over the place, in Hong Kong. This will give people the best chance of surviving some kind of cardio event and will improve their chances of long-term heart wellness.

Installed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, these automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) have been placed in 80 sports grounds and parks, and by June this year there will be AEDs in 174 additional locations.

This follows on from the devices being installed in water sports centres, public swimming pools and on beaches over two years ago, with the aim of protecting the wellbeing of heart patients. The LSD is also embarking on an education programme, helping the public understand how to use the devices, so that they can save lives, should the need occur.

The point of AEDs is that they are suitable for anyone to use – you do not have to be a trained professional. Learning how to use AEDs could save a life, and that could be of a stranger in the street, or it could actually be of a family member of someone close to you, so it may be a skill that you never regret acquiring. The training is open to all, and is being conducted in numerous locations, such as the Fire Services Department and the Hospital authority.

AEDs help to restore a regular heartbeat in patients who are having a cardiac arrest. Studies have shown that if they are used on a patient within the first five minutes of their arrest, they have a 50 percent greater chance of living.

Just last week in Hong Kong, a man went into cardiac arrest on a football pitch, and the newly-installed AED was used on him, likely saving his life.

New Hidden Devices Will Help You Survive Heart Attacks

Categories: aeds, cardiac arrest, defibrillator, Device, devices, heart, hong kong, installed, public, services department

How Do We Take Care of Old People Who Live on Their Own?

It’s easy to take care of your family member’s wellbeing when you live in the same house, but family wellness becomes an issue when one of those members is an elderly person living alone. If he or she faints or falls at home, there is no one there to alert you or a doctor, and it could be days before your loved one is discovered, which may be too late. However, a new system, thought up by engineers at the National University of Singapore (NUS), could have the solution to this worrying problem.

NUS engineers have come up with a system that allows distress signals to be sent with the push of a button, known as the e-Guardian. This device looks just like any digital watch but with an alert button built in, as well as a device that can sense if the elderly person wearing it has taken a tumble. If your loved one has been still for a long time, the duration of which can be chosen by the user, an alert will automatically be triggered, as Associate Professor Tan Kok Kiong of NUS’ electrical and computer engineering department, who led a group of students for this project that started in 2010, said that prolonged inactivity may mean the person has suffered a stroke.

So how does it work? A palm-size device fitted with a SIM card, the base station, is wirelessly connected to the watch. So, if your loved one’s wellness may be at risk, the base station sends SMS alerts to any contacts that are saved in the SIM card, or it can sound the alarm over the Internet through a website. Thumb-sized range transmitters, placed around the house, help to expand the system’s reach, so you don’t have to worry about your loved one falling out of the base system’s range.

According to Professor Tan, ‘The system can be scaled up to cover the entire house, HDB block or elsewhere in the neighbourhood,’ and the e-Guardian can also be equipped with other functions. He noted that, if an elderly person lives in a block of flats, you can fit red LED lights onto their windows. These will blink when the distress signal is activated, alerting passers-by or neighbours that their help is required.

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How Do We Take Care of Old People Who Live on Their Own?

Categories: Alarm Button, Device, elderly