Contraception

So according to Japanese tradition, a kimono is considered a special robe that is worn by men, women and children. Interestingly, nowadays, kimonos are most often worn by women (usually on special occasions). The word kimono actually means a "thing to wear"... so I guess that it is an appropriate name for what may be considered one of the most desirable condoms to wear -- The Kimono MicroThin Condom.

Throughout history, because they were made with exceptional skill and fine materials, Japanese kimono robes are considered to be akin to works of art. Like its Japanese counterpart, the Kimono condom is crafted with premium latex. The MicroThin Plus Aqua Lube condom is one of the thinnest and most comfortable condoms available, and the Aqua Lube only adds to the comfort and enhances natural sensation. These condoms consistently receive rave reviews. If you are looking for snug and reliable contraception that also provides STD protection, these condoms may very well be just the "thing to wear."

• Kimono MicroThin Condoms Plus Aqua Lube
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_{Kimono MicroThin Condoms Photo © 2012 Dawn Stacey}

Happy 53rd birthday to the birth control pill! The pill has been named the most important scientific advance of the 20th century, and 53 years after gaining FDA-approval, the pill is still one of the most popular birth control methods around the world and here in the US. Interestingly, there is no definite date as to when to celebrate the pill's birthday. Yet, when the pill was approved by the FDA in 1960, more than half a million women were already taking it!

Briefly - the pill started a revolution nobody ever intended. After all, you don't hear of the drink or the magazine, yet when I say the pill, we all know what I am talking about. Read More...

Why am I not surprised that the FDA has found another way to stall the availability of the morning-after pill? Luckily, Judge Edward Korman of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York is the doing his best to hold this agency accountable for their actions. In his May 10 ruling, Judge Korman denied the Justice Department's motion to stay his order from the Tummino v. Hamburg case. The judge ruled that unless the Department of Justice (DOJ) files its appeal by noon on May 13, the FDA will be required to follow Judge Korman's previous ruling that the morning-after pill be available without any point-of-sale or age restrictions.

As per Judge Korman, "In something out of an alternate reality, the defendants seek a stay to pursue an appeal that would vindicate the Secretary's disregard of the very principle they advocate." In their latest attempt to block emergency contraceptive access, Read More...

Let's face it, talking to your doctor about contraception may seem like an overwhelming task, especially when you are trying to figure out the birth control method that is the best fit with your preferences, lifestyle and finances. What if there was an easier way to have this conversation?

Well researchers at Dartmouth College are trying to create a tool that can help you have this talk with your doctor. Read More...

Viva! Cinco de Mayo is a day that celebrates freedom and liberty. These are two ideals which Mexicans and Americans have fought shoulder to shoulder to protect, ever since the 5th of May, 1862. This Mexican festival should remind us how fortunate we are to live in a time where our personal freedoms are protected. This is especially true when it comes to our reproductive choices. Let this celebration stand for our liberty - to have choices over various contraceptive methods, so we can choose to prevent unintended pregnancies, and to remind us of the significance that court cases like Roe v. Wade and Griswold v. Connecticut have played in securing women the freedom of choice when it comes to their bodies.

In the spirit of Cinco de Mayo, people celebrate this significant day by having parades, listening to mariachi music, dancing, drinking, and participating in festive activities. As women, we should all celebrate the freedom that we currently have in the United States. Read More...

"Mayday! Mayday!" I hear the distress calls of many women who complain that their men do not want to wear condoms! Well don't worry...help is on the way. Condoms are the only birth control method that will protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV (and this goes for both men and women).

It is perfectly fine to ask your partner to use a condom. This shows that you have respect for yourself and for your mate. Read More...

Last month, Judge Edward Korman roused many feathers when he issued his 59-page Memorandum Opinion and Order for the Tummino v. Hamburg case. In addition to slamming the FDA on everything from being politically motivated, to engaging in intolerable delays, to acting in an impulsive and unreasonable fashion, the judge ordered the agency to grant a 2001 Citizen Petition by removing all age restrictions on levonorgestrel-containing emergency contraceptives and allowing true over-the-counter status, eliminating the need for a pharmacist to act as a gatekeeper. Judge Korman's court order did allow a provision that the FDA could decide to grant this status to only one tablet emergency contraceptives (Plan B One-Step) and not the two tablet generic equivalent to the old Plan B (Next Choice) - though he recommended that the agency adopt the new status for both products.

Yesterday, the FDA announced that Plan B One-Step will now be available OTC to those age 15 and older. Contrary to many of the reports circulating about, this FDA decision is not related to Judge Korman's court order. The agency even indicated in its press release that Teva (the manufacturer of Plan B One-Step) had submitted an application to market its emergency contraceptive for women 15 and older, and this request was pending prior to the court ruling.
 The FDA further maintains that it's approval of Teva's application is "independent of that litigation" and their "decision is not intended to address the judge's ruling." Coincidence that the FDA granted Teva's request at this time? Knowing the checkered and shady past the agency has with decision-making surrounding the morning-after pill, my thought is probably not. My guess is that the FDA felt compelled to do something, and it is their hope that this will be enough to satisfy the judge's order -- yet that is only my take on yesterday's announcement. Read More...

There is great debate in the political world as well as between the pro-life and pro-choice camps about when life begins. So that begs the question... when is a woman ACTUALLY considered to be pregnant?

As we all (hopefully) learned in sex ed, we know that in order for there to be a baby, conception must occur. After all, the one fact that everyone agrees is if one of those thousands of sperms can't fertilize the almighty egg, then there will be no baby. Yet, after conception takes place, things seem to get a little cloudy. Read More...

Are you using a combination hormonal contraceptive? Before you pop your pill in your mouth each day, insert your NuvaRing every month or change your patch each week, have you ever stopped to think how these methods work? All of these methods of contraception are super effective because they contain a synthetic estrogen.

Specifically, the ethinyl estradiol in hormonal birth control has been specially formulated over the years. Read More...

Earth Day is on April 22... and in today's world of "going green," women are starting to look into more eco-friendly birth control methods. In addition to abstinence and natural family planning, some women are choosing extended cycle pills as part of a "greener" lifestyle (less waste due to monthly period products). The environmentally-conscious woman can also decide to use
an IUD or birth control implants. Both are completely reversible and are among the most effective of all contraceptives.

Besides the fact that there are no monthly blister packs to throw away (like with the pill), there is a very minimal amount of plastic waste generated through IUD or implant use - basically, just the device itself and the protective package it came in. Read More...