Articles Index

Is Seasonique Safe? The Skinny on This Extended Cycle Birth Control Pill

Seasonique is an extended cycle birth control pill that is used to prevent pregnancy. Women will have fewer periods with Seasonique – only 4 periods a year. Is this pill safe?

Ethinyl Estradiol (Synthetic Estrogen)

Ethinyl estradiol is a synthentic estrogen. It is often safely used along with a progestin in many hormonal contraceptives. Do you know what ethinyl estradiol is? How it works? Or which birth control it is in? If not, come find out!

Vasectomy Procedure: Male Sterilization

A vasectomy procedure is considered a permanent birth control method. A vasectomy procedure prevents the release of sperm when a man ejaculates. Male sterilization is extremely effective and is recommended for men who do not wish to have any more children.

Loestrin

Loestrin is a birth control pill that contains ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone. It is different than typical 28 day combination pills. Find out why and see if this is the right pill for you.

What is Abstinence

What is abstinence? Learn what behaviors count as being abstinent and what abstinence means.

Natural Family Planning (NFP)

Natural Family Planning (NFP) or fertility awareness is a natural birth control method. Natural family planning uses your awareness of your body's natural functioning to determine ovulation and your fertile period.

Noristerat Injection

The Noristerat injection is a reversible method of prescription birth control method. It is not available in the United States but is common in the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, and Central America. This contraceptive injection contains the synthetic progestin hormone norethisterone enantate and provides 8 weeks of pregnancy protection.

D&X Late-Term Abortion

The late term abortion procedure, D&X (intact dilation and extraction), is performed after 21 weeks of pregnancy. The D&X late term abortion procedure results in the extraction of an intact fetus and is perhaps the most controversial of all the abortion procedures.

D&C (Dilation and Curettage)

D&C or dilation and curettage is a surgical procedure often used to diagnose or treat abnormal uterine bleeding. A D&C may be necessary after a vacuum aspiration abortion procedure.

Medical Abortion

A medical abortion is an early abortion option. It uses medication to end the pregnancy. Medical abortion (the abortion pill) is FDA approved for use until you are 7 weeks pregnant.

D&E (Dilation and Evacuation)

D&E, also known as dilation evacuation is a surgical procedure to terminate a pregnancy. A D&E is usually performed during the second trimester of a pregnancy.

Induction Abortion

An induction abortion is usually only performed to end a second or third trimester pregnancy if there is a medical problem or illness present in the fetus or the pregnant woman. During an induction abortion, a woman will be given medications that trigger the start of contractions and will undergo all the steps of delivery and childbirth.

RU486 – The Abortion Pill

Learn factual information about RU486, the abortion pill. This FDA-approved medical abortion pill is a safe way to have a nonsurgical abortion. RU486 (Mifeprex) can effectively terminate an early pregnancy.

Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy, is a procedure to remove the uterus and is considered major surgery. It is usually not used for sterilization, but it can be. A hysterectomy can be performed through the vagina (vaginal hysterectomy) or abdomen (abdominal hysterectomy). Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy is also another option. Types of hysterectomies include partial (or supracervical) hysterectomy, total hysterectomy, radical hysterectomy or complete hysterectomy.

Laparotomy (Open Tubal Ligation)

A laparotomy procedure, or open tubal ligation, is considered to be major surgery. During a laparotomy, the surgeon makes a larger incision in the abdomen. Then, the fallopian tubes will be pulled up into or out of the incision, closed off (tied, clipped, or sealed shut) with a device, and put back into place. A laparotomy is usually performed right before or after some other type of unrelated abdominal surgery.

Culdoscopy

A culdoscopy, or transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy, is a vaginal sterilization procedure. It is considered to be minimally invasive surgery. During a culdoscopy tubal ligation, the surgeon makes an incision in the vaginal wall. Then, the fallopian tubes will be pulled out of the incision, closed off (tied, clipped, or sealed shut), and put back into place.

Mini Laparotomy

Mini laparotomy is one of the two most common methods of tubal ligation. A laparoscope is not used during a mini laparotomy. During this tubal ligation procedure, a small incision is made. The surgeon then pulls the fallopian tubes up into or out of the incision, closes them off with a device that ties and cuts them (or seals them shut) and puts the tubes back into place.

Colpotomy

A colpotomy (or culpotomy), also known as vaginotomy, is a vaginal sterilization procedure. It is considered to be minimally invasive surgery. During a colpotomy, the surgeon makes an incision in the vaginal wall. Then, the fallopian tubes will be pulled out of the incision, closed off (tied, clipped, or sealed shut), and put back into place.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is one of the two most common methods of tubal ligation. Laparoscopy, also known as laparoscopic sterilization, is a surgical procedure that uses a thin, lighted tube called a laparoscope. In this minimally invasive procedure, the surgeon closes the fallopian tubes by using rings, clamps, clips, or by sealing them shut with an electric current (electrocautery).

LifeStyles KYNG Extra Large Condoms

KYNG Extra Large Condoms are the newest large condom option from LifeStyles and are part of the LifeStyles Signature Collection (including SKYN condoms and THYN condoms). KYNG condoms are extra long and wide, so larger men can be comfortable, too. These extra large condoms have a flared shape and have a reservoir tip.

SKYN – Non Latex Condoms

Lifestyles SKYN condoms are the only available brand of non latex condoms. Polyisoprene condoms (made of natural rubber) were FDA approved in 2008 for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. This condom type tends to softer and more form fitting than polyurethane condoms. SKYN condom use is gaining popularity and receiving rave reviews from former latex condom users.

VCF Vaginal Contraceptive Film

Vaginal contraceptive film (VCF) is a hormone-free, 2X2-inch thin sheet of film. VCF contains the spermicide Nonoxynol-9 that kills sperm on contact.

Next Choice - Generic Plan B

Next Choice is emergency contraction. It is the generic equivalent of Plan B and is also known as the morning after pill. Next Choice consists of two levonorgestrel pills. To reduce the risk of an unplanned pregnancy, Next Choice should be started up to 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected sex or contraception failure. This generic Plan B can be bought OTC by age 17 and older.

Latex Condoms

Latex condoms are by far the most widely available and least expensive of all the condom types. They are made with latex, a kind of rubber. Latex condom use is effective in preventing both pregnancy and STDs (including HIV). This makes latex condoms (commonly called rubbers) the most common condom type.

Contraception

What is contraception? What types of devices, sexual practices, chemicals, drugs, or surgical procedures count as contraception. Contraception defined.