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Women with high economic status have more satisfying sex lives

Thu, 16 Jan 2014 20:49:31 +0100

Washington, Jan. 16 : A new study has found that women with a high economic status claim to be more sexually satisfied, suggesting that socioeconomic factors affect sexual satisfaction.

Investigators at the Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB) analysed the influence of various socioeconomic factors on the results of the first Spanish National Sexual Health Survey, carried out in 2009 by the Centre for Sociological Research.

This survey, for which 9,850 interviews were carried out, showed that approximately 90 percent of men and women claimed to be very satisfied or quite satisfied with their sex life in general, and that 95 percent were satisfied with the sexual relations they had had during the previous year.

Furthermore, Spanish people claimed to be more satisfied with sexual relations they had with a stable partner (97 percent of men and 96 percent of women) than with a casual partner (88 percent of men and 80 percent of women).

"People of a lower socioeconomic status claim to be less satisfied sexually, which especially applies to women, who seem to be more influenced by these factors," Dolores Ruiz, the main author of the study, explained.

The researcher said that people that have a more disadvantaged socioeconomic status tend to have less satisfying and less safe sexual relations, as well as suffering more experiences of sexual abuse. Furthermore, women usually suffer more experiences of sexual abuse than men and they claim to have less sexual gratification during their first sexual intercourse.

However, people with a higher socioeconomic status seem to have a better awareness of their own needs and a greater capacity for developing their sexuality in a way which is satisfying for them, as well as having greater control over the use of contraception.

The study is published in journal Annals of Epidemiology. (ANI)

NEW HYPERTENSION MANAGEMENT 2013

Sun, 17 Nov 2013 06:33:35 +0100

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – It's not the long-awaited eighth version of Managing Blood Pressure in Adults: Report from the Joint National Committee (JNC 8), but physicians treating patients with hypertension now have some help and direction from the American Heart Association (AHA), American College of Cardiology (ACC), and the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)[1].The three organizations collaborated to write a "science advisory" on effective approaches for managing high blood press...

Don't use !!!

Sun, 17 Nov 2013 06:29:36 +0100

As expected, a European Union (EU) regulatory body has banned the use of high-dose oral and suppository forms of short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) for the suppression of premature labor and other obstetric indications because they pose serious cardiovascular risks.However, clinicians can continue to use injectable versions of the drugs for obstetrical purposes on a restricted, short-term basis, the EU's Coordination Group for Mutual Recognition and Decentralised Procedures–Human (CMDh) a...

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Male Circumcision A Priority Against HIV

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 15:39:15 +0100

A report prepared jointly by AVAC (Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention) who is based in the US, and a number of African based AIDS advocates, calls for a health drive involving Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC).

The publication entitled "A Call to Action on Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision: Implementing a Key Component of Combination Prevention" cites VMMC as one of the leading tools in the preventing the spread of HIV. Research has proven it particularly effective in African countries, prompting the involvement of the National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya (NEPHAK); Sonke Gender Justice Network (Sonke), in South Africa; and the Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organizations (UNASO), in preparing the report.

Mitchell Warren, executive director of AVAC said:

"Voluntary medical male circumcision is one of the most effective HIV prevention tools available today. Countries where VMMC can have an impact should be acting to ensure access and advocates should be demanding accountability ... At this moment in the epidemic, there are few things that could do more to reduce the human and economic toll of HIV. When the AIDS community gathers this month in Washington, we need to refocus on this inexpensive, one-time intervention that offers men life-long partial protection against HIV."

Figures suggest that VMMC could make quite an impression, with long term projections based on clinical trials on the African Continent, showing the risk of a man contracting HIV from an HIV positive heterosexual female can be up to 75% lower. Putting that figure into action by reaching an 80% VMMC rate in men aged 15-49 in 13 key African countries by 2015, would prevent more than 3.3 million new HIV infections by 2025. The financial benefits are also considerable with some $16 Billion in medical costs saved. Unfortunately, it may no longer be possible to reach the 80% mark, as the uptake has been rather slow, so to some extent, an opportunity has been missed.

Nelson Otwoma, National Coordinator of NEPHAK said:

"Even if we cannot achieve 80 percent VMMC coverage in all priority countries by 2015, each of these countries should issue a clear timeline for when they will meet their targets ... My own country, Kenya, provides a positive example. This essential prevention strategy cannot be allowed to stall as it has for some time in many countries."

There has been some progress and some notable successes though, with 1.5 million circumcision procedures performed in the key African States, however, the US funded PEPFAR program estimated that some 20 million procedures were needed to hit the 80% mark, leaving the progress painfully slow at only 7.7% of the target. The report looks at key areas where progress has been held back. Funding, of course, is always amongst the main challenges to healthcare programs for developing nations, with $1.5 Billion needed over the next five years to meet the 80% target. While this is a tiny amount in comparison to global anti HIV programs, the money just doesn't seem to be flowing into the VMMC programs.

Leadership in the countries themselves also remains inadequate. When healthcare challenges present themselves, it's one area that government and community programs can really make a difference, but many of the African nations lack the vision and drive on a national and local level and few politicians or community leaders have taken up the issue. There has been little effort to address the stigma, misinformation and logistical challenges to circumcising 18.5 Billion males. Kenya seems to present a model for progress with rates reaching 45% by 2008 and passing 70% today.

The report says that by the end of the year, all priority African nations should have a VMMC program in place. PEPFAR the largest funder of the VMMC drive, needs to rapidly allocate resources to meet it's stated goal of an additional 4.7 million circumcisions, and there is also a call for European and middle income countries to step up to the table with contributions to help close the funding gaps. The WHO is also mentioned, with encouragement to produce and test better medical devices to make the procedure easier, especially considering many of the countries lack well equipped medical facilities and can be relatively remote and rural.

A coalition of some 300 African Scientists, including doctors, nurses, counselors and started the drive for public awareness in their nations, with a campaign known as Africans Telling the Truth about VMMC being started in response to what seemed to be a great amount of misinformation and resistance to the preocedure.

As Richard Hasunira of HEPS Uganda, a member of the coalition says:

"The story of male circumcision and AIDS is an African story: it's largely thanks to African scientists, nurses, doctors, and men and women at risk that we have this powerful option ... We'll certainly need the support of the global community to succeed in scaling up VMMC. But in the end, Africans must continue to lead."

WHO Endorses Use Of Antiretrovirals To Prevent HIV Infections

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 15:33:52 +0100

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first guidance to nations considering providing ARVs (antiretrovirals) to HIV-negative, high risk people. HIV is a retrovirus. Retroviruses are composed of RNA, not DNA; they have an enzyme (reverse transcriptase) which allows them to transcribe their RNA into DNA after getting into a cell, the retroviral DNA can then become an integral part of the host cell's chromosomal DNA. Antiretrovirals are medications used to manage or control infections caused by retroviruses.
PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis)
WHO says its recommendations were based on human trials which showed that administering PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) once daily to HIV-negative individuals who are at high risk of becoming infected, is both safe and effective in helping prevent HIV infection.

Clinical trial results showed that PrEP usage can lower HIV infection rates by approximately 40% among men who have sex with men. Patients who took the drug regularly had a 73% lower risk. Among couples where one of them is HIV positive who regularly took PreP, the reduction in risk was 75%.

WHO emphasized that PrEP usage must be accompanied by safe sex practices - consistent use of condoms - as well as regular testing for HIV, getting prompt treatment for STIs (sexually transmitted infection), and counseling.

For PrEP to work properly, adherence is vital - people need to take the medications every day. This may not be easy to achieve, WHO added. The next challenge is to find ways of delivering PrEP in "real life settings" in order to make sure adherence occurs. Adherence means taking the medications according to instructions, which in this case means every day.
Setting up PrEP projects in participating countries
Countries planning to introduce PrEP are being encouraged by WHO to initially set up small projects aimed at helping public health workers fully understand the advantages of PrEP.

In these initial projects, antiretroviral medications are administered to people at high risk of HIV infection. An example of a high-risk group includes males or transgender females who have sex with men. The projects need to identify who would benefit the most from PrEP, and find the best ways to make sure they get the medications.

The outcomes of these projects would be evaluated by WHO, which would contribute towards WHO guidelines on antiretroviral usage for the prevention and treatment of HIV infection. WHO plans to issue the guidelines in the middle of next year.

New guidance - Using antiretrovirals to prevent HIV infections

People receiving PrEP must be HIV-negative. This is important so that future drug resistance is kept to a minimum

Those using PrEP need to be encouraged to continue using condoms

Make sure that those seeking PrEP do not have bone disease, kidney disease, or other medical conditions which would make them unsuitable for ARV therapy

Making sure adverse events are carefully monitored

Helping those using PrEP remember to take their medications every day

Making sure that PrEP medications are easily and readily accessible

Regularly checking the HIV-status of those taking PrEP, and also checking for signs of drug resistance if infection is detected

For those who stop taking PrEP, ensuring they have access to HIV prevention services

Help countries find ways of using their resources to best use. This involves gathering more data on the cost-benefits of PrEP

Nuns at Higher Risk for Cancer

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 22:37:51 +0100

Nuns pay a high price for their chastity. Leading a life without having children increases the risk of cancer. Therefore, the Catholic Church should allow nuns to take the contraceptive pill to reduce the high death rates from breast, ovarian and uterine cancer, researchers say.

In the first half of the 20th century, researchers already found out about the alarming mortality rate among nuns caused by cancer. A study of nearly 32,000 Catholic nuns in the U.S. showed that nuns more often die of cancer compared to other women of their age. Childlessness increases the risk of cancer, because pregnancy and breastfeeding reduce the number of ovulatory cycles a woman has during life. More ovulatory cycles means a higher risk of getting cancer.

As outlined by Pope Paul VI in Humanae Vitae in 1968, the Catholic church condemns all forms of contraception. Today, in an online publication in The Lancet, Dr Kara Britt from Monash University, Melbourne, and Professor Roger Short from the University of Melbourne plead that nuns should be free to use the contraceptive pill. Previous research shows it reduces the overall mortality rates of women who have ever taken it by 12% compared with non-users. The risk of developing ovarian and endometrial cancers falls by 50%-60% in pill users compared with women who never used it, protection that persists for 20 years.

“If the Catholic church could make the contraceptive pill freely available to all its nuns, it would reduce the risk of those accursed pests, cancer of the ovary and uterus, and give nuns’ plight the recognition it deserves”

Source: The Guardian

Breast cancer

Thu, 31 May 2012 06:59:51 +0100

Breast basics
A woman’s breast is made of glandular tissue, connective tissue, fatty tissue, blood vessels, lymph tissue, and nerves. Each breast contains up to 20 sections of glandular tissue called lobes. Each lobe has many smaller sections called lobules, where milk is made. Milk flows from the lobules through thin tubes called ducts to the nipple. The nipple is the small, raised area at the tip of the breast. The areola is the area of darker-colored skin around the nipple.

Each breast also contains lymph vessels. These are thin tubes that carry lymph to small, bean-shaped glands called lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are found near the breast, under the arm, and throughout the body. Lymph nodes and lymph vessels are part of the lymph system, which helps your body fight disease and infection. The chest muscle and chest wall are behind the breasts.

Breast cancer

Cancer is a disease in which cells become abnormal and form more cells in an uncontrolled way. With breast cancer, the cancer begins in the tissues that make up the breasts. The cancer cells may form a mass called a tumor. (Note: Not all tumors are cancer.) They may also invade nearby tissue and spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body. The most common types of breast cancer are:

Ductal carcinoma – Cancer that begins in the ducts and grows into surrounding tissues. About 8 in 10 breast cancers are this type.
Lobular carcinoma (LAH-byuh-luhr KAR-sih-NOH-muh) – Cancer that begins in lobules and grows into surrounding tissues. About 1 in 10 breast cancers are this type.

With routine screening, breast cancer often can be found at an early stage, before the cancer has spread.

Breast cancer symptoms

Thanks to screening, breast cancer often is found before a woman has any physical symptoms. Yet a woman should know how her breasts normally look and feel so that she can report any unusual changes to her doctor. Reasons to call your doctor include:

A lump in or near your breast or under your arm
Thick or firm tissue in or near your breast or under your arm
A change in the size or shape of your breast
Nipple discharge (fluid that is not breast milk)
Nipple changes, such as a nipple that turns inward (inverted) into the breast
Changes to your breast skin, areola, or nipple, such as itching, redness, scaling, dimpling, or puckering

RISK FACTOR

Age. The strongest risk factor is age. Risk goes up as a woman gets older. Most women who get breast cancer are older than 50.
Personal history of breast cancer
Family history
Inheriting certain harmful gene mutations
Certain breast changes that are not cancer. Women who have certain types of abnormal breast changes, such as atypical hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ, and lobular carcinoma in situ, have a higher risk. These changes are found during a breast biopsy.
Breast tissue that is dense on mammogram. Women whose breasts have more dense tissue relative to fatty tissue have a higher risk than women of about the same age who have little or no dense breast tissue.
Menstrual and reproductive history. Getting your first menstrual period before age 12 increases breast cancer risk. Reaching menopause after age 55 increases breast cancer risk. Never having children or having children after age 30 also increases risk. Women who have a first baby before age 20 have a lower risk.
Taking the hormones estrogen and progestin.
Radiation therapy to the chest
Body weight. The chance of getting breast cancer after menopause is higher in women who are overweight or obese.
Drinking alcohol. The more alcohol a woman drinks, the greater her risk of breast cancer.

SOURCE:womenshealth.gov/breast-cancer/risk-factors-prevention/

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:43:51 +0100

STDs are very common. And sometimes, STDs can have serious complications, like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Learning more about PID is an important step in learning how to protect yourself.

Here are some of the most common questions we hear women ask about PID. We hope you find the answers helpful, whether you think you may have PID, have been diagnosed with it, or are just curious about it.

What Is PID?

You may have heard of pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, but many people are not sure what it is. PID is a serious infection that harms a woman's reproductive organs. It develops when an infection spreads up from the vagina and cervix into the fallopian tube, uterus and ovaries. It is usually caused by untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea. But it may be caused by other infections.

Pelvic inflammatory disease is common. More than one million U.S. women get PID every year.
What Are the Symptoms of PID?
Many women do not know that they have pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Some cases of PID may have no symptoms at all.

Later, when PID becomes worse, common symptoms include
- unusually long or painful periods, and unusual vaginal discharge
- spotting and pain between menstrual periods or during urination
- pain in the lower abdomen and back
- fever, chills
- nausea, vomiting
- pain during vaginal intercourse
If PID is not treated, it can cause serious problems, such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pain. The more times a woman has PID, the greater are her chances of becoming infertile.

Pelvic inflammatory disease is often difficult to identify because the symptoms seem like those of other conditions, such as appendicitis, urinary tract infections, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis.
How Can I Know If I Have PID?
A health care provider can diagnose pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) during a pelvic exam. Tests will also be done for chlamydia, gonorrhea , or other infections, because they often cause PID.

Your health care provider may also do
- blood tests
- tests of vaginal and cervical secretions
- a laparoscopy — an instrument is inserted through a small cut in the navel in order to look at the reproductive organs
The symptoms of PID can be confused with other infections. Be open with your health care provider about your sexual history to help make it easier to diagnose PID in its earliest, most treatable stages.

Is There a Treatment for PID?

Yes, there is treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). A health care provider may prescribe antibiotics for you to take, and ask that you rest in bed and abstain from sex for a while.

In more developed cases of PID, surgery may be needed to repair or remove reproductive organs.

If you are being treated for PID …

Take all of the prescribed medicine. Even if the symptoms go away, the infection may still be in your body until the treatment is complete.

Take good care of yourself.

Rest in bed. You need several days of bed rest to treat a serious infection.
Drink lots of fluids, and eat a healthy diet.
Do not douche or use tampons.
You may take aspirin, ibuprofen (like Advil), or acetaminophen (like Tylenol) for pain. You may also put a heating pad on your stomach.

Tell your partner(s) that you have an infection. Any recent partner will need to get checked and get medicine — even if feeling fine. If your partner(s) are not treated for any possible infections, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, you can get PID again.

Do not have sex until you and your partner(s) have finished all the medicine, have been examined, and know that treatment is complete.

Keep your medical appointments to be sure you are better.

It is important to treat PID and to prevent it from coming back. Treatment for PID reduces the risk of complications, including infertility.

Complications of PID

If pelvic inflammatory disease goes untreated, it may result in serious, life-threatening complications. Infection can spread to the blood or to other parts of the body. PID can also result in the rupture of a fallopian tube.

Pelvic inflammatory disease also increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy, a potentially life-threatening condition in which a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube.

The signs of ectopic pregnancy include

irregular bleeding from the vagina
pain in the abdomen or tip of the shoulder
sudden weakness or fainting

If you think you may have an ectopic pregnancy and can't reach your health care provider, go to a hospital emergency room right away.

Where Can I Get a Test or Treatment for PID?

Staff at your local OVATIS TODAY CENTER, many other clinics, health departments, and private health care providers can diagnose pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and help you get any treatment you may need.

How Is PID Spread?

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is not always the result of a sexually transmitted infection — but in most cases it is. The sexually transmitted infections that most commonly cause PID are chlamydia and gonorrhea. They are spread by vaginal and anal intercourse, and rarely, oral sex.

How Can I Prevent Getting or Spreading PID?

Practice safer sex. Because pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can be sexually transmitted, using a latex or female condom can reduce the risk of PID.
Don't douche. Though douching does not cause PID, it can spread infections from the vagina into the uterus and fallopian tubes, increasing the risk of PID.
If you think you may have been exposed to chlamydia or gonorrhea, get tested. Most women with these sexually transmitted infections have no symptoms and may develop PID without knowing it.

Birth Control and PID

The birth control pill , patch , and ring offer some protection against pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). They thicken cervical mucus and prevent other infections from reaching the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. But keep in mind that they do not protect against sexually transmitted infections of the cervix and vagina.

WHAT EVERY GIRL MUST KNOW

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:18:16 +0100

If one were a fly on the wall listening in on a typical mother-daughter conversation, one might hear the following:

Mother: Dear, now that you are married, when are you going to have kids?
Daughter: Hmmm, maybe in a few years, after I’ve enjoyed married life for a while.
Mother: Don’t wait too long, you’re already 30 and the clock is ticking …
Daughter: Don’t worry, I have my family planning covered. I think the Pill is the most convenient way.
Mother: Are you sure you want to go on the Pill? You might not be able to conceive when you are ready to be pregnant!

The mother just stated one of the most common myths concerning the contraceptive Pill. To help you separate myth from fact, here’s a list of myths surrounding the contraceptive pill.

Myth #1: The Pill causes cancer
Fact#1: Oral contraceptive pills actually protect women from ovarian cancer and uterine cancer.⁵ When researchers from Harvard Medical School analysed 20 studies on oral contraceptive use and ovarian cancer, they found that the risk of ovarian cancer actually decreased with increasing duration of oral contraceptive use (10-12% decrease in risk after a year of use, and about 50% decrease after five years of use).

The use of the pill has also been shown to significantly reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. This protective effect also increases with the length of time the pill is used, and continues for many years after a woman stops using oral contraceptive pills.

It can however, very slightly increase the risk of breast cancer. As breast cancer is not common in women under 40 years of age, the excess number of breast cancer diagnoses in current and recent contraceptive pill users is small in relation to overall risk of breast cancer in the population.

Myth #2: The Pill causes birth defects
Fact #2: To date, about 100 million women worldwide have benefited from the use of the Pill and enjoy a better quality of life. There is no evidence that links use of the Pill with birth defects.

Myth #3: The Pill affects fertility
Fact #3: Most women rapidly return to their pre-existing level of fertility upon discontinuing the Pill. Fertility is affected by age. Many women take the Pill as a form of contraception during their younger years. However, by the time they decide to be off the Pill in order to conceive, their increased age has reduced their chances of pregnancy his practice may contribute to the false perception that the pill affects fertility.

In fact, the Pill actually protects women against ectopic pregnancies and fibroids, conditions which may have an impact on fertility. These additional proven non-contraceptive benefits extend well into the shaping of society while influencing the social economic development of humanity.

For women with irregular periods before starting the Pill, a short period of time may be required before fertility returns.

Myth #4: The Pill is only used for contraception
Fact #4: In addition to protecting women against unplanned pregnancies, the Pill is also effective in reducing ovulation pain, menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms. It can reduce the risk of anaemia, a condition common in women experiencing heavy periods.

The Pill also protects women against ectopic pregnancy, osteoporosis, ovarian cysts and ovarian cancer.

Myth #5: The contraceptive pill is effective as soon as a woman starts taking it
Fact #5: The Pill is only effective from day one if it is started on the first day of the menstrual cycle i.e. the first day of menstruation and taken daily as prescribed thereafter. Otherwise, an additional method of contraception i.e. condom should be used. For some women, the Pill may work more effectively after one complete menstrual cycle of treatment if more time is needed to work with the woman’s natural hormones to prevent ovulation.

Myth #6: Taking the Pill will delay menopause
Fact #6: Taking the Pill does not delay or affect the onset of menopause in a women. The average age of menopause in women is between 45 and 55 years old.

Myth #7: The Pill results in automatic termination of pregnancy
Fact #7: Taking the Pill does not result in automatic termination of pregnancy. It is strongly advised that a doctor is consulted to confirm a pregnancy. Further advice and instructions will be given by the doctor.

In the event of non-consensual intercourse or failure to use contraception, the Emergency Contraceptive Pill (commonly known as ‘the morning after pill’) can be used. If properly administered, it is effective in reducing the chance of pregnancy.

Myth #8: All oral contraceptives are the same
Fact #8: There are many oral contraceptives available to women, and each has different benefits. In addition to preventing pregnancy, new low-dose oral contraceptives have added benefits including, in the case of an extended active regimen, a reduction in the symptoms associated with menstruation such as headaches, cramps and breast tenderness due to a shortened hormone-free interval.

The 24/4 regimen pill has the unique progestogen drospirenone (DRSP) which is the only combined oral contraceptive (COC) with proven antimineralcorticoid (no weight gain) and antiandrogenic (improvement of mild to moderate acne conditions) properties. It is the only COC that is clinically proven to give women relief from the physical and emotional symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), reduce weight gain, and other physical symptoms due to water retention as well as improve acne, in addition to effectively preventing pregnancy.

It is important to speak with your healthcare provider when deciding which product and method of contraception is best suited for your needs or health condition.

Myth #9: Oral contraceptives are not safe
Fact #9: Since their introduction almost 50 years ago, oral contraceptives have become one of the world’s most researched and prescribed medications. Like any medication, there is some health risks associated with oral contraceptives, but serious side effects are very rare when they are taken as prescribed.

Myth #10: The Pill can cause acne
Fact #10: Modern birth control pills or combined oral contraceptives do not cause acne. In fact, there are several new low-dose oral contraceptives available that have been approved to treat moderate acne. The 24/4 pill has the unique progestogen drospirenone (DRSP) which is proven for the treatment of mild & moderate acne for women who requires contraception.

Myth #11: Oral contraceptives cause weight gain
Fact #11: When starting a new oral contraceptive, some women feel bloated, but this rarely exceeds a few pounds and this typically improves with time. Many clinical studies have found no relationship between modern low dose oral contraceptives and weight gain. One explanation for perceived weight gain may be that many women start birth control pills while they are young, at an age when their body has not reached adulthood and when weight gain is common.

The feeling of “bloatedness” is due to water retention, which occurs in the week before menstruation and is commonly believed to be caused by the oestrogen content of the contraceptive pill.

For the first time in the history of the Pill, inclusion of a specific new progestin (hormone) called drospirenone (DRSP) allows women to avoid oestrogen-related water retention that can lead to weight gain and oedema. This antimineralcorticoid feature (reduction of water reabsorption, thus prevention of weight gain) is unique only to drospirenone (DRSP).

Myth #12: Birth control pills stop menstruation entirely
Fact #12: Some women are prescribed birth control pills by their physician to help regulate their cycles. The original oral contraceptives were designed to mimic the natural menstrual cycle of a woman. While some new oral contraceptive regimens are designed to reduce or suppress menstruation entirely, most low-dose oral contraceptive options do not stop menstruation, but provide excellent cycle control instead. However, the duration and volume of menstrual bleeding may be reduced.

Myth #13: Women who take oral contraceptives for a long time need to stop using oral contraceptives and take a “break” once in a while
Fact #13: There is no reason for a healthy woman to take a break from using oral contraceptives. Oral contraceptives are one of the most effective contraceptive options available, and taking a ‘Pill break’ will increase your risk of having an unplanned pregnancy if you are sexually active.

Myth #14: Oral contraceptives protect against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)
Fact #14: Oral contraceptives offer no protection against HIV/AIDS or any other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). The best way to prevent STDs is to use a condom or abstinence.

Myth #15: The pill isn’t very effective
Fact #15: When taken correctly and consistently, the Pill is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. If one forgets to take the pill, it becomes less effective i.e. there is an approximately 8% ‘user failure rate’ and pregnancy might occur⁶.

Myth #16: The Pill kills sperms
Fact #16: Birth control pills contain hormones that suppress ovulation and stop the eggs from being released from the ovaries, and hence prevent pregnancy. The Pill does not kill sperm.

Myth 17: Taking oral contraceptives past age 40 is risky
Fact #17: The Pill can be taken till one reaches menopause. However, female smokers over 35 years-old, or women with high blood pressure and diabetes have their heart disease and stroke risks elevated if they take the Pill.

One should consult a health care provider to find out what other methods of contraception are best suited for one’s health condition(s).

Myth #18: Birth control pills cause menstrual cycles to cease
Fact #18: The opposite is true – birth control pills can be prescribed to regulate menstrual cycles. The Pill may also help reduce menstrual cramps and lighten blood flow.

⁵ National Cancer Institute. Oral Contraceptives Reduce Long-Term Risk of Ovarian Cancer. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prevention/ovarian/oral-contraceptives Last accessed 15 July 2010.
⁶ Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. 2010. Matte stories. The top ten myths about the pill. Retrieved from http://www.sexualityandu.ca/media-room/matte-stories-5.aspx Last accessed 15 July.

Partner's 'Viral Load' a Major Factor in HIV Transmission : Study

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:56:38 +0100

Condom use, circumcision lowered risk of sexually infecting partners in study of African couples.

THURSDAY, Jan. 12 (HealthDay News) -- The level of the HIV-1 virus in the blood of an HIV-infected person is the single most important risk factor for sexual transmission of HIV to an uninfected partner, a new study of heterosexual couples has found.

The research, published online Jan. 12 in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, also confirmed that the use of condoms significantly reduces the risk of transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Researchers studied nearly 3,300 HIV-discordant couples (one partner has HIV and the other is HIV-free) in sub-Saharan Africa and found that the average rate of HIV-1 transmission was about one per 900 acts of sexual intercourse.

The level of HIV-1 RNA in the blood of the infected partner was the most important factor in HIV transmission. The higher the viral load in the infected partner, the higher the risk of transmission. This finding highlights the importance of lowering viral load in order to reduce the spread of HIV-1 through sex, the researchers said in a news release from the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

The investigators also found that older age was associated with a reduced rate of HIV transmission and that male circumcision reduced female-to-male transmission by about 47 percent. However, genital herpes infections and genital ulcers were associated with increased transmission rates.

Condom use reduced the risk of HIV transmission by 78 percent, according to James Hughes of the University of Washington in Seattle and colleagues there and in Africa.

"Our results underscore the importance of antiretroviral therapy and, possibly, treatment of co-infections, to reduce plasma HIV-1 viral load in HIV-1 infected partners, and condom promotion, male circumcision, and treatment of symptomatic sexually transmitted infections for HIV-1 uninfected partners as potential interventions to reduce HIV-1 transmission," the researchers concluded in their report.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about HIV transmission .

(SOURCE: Infectious Diseases Society of America, news release, Jan. 12, 2012)