So far only have one response to sterilization survey.
signal boost?
Sterilization
So you’ve decided you don’t want children. You also don’t want to be on birth control the rest of your fertile life. Maybe sterilization is right for you! If you’re not sure, you may want to wait. Reversal involves complicated surgery that’s very costly. If you’re not sure, I’d suggest going with the IUD or Implant for a while.
Involving Uteruses
Sterilization procedures include either the blocking of the fallopian tubes. Blocking of the tubes keeps eggs from being released. Blocking of the fallopian tubes either involves cutting or tying the tubes or using inserts. Although you think this’d be fail proof, sometimes the tubes correct themselves and grow back, but this is rare. Also rare is a ectopic pregnancy, which is when a fertilized egg is stuck inside the tube. Signs include irregular bleeding, pain in the abdomen, and sudden weakness or fainting. Sterilization does not change your hormones, sex drive, periods or cause menopause. Types of sterilization:
No Incision: this usually involves inserts like Essure or Adiana
tiny inserts are put into the fallopian tubes, which heal around them. They use local anesthetic to numb your cervix then the inserts are put into the fallopian tubes. At first you may have pain, cramping, nausea, or vomiting. It usually takes about 3 months to be fully effective. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you have any problems.
Incision: Laparascopy, Mini-laparotomy, Laparatomy
laparascopy: First you will get either general, regional, or local anesthesia. The doctor then makes a small cut near your belly button and puts in a laparoscope (a rod-like instrument with a light and a viewing lens) to find the fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes are sealed in one of two ways: with an electric current that makes the tube clot (electrocoagulation) or with a band or clip that is placed over the tubes. Your physician may also cut the fallopian tubes. Usually the scar will be tiny and barely noticeable.
Mini-Laparotomy: A local anesthetic is used. A small cut is made in the lower abdomen, just above the pubic hair or just below the navel. The health care provider locates the tubes, then ties, clips, or uses a probe with an electrical current to block them off.
Laparatomy: A general or local anesthetic is used. The health care provider makes a two-to-five-inch cut in the abdomen. The provider locates and closes off the tubes. You may need to be hospitalized for 2–4 days. It may take several weeks at home to completely recover.
Hysterectomy: Hysterectomy is removal of the uterus. There are different kinds of hysterectomies
Partial hysterectomy: the uterus is removed. It is possible though unlikely to still menstruate with this kind of hysterectomy.
Total hysterectomy: uterus and cervix is removed.
Radical hysterectomy: uterus, cevix and part of the vagina is removed
any of these can also include a oopherectomy, where the ovaries are removed. A lot of the time the ovaries remain intact which means hormones are continued to be regulated. Without hormone regulation you could be thrown into early menopause, have trouble producing lubrication or trouble with your libido.
Talk to a doctor; your medical history and preferences may decide what method is right for you. Any time you bleed from the incision, develop a rash or fever, have difficulty breathing, have fainting spells, bad abdominal pain, or unusual discharge or odor see your doctor.
Involving Penises
During a Vasectomy the doctor will block the tubes that carry sperm. It usually takes about 3 months to be fully effective. You may need sperm analysis to find for sure if there are no longer any sperm in your semen. There are two types:
Incision: A local anesthetic is used on the pelvis. An incision is made in the scrotum to reach the vas deferens. Each tube is blocked, sometimes a small section is removed. Tubes may be tied off or blocked with surgical clips. Or, they may be closed using an instrument with an electrical current.
No Incision: One tiny puncture is made to reach both tubes. The tubes are then tied off, cauterized, or blocked. The tiny puncture heals quickly. No stitches are needed, and no scarring takes place.
Remember, if you’re unsure, you can always store some sperm in a bank if you ever decide you do want children. Some sperm doesn’t make it through the freezing process though, and since reversal is very costly and dangerous it’s best to not get a vasectomy if you aren’t sure you don’t want to have children.
If there’s an pus, you have a fever, pain or excessive bleeding, you should talk to your doctor.
Anonymous asked: My country doesn't legally perform sterilisation on women younger than 35. Since it's going to be a while before I get to my 35th birthday (and not even mentioning the fact that this seems a severe disrespect of personal choices to me) and that I'm not ever going to want to get pregnant out of purely personal choices, is there a country that performs sterilisation on women no matter their age? I'm willing to pay.
Unfortunately, that’s the law for a lot of countries. In the United States some forms of sterilization (like Essure) are easier to get when you’re younger but those don’t affect periods, only your ability to conceive. I don’t know which places have hysterectomies legal at any age but honestly going to another country for a risky surgery can be a really bad idea.
-FYSE
New Survey! What kind of Contraceptives do you use?
reblogging this for the evening crowd. TAKE MY NEW SURVEY!
(Source: fuckyeahsexeducation)
Birth Control and Contraceptives
There are two parts to safe sex, avoiding STDs/STIs and avoiding pregnancy. I cover how to avoid STDs/STIs in this safe sex article, in this one we’ll be talking about pregnancy. There are many methods that can help prevent pregnancy, and they vary in effectiveness. I’ll talk about the least effective first.
With about 25 pregnancies out of every 100 people, comes fertility awareness and spermicide. Fertility awareness is figuring out when your least likely to conceive (when you’re not ovulating) and having sex at that time. This can be really difficult because everyone’s cycle is different and your cycle can change, especially when you’re younger. There is NO time that you can have sex without the possibility of pregnancy, even during your period, although there are times when your least likely. If you can take a test to see if you’re ovulating and pin point the exact times you aren’t ovulating it will be a little more effective, but like I said your cycle can change. Really, this method is really just one of the things you should use with other more effective methods to boost effectiveness. The same can be said for spermicide. By itself spermicide isn’t very effective. Spermicide can come in different forms; creams, foams, jells, and suppository. I’ve used the suppository before so I can tell you what it’s like from experience. After you insert the spermicide into the vagina you have to wait 10 minutes before intercourse. It might sting a little. Truthfully, it’s kind of uncomfortable for me and for other people I’ve talked to who’ve used it. It is pretty messy but that can make sex easier. It doesn’t really taste good, so oral after using it might not be that fun. As stated before, some people can be allergic to it so be weary of that. If you have sensitive skin I would not suggest using spermicide.
The next rung of effectiveness is 15-24 pregnancies per 100 people. Some of these methods are made to be used with spermicide, like the sponge, cervical cap, and diaphragm. The Sponge is made of plastic foam and filled with spermicide. You insert it deep into the vagina before intercourse. This blocks the uterus and keeps the sperm from reaching it, as well as killing the sperm. It might not be good for you to use if you’ve been pregnant or had an abortion or miscarriage, are allergic to polyurethane or spermicide, have a reproductive tract infection, a history of Toxic Shock Syndrome, are on your period or otherwise have vaginal bleeding, or have difficulties inserting foreign objects into your vagina (if you can’t use tampons, you can’t use this). Like pads or tampons it does come with the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome so don’t keep it in for over 30 hours. It can be worn for a while before you even see your partner, so that is a big advantage, you don’t have to mess with it while trying to get in a sexy mood. You might have to use a bit of lube with it, it can make the vaginal canal dry. You just use the sponge once and throw it away. If you want to use something that can be reused you should check out Diaphragms or Cervical Caps. Diaphragms are shallow silicone cups inserted into the vagina. Unlike the Sponge, it doesn’t come equipped with Spermicide inside of it. Before you insert the cup you put Spermicide inside it. It pretty much has the same troubles as a Sponge. If you can’t use the Sponge, chances are you can’t use a Diaphragm either (unless your problem is that you’re allergic to polyurethane. It’s fine to use a Diaphragm then). It also can be inserted hours before sexy time. This can be used if you’ve been pregnant or are on your period. Be sure to take good care of your Diaphragm! Wash with warm water and mild soap, air dry and as with anything made of latex don’t use oil based lubricants! It can last up to two years but if there is any damage (holes or cracks) it’s time to get a new one. Cervical Caps are pretty much the same as Diaphragms except that it can’t be used while menstruating and it’s a slightly different shape. Both Diaphragms and Cervical Caps need to be fitted by a doctor, so you need a prescription.
Condoms are also in this rung of effectiveness. There is the internal and external condom. Both help prevent STDs/STIs as well as pregnancy and both can be used with pretty much any other form of contraceptives. The external is the most popular. They can be made out of latex or non latex substances. Check the package for any holes or abnormalities, there should be a slight bubble where the condom is in the package. Carefully open it and when you start to roll out the condom over the penis check to make sure there are no holes or abnormalities. Always put on a condom well before penetration and take it off after ejaculation. If you want to have sex again, get a new condom immediately. To learn how to properly put on a external condom see here and here. Internal condoms are not made out of latex, so allergies don’t matter. Insert them before penetration and take them out after ejaculation and before standing up. Be careful not to spill the semen! To remove, squeeze and twist the outer ring to keep the semen inside the pouch then pull out gently. To learn how to insert this condom visit here. Do not use oil based lubes with condoms. You need to always check the expiration date and keep your condoms stored in a dry cool place. Don’t keep them in a pocket/wallet or in the dashboard of your car. Heat and sunlight can damage them.
The last method in this group is the withdrawal or “pull out” method. This method is very easy to mess up. First off, semen can be found in pre-ejaculate from a previous ejaculation. To prevent this make sure that it has been several hours since the previous ejaculation and that the person has urinated at least once since. Also make sure the penis is clean. Make SURE that withdrawal is quite a bit before ejaculation. Don’t cut it close! Time it so that the penis will need to be stimulated some other way (hands, mouth or frottage) to ejaculate and that it is aimed nowhere near the vulva/vagina during ejaculation. I would suggest using this method with another method since it is so tricky.
The next level of effectiveness is 2-9 pregnancies for every 100 people. Mostly this is made up of forms of birth control, but there is also breastfeeding, also known as Lactational Amenorrhea Method or LAM. This is only effective if you breast feed exclusively and your baby does not drink anything else other than breast milk. You also must breast feed at least every four hours during the day and six hours at night. This is no longer effective once you start getting periods again, or after six months after delivery. Now onto birth control.
At this point you have to make the decision, do you want something you’ll take every day? Every week? Every three weeks? Every three months? Or something that lasts until you have it removed? If you want something that you take every day you’ll want the pill. There are many different pills, like any medication you may have to try out many different kinds. The type of side effect could be lighter or heavier periods, either making acne worse or better, weight gain or loss, bone thinning, nausea, changes in sexual desire, anemia, headaches, and depression. It can increase your risks of infections or cancers of reproductive organs or breasts. Ask your doctor what they think would be best for you. For some people the pill makes them feel a lot better, it can clear up you acne and free you from periods or it can do the opposite and give people really bad reactions. People with medication sensitivity might not be able to handle it. It’s important to take the pill at the same time every day. Depending on the pill, there is more wiggle room but a good rule is to not take it more than an hour late if you absolutely can’t avoid it. Some people use the pill to skip periods by not taking the placebo pill week. Always talk to your doctor before doing this.
Pretty much all the birth control methods that use hormones can have these side affects. It’s all about trying out to see what works best for you. If you want something you only have to mess with once a week, the patch could be for you. To use the Patch you stick a patch on once a week for three weeks in a row then skip the fourth week. This would be beneficial for anyone who doesn’t want to take pills. Some people have issues keeping the patch on. Nuvaring is inserted into the vagina once every 3 weeks. The fourth week you take it out and insert a new one the next week. Nuvaring is usually really good for people who have sensitivities to medication. Both these methods can be used to skip your period by not taking a week off for your period, but again always consult a doctor.
Those were all things that you have to keep up with. If you want something that you don’t have to mess with as much but that you have to make a doctor’s appointment for here are some options. The Shot is something you get once every three months. The Shot is known for causing really bad side effects for some people. It’s important to take calcium and monitor the way you feel. If you don’t like it after 3 shots you may want to switch. It’s known for stopping your periods all together but many people actually bleed more at first.
The last rung of effectiveness is less than 1 person per every 100 getting pregnant. This section includes the IUD and Implant. The Implant is a thin implant about the size of a matchstick inserted under the flesh of your arm. It keeps you from getting pregnant for about three years. It has pretty much the same side effects as the rest of them, and the site of the implantation can also scar. The IUD comes in two kinds, hormonal and copper. Hormonal has similar side effects to other hormonal birth control, while the copper kind does not affect your periods or hormones at all. For some people who haven’t had children the IUD can be painful and not a good fit at all. Some doctors won’t put it in unless you’ve had a child, although for many people who haven’t given birth the IUD is perfect. If there is a lot of pain with the implant or if you can’t find the strings of your implant see a doctor. The hormonal IUD is effective for 5 years, the copper IUD for 12. Also on this rung is sterilization. You might be asking, “But wait! I thought sterilization was 100% effective!” it’s not. It’s possible for the body to heal itself and for pregnancy to occur, although it is rare.
The only way to be 100% sure there will be no pregnancy is a hysterectomy which is pretty impossible to get if there’s no medical reason. Even then, it’s possible to get a ectopic pregnancy, or a fertilized egg in the fallopian tube. These usually have to be removed surgically.
It’s a good idea to double up on your methods. You can use some method of birth control with condoms and something like the pull out method, fertility awareness, or spermicide. Using more than one method increases the chances of not getting pregnant. Know that there will always be a chance of pregnancy. That’s why it’s important to be prepared. Know what you would do if you get pregnant, and talk to your partner about it. Don’t freak yourself out by monitoring your body for pregnancy signs, chances are it’ll just be gas or hormones and the added stress can mess with your health. It’s better to either pay attention to your periods and whenever you miss a period to take a pregnancy test or if you don’t have regular monthly periods to take regular pregnancy tests.
For more information, visit Planned Parenthood’s Birth Control Site
Anonymous asked: Can you tell me ore about the coil? Like, does it make periods work ect
The coil (the only brand I’ve heard of is Essure), is a non surgical procedure where the coil blocks the Fallopian tubes. Besides being non surgical it’s just like any other tubal ligation, it’s 99% effective, in rare cases your tubes might “heal” themselves but other than that it’s sterilization that doesn’t affect your periods at all.
If you’re talking about the copper IUD (I’ve been informed they’re called the coil in the UK. They are pretty much the only form of birth control that doesn’t involve hormones. It just blocks your Fallopian tubes to keep eggs from being released. Some people have bad reactions to it (like any form of birth control), but a lot of people like it and of course there are no hormone related side affects. Some people bleed a bit at first but it shouldn’t affect your periods. You can learn more at the Planned Parenthood or Bedsider websites
-FYSE
Anonymous asked: is it true that you can only have a hysterectomy if there's a medical reason, such as cancer? i'd really like one, but i'm 18 and don't have any medical conditions that would warrant one.
Yeah. I’m in the same boat. I am 21 and would really like a hysterectomy. If you’re trans* you could possibly get a hysterectomy (most places make you see a therapist first). Doctors really don’t like giving hysterectomies though. It’s easier to get a tubal ligation (get your tubes tied) but that doesn’t affect your menstrual cycle and there is a chance (though small) that you could still get pregnant.
-FYSE
Anonymous asked: I didn't see this in your FAQ, so sorry if I missed it! But what are the different types of sterilization n for people with a uterus? What are some common side effects, which is the most effective (I've heard things like "tying the tubes" can fail on occasion), which is safest, and which is the easiest to get in the United States(I know that a lot of doctors don't want to preform these procedures). Sorry if that's a lot!
There is Essure/Adiana, which is the easiest process. It’s just little inserts put into your Fallopian tubes. It is surgery free, and you have a short recovery time. It does not affect your period. It is about 99.8% effective, so there is a small chance you could recover from it.
There is also Laparascopy, which is a surgical form of sterilization. They’ll make a small cut and either cut, clamp, tie your Fallopian tubes. Again, there is a small chance you’ll recover from this
There is also a Lapatatomy which is pretty much identical to a Laprascopy, except it’s made with a larger insert and instead of using a little camera to find the Fallopian tubes (as they do during a laprascopy) the doctor sees them through the incision
The next step is a Hysterectomy which is pretty much 100% effective. It is where the entire uterus is removed. A lot of doctors leave the ovaries so that your hormones are mostly regulated but in some cases they take the ovaries too, which ups your chance of being thrown into early menopause. It’s the only form of sterilization that also gets rid of your periods.
It’s easier to get Essure in the United states, and it’s near impossible to get a hysterectomy for anything other than a medical reason. Essure has the shortest recovery time although even with a laparascopy you could go home the same day. A hysterectomy of course takes longer to recover from
Anonymous asked: my dad had a vasectomy, and i'm here. lol. true story
It definitely happens!
-FYSE
