ganns@hound.UUCP (R.GANNS) (09/27/85)
This topic may have been worked over in the not too distant past already,
but it seems important enough to keep up some discussion on.
I have gotten the impression from a source I recently read (will get
the title & authors if anyone is interested) that THE PILL is a lot more
dangerous than the drug companies would like us to know. The authors of
the book claim that numerous studies exist linking a vast array of
serious side effects to artificial hormones; the ill effects are not
confined to the woman , but may extend to children (DES daughters, for
example); the authors also point out that there are some birth control
alternatives that are just as effective and far safer than the pill.
The authors also point out that there is a distinct mentality among
doctors which refuses to accept the seemingly strong evidence against
the pill and related products such as Premarin, used to "treat"
menopause (the point is made that this mentality considers menopause
to be a disease, not a normal process), despite a lack of clear
evidence that there are any long term benefits to using hormones to
counter the effects of menopause (the hormones have to be used indefinitely,
as once their use is discontinued, the menopause runs its course with
a vengeance--hot flashes being the main complaint).
The authors seem to be strongly in favor of the cervical cap,
and claim that it is very inexpensive, convenient (can be left in
place for long periods of time), and highly effective (as effective
as the pill, I believe); they also point out that it is not generally
available in the U.S., since there isn't enough profit potential
in it for pharmaceutical companies to get into it. It is available
in Europe, and probably could be gotten through a sympathetic
gynecologist.waltervj@dartvax.UUCP (walter jeffries) (10/03/85)
The cervical cap was mentioned as a form of birth control. I'd just like
to report that a friend of mine found it both uncomfortable and ineffective.
ie. she got pregnant while using it. Maybe it was not properly fitted. Another
form of birth control to be considered is the Ovulation method which uses
awareness of vaginal mucus, temperature, and history to chart fertility. An SO
and I have used this method for well over a year and a half without any problems.
Before you try it get All the facts from a teacher of the method.
< o > < o > -Walter.
/_
-==- "Life is too important to be taken seriously..."
iiii
glp@osu-eddie.UUCP (Georgia Pritchett) (10/05/85)
In article <1376@hound.UUCP> ganns@hound.UUCP (R.GANNS) writes: >This topic may have been worked over in the not too distant past already, >but it seems important enough to keep up some discussion on. > > .... lots of comments about pill and bad effects ... > > The authors seem to be strongly in favor of the cervical cap, >and claim that it is very inexpensive, convenient (can be left in >place for long periods of time), and highly effective (as effective >as the pill, I believe); they also point out that it is not generally >available in the U.S., since there isn't enough profit potential >in it for pharmaceutical companies to get into it. It is available >in Europe, and probably could be gotten through a sympathetic >gynecologist. NOTE: I have had very little sleep. So if this seems a bit incohert, bear with me. I wanted to send this and don't read news more than once a week now. Actually the cervical cap is still under FDA approval study (I was one of the people who was involved in the study). What this means is that you can only get it in certain locations (I happen to live in one of the cities where this is true. If you would like, I think that the clinic I got it from had a list of places it was available). First off, currently they only make a small number of sizes. This is pretty critical since if the cap isn't fit right it can "slip" (I had a friend who was also involved in the study and she had lots of problems with this. However I happened to be a perfect fit.). Secondly while in Europe they leave them in for all of your non-period (I hope I am making this clear. I can't think of a better way to describe it...) days, currently you are only "allowed" to leave it in for 3 days (since it was part of a study, I did only leave it in that long). Also you cannot use the cap during your period (it doesn't stay in then). I know they had at least 4 pregnacies in 100 one year (I asked and they told me). Not bad. Most were people who had complained of slipping. Also they had some problems with yeast infections (and once you got one you got it back again and again until they replaced your cap. ugh!). Also there was some odor problems. However it was a good method since you could put it early in the evening and not worry about it again for a few days. However you had to be a contortionist to get it out (I learned but it was frustrating). I couldn't wear a diaphram (lots of pain) and I could wear a cap (that is probably going to be one of their selling points). I am no longer wearing one. It sounds silly but I lost (read misplaced while out of my body) it. And then while trying the sponge, got a BAD infection that made me want to avoid any possibility of one again. Also I just didn't feel that it was 'convenient' enough for a newly wed. I am on one of the triphasic pills and have had no adverse side effects. As a matter of fact, my migraines have disappeared (thank god). I was surprised to learn that this frequently happens (I have been through migraine therapy twice and never heard this). Since I suffer from headaches I must see my gyn every 6 months (at least). I don't plan on being on the pill more than 3 years. Chances are I will eventually go back to the cap. ---georgia