All articles tagged with #birth control
A Danish Medicines Agency study using about 3 million women's health data over 25 years found Depo-Provera and five other hormonal birth control drugs are linked to a small, temporary increase in risk for meningioma, a rare brain tumor. The risk is higher during use and largely fades within five years after stopping; the absolute risk remains very low.
A JAMA Network Open study of 422 women across two cycles found that taking the combined oral contraceptive pill on active-pill days is linked to higher emotional eating compared with inactive-pill days, with risk present even among those with prior binge-eating symptoms; researchers caution that not all users are affected and note that self-monitoring over time may help reduce episodes, calling for more work to identify who is most vulnerable.
A JAMA study of 422 women aged 15–30 over 49 days found binge-eating episodes rose on days when active birth-control pills were taken versus placebo, suggesting a hormonal link; researchers note journaling may help track patterns and call for more research into other hormonal contraception options.
After a decade-long battle, Leah Spasova won a case with the UK NHS ombudsman, who found her local Integrated Care Board unfairly refused funding for female sterilization while funding vasectomies for men; the decision exposed gender bias and prompted a policy review to ensure eligible women can access permanent contraception, underscoring ongoing concerns about women’s bodily autonomy in the health system.
Comedian Chelsea Handler posted a nude Instagram video advocating vasectomies and criticizing the burden of contraception on women, highlighting the pain of IUDs and other birth-control trade-offs, and framing it as a broader discussion about women’s reproductive choices with experts noting rising use of long-acting methods among teens.
The article reports that the Trump administration’s surgeon general nominee faced questions about her past remarks on birth control but reiterated support for access for all women, emphasizing that patients should discuss risks with their doctors. It notes hormonal contraception is widely used for pregnancy prevention and other health reasons, with mostly mild side effects. While meta-analyses show a small, very low increase in breast cancer risk, overall cancer risk remains low and some data suggest protective effects for other cancers. Experts urge maintaining all contraceptive options and caution against inflammatory rhetoric that could limit informed choices.
Entourage actress Constance Zimmer says she kept a hormonal IUD in well into her 50s, which she believes contributed to abrupt perimenopausal symptoms after removal; she now uses hormone replacement therapy and lifestyle changes and is urging more open conversations about menopause.
The article explores the complex relationship between GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and fertility, discussing their effects on pregnancy, birth control efficacy, and potential benefits for conditions like PCOS, while emphasizing the need for more research and compassionate patient care.
A Rice University study finds that hormonal birth control not only affects reproductive health but also influences women's emotional processing and memory, potentially impacting mental health by altering how negative experiences are remembered and managed.
A young woman in Texas stopped taking birth control pills after social media influencers advised her to do so, leading to an unplanned pregnancy and subsequent emotional and political challenges, highlighting the risks of following social media health advice without medical consultation.
Many young women are questioning their long-held beliefs about birth control after seeing social media content claiming they feel better off the pills, leading to introspection about their identity and well-being without hormonal contraception.
The Trump administration is reducing access to birth control by withholding funding from Title X and implementing policies that limit reproductive health services, sparking lawsuits and concerns over the impact on low-income and vulnerable populations.
Dr. Sarah Hill, a psychologist at Texas Christian University, highlights a trend of declining sexual activity among college students, with more graduating as virgins. She attributes this to factors like gender imbalances in college enrollment, where women significantly outnumber men, making it harder for women to find partners of similar educational attainment. Additionally, hormonal birth control is noted to dampen women's libido by altering hormone levels. This trend is supported by data from UCLA and other studies showing increased sexual inactivity among young adults.
The article urges individuals to update their vaccinations and stock up on essential appliances and electronics before potential policy changes under a Trump administration, which may include tariffs and restrictions on vaccines and birth control. It highlights the importance of supporting Planned Parenthood and women's shelters, emphasizing the need for community support in the face of uncertain political actions that could impact healthcare access, including abortion and contraceptive services.
The re-election of Donald Trump has raised concerns about potential changes to birth control access in the U.S., given his past administration's efforts to allow employers to opt out of providing contraceptive coverage. While Trump has stated he does not support restrictions on birth control, his comments and the current political landscape, including a Republican-controlled Senate, have led to uncertainty. Trump's ability to influence birth control policy includes potential rollbacks of Biden-era protections and appointing Supreme Court justices who could impact reproductive rights.