Low Dose Birth Control Pills

Reducing the side effects of birth control pills (cheers in the gallery!) led to the reduction of the amount of synthetic hormones, estrogen and progestin, that they contained and to the development of the 'new generation', low dose birth control pills. "Low dose' won't have much meaning for you if you don't know what this term refers to so the basic information below may help.

So How Low can I go with the dose of hormone ingredients to still be effective at preventing pregnancy?

Good question, as not all birth control pills contain exactly the same amount of estrogen and progestin. I thought a useful reference for you would be a list of low dose and ultra low dose pills so that you can at least discuss the pros and cons with your doctor and see if you are a good candidate to move from say, a low dose 0.035mg estrogen pill down to an ultra low dose 0.020mg estrogen pill. You may find you experience fewer or reduced side effects. Generic brands in low dose birth control pills are also available.

Birth control pills with the very lowest amount of estrogen, that is 0.02mg of estrogen (usually ethinyl estradiol) are classed as 'ultra low dose' contraceptive pills. 0.020mg of estrogen is sufficient for contraception but the side effects of spotting and breakthrough bleeding are more common with these types of ultra low dose birth control pills than with low dose pills containing 0.030mg or 0.035mg of estrogen.

Here are some brand names of the "ultra low dose" birth control pills on the market , you may find a generic version on line now that you know what amount of estrogen to look for. The estrogen component is listed first and the progestin component second.

• Alesse (Aviane,Lessina,Lutera,Sronyx) contains 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.1 mg levonorgestrel
• Mircette contains 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg desogestrel

Pills containing 0.02mg- 0.035mg.of estrogen are classed as 'low dose' pills. Here are some brand names of "low dose" birth control pills :

• LoOvral contains 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol and and 0.3 mg nogestrel
• Nordette contains 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg levognorgestrel
• Ortho-Cept (Reclipsen, Solia) contains 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg desogestrel
• Desogen contains 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg desogestrel
• Levlen21 contains 0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel
• Seasonale/Seasonique contain 0.03mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel

If you are a fan of triphasic pills, here are some low dose ones: Cyclessa

Phase 1: ethinyl estradiol 0.025 mg and desogestrel 0.1 mg

Phase 2: ethinyl estradiol 0.025 mg and desogestrel 0.125 mg

Phase 3: ethinyl estradiol 0.025 mg and desogestrel 0.15 mg

In a study of 5,654 women, over six menstrual cycles, some used the popular triphasic Ortho-Novum 7/7/7 and others used Cyclessa. It was found that women who used Cyclessa had significantly less breakthrough bleeding or spotting and experienced an average weight loss of 4lbs. versus an average weight gain of 2lbs. with those who took Ortho-Novum 7/7/7.

Ortho Tricyclen Lo : 3 types of pill in the pack

• each white tablet contains 0.025 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.180 mg of norgestimate
• each light blue tablet contains 0.025 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.215 mg norgestimate
• each dark blue tablet contains 0.025 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.250 mg of norgestimate

(Ortho Tricyclen and Ortho-Cyclen, each with 0.035 mg of ethinyl estradiol, contain slightly higher amounts of estrogen in each type of pill than Ortho Tricyclen Lo)

YASMIN and YAZ are two more low dose birth control pills containing 0.03 mg and 0.02 mg respectively

of estrogen but they have a different type of progestin from the other pills called drospirenone (3.0 mg). On the down side, since Yasmin/Yaz can increase levels of potassium, it is not recommended for women with liver, adrenal or kidney problems but on the up side, Yasmin/Yaz appear to reduce water retention and therefore bloating and in some women gives a sense of well being. These pills also have a following among acne sufferers as they seem to improve this skin condition in a lot of cases.As with many other types of birth control pills, Yasmin may not be suitable for you if you also take other over-the-counter pain relievers, potassium sparing diuretics, potassium supplements or specific medications so you MUST check this out with a physician first.

Nursing Moms

You will have heard of the 'mini' pill (progestin only pill or POP) which is usually prescribed for women who are breastfeeding or who have an intolerance to estrogen. A 'Mini pill' can be started immediately after childbirth or abortion. There is no 7-day break or dummy pills as there are with the combined pill and it must be taken at the same time every day. Micronor contains 0.35 mg norethindrone and NO estrogen whatsoever. In other countries some brand names include: Microlut 28, Microval 28, Locilan 28 and Noriday.

Pills that contain high amounts of estrogen or progestin are used for emergency contraception and are known as 'the morning after pill' or Plan B. One common pill is Preven -each blue film-coated pill contains 0.25 mg levonorgestrel and 0.05 mg (that's MILLIGRAMS not micrograms) of estrogen - usually you take 2 doses, 12 hours apart. Plan B is a 'morning-after' pill that contains only one hormone, progestin (Levonorgestrel) Tablets, 0.75 mg.

Sources; Donnica Moore, M.D.
Carole Pemberton brings you up to date with the latest information on contraceptives, including Alesse, and Yaz to empower you to enjoy your sexuality while successfully managing your birth control.

For A FREE E-BOOK that answers common birth control questions, lighthearted videos and a 'no nonsense' website that tells it like it is, visit: http://www.contraceptivereviewer.com

Natural Cure for Acid Reflux

Do sufferers from acid reflux have to put up endlessly with prescription medication and its side effects just for momentary relief or is there a natural cure for acid reflux? A qualified nutritionist and erstwhile chronic acid reflux sufferer reveals the truth about a natural solution to cure and prevent acid reflux, after 11 years of trying, testing and experimenting.

Patients with acid reflux may well recognize a particular sensation of burning under the breastbone, typically occurring at night. This happens when stomach acid and food are passed back into the esophagus because the LES (lower esophageal sphincter, a one-way valve in the esophagus) weakens and loses stability; acid reflux also known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) results. The acid flowing back (acid reflux) commonly causes a burning pain, known as heartburn.

Hoarseness, wheezing, a dry cough, even chronic cores can be the results of the acid flowing back to the trachea and the upper esophagus. In around 0.5% of cases, chronic reflux into the lower esophagus can turn into esophageal cancer from a condition known as Barrett's esophagus.

So far, these are only the immediate or local causes of acid reflux even though they include a weakened LES and other aspects like not having enough stomach acid and several genetic characteristics which are all to be included in a complete cure for acid reflux.

There is indication that the conditions leading to acid reflux are the result of an additional set of internal elements. The condition of acid reflux is complex and results from elements and associated elements going further than the local factors already mentioned. For a natural cure for acid reflux that works, these elements must be dealt with as a priority.

Taking prescription medication on a long-term basis will cause many side effects even if temporary relief is provided, because most of these drugs are aimed at resolving the immediate causes of heartburn.

Blockers like H2 and PPIs can lead to osteoporosis even if they give temporary relief. Because stomach acid is required to ensure proper digestion and immunity, antacids used over a long period of time can also make the problem worse.

A natural holistic solution is to be preferred, following recent research that shows up dietary habits, patterns of behavior and lifestyle as negative influences on a current acid reflux condition.

For effective and safe prevention of recurring acid reflux, following the holistic approach with the proper diagnosis of your condition and specific supplements of herbs and vitamins can provide a natural cure of acid reflux in conjunction with Candida control protocols (also a major contributor to acid reflux) and a full set of dietary principles.

Jeff Martin is a medical researcher, certified nutritionist, health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, "Heartburn No More- Open The Door To an Acid Reflux Free Life". Jeff has written dozens of holistic health articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.

To Learn More About Jeff Martin´s Unique 5-Step Holistic Acid Reflux Cure System Visit: Heartburn No More.

For further information visit:Natural Cure for Acid Reflux

Fitness Health Exercise

This is a fitness health exercise article that details some fundamental facts about the wonders of exercise. Why Wonders? Well, unless you've been living in a cave, you've heard by now how exercise can increase your vitality, lower your risk of heart disease and other chronic ailments in addition to burning unwanted fat. Exercise truly appears to be a remedy to what ails you.

So what exactly is it about exercise that makes possible all these wonderful benefits, especially when it comes to burning fat. To address that, let's first take a look at the primary source needed for us to even move and then we'll take a look at how exercise utilizes that source.

Our Energy Source

This mysterious source that we need to use to simply move and stay alive is of course energy. It is the basis for all the things we do. The energy source supplied to your body comes from the foods we eat, which fall into three types: carbohydrates, protein and fats. For these sources to function as energy, they must first be converted into a form the body can use, namely adenosine triphosphate or ATP.

Your body needs a continuous supply of ATP in order to perform any type of physical activity. It can get the ADP from three sources. The first comes from the ADP stored in your muscles. The second source comes from a process called anaerobic metabolism which uses the carbs already present in your body. The third source and the one of most importance to the process of burning fat comes from the process known as aerobic metabolism ( thus the name aerobic exercise) which uses carbs, fat and oxygen to produce the ATP.

Exercise Types

As for the exercises, they can be classified into two categories: aerobic and anaerobic. Aerobic (meaning requiring free oxygen) exercise are activities such as jogging, speed walking, bicycling, swimming or any activity that raises your heart rate for an extended amount of time. Aerobic exercise is also the exercise we typically think about when someone says that they are going to start exercising.

So by performing aerobic exercise, you cause your body to start the beneficial process of aerobic metabolism. The process uses the fat stored in your body as part of the catalyst needed for aerobic metabolism, therefore starting the much desired state of fat burning. As long as you're in this state, your body is burning fat.

Anaerobic exercise on the other hand uses anaerobic metabolism, which is usually underused because of the lack of understanding of how it contributes to the process of burning fat. Anaerobic exercise also known as resistance training can be defined as any exercise in which force must be applied to move an external object. The first type of resistance training that comes to mind for many is of course weight lifting. However, the use of rubber bands and isometrics are also a forms of resistance training.

So how does resistance training help you to burn fat when anaerobic metabolism uses carbohydrates to create ATP?

Well the benefit actually comes after you have completed your resistance training and has to do with your basal metabolic rate or BMR. BMR is the minimum caloric requirement needed to sustain life when at rest and can be responsible for burning up to 70% of the total calories expended. This values varies, however, and is dependent on such factors as genetics, gender, age, diet and exercise.

Where resistance training plays a part in this process pertains to your lean body mass. Lean body mass burns more calories than the fat on your body. Resistance training builds more lean mass such as muscles and as a result increases your BMR. If you ever saw the headline "Burn Fat While You Sleep" and the product doesn't involve drugs then this in all likelihood is what they're referring to.

So if you want to burn fat while you sleep, you need to preform resistance exercises to build more muscle mass.

In short, I hope this fitness health exercise article enlightened you on some facts you may not have been aware of. And given the importance of knowledge, we must remember that in our battle of the bulge, knowledge will always be our best ally.

To learn more about how to burn fat and keep it off, go to http://www.How-to-Burn-Fat.com It's your one-stop source for fat burning information. Be certain to check out information on some of the hottest selling diet plans and the right way to set fitness goals

Vitamins For Hair Regrowth - Which Are Best?

In this article I'm going to talk about vitamins for hair regrowth. Many times when people are starting to lose their hair, they look to get expensive hair loss treatments when all they really had was a deficiency in certain essential vitamins their body needs. Below are descriptions of a few vitamins your body needs to maintain its hair.

Niacin (Vitamin B3)
When you don't take enough Niacin, the circulation in your scalp is negatively effected which can lead to hair loss. You should be taking a healthy amount of Niacin to help promote your scalp circulation. You should be taking around 15 mg of Niacin daily. You can find find Niacin in wheat germ, chicken, turkey, fish, and meat.

Vitamin E
This is another vitamin that helps to enhance your scalp's circulation. You can find this in oils, soybeans, nuts, green vegetables, and dried beans. You should be taking around 400 IU per day.

Inositol
Inositol is important because it keeps your hair follicles healthy. If you have a sufficient amount in your body, it will help to promote hair growth. You can find this in your whole grains, liver, and citrus fruits. You should try to take around 600 mg per day.

Important Points To Note:
Although Niacin, Vitamin E, and Inositol are important vitamins for hair regrowth, there is an important point that you need to understand. These are only a few of the many vitamins that you need to be taking. Others include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Biotin, Niacin, and Vitamin B6 and B5, just to name a few. You should also be taking herbals supplements such as Saw Palmetto, Nettle Rooth, and Pumpkin Seed which are effective solutions for hair regrowth. I would suggest looking into herbal hair loss pills because they encompass all of these essential vitamins and herbs. I say this because it gets to be pretty inconvenient having to separately take all of these essential components in your hair loss treatment. It is also difficult to get the best sort of mix to give you the best results. That is why herbal hair loss pills are so popular, they have the most potent mix of vitamins, minerals, and herbs in a single capsule.

There are a ton of herbal hair loss supplements in the market today. Many are scams but a few actually are viable solutions to get your hair back. Click here to read our reviews of the top herbal hair loss solutions.

Elliptical Trainer - Improve Your Fitness Level

When you first view an Elliptical trainer you will be forgiven for being discouraged as they don't look familiar. Take your time getting used to it. Elliptical trainers have foot plates that guide the feet along a generally elliptical shaped curve to simulate the motions of jogging and climbing. They are sort of a combination of treadmill, rower and exercise bike. Elliptical trainers have greatly increased in popularity over the last several years and there are nearly as many elliptical trainers in gym as there are treadmills or bicycles. Personally I think they are fun to use, which in any fitness plan has to be good. They have often replaced other aerobic exercise machines in homes because of the more complete workout they offer and how little room they take up.

There are many good reasons for increasing your overall fitness, improving overall health and fitness helps produce self-confidence. When you look good, you often feel good. Regular exercise improves coordination and balance, the advantage of this is it can prevent falls and allow our bodies to function more efficiently. Although it is a great start to having more energy and improving the quality of your life, a good exercise program alone is not enough to complete your change to a healthier lifestyle, a good diet is also important.

Elliptical trainers allow the athlete to burn a similar number of calories as jogging without risk of injury to the back, knees, hips, or ankles. Especially useful for someone who is over weight. Elliptical trainers are available at a wide range of price points, from $99 to several thousand depending on the spec of the trainer you are looking at. Generally, however, you get what you pay for. Elliptical trainers are great for both a strength and cardio-vascular workout and offer a form of exercise that is easy to pick up and has great benefits.

Elliptical or cross trainers are becoming one of the preferred machines to use to achieve cardio fitness. Regular use will really improve your strength, coordination, and stamina all this from a machine you can wheel in front of the TV and what your favourite TV program.

For more info about cross trainers and elliptical trainer reviews visit http://www.ellipticaltrainersonline.net/

Use These And Lose Weight Like Crazy

Not all of us have the same type of body therefore not the same type of exercise would work on all of us. But the fact of the matter is that aerobics is something which seems to work on everyone no matter what kind of body they might have. Aerobic exercise are known to be one of the best possible ways to burn fat fast and see the kind of results you desire with your body. Read on to discover some of the most effective aerobic exercises which would help you lose weight like crazy......

Aerobic dance- This is one of the best possible ways to burn fat using aerobics. You can easily join any aerobic dance class around you and see yourself losing a lot of fat with time. The good thing about aerobic dance is that it is done with music and you never feel burdened or bored with the workouts. At the same time doing this in a class would provide you with a lot of company from other people due to which your motivation level would double.

Cycling- Another great way of burning fat fast is to use a cycle. It can be a stationary or a regular bike. The good thing about cycling is that it does not strain the whole body and joints much but at the same time it provides you with a very intense workout which would help you shed a lot of weight real fast.

Climbing stairs- The good thing about this workout is that you don't need any special exercise machine or tools to do it. You can easily climb up any type of stairs you please and this can be often done at the comforts of your home without any burden of going out every time you need a workout.

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