What is the Cervical Shield? Lea's Shield is a one-size-fits all cup shaped device approximately the same size of the diaphragm. There is a valve on it that is designed to create a suction during insertion to help it fit against the cervix. How Is

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The cervical cap (FemCap) is a thimble-shaped cup made out of durable silicone material that fits snugly over the cervix. How Is the Cervical Cap Used? It is used the same way as a diaphragm. The woman coats the cap with spermicide and inserts th

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The sponge is a form of birth control used by women. It is a small, donut-shaped device that is coated with spermicide. How Effective Is the Sponge? With proper and consistent use, the sponge is 89%-91% effective. How Does the Sponge Work? Th

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An IUD, or intrauterine device, is a small, plastic, flexible, T-shaped device that is placed into the uterus (womb) and prevents pregnancy. There are two types of IUDs available in the United States. One type, ParaGard T380A, can be kept in place fo

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Are There Side Effects Associated With The Birth Control Patch? There are a few possible side effects that include: Breast tenderness Headache Rash or redness at the site of the patch Nausea Menstrual cramps Who Sho

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Some women should not consider the NuvaRing. They include women: With a history of blood clots, heart attack or stroke With breast cancer Who are pregnant or think they might be Over 35 who smoke cigarettes Does NuvaRing P

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Along with condoms, spermicides, birth control pills, Norplant, Depo-Provera and sterilization, there are a variety of other birth control methods to choose from, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Before deciding on an approach, be su

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With Depo-Provera, you could become pregnant as soon as 3 to 4 months after your last shot. However, it may take some women up to a year or two to conceive after they stop using this type of birth control. This time frame seems unrelated to how long

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If you forget to take a pill, take it as soon as you remember. If you don't remember until the next day, go ahead and take 2 pills that day. If you forget to take your pills for 2 days, take 2 pills the day you remember and 2 pills the next day. You

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Ask your doctor when you should start your HC. You must wait until your period begins to start taking the Pill. If you still have your period on the day that you have been told to start your pill pack, go ahead and start the pill pack. You will get y

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What Are Mini Pills? These are pills that contain only one hormone (progestin). They do not contain estrogen and may be prescribed in women who are breastfeeding or in women who experience nausea with estrogen. How Do Mini Pills Work? Mini pills

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Birth control is a way for men and women to prevent pregnancy. There are many different methods of birth control, including hormonal contraception (HC) such as "the Pill." The Pill is taken by mouth by the woman to prevent pregnancy, and

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Birth control is a way for men and women to prevent pregnancy. There are many different methods of birth control; some types also protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Spermicides are foams, jellies, tablets, creams, suppositories, or diss

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Latex condoms are recommended for the prevention of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. True or False... Oil-based lubricants like baby oil and Vaseline are safe to use with latex condoms. True or False...

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How Is Syphilis Treated? If you've been infected for less than a year, a single dose of penicillin is usually enough to destroy the infection. For those allergic to penicillin, tetracycline or doxycycline can be given instead. If you are in a later

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  Syphilis infection occurs in 3 distinct stages. Early or primary syphilis. People with primary syphilis will develop one or more chancre sores. The sores resemble large round bug bites and are often hard and painless. They occur on the ge

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Syphilis is a highly contagious disease spread primarily by sexual activity, including oral and anal sex. Occasionally, the disease can be passed to another person through prolonged kissing or close bodily contact with an infected person. Although th

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The best way to protect yourself is to avoid activities that put you at risk. There's no way to tell by looking at someone if he or she has HIV. Always protect yourself. Use latex condoms (rubbers) whenever you have any type of sex (vaginal,

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We've come along way from the days when diagnosis with HIV equaled a death sentence. Today, there are a variety of treatments that, when used in combination can significantly slow down and in some cases stop altogether, the progression of HIV infecti

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  Signs that HIV is turning into AIDS include: A fever that won't go away. Sweating while you sleep. Feeling tired all the time. (not from stress or lack of sleep) Feeling sick all the time. Losing weight.

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  The only way to know if you have HIV is to take an HIV test. Most tests looks for signs of HIV in your blood. A small sample of blood is taken from your arm. The blood is sent to a lab and tested for HIV. There are other tests available that

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  Anyone can get HIV if they engage in certain activities. You may have a higher risk of getting HIV if you:   Have unprotected sex. This means vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom or oral sex without a latex barrier with

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  According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in the U.S. the estimated number of people with HIV/AIDS is about 1,185,000 with approximately 25% of them unaware of their infection. The estimated number of new cases of HIV is 42,

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Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The virus weakens a person's ability to fight infections and cancer. People with HIV are said to have AIDS when they develop certain infections

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  Yes. A pregnant woman can spread the hepatitis virus to her baby at the time of birth. (It is unlikely that an infected woman will spread the virus to her baby during pregnancy.) Many babies infected with hepatitis B develop long-term liver

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  If you get to a doctor shortly after the exposure, you'll often receive immediate immunization with the first in a series of three shots with the Hepatitis B vaccination and a shot to boost the immune system to fight off the infection. But

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How Common Is Hepatitis B? Approximately 73,000 Americans contract Hepatitis B each year, making infection with this virus about twice as common as infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. However, rates have greatly declined since the 1980'

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  Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Infection with this virus can cause scarring of the liver, liver failure, liver cancer, and even death. Hepatitis B is spread in infected blood and other bodily fluids

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  Gonorrhea in a pregnant woman can cause premature delivery or spontaneous abortion. The infected mother may give the infection to her infant as the baby passes through the birth canal during delivery. This can cause blindness, joint infection

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  Your doctor will use a swab to take a sample of fluid from the urethra in men or from the cervix in women. The specimen will then be sent to a laboratory to be analyzed. You also may be given a throat or anal culture to see if the infection i

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