Contraception 101: Permanent Methods of Contraception

Many patients come to see me for advice about contraception. There’s never one right answer as everyone has different needs, and most patients first discuss the options with their mums, friends and of course Dr Google!

In this third and final part of the Contraception 101 series, I'll present an overview of the permanent methods of contraception.

“Permanent Methods of Contraception”

For patients who want permanent contraception, surgical options are sometimes a solution. 

Female sterilisation can usually be performed through key hole surgery and involves either small clips being placed across the fallopian tubes (which connect the ovary to the uterus), or complete removal of the fallopian tubes. These procedures require general anaesthetic. Both are permanent and irreversible procedures, and are usually requested by women who have no desire for fertility and who don’t want to or are unable to use other forms of contraception. Some recent studies suggest that ovarian cancer may actually arise from the fallopian tube, so removal of the fallopian tubes may have this additional benefit compared to use of sterilisation from clips.

In the Contraception 101 series, I've outlined the most common types of contraception I discuss with my patients. It's important that you find a contraceptive that is convenient and reliable, and suits your needs. There are other options available and these can be discussed with your GP or gynaecologist.

Contraception 101: Oral Contraceptives

Many patients come to see me for advice about contraception. There’s never one right answer as everyone has different needs, and most patients first discuss the options with their mums, friends and of course Dr Google!

In this three part series, Contraception 101, I'll present an overview of some of the options for contraception I discuss with my patients, and explain when I usually recommend each. Today's post covers oral contraceptives.

“The Pill”

'The Pill' is probably the most common type of contraceptive for women and is often credited as helping to improve the status of women by offering simplicity and effectiveness in birth control. 'The Pill' refers to the combined oral contraceptive pill, which contains synthetic forms of estrogen and progesterone (the hormones produced by the ovaries). The pill is a reliable contraceptive if it is taken daily, at the same time each day. I often recommend the pill as a contraceptive option for women who also want to regulate their periods. There are many different types of the pill (Levlen, Yaz, Diane to name just a few). Some types of the pill may have additional effects such as improved mood or reduced acne. 

The 'mini pill' is a progesterone only pill. It is less reliable as a contraceptive than the combined pill, but is often used in women who are breast feeding or are unable to take estrogen due to problems with blood clots. 

Pros and cons? The pill is non-invasive and can be easily stopped at any time if you experience side effects. Taking the pill also often causes periods to be lighter and less painful. The main drawback is that you have to be able to remember to take a tablet every day.

What works well for one person, may have different effects for another. If you are thinking about starting the pill, you should seek advice from your GP or gynaecologist.

In part two of Contraception 101, I'll cover intra-uterine devices (IUDs), implants and injections.

Adult Acne – Why? What can I do to fix it?

Unfortunately, skin problems are not something limited to adolescence.  Breakouts can plague us well into adulthood. Adult acne may be lifestyle related, but may also be associated with hormonal fluctuations and conditions such as poly-cystic ovarian syndrome. Being time poor and chronically stressed may put our adrenal glands into overdrive, which may increase the oil flow from our skin follicles. This sets the stage for congestion in the form of blackheads, pimples and pustules. Once started, the cycle can be self-perpetuating. Seeking advice regarding what skin treatments to use is important, as products used to conceal imperfections may aggravate the problem spots rather than aiding them to heal or normalise.

Help your skin help you

1.    Don’t squeeze pimples!  Squeezing will most likely cause more damage by prolonging healing time, increasing the likelihood of scarring and the incidence of a pimple reoccurring in the same place.  Consider applying a spot treatment product instead.

2.    Eat a low GI diet.  There is evidence to suggest that regular consumption of high GI foods elevates insulin production, increases sebum (oil) production and may be associated with hormonal changes, all of which contribute to acne.   

3.    Take time to decompress and relax, which will help keep stress hormones in balance.  Additionally, having some time to focus on yourself can help you review your diet and your skin routine.

4.    Have an appropriate skin routine in place.  At a minimum, cleanse and moisturise twice a day.  Unless you’ve been advised against it, regularly exfoliating will also help promote a clear complexion.  Blemishes are often the result of excess dead skin cells binding with oil and debris to clog follicles.  Exfoliating will help shed the old skin cells and promote the generation of fresh, new cells.

5.    If your breakout levels are closely linked to your menstrual cycle, you may benefit from hormonal intervention in the form of the oral contraceptive pill.

At GAALS we are able to provide advice for conditions such as poly-cystic ovarian syndrome and can make recommendations about who to consult regarding your skin problems.  If you have a gynaecological problem or would like an appointment, please call us on 1300 242 257 or click Contact on our web page.