Copper T

Copper T is a very effective method of contraception. Its success rate in preventing pregnancy is high. It is inserted high in the uterus by a physician,and is effective for about 10 years. It does not provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Read here to know all about Copper T.

If you are wondering what contraception to opt for, perhaps you should consider the Copper T. Read on to find out if this would be suitable for you.

(This article is intended to provide general information, and should not serve as a substitute for a physician's advice.)


The Copper T 380A intrauterine device (IUD) is one of the most effective, long-acting reversible contraceptives available. It is inserted high in the uterus by a physician, and provides enhanced contraceptive protection for up to ten years.


Copper IUDs actually prevent fertilization by reducing the number and viability of sperm reaching the egg, and by impeding the number and movement of eggs into the uterus. It is believed that the continuous release of copper from the coils and sleeves of the Copper T 380A into the uterine cavity enhances the contraceptive effect of the IUD.


Effectiveness

The annual pregnancy rate of users of the Copper T 380A is well below 1%. In actual use during the first year, the Copper T 380A IUD is more effective than most other IUDs, oral contraceptives, condoms and barrier methods. The effectiveness of the Copper T 380A
IUD is related to age, with pregnancy rates decreasing for older women.


Duration of Effectiveness

The US Food and Drug Administration first approved the Copper T 380A for a duration of four years. In 1989, the FDA extended the period of efficacy to six years. On the basis of further data, in 1991 the US FDA approved use of the Copper T 380A for eight years and in 1994, the period of use was extended to ten years!


Shelf Life

The shelf life of the Copper T 380A IUD is seven years. If the date on the individual IUD sterilized packaging has expired, the device and its inserter should be discarded.


Tarnishing of Copper

Copper-bearing IUDs may show discoloration in their sterile packaging, but this should not cause alarm. The copper tarnishes because air passes through the sterile IUD package, causing a film to form on the surface. If the package is not damaged, and the expiration date on the package has not passed, the IUD will be sterile even if the copper on the device is tarnished.


Prevalence of Use

Worldwide, the IUD is the most widely used reversible contraceptive.
IUD use varies from country to country, reflecting differences in culture, availability, and choice of contraceptives, attitudes and training of providers, and fertility goals of women. In Scandinavia, 20 to 40 percent of contraceptive users have IUDs, while about 60 million Chinese women use IUDs.


Return of Fertility

The contraceptive effect offered by the Copper T 380A IUD is reversed when the device is removed. Conception rates following removal for planned pregnancy are normal, with rates of successful planned pregnancy unaffected by duration of IUD use.

Ideal Candidates for Copper T380A IUDs

The Copper T 380A IUD is recommended for women who:

have had at least one child;
are in mutually monogamous relationships; (IUDs do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases)
have no history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID);
choose not to use hormonal contraceptives.

Women Who Should NOT Use Copper T380A IUDs

The Copper T 380A IUD should not be inserted in a woman who:

is pregnant or is suspected to be pregnant;
still retains a previously inserted IUD;
has a suspected malignancy or abnormality of the genital tract
had postpartum or post-abortion infection in the past three months;
has Wilson's disease or a known allergy to copper;
has genital actinomycosis.
has a sexually transmitted disease (STD) including a lower genital tract infection, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia;
is at a high risk for STDs because she or her partner has multiple sexual partners;
has acute pelvic inflammatory disease or a history of pelvic inflammatory disease;
has conditions associated with increased susceptibility to infections with microorganisms. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, leukemia, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and intravenous drug abuse.

If a woman cannot predict whether she or her partner will be in a monogamous relationship, she should adopt another contraceptive. A woman at risk for a sexually transmitted disease may also be at risk for transmission of the HIV virus; she should have her partner use a condom, since an IUD does not protect against AIDS.

Side Effects and Complications

Most women have some bleeding following insertion of an IUD, and menstrual cramps may worsen. Cramping is more severe in the first few months after insertion and usually diminishes over time. Menstrual bleeding may be heavier and longer than usual, and bleeding between menstrual periods can occur during the first two or three months after insertion. These side effects decrease over time. Copper IUD use may also induce iron deficiency in some women; this condition may be treated with iron supplements.

The Pill

What is the pill?

The Pill is one of the most effective forms of birth control. It contains two synthetic female hormones (estrogen and progesterone), which prevent pregnancy by inhibiting the monthly release of the egg from the ovaries. Oral contraceptives are almost 100% effective when taken correctly. The mini-pill contains only one hormone, progesterone, and has an efficacy rate of 97%.


Why the pill?

The Pill is probably the easiest birth control method to use. There are two pill-taking programs: the 21-day regimen and the 28-day regimen. With the 21-day regimen, you take one pill each day for three weeks and then for one week you do not take any pills. The cycle is then repeated. With the

28-day regimen, you take 21 pills first, then seven placebos which contain no active drug. Most women prefer the 28-day regimen because they find it easier to remember to take a pill every day of the year. So just pop it and forget it. What could be easier?


Are there any side effects?

As with most forms of medication, the pill is not without its share of :

Irregular bleeding the first few months
Spotting between periods
Increased appetite
Depression or moodiness
Headaches and/or dizziness
Nausea and vomiting
Scant or missed periods
Weight change
High blood pressure
Breast tenderness

These side effects, though annoying, will not damage your health. Further, they are usually temporary and disappear within three months. If they persist longer, consult your gynecologist.

What are the advantages of the Pill?

It is convenient to use.
Unlike a condom, the pill does not interrupt sex.
Periods are usually lighter and shorter.
Periods get regulated and occur every 28 days.
As it prevents ovulation, in addition to its contraceptive action it also   eliminates mid-cycle pain which some women experience with ovulation.
The pill does not decrease a woman's chances of getting pregnant once she's off the pill and wants to conceive.
Did you know that there are many health benefits to the pill? These benefits include a reduced incidence of benign ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, anemia, rheumatoid arthritis and most importantly, endometrial and ovarian cancer.

And disadvantages?

In addition to its side effects, the Pill has a few disadvantages:
They do not protect a woman from getting sexually transmitted diseases. If there is a danger of contracting an STD, always use a condom.
Some antibiotics can interfere with the way birth control pills work in your body, so if you are on any prescribed medication, inform your gynecologist.
You need to be extremely particular about not missing your pills. If you are the scatty-brain type, it's best to skip this method of birth control.
Though serious problems related to the use of birth control pills are very rare, the chances of developing blood clots, heart attacks, high blood pressure, strokes or liver tumors are slightly greater in women who take birth control pills.

However, you should NOT take the pill if…

You suffer from a history of blood clots, heart related problems like angina or kidney failure.
You have a history of breast cancer or other estrogen-dependent cancers of the reproductive organs.
You are in the acute stages of hepatitis.
You are a heavy smoker above the age of 35.
You start getting migraines after getting on the pill.
You have high blood pressure or diabetes.
You are about to undergo some major surgery.
You are breast-feeding.
You are above the age of 50.

FOOT CARE

Look after your feet and treat them with the care and attention they deserve. Your feet, and your back, will thank you for it.

Foot hygiene

While bathing, we often tend to ignore our feet and only apply soap from the ankles up. Your feet need a wash just as much as the rest of your body does, if not more, so make sure you wash and soap your feet as well. Take care to rinse off all soap, and dry feet thoroughly, wiping between the toes.

Keep a pumice stone in the bathroom and every two to three days, soap your feet and scrub them with the stone, paying extra attention to the heels.

Change your socks daily. It's surprising how many people wear the same socks for a couple of days before throwing them in for a wash! If you don't change your socks regularly, your feet will start to smell, and you may even develop a fungal infection.

Use foot powder.
Toenail care

When trimming toenails, don't trim them in an inverted U shape. Trim them straight across without digging into the corners. This keeps toenails healthier.

Shoes

Don't wear shoes that are too tight. They bruise your toes and heels, and they also hamper your walk. In addition, footwear that is too tight around the toes will cramp your toes, and may even cause your toenail to come out. It is also possible to strain your back.


Check your child's shoes regularly to make sure they are not too small. Children's feet are soft and flexible, and they can easily fit into shoes that are even two sizes too small! But you don't want them doing that, so make sure they wear shoes that are the right size. The easiest way to ensure this is to make your child stand on a sheet of paper as you draw the outline of her foot. Then, measure this outline with the sole of the shoe. If the outline is bigger or exactly the same size, you should get a bigger size. The sole of the shoe should be a little bigger all over than the outline.



Go shoe shopping in the afternoon. Your feet swell to their maximum at this time so you can be sure that anything you buy will not suddenly start feeling tight in the afternoon.

One foot is always bigger than the other, so try on both shoes before buying a pair.


If you are buying keds, wear socks as well while trying on the keds.


The best footwear to wear is genuine leather. It takes the shape of your feet and moulds itself accordingly.


If you will be on your toes all day, stay away from high heels. Heels are great for short periods, but not for long stretches at a time. They completely change your posture and put strain on your back and your toes.


Beauty Tip

A great tip for soft, smooth feet is to apply cream any cream generously to your feet before turning in for the night. Cover them with a pair of socks. Do this everyday, and within a week you will see the difference.

Digestion

What do weight problems, skin conditions, allergies, fatigue, insomnia, arthritis, headaches, depression, yeast infections, constipation, and cancer have in common? These and dozens of other conditions may all be caused or worsened by poor digestion.

We have heard the phrase “You are what you eat.” This is true, but nutrition is not just what we eat, it is what the cells of the body actually receive–and the cells only receive what is broken down through the process of digestion. Therefore we may also say, “You are what you digest.”


Digestion is a topic that stretches far beyond the stomach. Poor digestion affects the intestines, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, blood, and lymph and immune systems. Poor digestion also affects hormone balance and the functions of the brain.


When we consider the 30-foot tube–the intestine–that runs through the body, we can begin to understand why it should be a major consideration in any type of health issue; digestion is key to obtaining and maintaining overall health and well-being.

Learn at Home
Recognizing and answering the need for a better understanding of health and digestion, the alive Academy of Natural Health has created a distance education course to guide interested students through the gastrointestinal tract with steps to better digestion and, in turn, better health.

Digestion: Your Inner Path to True Health lessons are designed to inform all levels of students, from the general public and layperson to the health professional who wants a deeper understanding of digestion.

Lessons include quizzes and self-marked tests to enhance the learning process. Information covered includes an easy-to-understand explanation of the digestive process along with practical advice about what, how, and when to eat.

Additional topics include the many factors affecting digestion, common digestive disorders, and larger health links to digestion such as allergies, fatigue, hypoglycemia, and diabetes. Finally, the course provides 15 steps to better digestion and describes many natural digestive remedies.

By properly digesting nutritious foods, every cell in the body is fed exactly what it needs to be truly healthy. The digestive process really is your inner pathway to true health.

Facts to Chew On
Did you know that stress shuts down the digestive process? No matter how healthy your food choices are, if you eat while stressed, preoccupied, or in a hurry you will not digest well.

According to the Journal of Gastroenterology, chronic constipation is one of the most gastrointestinal complaints.

More than six million Canadians suffer with the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Cleansed? What's Next?

You’ve cleansed your body’s vital systems of toxins. Now you’re feeling good, and it’s time to get back to a regular diet that doesn’t include the foods that were responsible for creating toxicity in your body.

In order to stay healthy you’ll need to reintroduce foods into your diet in a way that won’t create a shock to your body. This is also a good time to assess the foods to which you may have allergies or intolerances.

Avoiding Inflammatory Foods
Foods that more commonly cause sensitivities, such as wheat, dairy, corn, soy, yeast, and sugar, should also be reintroduced slowly. Eating these highly allergenic foods too early may give you a “food hangover” and cause a severe reaction in your body. Avoid those foods that were causing inflammation in your body. The key is to eat foods that enable proper absorption of vitamins and minerals and to reintroduce foods one at a time, every three or four days.

As you reintroduce certain foods, you will be the judge how they affect you overall. The best way to assess food sensitivities or allergies is by using a detailed diary outlining what food was reintroduced and the symptoms associated with that food, if any.

Furthermore, an enzyme-linked immunoassay test (IgG food antibody test) can be performed by your naturopathic physician to identify delayed food allergies that cause ongoing illnesses difficult to assess through elimination diets, such as chronic sinusitis, fatigue, arthritis, eczema, migraines, bloating, and constipation.

Two weeks after your cleanse, you may incorporate these foods back into your diet. Introduce them one at a time, every four days:

milk and dairy products
eggs
corn, wheat, rye, oats, and barley
sugar
citrus fruits
soy
peanuts
pork
white potatoes
yeast
chocolate
coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages
Greens
The best foods to reintroduce are vegetables. Green leafy vegetables–kale, mustard greens, turnip greens, and bok choy–are particularly useful, not only for their nutrient content but also for their cleansing and alkalizing properties and antioxidant content. Green vegetables help flush toxins from the body and are important to your diet on an ongoing basis.

Other vegetables to reintroduce include onions, carrots, beets, leeks, celery, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, green beans, and broccoli.
Grains

Healthy and hypoallergenic grains include steamed brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, wild rice, and millet. They are high in protein, fibre, and B vitamins.
These whole grains offer complex carbohydrates that can provide a steady supply of energy throughout the day when combined with legumes or other protein sources, enabling blood sugar to be released slowly into the bloodstream.

Fruits
Fruits may also be reintroduced into the post-cleanse diet. The best fruits to reintroduce early in the post-cleanse phase include noncitrus fruits rich in antioxidants, such as organic apples, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries.

Protein
The best sources of proteins to reintroduce first are beans and legumes, which are not only great sources of protein but are high in fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Healthy animal proteins to reintroduce post-cleanse include boneless, skinless chicken and turkey breasts that are free-range, organic, and antibiotic-free.

In addition, fresh fish are a great source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids, especially the smaller ocean species, such as sardines and mackerel, and white fish, such as flounder or cod. For individuals who eat red meat, grass-fed organic beef is recommended–but no more than 12 oz (340 g) per week.

Good Fats
Introducing good fats–essential fatty acids (EFAs)–into your diet is important after a cleanse. Avoid the bad fats–saturated and trans.
Fatty (dark meat) fish is an important source of the omega-3 fats. Other sources of EFAs include a variety of nuts and seeds. Make sure you consume raw nuts and seeds without processed oils, salt, or sugar. Replace butter, margarine, and shortening oils with flaxseed, macadamia, coconut, and olive oils.

Seasoning
Spices and herbs offer another way to add an infinite variety of antioxidants to the foods you choose to add to your diet. Turmeric, cumin, and fennel, for example, can restore antioxidant levels, regulate blood sugar levels, and decrease inflammation.