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.

Sebum in hair – How to control, What happens When Overproduced

Sebum plays an important role in maintaining your hair and skin healthy. But, too much sebum can bring the opposite result. Lack of sebum can cause dry hair, dry scalp and increment of wrinkle formation. Conversely, over production of sebum may trigger to oily hair, oily scalp and many more problem.

What the heck is Sebum?

Sebum is natural oil which ejects from the sebaceous glands. With the help of hair follicle, sebaceous glands generate natural oil to smooth and moisturize the hair and skin. Sebum is produced to keep the scalp from drying out and maintain the balance and volume of both hair and skin.

Sebum is a complete combination of lipids which includes, Fatty acids, Squalene, Glycerides, Cholesterol and Cholesterol esters. Natural oil sebum is found all in the body but mostly in the chin, forehead and mid-back. But, the soles of feet and the palms of hands are out of syllabus.

Jobs of Sebum in Hair

Under the hair scalp, Sebaceous glands are connected to the bottom of hair follicle. The job of sebaceous glands are to manufacture the sebum. In a particular time, cells outburst and sebum ejects. The job of sebum is being started off soon after the sebum makes its way to the surface of your hair scalp.

The following jobs have been done by the sebum oil,

It provides moisture to the hair and skin
It moves dead skin cells from the hair follicle to the surface
It prevents the scalp from drying out by lubricating
It reduces water loss from the skin surface
It protects the skin from friction
It also prevents the buildup of certain bacteria and fungi

Reason of Overproduction of Sebum
Scientists didn’t haven’t identified the exact causes yet, but they have discovered some factors responsible for the overproduction of sebum. Let’s talk it about,

The moment people entered into the short time of Menopause, the sebum production is dramatically enhanced. But, after the puberty, sebum production is nicely balanced into normal rate.
Seborrheic dermatitis is another reason. When It appears in people, the sebum production is incremented in all parts of the body.
Men’s sebaceous glands are the king of manufacturing sebum than women. That’s why, oily scalp and baldness are a common scene in men. So, gender can be another reason.
During the time of pregnancy, hormones imbalances may cause excess production of sebum. This is why, acne is a common problem in women’s pregnancy time as acne is also induced by the excess sebum ejection.
Genetics can be a cause of over production of sebum oil. If a parent suffers oily scalp, then chances are, their youngsters could possibly have the exact same problem.
Poor nutrition and fatty foods can be another  issue. Consuming too much oily and fatty foods bound the sebaceous glands to crank out excess sebum.
What happens when sebum is heavily produced?

As soon as the sebum is heavily produced, it goes directly to the scalp and hair, tends to make them oily. The following are the main problems that appeared soon after the excess oil transmission.

Oily scalp
Oily hair
Acne
Hair Loss
Baldness
Conversely, lack of sebum end results skin dryness, dry hair, dry scalp and unhealthy appearances.

How to control the overproduction of sebum?

Sebum lacking can bring about dry hair, dry skin and increment of wrinkle formation. Conversely, over ejection can trigger to oily skin, oily scalp etc. We have to choose a mid-level place to be safe and of course, we can do it by cutting down the level of excess sebum production.

Vitamin A :

Vitamins are always good and helpful for human body. Overproduction of sebum can be lowered by taking vitamin A. You can take medicated tablets or go for foods that contain vitamin A. Cantaloupe, spinach, carrots, milk, egg yolks and mozzarella cheese contain a good volume of vitamin A that you can have in your daily foods. Also stay away from vitamin A depletes like alcohol and coffee.

Vitamin B :

Maintain enough vitamin B for controlling the sebum production to a normal rate. You can go for meat, fish, eggs, green leafy vegetables, peas, breads, dairy products and many cereals. Also you can make sure plenty of biotin from egg yolk, liver and yeast.

Avoid oily and fatty foods :

Go for healthy and balanced foods and avoid fatty and oily foods. Oily foods are the key of bounding sebaceous glands to build excess sebum.

Maintain a good sleep :

Get a good sleep every single day. Lack of sleep and rest can trigger to many dangerous problems . Maintain a good amount of sleep to ensure Cortisol to act at a normal rate. Otherwise, Cortisol has an effect on the sebaceous glands to supply excess sebum.

Manage your stress :

Stress can lead to sleeping disorder and increment the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. As I previously mentioned, Cortisol stimulates sebaceous glands to burst more natural oil. Stress also depletes the body of B vitamins. To compensate you can take B complex vitamin.

Laser treatment :

You can take laser treatment method to control the overproduction of sebum. This kind of laser treatment is formulated to deal with exactly the oily skin. It will make the sebaceous glands to work on a balanced rate to keep the hair and skin soft and moisturized.