July Newsletter

A Word From Dr. Sophia Yen:

Woohoo! Hot Girl Summer is in full effect –remember to have fun, and make sure you have birth control and emergency contraception as you live your best life. Now, more than ever, it’s important to be in control of your reproductive health by stocking up on contraceptives. Having extra birth control pills can also come in handy for skipping your period this summer. Consider making periods optional. You can move your period away from that week off or vacation; you can even choose to bleed every 3 months, 6 months…or never! Learn more about making your period optional here.

Pro Tip: Stock up on birth control so you can skip your period for vacation and truly live your best life in those white pants you’ve been wanting to rock!

Continue the Fight for those with Uterus’ Rights, Roe v. Wade:

It’s been a couple weeks since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which instantly triggered abortion bans in multiple states across the country. Since then, there have been conversations circulating about restrictions on certain forms of contraception. As of now, there are no active restrictions on birth control or emergency contraception. With potential challenges in the future, it’s important to know which form of contraception is right for your situation.

BIRTH CONTROL: We’re all about education. Below are some options from MOST effective to LEAST effective:

• 1. Implant – Also known as Nexplanon, the implant is inserted under the skin of the upper arm. This method is more effective than vasectomies and completely reversible.
  2. Intrauterine Device (IUD) – Either hormonal or copper, the IUD is inserted into the uterus and can last either 5 or 10 years. This method can also act as emergency contraception if inserted up to 5 days after incident.
  3. Injection – Depo-Provera is the most common brand of the birth control injection, which is administered every three months. A progestin only contraceptive, this is a great option for people who cannot take estrogen.
  4. Pill, Patch, Ring – All of these methods have the same efficacy, they are just different methods of administration. The pill is taken orally, the patch is worn on the skin, and the ring is inserted vaginally.
  5. Condom – Condoms work best when paired with other forms of birth control. Condoms are the only method that protect from unwanted pregnancy AND sexually transmitted diseases

The methods listed above are common contraceptive methods. To learn more about different methods, read here.

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION: Emergency contraception is used up to 5 days after an instance of unprotected sex. Below are your options from MOST effective to LEAST effective:

1. Intrauterine Device (IUD) – Both copper and hormonal methods can be used as an emergency contraceptive if inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex (copper is slightly more effective than hormonal). This option has no BMI limitation.
2. Ella – Ella is a prescription ‘morning after pill’. At Pandia Health, our expert doctors recommend you get Ella in ADVANCE of need (in case of emergency) to have around like a fire extinguisher. This option is a great option for people with up to a BMI of 35. Pandia Health offers prescriptions to Ella (free with most insurances!).
3. Plan B & Its Generics – This method is an over-the-counter ‘morning after pill’. BUT check your BMI before using/buying Plan B and its generics. If your BMI is 26 or greater, Plan B and its generics do NOT work so well. If your BMI is 30 or greater, Plan B and its generics do NOT work at all.
4. Yuzpe Method – (1 gm of norgestrel or 500 mg of levonorgestrel with 100mcg of ethinyl estradiol now and again in 12 hrs). This is the LEAST effective EC, but better than nothing.

Learn more about each emergency contraception option here.

Do You Live in a Restricted State? The list below highlights states that have bans in place.

1. Alabama
2. Arkansas
3. Kentucky
4. Missouri
5. Ohio
6. Oklahoma
7. Texas*
   South Dakota

Other states are expected to ban/severely restrict abortion in the near future:

1. Arizona*
2. Florida*
3. Georgia*
4. Idaho
5. Indiana
6. Iowa
7. Louisiana
8. Mississippi
9. North Dakota
10. South Carolina
11. West Virginia
12. Wyoming*
13. Tennessee*

*Pandia Health offers online birth control prescriptions in this state. We can write birth control prescriptions in the following states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MI, NV, NY, PA, TN, TX, WA, and WY.

Note that Pandia Health can deliver a pre-existing birth control prescription to all 50 states!

PCOS CHALLENGE

Pandia Health is a proud platinum sponsor of the PCOS Challenge! Join us Wednesday, July 20th on Facebook Live as Dr. Sophia Yen chats with Sasha Ottey, Founder and Executive Director of PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association

About the PCOS Challenge:

Serving over 55,000 members, PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association is the largest support and advocacy organization for people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) globally. PCOS Challenge has six major program areas: (1) Research; (2) Patient and Healthcare Professional Education; (3) Legislative Advocacy and Health Policy; (4) Patient Support and Empowerment; (5) Awareness; and (6) Access to Care and Grant Programs. To learn more and get involved, visit https://pcoschallenge.org.