I’m having outbreak bleeding on the pill. What’s the deal?

Breakthrough bleeding/spotting may be expected during the first 3 cycles on the pill.  Your body is adjusting to the hormones.  If it continues after the third pack you should call your doctor instead of talking with mermaids!  You should also talk with your doctor if you have other symptoms in addition to the bleeding, just to be sure. 

I have stopped taking Activella (estrogen replacement). What do you think?

Many people have asked about the most recent findings reported from the 11 year data of the Women’s Health Initiative study.  The findings were concerning.  The risk of breast cancer with positive nodes and the risk of mortality from breast cancer and other causes were increased in the estrogen and progesterone treated group.  For that reason, estrogen replacement therapy should only be taken if your symptoms warrant it.  However, if you are miserable without the estrogen therapy, realize the increased risk is relatively small.  (1.3 deaths per 10,000 women per year.)

Thank goodness mermaids don’t get hot flashes!   -Gynny

My husband and I are planning on trying to get pregnant in the next couple months. Should I start taking a prenatal vitamin? I had blood work done a few months ago and found out I am Vitamin D deficient so I take 1,000 IU of Vitamin D each day along with a Women’s One A Day each day. I have heard you should start taking a prenatal vitamin before getting pregnant and then I have also heard you can wait until you are pregannt so I am not sure which is the best route to take. Also, can you suggest a good prenatal vitamin?

The answer is “yes.” You should start taking a prenatal vitamin if you plan to try to get pregnant. I usually recommend starting the prenatal vitamin a month prior to stopping the contraceptive.

This statistically reduces the risk of spina bifida and cleft palate. Occasionally, if you have multiple gestation, or a family history of certain birth defects you could benefit from even higher doses than the prenatal vitamins provide.

I haven’t found a “best” prenatal vitamin. If the vitamin is marked as prenatal, then it must have the required 0.8 -1 mg of folic acid to help prevent cleft palate and spina bifida.
I hope your experience goes swimmingly,
Genny

WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH ALL THESE LAWYERS SUING “YAZ” BIRTH CONTROL?

Genny’s Answer: All birth control pills have risks associated with them. The reason they are prescribed anyway is that their benefits can outweigh their risks.

For example, one of the most serious risks associated with birth control pills involves clot formation. Since the risks involved with pregnancy are greater on average, the birth control pills are thought to be a reasonable option.

Any of the birth control pills with newer generation progestins as one of their ingredients, including Yaz, has a slightly higher risk of clots. The risk of a serious clot forming with birth control pills like Yaz is 8 per 100,000 women. The risk of a serious clot forming with the older birth control pills is 4 per 100,000 women. Both levels of risk are very low. That is why doctors prescribe both kinds of birth control pills.