A Woman's New Best Friend

Women have been reaching for their best friend to help them during that time of the month. But have you ever stopped to wonder what that means? Of course not, because it’s not something people want to think about. So we're here to give you a little insight into what this is all about.

A woman's best friend isn't just a stuffed animal; it's also an alternative contraceptive device that can be used without a prescription as long as the user is under 30 years old and has never had children.

When it comes to the "friend," there are a few different models available. The three most popular are the Nuva Ring, the Plan B Birth Control Pill, and the Mirena IUD.  

Nuva Ring : The Nuva Ring is a small plastic ring that looks like an extra ring or a Band-Aid. It's placed insemination on the woman's upper arm for 21 days. Then it gets removed for another 21 days to ensure that fertilization is not possible during that time. Because this device keeps sperm outside of your uterus, you don't have to go through a period every month while using it; therefore, you never experience premenstrual bombardment syndrome (PMS).

The Good : The Nuva Ring can help prevent an unwanted pregnancy. It also prevents the buildup of fluid in the vagina that can cause acne and infections. It also allows for easy sex, since a woman doesn't have to worry about finding a place to hide a tampon or worrying about leaking through her clothes. She can just keep going without interruption.

The Bad : Because of this easy access, women start having sex more frequently; this is rarely good in the long run, because it gives women less time to think about their actions. Also, a woman can still get pregnant from vaginal intercourse while using the Nuva Ring; she doesn't have to be on top to get pregnant.

The Plan B Birth Control Pill : The Plan B Birth Control Pill is a pill that must be taken within 72 hours after sex. The returns are comparable to the Nuva Ring. Women can experience side effects including nausea, vomiting, and headaches.

The Mirena IUD : The Mirena IUD is a small T-shaped contraceptive device that prevents sperm from reaching the egg by releasing hormones into the uterus. It also makes it difficult for fertilized eggs to implant in the uterus. This device works best for women who have already had children, because it has been known to make women infertile if used in young women or teens.

The Good : This is one of the most popular devices. This alternative contraceptive device is very effective; it can reduce a woman's risk of pregnancy by 99%. Because of this, teenage girls are using it more frequently and having sex at younger ages. It can also give women fewer periods; they may be eliminated completely if a woman uses the device for more than five years. The pain associated with periods is nearly eliminated when using this device.

The Bad : Women can experience infections, menstrual cramps, and increased bleeding while using this form of contraception. If pregnancy does occur while using this device, there is a high risk that it will lead to an ectopic pregnancy (in which the embryo implants outside of the uterus).

Conclusion : The Nuva Ring and the Plan B Birth Control Pill are both effective forms of contraception; however, women should still use other forms of protection if they are using them.

This is a very good article about what a woman's best friend is. I feel that my friends and myself would be happy to wear it and not have to worry about leaking all day. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts about this article!

A Man's Best Friend: An Alternative Contraceptive Device for Men by Rachel Richmond & Brett Harvey in Jamaican Medical Journal. Published online August 17, 2013 doi: 10.