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The harsh truth: Children are getting COVID

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Family planning? Know your available contraception methods

Family planning? Know your available contraception methods

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Almost all women who are sexually active would have Googled contraception methods. Figuring out which method of contraception is the best for you and your partner can be frustrating. It isn’t spoken about freely and it can be difficult to find out what methods are available to you.  Below we’ve collected all the important information you need to know. We have also explored the pros and cons of each contraceptive method to help you compare your options easily. 

So, here we go.

Firstly, what is contraception?

Contraception, also known as birth control, is the use of artificial methods and techniques to prevent pregnancy.

Birth control – the different types 

There are 5 general types of birth control methods and each works in a different way. Some are temporary and some are more permanent. Some prevent the sperm from meeting the egg whilst some prevent the egg from releasing. Either way, the goal of all the contraception methods is to prevent unwanted and unplanned pregnancies.

It is also important to note that birth control and contraception is not the same as prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STI). Condoms are the only method that prevents the spread and transmission of STI’s so it is advised that you combine the use of condoms with other types of contraception. 

1. Short-acting hormonal contraception

Short-acting hormonal contraception methods adjust the hormone level in the woman’s body making pregnancy much less likely to happen. Some of the commonly used short-acting hormonal contraception methods are the daily use birth control pill and the hormonal injection. Both of these methods require a prescription from your doctor. 

The birth control pill 

There are 2 types of birth control pills available: the progestin-only pill and the combination pill (which contain both progestin and estrogen). 

The hormones released by the pill prevent the release of the egg, the thickening of the uterus and the cervical muscle making it harder for the sperm to enter the uterus. By taking the pill at the same time every day, you maintain a steady level of the hormones in your body, making it a very effective form of pregnancy prevention. 

With perfect use, it’s over 99% effective.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Highly effective if taken regularly 
  • Doesn’t interfere with sexual activity 
  • Helps with heavy and painful periods

Cons

  • Mood swings, headaches and other similar physical side effects 
  • Effectiveness is time-sensitive, you have to take it regularly at the same time every day for maximum effectiveness
  • Does not protect against STIs

The Hormonal Shot

The hormonal injection is administered by the doctor every 1 or 3 months to the woman. Like the birth control pill, this too prevents the release of the egg and thickens the cervical muscle making it difficult for the sperm to enter the uterus. 

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Highly effective if taken regularly 
  • Doesn’t interfere with sexual activity 
  • Helps with heavy and painful periods

Cons

  • Mood swings, headaches and other similar physical side effects 
  • Once off the shot, it may take up to a year for your menstruation to return to normalcy
  • Does not protect against STIs 

2. Long-term contraception 

This is a good option if you want lasting contraception with little maintenance. Available options include an implant inserted into your arm or an intrauterine device (IUD) inserted into your uterus. These methods are 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. They’ll work for 3–10 years, depending on the particular method you choose. 

Implant

The doctor will place 1 or 2 silicone rods under the skin in the arm of the woman. The rods will release the hormone, progestogen into your bloodstream that prevents the release of egg into your uterus. The hormone also thickens the cervical muscle thus stopping the sperm from entering the uterus. Further, It thins the muscle of your womb making implantation of the egg less likely. 

Pros

  • The most effective type of contraception 
  • Long-term, can be kept for 3-5 years
  • Does not affect sexual activity 
  • Not time sensitive 
  • A good option for women who can’t take oestrogen pills

Cons

  • Requires medical attention to insert and remove
  • Does not protect against STIs
  • May have side effects such as headaches and breast tenderness
  • Your periods may be irregular or stop

Intrauterine Device (IUD) 

The IUD is a T-shaped copper device which is inserted into your womb by your doctor. There are 2 kinds of IUD you can get implanted, the hormonal IUD or the non-hormonal version. 

The hormonal version releases the hormone progestin, which prevents sperm from fertilizing an egg. It also thins the uterine lining making implantation of the fertilised egg less likely and thickens the layer of mucus over the cervix to help block sperm from entering in the first place. 

The non-hormonal device releases copper ions which has similar effects to progestin. The ion immobilises the sperm making it difficult for them to swim to the egg. 

Pros

  • One of the most effective methods to prevent pregnancy 
  • Requires no effort from you 
  • Long term, can be kept in for 5-10 years
  • Does not affect sexual activity

Cons

  • Requires medical attention to insert and remove
  • Does not protect against STIs

3. Single use barrier contraception 

Male and female condoms, spermicides and cervical caps are all types of single use barrier contraceptives. As the name suggests, they act as a barrier between the sperm and the egg, preventing the sperm from fertilising the egg.

Condoms

Condoms are a sheath-shaped barrier device made of latex or polyurethane. The male condom is placed over the erect penis and when ejaculation occurs the semen is collected in the condom acting as a barrier preventing the sperm from entering the uterus. The female condom is inserted into the vagina preventing the sperm from reaching the egg. Condoms when used properly are the only form of contraception that effectively prevents pregnancy and STI transmissions. 

Pros

  • They are hormone-free
  • Protects against STIs
  • Has no effect with other medications 

Cons 

  • Interfere with sexual activity and pleasure 
  • Chances of tearing during sex 

Permanent contraception 

If you plan on never having kids you can opt for the permanent contraception methods of Tubal ligation (for women) or vasectomy (for men). They are both simple procedures and they’re almost 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. Recovery time from these procedures usually takes only a few days and have close to no impact on your sex drive and sexual functions. 

During a tubal ligation, both the fallopian tubes are blocked or cut off and during a vasectomy, surgery cuts are made in the vas deferens ( a tube that transports sperms) preventing the sperm from reaching the semen in the testes. Women will still continue to have their periods every month after tubal ligation and men after vasectomy,  will continue to release semen during ejaculation but it will not contain any sperm. 

Pros

  • Permanent contraception 
  • Does not affect sexual activity

Cons

  • Both surgeries are reversible but does not guaranty fertility 
  • Does not prevent STIs

Emergency contraception 

Emergency contraception can help you prevent pregnancy if you have unprotected sex or your birth control fails. There are 2 kinds of emergency contraception pills you can take in Sri Lanka. Please note that emergency pills should not be used as a substitute for contraception.  

Postinor-1 

Postinor One (morning after pill) is a single dose oral emergency contraceptive pill that should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. The sooner you take the pill, the higher the effectiveness. Postinor-1 has releases levonorgestrel which delays ovulation and in turn, reduces the chances of fertilisation occurring. Several studies claim that Postinor-1 has the potential to stop 85% of anticipated pregnancies. The tablet is safe to take and does not alter fertility. 

This pill does not have any abortive effect, so if you are already pregnant it will not impact it. 

Postinor-2 

Postinor-2 is a double dose pill. Both the tablets can be taken at once or separately with a 12-hour gap between each. It works the same as Postinor-1. 

It should be noted that the emergency pill will not cause abortion and should not be used as a contraceptive method.

Wondering what the best contraceptive method for you is?

Well, that depends on you and your goal. Speak to your partner and your doctor to decide on the most convenient and most suited method for you. Also, remember there is no 1 method that suits all. Feel free to experiment with each method till you find one that suits your liking. 

If you want more information or would like to speak to a Gynaecologist on the best form of contraception you do so via the oDoc app. 

Sources

  1. FPA Sri Lanka. (2017, January 6). Contraception | Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka. http://www.fpasrilanka.org/content/contraception
  2. Tesch, D. (2021, July 23). 5 types of birth control options: which is best for you? HealthPartners Blog. https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/how-to-figure-out-which-type-of-birth-control-is-right-for-you/
  3. WebMD. (2016, November 18). FDA Explains Pros, Cons of Permanent Birth Control. https://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/news/20161118/fda-explains-pros-cons-of-permanent-birth-control
  4. Vasectomy: Treatment & Information – Urology Care Foundation. (202–12-01). Urology Health. https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/v/vasectomy
  5. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Tubal Ligation. Retrieved August 3, 2021, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/tubal-ligation
  6. WHO. (2020, June 22). Family planning/contraception methods. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/family-planning-contraception
  7. NHS website. (2021, March 12). Contraceptive implant. Nhs.Uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/contraceptive-implant/
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5 Hacks to Try When You Next Feel Anxious

5 Hacks to Try When You Next Feel Anxious

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Those who know, know. That unpleasant heaviness in the chest, the racing heart, the butterflies in the stomach, and at its worst, panic attacks. Anxiety and anxiety disorders can be a heavy burden to carry and often the journey to healing can be long. 

What’s the difference between feeling anxious and having an anxiety disorder?

Almost everyone feels anxious from time to time: before a job interview, meeting an important client, a first date. Anxiety is a remnant of our ancient fight or flight response – alerting us to danger and prepping the body to either fight or run from the rabid sabre tooth tiger that’s about to attack us. 

Anxiety is normal when:

  • experienced in response to a particular event
  • lasting only as long as that event
  • is proportional to that event 
  • is a realistic response to the event 

It is when anxiety becomes an overwhelming constant, arising without reason, is disproportionately larger than the problem warrants or refuses to disappear after the event is over that it becomes a mental health disorder. 

How does anxiety differ from stress?

Whilst stemming from the same fight or flight response, stress is different to anxiety.

  • Stress doesn’t change the way you behave whilst anxiety causes you to avoid activities that cause anxiety.
  • Stress finishes with the event, anxiety can remain long after the event is over.
  • The same situation can make a lot of people feel stressed whereas others may not feel anxious in the same situation.
  • Stress can be pinpointed to an event but anxiety can occur outside of external events.
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How does anxiety differ from worry?

Anxiety is both a mental and physical response whilst worry is predominantly within the mind. This is why overwhelming anxiety can result in panic attacks where the body prepares itself physically to battle a real danger. 

Shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, sweating, shaking or trembling (and on the flip side indigestion) are all common experiences connected to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system for fight or flight. 



5 hacks to calm anxiety when it rears its ugly head

Part of the therapeutic response to anxiety is to activate the opposing parasympathetic nervous system so the physiological responses start to calm down. 

Here are 5 quick hacks to try out the next time you feel anxious!

 

1. Breathing exercises

A sign of an anxiety attack is short rapid breathing. By forcing yourself to take long, deep breaths you allow the vagus nerve to activate which tells the body that there is no real immediate danger. 

Two easy techniques to remember are:

  • The box breath (inhale 4 seconds, hold 4 seconds, exhale 4 seconds, hold 4 seconds) and
  • The diaphragmatic breathing (inhale 5 seconds, hold 7 seconds, exhale 8 seconds). 

2. Tapping

A rapid heartbeat is a common symptom so tapping at a regular slow interval over the heart or middle of the forehead, wrist, chin or upper lip combined with deep breathing helps slow the heart rate. 

3. Label your feelings

Sometimes the physiological reactions can creep up on you when you are doing the most mundane tasks and you may need to actively recognise your thoughts to pinpoint the origin of the anxiety. Once you have identified that you are feeling anxious, it may help to label that feeling verbally, “I am feeling anxious” or “I am feeling fear”. Once labelled, you may often find the feeling dissipates rapidly. 

4. Challenge your thoughts

A quick question to ask yourself when entertaining thoughts that promote anxiety is “is this thought true?” and “is this thought helpful?”. Often anxiety arises as we entertain “what if” thoughts that disassociate us from reality. Asking is it true or helpful helps us discard untrue or unhelpful thoughts. 

5. Anchor to reality

By engaging our senses we become aware of the current reality in the world around us. Helping us control not just our thoughts but the physiological responses to those thoughts. To use the senses during an anxious episode, name five objects in the room around you or close your eyes and try to identify five sounds. To use the sense of touch, pet your dog or outline the shape of an object with your fingers. 

Whilst these hacks may help you through occasional episodes, if you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed regularly, it may be more helpful to speak with a mental health professional on oDoc from the comfort & privacy of your home. To consult, please download the oDoc app here. 

Sources:

  1. Anxiety Signs & Symptoms, Mind UK
  2. Breathing exercises for stress, NHS.co.uk
  3. What is EFT tapping? Healthline.com
  4. Anchoring yourself in reality, Psychology Today
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Why Video Channeling Is Right For You

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Why Video Channeling Is Right for You

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Do you dread getting sick? Not only because of the body ache, the fever or the migraines but because you know that you will have to make a trip to the hospital, sit around for hours, feeling worse by the minute, and rush through a few minutes with your doctor? Or maybe you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes, where you need to visit your endocrinologist every few months and show them your latest reports. You go to the hospital, wait till you’re called for your tests and then wait some more to show your results to your doctor? And in recent times, having to do all this with the worry that you might be exposing yourself to COVID-19?

It’s a good thing that oDoc has another option for you, one where you can start recovering without ever having to leave your home. oDoc allows you to channel your doctor on a video call so all you need is a mobile phone and an internet connection!

Online video consultations with doctors has been around for a long time but has definitely become more popular and practical during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We know that it can be hard to wrap your mind around having your doctor’s appointment on your mobile phone where the doctor speaks to you and provides a diagnosis. But there are many advantages of channelling a doctor virtually.

channel doctor

No transportation time or costs

When you video channel your doctor on your phone, you can save money on petrol and public transportation. You also don’t waste time travelling to a clinic or sitting for hours in a waiting room or risk running into a traffic jam.

For those of you who live outside the big cities, you don’t have to worry about setting aside your whole day or half your day to travel into the city for your appointment with the doctor.

Comfort and convenience when channelling online

You can consult the doctor on oDoc from your own bed if you feel like it.

A virtual consultation is much easier to fit into your busy schedule. You don’t need to take time off work, you can simply schedule a consultation during your break, or before or after work. If you are taking care of children or an elderly parent, usually you would need to find alternative care while you go to a clinic for your doctor’s appointment. But with oDoc, this worry is eliminated as you can still uphold your family responsibilities.

Reduced exposure to other diseases commonly spread in hospitals

With virtual consultations, you are less exposed to other people’s germs, which is an even greater benefit if you’re chronically ill, pregnant, elderly or immunocompromised. This reduces the spread of COVID-19, flu and other infectious diseases. Doctors are protected as well.

Immediate paediatric care for babies and children.

If your baby or little child has suddenly got sick in the middle of the night, you can immediately channel a doctor on oDoc who can ease your worries, provide a diagnosis and a prescription if needed.

Online psychiatric support

Taking care of your mental health is as important as taking care of your physical health, which is why oDoc gives you the opportunity to speak to a counsellor or psychiatrist confidentially and privately.

Learn how doctors on oDoc can provide a virtual diagnosis

Channelling with a doctor online is not meant to take the place of in-person appointments but it can be an important addition to patient care. Consult with a doctor on oDoc today!

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Dengue: the whats, whys and hows.

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 Dengue seemed to have taken a back seat in the news the last year but it is fast becoming  a household concern, yet again. With  9,669* dengue patients being reported in Sri Lanka so far in 2021, it is safe to say that dengue ‘is back’ (not like it ever went away though). So we at oDoc are breaking it down for you. We go into detail about the causes, treatment and prevention of dengue, so keep reading!

What is dengue and how is it caused?

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease. Dengue viruses spread among people through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. These are the same types of mosquitoes that spread Zika and chikungunya viruses. These mosquitoes breed and lay eggs in still water (in buckets and pots in your garden which has collected water). These eggs can even survive up to 1 year and can withstand dry conditions till they are in water again.

Is dengue contagious?

Dengue is not contagious so you cannot catch the virus via contact with an infected person. However, an infected mother can pass the virus to her fetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth. In the case of infected breastfeeding mothers, it is encouraged that they continue breastfeeding their infant due to the benefits of breastfeeding. So far, there has only been 1 case of the virus passing to the infant via breast milk.

 

What are the symptoms of dengue?

It is said that 1 out of 4 people who are infected with the dengue virus will get sick and can show mild to severe symptoms.  Mild symptoms include high fever along with a combination of aches and pain in muscles and joints, rashes and nausea. Symptoms last about 2–7 days. Most people will recover after about a week. Severe cases of dengue usually require hospitalisation. Symptoms and warning signs include:
  • Belly pain, tenderness
  • Vomiting (at least 3 times in 24 hours)
  • Bleeding from the nose or gums
  • Vomiting blood, or blood in the stool
  • Feeling tired, restless, or irritable

If you are showing any of these symptoms or warning signs, seek medical attention immediately. It is also important to note that these warning signs usually begin 24–48 hours after your fever has gone away.

What’s the treatment for dengue?

Unfortunately, there is still no specific treatment to cure dengue. However, it is vital that you rest as much as possible and keep yourself hydrated by taking a lot of fluids if you are diagnosed with dengue. You can also take paracetamol (do not take aspirin or ibuprofen) to help with the fever and body aches and pains. 

It is advised to seek medical advice rather than self-diagnosing and opting for self-treatment. 

What can you do to prevent dengue?

  • Keep neighborhoods clean and free of still water 
  • Frequently clean garden, pots, vases and balconies
  • Wear clothes that cover the body and minimize exposure to mosquito bites
  • Always use mosquito repellents
  • Use mosquito nets
  • Installing net screens on doors and windows.

In these difficult times, it is vital we look after ourselves and our loved ones. If you or anyone you know is suffering from any of the above-mentioned symptoms you can speak to an on-demand doctor on oDoc from the comfort of your home.

Stay indoors. Stay safe.

*At day of writing (13th July 2021)

Sources

  1. Epidemiology Unit – Ministry of Health. (2021, July 13). Dengue update. Epidemiology Unit – Ministry of Health Sri Lanka. https://www.epid.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=171%3Adengue-update&catid=51%3Amessage-for-public&Itemid=487&lang=en
  2. Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, June 28). Dengue | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/index.html
  3. Dunkin, M. A. (2010, July 26). Dengue Fever. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dengue-fever-reference
  4. WHO. (2019, July 8). Preventing Dengue in Sri Lanka. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/srilanka/news/detail/08-07-2019-preventive-action-is-vital-to-curtail-dengue-outbreaks-in-sri-lanka

 

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