Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
The contraceptive sponge is a doughnut shaped sponge. It
is made of polyurethane foam and is impregnated with the spermicide Nonoxynol-9.
This spermicide is essential to the contraceptive ability of the sponge.
Before intercourse, a woman pushes the sponge up into her vagina (as she
would insert a tampon). The spermicidal sponge should then act as a barrier in
order to prevent sperm from reaching the cervix. Once in place, the sponge
provides protection for up to 24 hours without the need for additional
spermicide.
The sponge must remain in the vagina for at least 6 hours after intercourse.
However, the same sponge should never remain in the vagina for more than a total
of 30 hours because of the risk of toxic shock syndrome.
(Toxic shock syndrome is an uncommon and potentially very serious illness that
is caused by a type of bacteria. This illness occurs when certain types of products, such as tampons,
are left in place for excessive periods of time. This is why package
instructions of these products are careful to specify how long they may be
safely kept in place.) Each sponge is used only once and then thrown away.
The sponge is generally an effective birth control method. Some users of the
contraceptive sponge may experience irritation and allergic reactions. The
sponge can also be difficult to remove from the vagina. Removal has been made
easier by the addition of a woven polyester loop.
The estimated effectiveness of the sponge as
a contraceptive is 64% to 82%. As for protection from sexually transmitted
infections, the spermicide may provide some protection against chlamydia and
gonorrhea, but otherwise, the degree of protection is unknown.
Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a soft flexible rubber cup shaped like a dome that is
inserted into the vagina. The diaphragm blocks access to the cervix so that
sperm cannot pass from the vagina into the uterus. The diaphragm must be covered
on both sides and especially around its rim with spermicidal jelly, cream, or
foam in order to form a tight seal around the diaphragm.
A woman inserts the diaphragm into her vagina no more than 4 hours prior to
intercourse. After intercourse, she should check to be sure that the diaphragm
has not been dislodged and is still in the correct position. The diaphragm must
be left in place for at least 6-8 hours after intercourse; after this time it
should be removed. Fresh spermicide jelly or foam must be inserted into the
vagina each time intercourse is repeated.
Since diaphragms are only available with a prescription, a woman must see a
health care practitioner to have a diaphragm properly fitted (they come in a
range of sizes), and to learn proper insertion techniques.
There are no known long-term health risks associated with using the diaphragm
and spermicide method of birth control. Some women may find spermicides to be
irritating, but changing brands of spermicides may help. There is also an
increased risk of urinary tract
infections with diaphragm use. One possible reason is that the diaphragm puts
increased pressure on the urethra or the
spermicide may contribute to irritation leading to infection. (The cervical cap
is not associated with increases in urinary tract infections.)
The diaphragm may be appealing to women because it offers a safe temporary
(not permanent) birth control that is under her control.
When the diaphragm and spermicide are used correctly,
they are thought to have over an 82% success rate (18 pregnancies/100 women per
year). To ensure protection, it is important that the diaphragm be checked after
every use for rips or holes (this is best done by holding the diaphragm up to
the light). Also, the fit of the diaphragm should be checked annually, after
every pregnancy, and after significant weight loss.
Using a diaphragm does not protect a woman from sexually transmitted
infections, although the spermicide does give partial protection against
gonorrhea and chlamydia. It can, however, be used with condoms to offer some
protection against sexually transmitted infections.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs,
are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure,
including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual
devices, such as vibrators. Women can contract all of the STDs, but may have no symptoms, or have different symptoms than men do.
Chlamydia, a type of bacteria that causes an infection, is spread through sexual contact. Most of the time, women with chlamydia have no symptoms. Antibiotics are an effective treatment for chlamydia.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any
type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and
the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. Although treatment exists for many STDs, others currently are
usually incurable, such as those caused by HIV, HPV, hepatitis B and C, and HHV-8.
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection transmitted during sexual contact. In women, symptoms include a yellow vaginal discharge, burning or frequent urination, and redness, swelling, burning and itching of the vaginal area. Gonorrhea can be treated with injectable (penicillin) or oral medications.
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a parasite passed from person to person. Trichomoniasis can be picked up from contact with damp, moist objects like towels, wet clothing, or toilet seat. Symptoms include yellow, green, or gray vaginal discharge with a strong odor, painful intercourse or urination, genital irritation and itching, and lower abdominal pain. Medication is the only treatment for trichomoniasis.
Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, is caused by a microscopic, wormlike bacterial organism called a spirochete. There are three stages of syphilis. The first involves the formation of the chancre. The second stage often includes hair loss, a sore throat, white patches in the nose, mouth, and vagina, fever, headaches, and a skin rash. The third stage can cause extensive damage to the internal organs and the brain, and can lead to death. Though early infection often resolves on its own, treatment usually varies based on the stage of the infection at the time of diagnosis.
Pregnancy planning is important to help prevent exposure of the mother and fetus to potentially harmful medications and substances during the early days, and throughout the pregnancy. Nutritional planning, prevention of birth defects, conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease need careful monitoring. Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and pregnancy induced hypertension are conditions that may arise during pregnancy. Immunizations, inherited disorders, exercise, air travel, intercourse, and birth control are important factors to consider when planning a pregnancy.
There are a number of different methods of birth control to include: barrier methods, IUDs, hormonal methods, natural methods, and surgical sterilization. Birth control methods can be reversible or permanent. In simple terms, all methods of birth control are based on either preventing a man's sperm from reaching and entering a woman's egg (fertilization) or preventing the fertilized egg from implanting in the woman's uterus (her womb) and starting to grow.
Premature ovarian failure (POS) is the cessation of normal functioning of the ovaries in women under the age of 40. Premature ovarian failure may be caused by follicle depletion or dysfunction. The most common symptom of premature ovarian failure are irregular periods. There is no "treatment" that will restore the ovarian function, but there are treatments that my relieve symptoms.
Sexual health information including birth control, impotence, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, staying healthy, women's sexual health concerns, and men's sexual health concerns. Learn about the most common sexual conditions affecting men and women.
When you are pregnant, many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be especially harmful to you and your baby. These STDs include herpes, HIV/AIDS, genital warts (HPV), hepatitis B, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Symptoms include bumps, sores, warts, swelling, itching, or redness in the genital region. Treatment of STDs while pregnant depends on how far along you are in the pregnancy and the progression of the infection.
There are four phases to the sexual response for men and women. Couple do not usually reach each phase at the same time, and they are dependant from individual to individual. The four phases of the sexual response cycle include phase 1, excitement; phase 2, plateau; phase 3 orgasm; and phase 4 resolution.
Reproductive health encompasses the beginning of menstruation for women, choosing the right birth control method for you and your partner, preventing contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and for women, ending with the menopausal transition.
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