Dr. Randy Zimmerman - Obstetric and Gynecology - Barrington, Illinois

Birth Control OptionsPremenstrual SyndromeExcessive Menstrual Bleeding

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Birth Control Options

Birth Control Options

Today, many methods of birth control are available. When choosing a particular method, it is important to consider personal issues, such as the effectiveness of each method, how convenient each method is to use, how often you have sexual intercourse, your risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease, your personal beliefs and your partner's feelings about birth control. Some methods include:Hormonal forms of birth control are "The Pill" (oral contraceptives - a pill taken daily), "Vaginal Ring" (silicone ring inserted vaginally once a month), "The Patch" (a patch applied to the skin and changed weekly) and "injection" (there are two available - a monthly or every 3 months injection).The IUD (intrauterine device) is a small device inserted into the uterus by a healthcare professional and is effective for 1 to 10 years depending on the type. Some IUD'S contain copper, others release small amounts of progesterone.Barrier methods do not contain any hormones; these include the diaphragm, cervical cap, spermicides (creams, foams, jellies, suppositories) and condoms.Natural family planning or rhythm method consists of avoiding sex during the woman's fertile period which is determined by the calendar, basal body temperature and cervical mucus methods.Sterilization can be performed in women (called a tubal ligation) and in men (called a vasectomy). Sterilization is meant to be a permanent form of birth control.Please note that given the risks and benefits involved with birth control, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare professional to help choose the right method for you.Premenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual Syndrome

PMS is a hormonal disorder with a wide array of emotional and physical symptoms. In the same phase of each menstrual cycle, women with PMS may experience: nervous tensions, mood swings, irritability, bloating, tender breasts, headache, cravings, fatigue, depression, insomnia.The symptoms do not necessarily occur with menstruation itself and are followed by a symptom free phase in each cycle.Diagnosing PMS is not a matter of a medical test, or of merely acknowledging that a woman has symptoms. The timing of symptoms in each menstrual cycle is crucial to the diagnosis of PMS, as is the consistent absence of symptoms postmenstrually. Keeping a daily calendar will help identify what pattern exists.Life style changes and/or medical treatment can help relieve certain symptoms. If you suffer from PMS, contact the office for an appointment to discuss your treatment options.Excessive Menstrual Bleeding

Excessive Menstrual Bleeding

Endometrial Abalation - A new treatment option -Each month during a woman's menstrual period, the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) is shed. Sometimes the bleeding is too heavy and/or lasts a long time. In most cases, the health provider first tries to treat the bleeding with medication. If the bleeding cannot be controlled, an endometrial ablation may be used.Endometrial ablation is an outpatient procedure used to reduce excessive menstrual bleeding. Unlike a hysterectomy where the entire uterus is removed, this procedure just destroys the lining of the uterus. This will either stop all menstrual flow or produce a light bleeding or spotting.If you still want to have children, endometrial ablation is not an option, since the lining of the uterus is destroyed during therapy.If you experience excessive menstrual bleeding, call for an appointment for an evaluation and to discuss what treatment options are best for you.

Randy Zimmerman, M.D, P.C.

Fellow at the American

College of Obstetrics & Gynecology

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