“She was all about laughing and having fun,” her mother, Traci Mayfield told News Channel 5, of Nashville, TN, of her 20-old-daughter. Leah was on the dean’s list and was a leader in her sorority. “We were more than mother/daughter, we were best friends,” her mother said.

Leah Mayfield, 20, died of a blood clot after taking the birth control pill Yaz.

Women in the Phoenix area would appreciate knowing about Leah’s situation, since it could affect any woman. The side effects of oral contraception are often dismissed by medical professionals as being non-threatening.

Family Sues Pill Maker

Leah’s family is suing Yaz’s manufacturer, Bayer, for misleading women. The lawsuit claims “hundreds of young women have suffered serious or fatal injuries as a result of taking this widely prescribed medication,” according to News Channel 5. “The FDA received reports of more than 50 deaths” where those who died were users of YAZ. The lawsuit says that Bayer “ignored the increased risks of the drug.”

Leah, who attended Tennessee Technological University in Cookville, died about an hour after passing out in the shower. Her roommate tried to help her, but her breathing was shallow, and her face turned pale. Her roommate called Leah’s mother, but before her parents could arrive, Leah was dead. While the official cause of death was a pulmonary embolism, a doctor in the emergency room said the embolism might have been caused by Yaz, according to the TV station.

Bayer Runs Afoul With FDA

The Food and Drug Administration in 2008 cracked down on Bayer, levying a fine and forcing it to run ads correcting claims that Yaz could clear up acne, general mood problems, irritability, anxiety, and premenstrual symptoms. The move was followed by similar actions by Attorney Generals in 27 states.

Women in Phoenix, Peoria, Glendale, Tempe, Mesa, Avondale and other cities can learn more about the true effects of oral contraceptives by contacting Life Choices Women’s Clinics at 602-305-5100.

Don't want breast cancer? It helps to stay away from the pill and from abortion.

Oral contraception has been closely linked to a certain deadly type of breast cancer, a leading cancer journal stated recently, and the results may prove to challenge the breast cancer research community.

A study concerning the deadly “triple negative” breast cancer, involving  more than 1500 women aged 20 – 45, found a “distinct etiology,” or cause and effect, for women who used oral contraception for longer than a year, and an even stronger correlation for women who began using it before the age of 18.

The study was published in the April 2009 Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention over a five-year period. The study’s main author, Jessica Dolle, and other researchers at the Seattle-based Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, found that oral contraceptive use for a year or more “was associated with a 2.7-fold increased risk for triple-negative breast cancer.” Triple negative breast cancer is a subtype of cancer associated with a high mortality rate.

Various Causes

“Specifically,” the study said, “older age, family history of breast cancer, earlier menarche age [beginning of menstruation], induced abortion, and oral contraceptive use were associated with an increased risk for breast cancer.”

“Our study has the strength of being population based and is the largest of its kind to evaluate breast cancer subtypes and etiologic [causation] differences in young women,” the study said.

Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the United States, according to the NCI. Nearly 200,000 women were diagnosed in the U.S. last year with breast cancer.

In the light of recent studies such as the Dolle report, many experts believe women should be educated about the dangers of oral contraceptives and breast cancer.

Women in Phoenix, AZ, as well as Peoria, Glendale, Tempe, Mesa, Avondale and other cities can learn more about the dangers of oral contraceptives by calling Life Choices Women’s Clinics at 602-305-5100.

NFP is healthier.

Phoenix-area couples wondering about which birth control to use would be helped to know of the many benefits of Natural Family Planning (NFP). A recent review of top news stories on the method showed four definite advantages of NFP.

1. Better Health

The side effects of oral contraception, the IUD, injection, the patch and other hormone or copper-based contraceptives are well documented. However, Natural Family Planning involves only a thermometer and charts, and is completely safe. “There are no health risks or side effects associated with fertility awareness,” says AmericanPregnancy.org.

Popular blogger Dustin Riechmann and his wife experienced a great relief in discovering NFP. Writing in EngagedMarriage.com, he said, “we no longer had any of the lingering, often back-of-mind, worries about whether we were harming her health, marginalizing our intimacy, or reducing our sex life to something less than it should be.”

2. Environmental Responsibility

Time magazine recently noted that NFP was becoming more popular because it is becoming known that contraceptive hormones have found their way into the environment. The article said that some of the most popular NFP instructors are “non-Catholics who praise it as a means of avoiding both ingesting chemicals and excreting them into rivers and streams.”

“I do yoga every day and eat vegetarian,” said Niki Walker, 35, an actress quoted in the story. “Why wouldn’t I go green in this area of my life?”

3. Improved relationships

NFP teacher Colleen Norman, writing in the British Medical Journal, says that when a couple shares responsibility for family planning it deepens the relationship. Responding to a claim that NFP places an undue burden on the woman, she said, “The secret of that lay in love, understanding, and cooperation, all of which the couples had found promoted by natural family planning.” Norman has taught NFP in Europe, India and Africa.

A study by the National Institutes of Health found that “NFP couples had statistically higher self-esteem and intellectual intimacy than the OC [oral contraceptive] couples.”

4. Reversible/Achieve Pregnancy

Since it brings an awareness of the signs of fertility, NFP can also be used to enhance the chances of pregnancy. Unlike hormonal birth control, you do not have to wait while the women’s cycle returns to normal. For example, you can avoid pregnancy in July and try to achieve in August.

“The fertility awareness method [NFP] is used both as a means of preventing pregnancy as well as targeting the most fertile time for getting pregnant,” says AmericanPregnancy.org. And FamilyDoctor.org says that as many as 2 out of 3 couples with normal fertility become pregnant if they observe the fertile time of the woman’s cycle.

Many Switch to NFP

Overall, disappointment with artificial means are often a reason why couples switch to NFP. Colleen Norman, quoted above, said that in her experience with NFP classes, “Many people who attend are casualties of other methods who welcome natural family planning as an escape to a better sexual relationship.”

There are also no religious objections to natural methods of birth control, and some couples even report that they experience spiritual growth by working in harmony with their bodies’ natural cycles.

Classes Offered by Life Choices Women’s Clinics

Women in Phoenix, AZ, as well as Peoria, Glendale, Tempe, Mesa, Avondale and other cities can learn more about how their birth control works and about Natural Family Planning by contacting us. Armida, our family planning consultant, will be happy to discuss the pros and cons of different birth control methods.  You can reach her at 602-305-5100.

Natural Family Planning introductory sessions are offered. Call to make an appointment with Life Choices Women’s Clinics at 602-305-5100.

* * *

Life Choices Women’s Clinics serves women in Phoenix, AZ, and surrounding areas, including Glendale, Tempe, Scottsdale, Surprise, Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Laveen, Tolleson, Litchfield Park, Peoria, El Mirage, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek, Gilbert, and Paradise Valley.  Schools served include Arizona State University (ASU), Glendale Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix College, South Mountain Community College, and Grand Canyon University.

Zip codes served 85003, 85004, 85006, 85007, 85008, 85009, 85012, 85013, 85014, 85015, 85016, 85017, 85018, 85019, 85020, 85021, 85022, 85023, 85024, 85027, 85028, 85029, 85301, 85302, 85303, 85304, 85305, 85306, 85307. 85308, 85309, 85310, 85320, 85322, 85323, 85326, 85329, 85331, 85333, 85335, 85337, 85338, 85339, 85340, 85342, 85343, 85345, 85351, 85353, 85345, 85355, 85358, 85360, 85361, 85362, 85363, 85373, 85374, 85375, 85377, 85379, 85381, 85382, 85383, 85387.

Abstain from extra-marital sex and be worry free.

Teen birth rates increased in 2006 and 2007, following large declines from 1991-2005, and rates of AIDS cases among males aged 15-24 years increased during 1997-2006, said the report, which is a summary of numerous studies.

“It is disheartening that after years of improvement with respect to teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, we now see signs that progress is stalling and many of these trends are going in the wrong direction,” said Janet Collins, Ph.D., director of CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

About one million adolescents and young adults aged 10-24 years were reported to have chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis in 2006, the report said. Nearly a quarter of females aged 15-19 years, and 45 percent of those aged 20-24 years, had a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection during 2003-2004.

Approximately 100,000 females aged 10-24 years visited a hospital emergency department for a non-fatal sexual assault injury during 2004-2006, according to the CDC.

How many people have STDs?

The numbers are shocking. Over 65 million Americans are now affected with an incurable STD, according to the CDC.

What are some symptoms of STDs?

General symptoms can include unusual discharge from the penis or vagina, a burning feeling when urinating, growths, sores with an itch in the genital area, lower abdominal pain, dark urine, skin rashes or sores, yellow eye, fever, headache, nausea, joint inflammation and enlarged lymph nodes.

How are STDs treated?

Bacterial STDs, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia can usually be cured with antibiotics. Even with treatment, any damage already caused is permanent. Viral STDs such as herpes, HIV/AIDS and human papillomavirus (HPV) are considered incurable, but can be treated. It is important to seek treatment immediately.

What are some of the long-term effects of STDs?

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to infertility
• Cervical cancer
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Tubal (ectopic) pregnancy
• Damage to major body organs
• Death

If you are involved sexually, know the risks…

You or your partner can be infected with an STD even if neither of you have any symptoms.

STD’s may have no symptoms but can still be contagious.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, condoms do not provide complete protection from any STD or pregnancy. Infection can occur in both males and females whether or not a condom is used.

According to the CDC, the surest way to avoid pregnancy or any infection with a sexually transmitted disease is to practice sexual abstinence (abstain from any sexual contact) while single. If you marry, select a partner who is not infected with an STD and remain sexually faithful during marriage.

Women in Phoenix, AZ, as well as Peoria, Glendale, Tempe, Mesa, Avondale and other cities can learn more about sexually transmitted diseases by calling Life Choices Women’s Clinics at 602-305-5100.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control, Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

Centers for Disease Control, “Improvements in Sexual and Reproductive Health of Teens and Young Adults Slowing,” July 16, 2009 press release.

Centers for Disease Control, “Sexual and Reproductive Health of Persons Aged 10-24 Years – United States, 2002-2007” July 17, 2009.

Life Choices Women’s Clinics serves women in Phoenix, AZ, and surrounding areas, including Glendale, Tempe, Scottsdale, Surprise, Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Laveen, Tolleson, Litchfield Park, Peoria, El Mirage, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek, Gilbert, and Paradise Valley.  Schools served include Arizona State University (ASU), Glendale Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix College, South Mountain Community College, and Grand Canyon University.

Zip codes served 85003, 85004, 85006, 85007, 85008, 85009, 85012, 85013, 85014, 85015, 85016, 85017, 85018, 85019, 85020, 85021, 85022, 85023, 85024, 85027, 85028, 85029, 85301, 85302, 85303, 85304, 85305, 85306, 85307. 85308, 85309, 85310, 85320, 85322, 85323, 85326, 85329, 85331, 85333, 85335, 85337, 85338, 85339, 85340, 85342, 85343, 85345, 85351, 85353, 85345, 85355, 85358, 85360, 85361, 85362, 85363, 85373, 85374, 85375, 85377, 85379, 85381, 85382, 85383, 85387.

Informed consent for the risks of abortion

A new Arizona law requires abortion clinics to provide women with informed consent of the dangers of abortion before getting the procedure, as well as requiring parental consent for minors, giving women respect by ensuring that the risks of abortion are as informed as any other surgical procedure.

The law, signed July 13, 2009, states that the woman getting the abortion be told 24 hours in advance about the immediate and long-term medical risks associated with the procedure that a “reasonable patient” would consider material to the decision of whether or not to undergo the abortion. The immediate consequences include: hemorrhage, infection, anesthesia complications and pain.  Ectopic pregnancy, uterine or cervical damage, depression and problems with future pregnancies are among the long-term risks.  A detailed description of the risk and procedures can be found at Option Line pregnancy centers.

Certain provisions of the law were struck down Sept. 29 by Superior Court Judge Donald Daughton. However, most of the law remains. For example, those receiving an abortion under age 18 need parental consent.

Gestational Age and Other Characteristics

The law also requires that the woman be told of the gestational age of the unborn child, its anatomical and physiological characteristics. Mayo clinic offers medically accurate information. The woman is also to be told of any medical assistance benefits available for prenatal, childbirth and neonatal care.

A new study published in the International Journal of Mental Health & Addiction has found that the relationship between women and their partners and the level of support provided by the fathers are important factors in whether or not the woman aborts. In addition, the Elliot Institute studies women who feel they were coerced into an abortion. Social pressures can also play a role in compelling a woman to abort.

The new Arizona law states that it is unlawful “for any person to coerce a woman” to undergo an abortion. The law also removes wiggle room on the part of fathers who refuse to support their children. It states that he is “liable to assist in the support of the child even if he has offered to pay for the abortion.”  An Elliot Institute study found that the father’s role effects women’s abortion decision.  The institute also offers many studies on the physical and psychological risk of abortion.

Women in Phoenix, AZ, as well as Peoria, Glendale, Tempe, Mesa, Avondale and other cities can learn more about their legal rights regarding abortion by calling Life Choices Women’s Clinics at 602-305-5100.

Life Choices Women’s Clinics serves women in Phoenix, AZ, and surrounding areas, including Glendale, Tempe, Scottsdale, Surprise, Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Laveen, Tolleson, Litchfield Park, Peoria, El Mirage, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek, Gilbert, and Paradise Valley.  Schools served include Arizona State University (ASU), Glendale Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix College, South Mountain Community College, and Grand Canyon University.

Zip codes served 85003, 85004, 85006, 85007, 85008, 85009, 85012, 85013, 85014, 85015, 85016, 85017, 85018, 85019, 85020, 85021, 85022, 85023, 85024, 85027, 85028, 85029, 85301, 85302, 85303, 85304, 85305, 85306, 85307. 85308, 85309, 85310, 85320, 85322, 85323, 85326, 85329, 85331, 85333, 85335, 85337, 85338, 85339, 85340, 85342, 85343, 85345, 85351, 85353, 85345, 85355, 85358, 85360, 85361, 85362, 85363, 85373, 85374, 85375, 85377, 85379, 85381, 85382, 85383, 85387.

The IUD irritates the inner lining of the womb.

One of the main changes made over the past twenty years is an IUD that uses the hormone progesterone, similar to that used in the birth control pill.  Another type of IUD, the copper T, has also made a resurgence. The copper T IUD does not release the hormone, but instead releases copper into the body.  Both forms of the IUD irritate the inner lining of the womb causing inflammation and can also cause: pelvic inflammatory disease, allergic reactions, infections, uterus perforation, spontaneous abortion and lack of or prolonged menstruation.

Women who are having problems with their IUD’s are running into barriers in having the device removed.  The cost of the removal can be prohibitive.  Women also sometimes run into resistance from doctors who may be reluctant to remove the IUD’s.  Life Choices Women’s Clinic offers a low-cost removal.

Before making a decision whether to use the IUD, make sure that you get all the information about the possible health risks.  To make an appointment for a free consultation with our family planning consultant, call Life Choices Women’s Clinic at 602.305.5100.

Life Choices Women’s Clinic has two offices in Phoenix, and also serves Glendale, Tempe, Scottsdale, Surprise, Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Laveen, Tolleson, Litchfield Park, Peoria, El Mirage, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek, Gilbert, and Paradise Valley.  The area schools in this area are Arizona State University (ASU), Glendale Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix College, South Mountain Community College, and Grand Canyon University.

Zip codes served 85003, 85004, 85006, 85007, 85008, 85009, 85012, 85013, 85014, 85015, 85016, 85017, 85018, 85019, 85020, 85021, 85022, 85023, 85024, 85027, 85028, 85029, 85301, 85302, 85303, 85304, 85305, 85306, 85307. 85308, 85309, 85310, 85320, 85322, 85323, 85326, 85329, 85331, 85333, 85335, 85337, 85338, 85339, 85340, 85342, 85343, 85345, 85351, 85353, 85345, 85355, 85358, 85360, 85361, 85362, 85363, 85373, 85374, 85375, 85377, 85379, 85381, 85382, 85383, 85387.

Natural Family Planning has no side effects.

Jesse, the mother of a newborn in Bloomfield, NE, began taking the birth control pill Yasmin and never suspected it would cause problems. She had talked to her doctor about its possible side effects and he mentioned only blood clots. But after only a few months on the drug, she suffered severe stomach pains, and a medical exam revealed that she needed gall bladder surgery.

“I thought you could only get blood clots if you were a smoker, so I wasn’t worried about taking this drug,” Jesse argues on the website LawyersandSettlements.com. “I guess I trusted doctors and drugs in general…. I wasn’t worried about Yasmin.”

Jesse is one of the many women suing Bayer Pharmaceuticals after taking the very popular Yaz and Yasmin birth control pills and suffering serious complications.

According to court documents, six new cases filed in Pittsburg last month allege fraud, civil conspiracy and commercial bribery, specifically indicating Bayer made “false representations” about the safety of their product, says another website, Avvo.com, which offers news and legal advice.

The civil suits filed seek punitive and compensatory damages totaling $150,000. Nationally, more than 150 complaints have now targeted Bayer for the marketing of its contraceptives, Avvo.com says.

The Food and Drug Administration sent a letter of warning to Bayer Health Care last September, according to the New York Times, warning them of inadequate manufacturing safeguards in the making of their birth control pills.

Couples Turn to Natural Methods

“People all over are becoming fed up with the physical problems with artificial birth control, and this is one of the reasons they try Natural Family Planning (NFP),” says Monica Cassidy, of the Couple to Couple League of Chicago. “You don’t fool with mother nature.”

Natural Family Planning, with its reliance only on a thermometer and charts, is completely safe and a good alternative to artificial methods. According to the Couple to Couple League International, the method is up to 99% effective, depending on couples’ level of motivation. Proper education is necessary for this high effectiveness rate.

NFP is not often heard about because it cannot compete with the multi-million dollar advertising budgets of the pharmaceuticals.

Natural Family Planning introductory sessions are offered on Wednesday mornings at Life Choices Women’s Clinics. If you have questions on how your birth control works, side effects, or want to learn about hormone-free methods of Natural Family Planning, call to make an appointment. The Natural Family Planning method can help couples determine when sexual intercourse can lead to pregnancy by tracking changes during the menstrual cycle.

Women in Phoenix, AZ, as well as Peoria, Glendale, Tempe, Mesa, Avondale and other cities can learn about Natural Family Planning by calling Life Choices Women’s Clinics at 602-305-5100. The introductory session is free.

* * *

Life Choices Women’s Clinics serves women in Phoenix, AZ, and surrounding areas, including Glendale, Tempe, Scottsdale, Surprise, Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Laveen, Tolleson, Litchfield Park, Peoria, El Mirage, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek, Gilbert, and Paradise Valley. Schools served include Arizona State University (ASU), Glendale Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix College, South Mountain Community College, and Grand Canyon University.

Zip codes served 85003, 85004, 85006, 85007, 85008, 85009, 85012, 85013, 85014, 85015, 85016, 85017, 85018, 85019, 85020, 85021, 85022, 85023, 85024, 85027, 85028, 85029, 85301, 85302, 85303, 85304, 85305, 85306, 85307. 85308, 85309, 85310, 85320, 85322, 85323, 85326, 85329, 85331, 85333, 85335, 85337, 85338, 85339, 85340, 85342, 85343, 85345, 85351, 85353, 85345, 85355, 85358, 85360, 85361, 85362, 85363, 85373, 85374, 85375, 85377, 85379, 85381, 85382, 85383, 85387.