Alternative medicine refers to treatments that go beyond traditional, scientific research-based methods and instead utilize special diets, megadose vitamins or herbal preparations as treatment modalities. Magnet therapy, acupuncture or other types of alternative treatments may also be utilized. There may even be alternatives available that help control birth control or depression symptoms as well as make periods lighter.
Birth control pills
Birth control pills, also known as oral contraceptives, work by blocking the release of eggs from the ovaries. Most birth control pills contain both estrogen and progestin; you typically take a 21 or 28 day pill pack of them; any missed dose increases your chances of pregnancy significantly. There are other oral contraceptive pills like levonorgestrel or ulipristal available that don’t contain estrogen but thicken cervical mucus thickening to make it harder for sperm to access an egg.
The pill is an ideal option for anyone who can remember to take it regularly and wants a convenient, highly effective form of birth control. However, it should not be used if there is a family history of blood clots, liver issues or certain migraine headaches in your family history; additionally venous thromboembolism (VTE, or deep vein thrombosis) exists or you’re at high risk. In such instances, continuous-dosing options such as Seasonale or the new Xulane patch could reduce bleeding by providing you with 84 active pills and 7 placebo pills each month to reduce bleeding by dosing you with active pills instead; alternatively try continuous-dosing options such as Seasonale which provides continuous-dosing options like Seasonale/Xulane patch which reduces bleeding by dosing active pills/placeboids.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants provide relief for millions worldwide. By altering certain chemicals in the brain, antidepressants help millions manage depression more easily. Taken orally or intravenously, antidepressants typically take 4-8 weeks before becoming effective, although side effects may differ depending on which class of drug is taken. SSRIs (fluoxetine, Zoloft and Prozac) and SNRIs (paroxetine, Venlafaxine and Sertraline) are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants. Some doctors also use atypical antidepressants like mirtazapine (Remeron) and amoxapine (Asendin), although these have not been as thoroughly researched as SSRIs and SNRIs. It is important to avoid taking these antidepressants with other medications that raise serotonin levels like migraine medicines or St John’s Wort as this could lead to dangerous builds-ups of serotonin.
Antidepressant medication works best when combined with therapy and self-help measures like regular exercise, healthy diet and adequate sleep. Before making changes in your treatment plan, be sure to discuss with your physician any symptoms or changes in mood that arise.
Hormonal contraceptives
Progestin-only pills, more commonly referred to as “minipills,” work by thickening cervical mucus and altering the lining of the uterus similar to other hormonal birth control pills. Since it doesn’t contain estrogen, progestin-only birth control may be suitable for people suffering from high blood pressure or migraine headaches; when taken consistently and correctly it has an 87% success rate.
Barrier methods like diaphragms or cervical caps do not require a prescription and can effectively help to prevent pregnancy, and are about 94% effective when used prior to every sexual encounter.
Contraceptive implants or IUDs (intrauterine devices) release copper ions into the uterus that are toxic to sperm and prevent fertilization of an egg, significantly decreasing pregnancy risks while simultaneously decreasing menstrual bleeding. While IUDs and implants offer reduced pregnancy rates and can significantly decrease menstrual bleeding, they do carry additional risks, including an increased risk for blood clots that could increase further if you smoke or have had previous issues with blood clots.
Minipill
Minipills (also called progestin-only pills or POP) do not contain estrogen and work by thickening cervical mucus and thinning out your uterus’s lining to stop fertilized eggs from attaching. They have an 87% effectiveness if taken properly and may be beneficial if at risk for blood clots, high blood pressure or heart disease complicate using birth control pills with estrogen; additionally they’re safe while breastfeeding and fertility returns almost instantly when you stop using them.
For optimal results, take your minipill at the same time each day at approximately the same time of day or within three hours after remembering you missed a pill. If you’ve had bariatric surgery, check with your physician prior to beginning this form of the pill.
