MG TIP

Many illnesses and conditions—such as heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes—can be prevented or controlled by eating right.

MG TIP

If you drink alcohol, limit the amount—no more than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. One drink equals a 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits, such as gin, whiskey, or rum.

Five things to consider when choosing a birth control pill

You think the Pill may be right for you. You've got a great doctor or nurse practitioner. Now, how do you choose your Pill? That's a discussion for you and your healthcare professional, but here's a guide to the top 5 things you may want to think about, and talk about, as you make this decision together:

	Lifestyle: Always on the go? You'll want to make sure that you can remember to take your pill every day. Do your periods interfere with your lifestyle? Think there is nothing worse than your period starting on your first day of vacation? One of the other health benefits of the Pill is regulating your periods. With most monthly pill regimens, you'll know in advance when you'll start and you'll probably find your periods lighter and shorter. If you've got problem periods, you may be interested in extended- or continuous- use pills, but you should be prepared for a greater risk of breakthrough bleeding and spotting.
	Medical and family history: Take the mystery out of your family history. Ask questions to your parents and grandparents to see if they have any history of medical conditions including blood clots, heart disease, diabetes or stroke.
	Price: Most birth control pills cost about the same but you may find some price variation, depending on your insurance plan and where you live.
	Reliability: For many women, the knowledge that they may have regular and reliable periods that can be shorter and lighter is exactly what they want from a birth control pill. What they don't want is to trade “scheduled” for “unscheduled” bleeding.
	Convenience: One of the great things about the Pill is that you can take it and forget about it. So, your pregnancy concerns can be pushed aside and your romantic relationship can be more spontaneous.

Good luck!

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About the Authors

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About Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a leader in the fields of women's health and urology, celebrating 75 years of partnering with women. Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is committed to helping people live healthier lives and to meeting the needs of providers and patients with products such as
ORTHO EVRA^® (norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol transdermal system), ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN^® LO (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol), and ELMIRON^® (pentosan polysulfate sodium). For more information on these products, birth control, bladder health or general women's health issues, please visit www.orthowomenshealth.com.

Suppression of Menstruation with Extended OC Regimens. The Contraception Report. October 2002; vol. 13: No. 3: 11.

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ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN^® LO is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy.
This product is available by prescription only.

Important Safety Information
Serious as well as minor side effects have been reported with the use of oral contraceptives. Serious risks, which can be life threatening, include blood clots, stroke and heart attacks, and are increased if you smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you are over 35. Women who use oral contraceptives are strongly advised not to smoke. Some women should not use the Pill, including women who have blood clots, certain cancers, a history of heart attack or stroke, as well as those who are or may be pregnant. The Pill does not protect against HIV or sexually transmitted diseases.

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Last modified Mar 08 2010 at 11:25:28 EST

Five things to consider when choosing a birth control pill

About the Authors

About Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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