Iris Answers
Find clear, science-backed answers to women's health questions, including your period cycles, ovulation, hormones, fertility, sex, pregnancy, femtech products, and more.
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How Stopping Birth Control Affects Your Menstrual Cycle
Your period is affected when stopping the pill. The first period after stopping birth control usually arrives about 3 weeks later. However, it may take months before your cycle goes back to normal if the pill was used to help regulate your period, especially in the case of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, known simply as PCOS. Many women could also experience a late period after stopping birth control, or no period after stopping birth control. How Long After Stopping Birth Control Before Your First Period? Every woman is different, and for some, a period after stopping birth control could arrive around 3 weeks after the halt. However, the nature of the cycle differs for each one. For example, the natural menstrual cycle will need time to go back to normal. How Long Before You Can Get Pregnant After Stopping Birth Control? Since every woman is different monitoring, the phases of the normal menstrual cycle (menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation phase, and luteal phase) play an essential role when keeping track of fertility. Most women can take up to 12 months to get pregnant after stopping birth control. It's also normal to experience irregular periods after the pill within the first year of trying to get pregnant. Some women may also get pregnant within 1 or 3 months after stopping the pill. Pregnancy chances after missing birth control pills are considerably higher depending on how many of the pills were missed and were in the pack you're at. Missing 3 consecutive days when taking the combination pill means you're no longer safe and need additional protection during sex. Mini pills or progesterone-only pills are trickier as they need to be taken at the same time each day, or else the hormone levels are lower and could increase the chances of getting pregnant. How Are Future Periods Affected After Stopping the Pill? Your period may adapt to its usual routine. For example, irregular or absent periods may continue to be irregular or absent when stopping the pill. Furthermore, you should give your body at least 3 months to get back to the normal cycle, period and fertility after getting off the pill.
Asked 2 years ago
Are You Pregnant With a Faint Line on an Ovulation Test?
It's easy to mistake 2 lines on an ovulation test as an indication of pregnancy. However, ovulation tests are not the same as pregnancy tests and cannot accurately determine pregnancy. Can an Ovulation Test Show You Are Pregnant? As mentioned earlier, ovulation tests are not designed to determine pregnancy. If you are trying to get pregnant, you can use the ovulation test to help detect when you're ovulating. The ovulation test checks a rise in luteinizing hormone (LH) via the urine. What Does an Ovulation Test Look Like? Ovulation test strips always show 2 lines. The darker line shows that the strip is working correctly, known as "the control line". If there is a faint line next to it, the LH hormone is low, and you are not fertile. As the days carry on, you will see 2 dark lines on the strip (the previous faint one is dark). Two dark lines mean there is an LH surge, and you will ovulate soon. Can an Ovulation Test Be Negative if Pregnant? Yes, an ovulation test can show negative for pregnancy despite taking the ovulation test while pregnant. What Does a Faint Line on an Ovulation Test Indicate? The faint line on an ovulation test is the one to monitor during the process because this one indicates the LH level. A Word About Ovulation Tests Using an ovulation test is a good way to optimize your chances of getting pregnant. Taking an ovulation test often is recommended a few days before ovulation, which generally occurs on day 14 or 15 of your cycle. Take the test every day after that until it shows positive for ovulation. The test will help you see when you are ovulating and the peak levels of luteinizing hormone. In this way, you're able to better monitor your chances of conception.
Asked 2 years ago
How To Insert a Menstrual Cup With Low Cervix
We're all built differently and our cervixes move down slightly during menstruation. If your cervix is low, you may feel the stem of your menstrual cup sticking out, but it shouldn't. If it does, you can try to reposition it further up or, if the cup allows, trim the tip - but please be sure to take it out first! The Best Menstrual Cups To Use With a Low Cervix If you have a low cervix you will need a shorter, flexible, and more rounded cup. The more petit cups have less capacity, but at least they fit comfortably in smaller spaces. Here are three of the petite cups that you could try: Saalt Cup: Short, flexible, and trimmable bell-shaped cup. FemmyCycle Menstrual Cup: This cup doesn't compromise on capacity even though it is made for a low cervix. Intimina Flat-Fit Ziggy Cup: Flat and flexible, expands as it fills. Steps to Inserting a Menstrual Cup With a Low Cervix If you have a low cervix or you are a beginner, this is how to insert a menstrual cup: Wash your hands.Apply lube to the rim of the cup.Fold the menstrual cup in half.Insert the cup, rim up, like you would a tampon. It should sit a few inches below your cervix.Rotate the cup once it is in place. It will unfold and seal. Read this article for tips on how to remove a menstrual cup without pain. Should You Avoid Menstrual Cups With a Low Cervix? You don't have to avoid using a menstrual cup just because you have a low cervix and can’t get the cup in far enough, simply shop for a shorter, more flexible, or petit menstrual cup. There are no dangers associated with using menstrual cups and they will not damage your cervix, provided you follow the recommended guidelines.
Asked 2 years ago
Using Vitamins To Improve the Quality of Your Cervical Mucus
The health of your cervical mucus during ovulation could impact your ability to conceive. Side effects from medication, your age, hormonal imbalances, and vaginal infections can affect your cervical mucus and result in vaginal dryness. Having healthy cervical mucus during ovulation improves your chances of falling pregnant. How Vitamins Can Affect Your Cervical Mucus Your hormone cycle affects your cervical mucus. When you are in the most fertile part of your cycle, your cervical mucus is thicker due to higher levels of estrogen. If your cervical mucus is clear, stretchy, and slippery (like raw egg white) you are at your most fertile. Constant observation is the best way to monitor your cervical mucus. Drinking sufficient water, following a healthy diet, and taking certain vitamin supplements can improve the health of your cervical mucus, thereby increasing your chances of conception. Best Vitamins to Improve Cervical Mucus Some vitamins can help increase fertile cervical mucus, but, be aware, some vitamins may have a negative impact. Let's take a look at which supplements you can take to improve cervical mucus. Vitamin E can increase cervical mucus, and more mucus makes it easier for sperm to stay alive longer. Vitamin E is found in nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and plant-based oils. Vitamin B6 increases cervical mucus and as a result can increase your chances of conceiving. Foods rich in vitamin B6 include fish, chicken, pork, bread, eggs, and soya beans. Vitamin A is necessary for fertility. Vitamin A impacts the quality of the egg, the ability of the egg to implant, and the ability of the embryo to develop. Vitamin A is found in animal products such as eggs, fish, dairy, and meat (especially liver). Those who follow vegetarian or vegan diets are advised to take supplements. Be aware that high doses of Vitamin C may have a drying effect on your cervical mucus.
Asked 2 years ago
Does Mountain Dew Lower Sperm Count?
There are many rumors floating around about the factors that affect mens’ fertility, and one of them is about a popular soda drink, Mountain Dew. According to these rumors, there are two main reasons why mountain dew lowers sperm count: the food dye yellow 5, and caffeine. If you’re wondering if the rumors are true and whether Mountain Dew really does lower sperm count, we’ve got the answers you need. Does Mountain Dew Decrease Fertility? Some men experience infertility because of a low sperm count. Different factors affect a man’s sperm count, including health and lifestyle choices. A low sperm count is what causes fertility problems for men, but there is no scientific proof that Mountain Dew can kill sperm. Does Caffeine Affect Fertility at All? There have been conflicting research results on the effect of coffee on men and their fertility. While some studies show that drinking more than five or six cups of coffee can lower sperm count, others show no effect. It may be different from one man to the next, so it’s best to consult a medical professional to understand what's going on. Does Yellow Dye 5 Affect Fertility? There is no evidence that yellow 5 has any effects on sperm count or poses any threat to how long sperm survives. How Much Mountain Dew Would It Take To Affect Sperm? You would have to drink more than ten 12-ounce cans of Mountain Dew to have a possible effect on your sperm. Final Thoughts Remember, there are other Mountain Dew side effects on males (and females) to keep in mind. The drink is very high in sugar, which leads to health problems when consumed too much. High amounts of caffeine can also have adverse effects on your sleep. It's best to enjoy Mountain Dew in moderation so your health isn’t negatively affected.
Asked 2 years ago
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