#estrogen should be over the counter

[wildseed-student]

I’m definitely trans, like 100% I am. If I could be a woman right now I would no hesitation, my life would be immediately improved and I would be a million times happier were I a woman, give me the button and it’d be pressed in a heartbeat;

But having to say that all to a doctor prevents me from ever acting on that feeling sooooo I guess I’m cis 😋

[ashes2caches]

they need to make estrogen an over-the-counter drug. i should be able to buy girlpills at the cvs alongside some viagra and a bottle of diet dr pepper.

[blueeyedgirll]

shark week surprise - spencer reid x f!reader

spencer reid x f!reader on her period

this fic includes: fluff, descriptions of bad periods and period paraphernalia, spencer being a sweetie pie and doting on you, established relationship, non-bau reader, pet names, early seasons spencer, use of midol, no use of y/n, unrealistic depiction of spencer's job, reader being shorter than spencer

word count: 1,053

a/n: you'll never guess what time of the month it is for me ;) im testing out using gifs on my fics so tell me what you think my lovely returning readers!

"It hurts," you say into your phone.

"I know it does, honey. I'm sorry. I'm sure a heating pad and some medicine can help with your cramps," Spencer responds sympathetically, recalling all of the period remedies he had learned.

"I took some Midol about an hour ago and I have the heating pad on right now. It's not helping much."

"Hmm..." Spencer pauses for a moment. "I've read that light exercise and hot tea or water can help. Are you feeling well enough to talk to the kitchen and make some tea? I think there's still some of the chamomile and honey tea I bought you in the pantry, and the walking might help."

"I should be alright. Will you stay on the phone with me?" you plead.

"Of course I will. Luckily, I'm in my hotel room for the night, so I have as much time as you need."

"Thank you, Spence."

"You're welcome, love."

You hobble to your kitchen, phone in hand, and start to make yourself a cup of chamomile tea.

The few minutes it took for the kettle to boil felt excruciatingly long, but having Spencer on the phone to distract you helped.

"I was reading an article about Spanish idioms, and I saw one I thought you would like," Spencer prompts.

"Yeah? What's that?" You say, leaning against your kitchen counter.

"Well, it literally means 'Thinking about the immortality of the crab,' but it's a way to say that instead of just sitting idly, you were engaged in active thought or daydreaming. Kind of like saying you're just letting your mind wander," Spencer says, his voice growing more excited as he elaborates.

"I think about the immortality of the crab a lot, then," You joke.

"I know. That's why I thought you would like it."

You scoff and bring your now finished cup of tea back into your bedroom, where you had been hibernating amidst every fuzzy blanket you could find.

You pull the heating pad back over your lap and get as cozy as you can with your hellish cramps. As nice as your bedspread may be, however, you know that you would be a lot more comfortable with Spencer cuddled up next to you.

"When are you gonna be back home, Spencer?" You ask.

"Well, we haven't gotten very many good leads, so we're a little stuck right now. It might be a few more days. I'm sorry, honey," He responds apologetically.

"Oh... That's okay. I get it."

You did get it. It wasn't uncommon for Spencer to be gone for days, sometimes a few weeks at a time. But the searing pain and high estrogen levels just made you want him near you even more.

"I'm sorry. You know I would so much rather be taking care of you right now," Spencer follows.

"Ain't no rest for the wicked."

"Exactly." Spencer pauses for a moment, lets out a sigh, and shuffles around in his room. "You should get some rest. You may feel better tomorrow as your hormones decrease."

"I know. I love you, Spence."

"I love you too, darling. I'll see you soon. Hang in there."

"I will. Bye."

You hang up the phone and sigh dramatically. It was only Friday night, and without work to prepare for or Spencer to spend time with, you were forced to entertain yourself for the weekend.

You start by putting on an older show to rewatch, but don't make it through much before you fall into an uncomfortable sleep.

You wake up the next morning to your phone ringing. Rubbing your dry eyes, you pick up your phone and see Spencer's contact flash across your screen. You pick up, clearing your throat before you speak.

"Morning, love."

"It's eleven AM, darling. But good morning to you, too," Spencer responds. In the background of the call, you hear what sounds like a turn signal.

"Whatever. Where are you?"

"I'm in the car," He says uninformatively.

"Okay, then where are you heading?"

"To my destination."

What a turd. You groan in exasperation.

"If it makes you feel better, I have something for you,' Spencer tells you.

"Like what?"

"It should be arriving just about now, actually."

"What do you mean?" You question.

Before you could ask him anything else, you hear a knock at your door.

"Hang on, Spence. Someone's at the door," You say, placing your eye to the peephole.

To your great surprise, you see a tiny image of Spencer smiling outside your door with his phone up to his ear. You fling the door open and affirm that he is, in fact, at your door.

"Spencer!" You exclaim. He greets you as he throws his arms around you, lightly squishing you against his chest.

"I thought you weren't gonna be home for a few more days. What changed?" You ask, pulling away from his embrace to look up into his sweet brown eyes.

"The unsub basically turned himself in, so we all got to go home early. I would have came here earlier, but I had to make a stop," He says, gesturing to his right hand.

You look down to see a shopping bag. He smiles and walks into your living room, urging you to follow.

He slowly unpacks the bag, announcing every item as it appears.

"An array of candy -- fruit flavored as well as chocolate --, electrolyte drinks to keep you hydrated, a new bottle of Midol to help with the pain, and..." Out of a separate bag you hadn't noticed before, he pulls out a bouquet of fresh flowers. "Flowers because I thought you would like them."

He hands you the flowers and you smile up at him before enclosing him in another hug.

"Thank you, Spencer. You're so sweet."

"I'm just trying to make you feel better," He says, placing a kiss on your forehead.

"You're doing great."

He smiles into your hair before pulling away.

"What do you want to do? We can watch movies in bed, I can draw you a bath, we can go for a walk..." He trails off, looking to your for an answer.

"Let's go watch movies. We can find that new one we wanted to watch."

"Sounds good to me, love," He says, following you into the bedroom, snacks in hand.

[draconic-lesbian]

there should be estrogen that turns people into dragons. and it should be free

Very true, should be able to just pick it up over the counter

[certifiedsexed]

i'm a trans guy who just started t and i was wondering if there's anything i could use to help with the dryness down there? it's not serious enough to ask my doctor about, but i feel silly putting something like lube on before going to work. is there a cream or gel most people use? thanks in advance for any advice!

Well, topical estrogen [which will not interfere with testosterone] is a common option you could talk to your doctor about using! It's highly recommended for vaginal dryness [or atrophy, as it's sometimes called!]

There are also OTC [Over The Counter] vaginal creams/moisturizers, you should look into them if you want to try something without going to the doctor.

I don't have a specific name brand in mind but vaginal dryness is a fairly common issue, so there are quite a few options if you look into it.

Hope this helps, Anon! Let me know if you have any other questions. <3

[beemovieerotica]

hey I'm a pharmacist! Not refuting your point at all, it's a very good one, but I wanted to point out a little thing that I'm not entirely sure that was addressed. It's totally cool if you don't trust a random person on anon claiming to know things, but I think the greater risk with the Ashwaganda regarding serotonin syndrome is cumulative serotonin with other medications people are commonly on, like SNRIs/SSRIs. While I totally agree Ashwaganda as monotherapy won't result in serotonin syndrome, a lot of people are not aware of the complex interplay between over the counter supplements and other medications. And while I wouldn't expect solo Ashwaganda to cause SS, I would be concerned if someone thought they were taking something estrogen adjacent, are on bupropion/sertraline/trazodone and added another serotonin affecting compound without realizing it.

That being said, thank you for taking the time to cite sources and conbat misinformation! And I realize this is a deeper dive than most people would want to go in on a post, and the correction of misinfo is incredibly important -- but coupled with the lack of actual federal regulation of chemicals in supplements and variable concentrations of strength in supplements without any real way to verify it, there is definitely a small but very real risk of serotonin syndrome in this.

Thanks for reaching out! I definitely agree that interactions with SSRIs should be researched before any supplements are taken -- along with the Ashwagandha + SSRI for anxiety paper linked in the other post, there was another study done where patients with OCD were given it along with their SSRI.

It's reportedly beneficial as an adjunct to SSRIs, but we don't know the optimal dosage yet for getting the most out of them in combination.

It's worth noting that the doses have below 1000mg in these SSRI combination studies. With any medication / supplement, there's always going to be an upper limit of safety, and yes I do believe that if someone were to down a giant handful of those Estrolabs pills with an SSRI then it wouldn't have ended well, but taking a handful of most other medications with an SSRI would also do that.

I can just see a lot of people reacting strongly to the original post which was explicitly saying that Ashwagandha will kill people -- and they put it in sleep gummies and CBD and tons of things now -- and it would be shitty if people started scaremongering about every supplement they saw at CVS that has it on the label.

[creepycrawliesanonymous]

a/n this is way too long, it started as a blurb and then the spirit of the reader-insert goddess possessed me and this is what I have to show for it, totally could've been longer but I restrained myself, so if the masses want a part two just shoot the message my way

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You had a feeling most people your age would be more excited about the prospect of sharing a house with an up-and-coming rock band in Los Angeles. Perhaps you yourself were more excited leading up to your move, packing up your bare essentials and your typewriter, sipping a cocktail in the smoking section of the plane, listening to David Bowie in the taxi over to the house. And what a house it was! You were given the run-down over the phone by the woman who put the listing out, Camila Something (never great with the last names, you were), not put off by the alleged haunted-ness of the house. If anything, the various ghosts and ghouls would serve as inspiration for your screenplay. There was not much that could dampen your spirits at this point, lugging your bags towards the front door and rapping your knuckles on the wood.

Except, of course, the obvious.

Moving from your parents' house to a college dorm had been, as you recall, a bit of a shock to the system. If that was the case then, it was nothing compared to moving into the closet-like space that was the remaining bedroom. You had gotten an apologetic smile from Camila... Alv- shit, Alvaro? It was leaving your head already. You felt bad, she had been nice enough to welcome you into the house and shown you to your shoebox of a living space.

"None of the boys wanted this room, so you should be left alone most of the time. Warren swears it's the epicenter for all the ghosts...," she nervously chuckled, "and whatnot." You took a nibble of the chocolate-chip cookie she gave you. "So just, take all the time you need to settle in, the group is out rehearsing for a gig tonight so you'll be on your own for dinner." She paused. "Unless you'd like to come see them, which would be more than fine! They're all so excited to meet you, especially Karen I think. She's been dying for some more estrogen in the house, me as well."

You swallowed. "I think I'll just stay in tonight, thank you." You cringed at yourself as she visibly faltered.

"No problem, uh, there's some leftover beer and pizza in the fridge if you get hungry, just help yourself to whatever you need." She was a saint, you thought, taking whatever awkwardness you possessed in stride. She even helped carry in your bag, setting it carefully on your twin bed. You insisted on taking in your typewriter yourself. It now lived on one of the cardboard boxes in the corner of your room, presumably left over from the group's initial move. "I'll get Billy to move those."

"It's fine." You had no desk. This was actually preferable to writing on the floor.

Camila gave you one last warm smile before returning back to the living room. You waited until she was out of earshot, stood up, and closed the door behind her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You were on your own late into the night, into the small hours of the morning. Camila had left the house at around 8:30, after which you snuck out of your room to rummage through the fridge. True to her word, there was a box of pizza within the fridge, with two slices remaining. Considering you were now sharing a place with four boys, this seemed like a small miracle to you. You ate both of them cold, sitting at the dining room table. While you ate, you took the time to take in your surroundings.

The kitchen, frankly, was not in the best shape. Pots and dishes piled up in the sink and the counters looked like they needed a serious scrubbing. The living room had beer bottles littering the floor, and the couch looked distinctly tread on.

You took another bite of your frozen pizza. This would do just nicely.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tired from your day of travel (and the handful of plane cocktails you had ingested) you retired to your bed relatively early. It would seem in this house, early meant any time before 2 a.m., and on-time would be closer to 4, which was around the time you were startled awake by a car pulling up and a small crowd of people piling through the backdoor into the kitchen.

"I swear there was pizza left over this morning."

"Eddie, we have a new roommate." That was Camila. "She needs to eat, too."

"Yeah, where is she?" A British voice piped up, moving from the kitchen roughly towards the living room. "Don't tell me she's in bed already."

"Just because you rock-and-rollers like to stay up doesn't mean everybody does," Camila laughed out. "Speaking of which, I'm beat. I'll see you all tomorrow."

"Right behind you." A deeper voice sounded, and two sets of footsteps walked off presumably to their bedroom. You suspected that was Billy.

"Should we go find her?" You felt as if your spine had been doused in cold water.

"Don't be stupid." British again. Someone moved around the living room, a record needle scratched and the quiet sounds of Credence Clearwater Revival started playing throughout the room.

The house started to mellow out after that; you expected the rest of them went to bed, and the ones that stayed out were smoking. It was at that moment that your bladder started to call for your attention in earnest. Weighing your options, you decided venturing out of your bedroom would be less treacherous than pissing your bed on your first night.

The journey to the bathroom you managed to avoid other people, it was the journey back that you slipped up. There was only one person in the living room, and there was only one of you in the hallway, so there was no mistaking that when he was waving, he was waving at you. To make matters worse, he was strikingly handsome, and you were deeply sleepy. Before you could stop yourself, you waved back. He held up the joint he was smoking in your direction. You shook your head. He gave you an exaggerated pout, wiping an invisible tear off his cheek. Not totally convinced that what was happening to you was real, you quietly slunk off back to bed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There was a small window in your room, the sill lined with small potted plants. The morning sun beamed through that window, casting a glowing light onto your bed. You reached your hand around looking for your pillow to throw over your head, prying your eyes open to see it lying on the floor next to your headboard. Groaning, you sat up, resigning yourself to the morning.

The house was quiet. 9 a.m. was evidently too early for anybody except you to be awake. You tiptoed your way into the kitchen, searching for a loaf of bread or an oatmeal pack. What didn't escape your notice, was the man sleeping soundly on the coach in the living room. The same man, you saw, that your had encountered last night. In the morning light you were able to get a better look at him. You were right to see that he was handsome, with his curly brown hair and his strong nose. Taking a bite of your buttered bread, you let yourself stare at him for just a few moments. Too many moments, in fact. You realized this when suddenly the boy on the couch was staring back at you.

"You didn't come smoke with me last night."

At that moment, you felt more empathy for deers in headlights than any other living soul on the planet.

"Good morning."

"Is it?" He looked over to the windows streaming in light. He beamed. "It is."

You hurried back to your room, the piece of bread squished within your clenched fist.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your first few weeks you spent writing. It was very clear that you kept a very different schedule from everyone else in the house, except for maybe Camila. By virtue of being the only two in the house for long stretches of the day, she was the one in the house that you became the closest to the fastest. In the afternoons she would encourage you to bring your typewriter out into the dining room to keep her company while she poured over photographs from the night before. You would both slip into a comfortable silence, save for the clacking of your keys.

When you weren't writing you were watching TV. Camila had gotten Billy to drive you downtown along with a list of groceries, where you purchased for yourself the smallest television set you could find. While Billy and you said the equivalent of about three sentences to each other that trip, he had carried it into the house for you and even helped set it up in your room. The tiny screen sat in the corner on top of one of the cardboard boxes, consistently tuned to CBS so you could watch re-runs of Scooby Doo.

There was another television set in the living room. It was slightly bigger than yours, too. Maybe it even got more channels. You didn't use it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Camila greatly appreciated your company. She adored the band that she lived with, and she loved Billy with all her heart, but she couldn't deny that uprooting herself from Pittsburgh and moving across the country wasn’t an easy change. Putting out ads looking for a roommate, while being somewhat financially motivated (only so much pocket toast could be eaten by one household), was, perhaps subconsciously, a yearning for companionship, for a friend to fill the hours where the house would otherwise be empty.

And she adored you. You may have been a tough nut to crack, she slowly but surely got you to open up, got you talking about films coming out that you wanted to see, your childhood dog that would puke all over your room, your favorite classes in high school. The little things that were once guarded under layers of uncertainty and self-isolation. She would ask for your opinions on the photos she took, and you would ask her about your word choice. Before heading out for the night, she would always ask you if you wanted to come with, and she was sure she was getting closer and closer to the day you would say yes.

She was also pretty sure you had a thing for Warren. Like, 99.8% sure.

You never brought him up. She started dropping his name in your daily conversation, and would watch as your fingers would still on the keys of your typewriter. You would stutter for a few seconds before taking a breath and composing yourself, nervously glancing over at her to make sure she didn't notice. She never gave you any indication that she did, but of course she noticed.

She also noticed how Warren would scan the audience every night from behind his drum kit, and how his face would subtly fall when he couldn't spot you. Or how he started nagging the group to go home earlier than usual, and would drag his feet a little more in the early afternoons before leaving for rehearsals. The final straw on the camel's back came when he had bought a tiny ceramic kitten and asked her to give it to you.

"She likes cats, right?" It was close to three in the morning when he had cornered her in the kitchen, holding up the small black cat in the light of the oven lamp. "It seemed like something she'd like."

"You know, you can be asking her these questions yourself."

"I don't wanna spook her." He shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Playing the long game, huh?"

"I've got time." He froze, eyes slowly widening. "I mean, I don't know what you're talking about."

She plucked the cat from his hands, patting him on the shoulder. "Go to bed, Rojas."

She slid the cat over to you the next morning while you were eating your cereal.

"What is this?" You gingerly picked it up.

"It's from Warren." You quickly set it back down. "It's for you."

You don't think your face has ever been hotter than it was that day. The cat lived on you windowsill, next to the potted plants. Every time you watered you felt a warmness blooming in your chest, running a finger delicately over its head.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey, you know what channel M*A*S*H airs on, right?"

On a rare day off, the band had settled in around the television in the living room; Camila and Billy sharing the chair in the corner, Graham and Karen lying over each other on the floor, with Eddie perched on the stool in front of the set, his hand on the dial. Warren had spread himself out on the couch, lying down comfortably smoking a joint.

"Uh, yeah." You paused in the doorway. "Yeah, sorry, uh, it's on CBS."

"Great, thanks." Eddie fiddled around with the set before standing up. "Are you gonna join us? I mean, you can join us if you want to."

"Oh, um," you're eyes wildly scanned the room for any hint of disapproval. They landed on Warren, who was hazily looking at you with an easy smile on his face. "Yeah, sure."

"Warren, move your legs," Camila spoke from across the room. Still looking at you, Warren lifted his legs off the couch, inviting you to sit down. As you took your seat, he lowered his legs back down on your lap. He held out the joint, in a movement reminiscent of your first encounter. Never not one for consistency, you shook your head. He shrugged and stuck the joint back between his lips, turning his attention to Alan Alda on the TV. Unsure of what to do with your hands, you tentatively rested them on his calves. You didn't notice, but right next to you the corners of Warren's mouth ever so subtly turned upwards.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

M*A*S*H, as groundbreaking of a show as it was, was not enough to hold the attention of 7 adults for an extended amount of time. Camila left the group first, but not before dropping you a wink as she left the room. Slowly but surely, the rest of the group left to go putter around in their respective corners of the house, before it was just you and Warren, who had finished his joint and transitioned to laying his head in your lap. His face was looking up towards you, but his eyes were closed, looking so relaxed he reminded you of a cat showing their belly. Not fully aware of yourself, you had rested one of your hands on the side of his waist, while the other was running through his hair. The scene was so intimate you were practically choking on it.

"Will you come to our show this weekend?"

Your hand stilled.

"Hmm?"

"I'd like you to, if you want to." He reached his hand up to yours, nudging it to get you to resume your petting. "I'll buy you dinner afterwards."

"You don't need to do that."

He cracked open his eyes, his face splitting into a grin.

"Girlie, I'll take you to dinner any night that you let me."

You barked out a laugh despite yourself. You felt like you were dreaming. He started giggling, too.

"I will!" His thumb was rubbing the meat of your forearm, drawing small circles on your skin. "I'll get you another little cat, too. My finances aren't robust but I'll find a way." The heart eyes he was sending your way were overwhelming.

"I- okay!"

"Really?" Warren sat up, eyes scanning your face, grinning wildly. Not trusting your voice, you nodded emphatically. Looking slightly awestruck, he reached over and cupped your face. "You won't regret this, honey. I'm gonna treat you so well." Someone called him from another room, and reluctantly he let go of you. Subconsciously you started reaching for him. As he stood up, he leaned over and took your hands in his, kissing your knuckles.

"I'm gonna name a boat after you!"

After he left the room, you breathed out a holy cow, and then another quiet chuckle.

Warren Rojas was gonna be the death of you, and you were counting on it.

[spidergirl-fibula]

Estrogen should literally be an over the counter drug this is bullshit

[perfect-immortal-machinegirl]

I get it. You hogs like my posts about which fictional “men” should be on estrogen and not my posts about abusing over the counter medicine. Hmph

[rapeculturerealities]

The FDA Should Approve Over-the-Counter Sales of All Birth Control Pills

The FDA might soon give access to a type of birth control pill that has been available only by prescription since 1973; in fact, today, an FDA panel voted unanimously to make birth control pills available OTC. But here's a catch: women will only have access to one brand of one kind of birth control pill, a progestin-only pill sometimes called the "mini-pill."

Unlike regular birth control pills, which contain two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, the mini-pill doesn't affect milk production in nursing mothers and is less likely to cause blood clots in women who smoke. To put this in perspective, pregnancy is more likely to cause clots than any pill to prevent it.

But, the mini-pill, while it may be slightly safer to use than other birth control pills, has drawbacks.

For example, the mini-pill only works if women take it at the same hour daily. If they take it more than three hours late, women must use another contraceptive for the rest of the month and start the cycle again. The same is true if they miss a day. With regular birth control pills, if women miss a day in the cycle, they can take two pills the following day.

While better than the status quo, the FDA shouldn't restrict women's OTC options to safer progestin-only pills, not to mention one progestin-only product. Unlike regulators in, say, Portugal, Brazil, or Mexico, the FDA doesn't think American women can weigh the risks and benefits of various birth control pills and decide which is best for them—even if reproductive specialists believe they can.

Further mitigating drug-related side effects is that women may be more cautious than doctors in choosing the best drug for themselves. A 2006 study asked women to self-assess birth control pills. Ninety percent of the time, doctors agreed with their assessment, and 10 percent of the time, women were more conservative than doctors.

[transbian-vergil]

I should be able to get estrogen over the counter

[spiritualdirections]

"For the first time, an oral contraceptive is going to be available over the counter, without a prescription. On July 13, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it has approved the contraceptive pill Opill. Many are praising the FDA’s decision as a significant step toward making contraception more widely available. Perrigo Company, the pill's Dublin-based manufacturer, stated that Opill will most likely be available in grocery and convenience stores, as well as online, in early 2024. Perrigo’s president and CEO Murray Kessler called the FDA’s decision “a new, groundbreaking chapter in reproductive health.”  "It may indeed be groundbreaking—but not for the reason Kessler believes. Contrary to popular myth, increased use of contraception is correlated to an increase in abortions. And despite what proponents claim, hormonal birth control has a damaging effect on both mental and physical health...Opill, like other forms of hormonal birth control, primarily consists of progestin, “a hormone that thickens mucus in the cervix to make it harder for sperm to enter the uterus,” according to the New York Times. Opill is said to be less effective than pills with both progestin and estrogen, yet defenders of the FDA’s decision say that Opill is still highly effective as long as it is taken at the same time every day."

The article makes the point, which everyone who studies this knows, that the pill actually increases nonmarital pregnancies, because the pill requires regular use, and the kind of people who are not disciplined enough to wait until marriage are often also not disciplined enough to take a pill every day. This version of the pill seems to require an extraordinary high level of discipline--it must be taken at the same time every day. "Unintended" pregnancies in the U.S. basically never occur because contraceptives aren't available, but because the couple does not use them properly.

The article also makes the point about the extensively documented link between the pill and depression, which I've blogged about before. It might have mentioned the link between the pill and blood clotting, which might be dangerous if the pill is taken over the counter and the user is not in touch with a doctor.

The article does not make a point that it easily could have, that this is a huge win for Big Pharma. Notice that it is the CEO who calls this "groundbreaking." I'm assuming the Biden administration will get its fair share of donations this cycle.

The article also does not discuss something that I think is relevant. Typical birth control pills are on the list of known carcinogens by the International Agency for Research for Canger (IARC), a project of the World Health Organization. They are in category 1, the same as tobacco. It's likely that the explosion in cases of breast cancer over the last 50 years is caused by increasingly widespread use of the hormones in the pill. The CDC says that using the pill increases a woman's chances of breast and cervical cancers by as much as 60%. As I wrote a few years ago, "It’s safer to smoke 5-8 cigars daily (relative risk of cancer 1.17; see Table 3)–which almost nobody does–than to be on the Pill (relative risk 1.24 for current users)." 

(The article does not say more about whether the reduced amount of estrogen is intended to make Opill less carcinogenic, but I can't imagine that we have sufficient data on this particular pill to determine this.)

The argument for having restrictions on tobacco sales is that tobacco causes cancer. The same argument should argue for at least the same restrictions on Opill. Defenders of the pill will point to studies that show the likelihood of cancer drops off once someone stops using the pill (as in the CDC link above); the likelihood of cancer also drops off once someone quits smoking cigarettes. Given these parallels, I would think that states would want to pass laws restricting over the counter sales of either carcinogen to minors.

The more people become aware that playing with the hormones in the body is not that safe, the more people will switch to using fertility awareness methods, which are natural and more in tune with the environment. But these natural methods don't make Big Pharma any money!

[cheyannemallas]

Ingredients to watch out for or avoid in over the counter skincare products by Cheyanne Mallas

Over-the-counter (OTC) skin care products have become increasingly popular for their convenience and accessibility. However, it is essential for consumers to be aware of the ingredients present in these products as some can potentially harm the skin says Cheyanne Mallas from www.pacheyannemallas.com

This article aims to provide an authoritative guide on the ingredients that should be watched out for or avoided in OTC skin care products.

1. Parabens:

Parabens are commonly used as preservatives in many cosmetic and skin care products. However, studies have shown that parabens can mimic estrogen in the body, leading to potential hormonal disruptions. Research has linked paraben exposure to increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive issues. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid products that contain parabens, such as methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben.

2. Fragrances:

Fragrances are often added to skin care products to enhance their appeal. However, they can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, and even respiratory problems in some individuals. Manufacturers are not required to disclose the specific ingredients used in fragrances, making it difficult for consumers to identify potential allergens. Opting for fragrance-free or unscented products is recommended to minimize the risk of adverse reactions.

3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES):

SLS and SLES are foaming agents commonly found in cleansers, shampoos, and body washes. While they create a rich lather, they can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. SLS and SLES can also penetrate the skin and potentially interact with other chemicals, causing further damage. It is advisable to choose products that are labeled as SLS/SLES-free or look for alternative surfactants such as coco-glucoside or decyl glucoside.

4. Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives:

Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, such as quaternium-15 and DMDM hydantoin, are commonly used as preservatives in skin care products. However, they can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and have been classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Checking the ingredient list for these substances and avoiding products containing them is crucial for the safety of the skin.

5. Hydroquinone:

Hydroquinone is a skin lightening ingredient often used to treat hyperpigmentation. However, it has been associated with adverse effects such as skin irritation, redness, and even ochronosis (a skin disorder characterized by darkening and thickening of the skin). Long-term use of hydroquinone can lead to permanent skin damage. It is advisable to consult a dermatologist before using any product containing hydroquinone and only use it under professional guidance.

In conclusion, when selecting OTC skin care products, it is essential to be cautious and knowledgeable about the ingredients they contain. Parabens, fragrances, SLS/SLES, formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, and hydroquinone are some of the ingredients that should be watched out for or avoided due to their potential harm to the skin says Cheyanne Mallas. By being aware and making informed choices, consumers can ensure the safety and well-being of their skin.

[cant-afford-lobotomy]

Estrogen should be sold over the counter, because if not trans women will use hormonal birth control pills instead which can be dangerous in the long term.

[asmeeivfcentre]

Understanding Your Ovulation Cycle for Better Fertility

When it comes to conception, understanding your ovulation cycle is one of the most important steps you can take to increase your chances of getting pregnant. The process of ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovaries, and it occurs roughly once a month in women of reproductive age. By learning how to track your ovulation cycle, you can better time intercourse and enhance fertility. This article explores the basics of the ovulation cycle, its phases, and how you can use this knowledge to optimize your chances of conceiving.

What is the Ovulation Cycle?

The ovulation cycle is a natural process that involves several stages. It begins with the menstrual phase, followed by the follicular phase, ovulation, and finally the luteal phase. Each of these stages plays a vital role in fertility, and understanding how they work can help you pinpoint the best time for conception.

Menstrual Phase: This is the first phase of the cycle and lasts about 3-7 days. It begins when the lining of the uterus sheds due to a lack of fertilization of an egg in the previous cycle. This is when a woman experiences her period.

Follicular Phase: Following menstruation, the follicular phase begins. This phase is marked by the maturation of eggs within the ovaries. At the same time, the body prepares the uterine lining for a potential pregnancy. The follicular phase typically lasts 7-10 days.

Ovulation: Ovulation is the release of a mature egg from the ovary into the fallopian tube, where it can be fertilized by sperm. This typically occurs around the middle of your menstrual cycle. The egg remains viable for about 12-24 hours. This is the most fertile period, and tracking ovulation can help you time intercourse to maximize your chances of conception.

Luteal Phase: After ovulation, the luteal phase begins. During this phase, the body produces progesterone to support the uterine lining, preparing it for a potential pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilized, the levels of progesterone and estrogen decrease, leading to the shedding of the uterine lining, which signals the start of a new cycle.

How to Track Your Ovulation Cycle

There are several ways to track ovulation, making it easier for women to understand their fertile window. By identifying the time around ovulation, you can increase your chances of pregnancy.

Basal Body Temperature (BBT): One of the most common methods to track ovulation is by monitoring your basal body temperature. This is the temperature of your body at rest. A slight increase in BBT (around 0.5°F) often occurs after ovulation due to the rise in progesterone levels. By tracking your BBT every morning before getting out of bed, you can pinpoint when ovulation has occurred.

Cervical Mucus Monitoring: Your cervical mucus changes in consistency and appearance throughout the menstrual cycle. Just before ovulation, cervical mucus becomes clear, stretchy, and slippery, resembling egg whites. This is a sign that you are at your most fertile and should try to conceive during this time.

Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs): These over-the-counter kits detect the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) that occurs right before ovulation. By using these kits, you can identify your most fertile days with greater accuracy.

Calendar Method: For women with regular cycles, tracking ovulation can be as simple as using a calendar. Ovulation typically occurs about 14 days before the start of your next period. However, cycle length and timing may vary, making this method less reliable for women with irregular cycles.

When to Seek Help from the Best Fertility Centre in Jaipur

If you have been trying to conceive for more than a year without success (or six months if you're over 35), it may be time to consult a fertility specialist. The Best Fertility Centre in Jaipur can offer expert advice, fertility treatments, and diagnostic testing to help you understand any underlying issues affecting your fertility. Whether it's irregular ovulation, hormonal imbalances, or other factors, a specialist can help guide you through the process.

Many couples face challenges with fertility, and understanding your ovulation cycle is only one piece of the puzzle. The Best Fertility Centre in Jaipur can offer a personalized approach to improve your chances of pregnancy, with services ranging from ovulation monitoring to advanced reproductive technologies like in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Conclusion

Understanding your ovulation cycle is crucial for anyone trying to conceive. By tracking your cycle and timing intercourse around ovulation, you can significantly improve your chances of pregnancy. Whether you opt for methods like BBT charting, cervical mucus monitoring, or ovulation predictor kits, the key is to learn how your body works and recognize your most fertile window. If you're struggling to conceive, don't hesitate to seek professional help from the Best Fertility Centre in Jaipur, where you can receive the support and treatment you need to achieve your dream of starting a family.

[klanceyuri]

to be frank i should be able to buy testosterone and anti-estrogen's or whatever the proper name is over the counter for like, a quick buck at most, as a 'lil pick me up before i go to work, one serving, inject it at the counter and pay my share, in an ideal world