WOMEN’S HEALTH

You may have light bleeding for the first three months. Your periods may become lighter, shorter or more irregular. After one year, on average 25% of people will stop having their periods as long as the hormonal IUD is in place. Other rare side effects include acne, headaches, and breast tenderness. Only 5% of people experience these side effects. Talk to your healthcare professional if you have a history of depression or are concerned about possible weight gain.

The implant (Nexplanon) is a method of contraception. It is a small (4 cm) plastic rod containing a hormone (progesterone) that a healthcare professional places under the skin of your upper arm. It has been approved by Health Canada for use for up to 3 years.

Most people don’t know if they are fertile or not unless they start trying to conceive or a pregnancy occurs unexpectedly. For men, the quantity of sperm (sperm count) or the ability of sperm to move (sperm motility) can be influenced by stress, family history, medical conditions, environmental factors and lifestyle habits ( e.g. smoking, use of drugs and alcohol, etc.). You produce sperm throughout your life after puberty, although their numbers decrease with age. For women, your fertility may be affected by stress, family history, illness, rapid weight gain or weight loss, lifestyle factors (for example, smoking, drug and alcohol use, etc.), breastfeeding and the use of hormonal contraceptives. Your fertility declines as you age and eventually stops completely (menopause). This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 60.

If you experience postmenopausal vaginal bleeding, it is important to see a healthcare professional immediately. Although it can be caused by benign factors, such as hormonal changes or vaginal atrophy problems, it can also be a sign of more serious problems, such as infections, polyps, or even more serious medical conditions. like uterine cancer.