Tempo

Time out sa pills

- Rica Cruz

Ma’am Rica,

Walong taon na po akong nagte-take ng birth control pills at iniisip ko kung okay lang ba na tumigil muna ako ng ilang months. They were prescribed to me noong mas bata pa ako dahil sa irregulari­ty ng aking periods.

Nasa isang monogamous and long-term relationsh­ip din naman ako ng mga panahong ‘yon kaya convenient lang din sa akin ang pagpipills. Sa ngayon, nasa stage ako na hindi regular or steady ang aking partners. Casual and fun lang kaya gusto ko din maexperien­ce to be not on pills.

Kailangan bang ikonsulta ko muna ang pagtigil dito or pwede kong itigil na lang by myself? At pag biglang naging masama ang period ko by being off them okay lang ba to start it up again by myself?

Salamat, Wonderwall Hello Wonderwall,

Mabuti ‘yang paghahanap mo ng informatio­n tungkol sa iyong prescripti­on medication. Normal ang pagte-take ng hormonal birth control pills para sa menstrual irregulari­ties rather than contracept­ion.

Nasa 14 percent ng lahat ng nagte-take ng pills ay para sa non-contracept­ive reasons. Isa sa perks ng birth control pills ay madaling mag-on and off them by yourself. Pero dahil eight years ka nang nagpi-pills, mas mainam kung ikokonsult­a mo ito sa isang health profession­al for possible risks and side effects ng iyong action.

Bukod sa pagreregul­ate ng menstrual periods ng isang babae, nakakatulo­ng din ang pills sa pagti-treat ng dysmenorrh­ea, PMS, at Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS. Hindi lang clear ang diagnosis sa iyo kung bakit ka pinag hormonal birth control pills ng iyong doctor. Merong iba na kapag irregular ang kanilang periods ay nagiging regular after stopping the take of pills after some time.

I hope that by being sexually active and being off the pill, you consider having other contracept­ives and protection against sexually transmitte­d infections. Maaaring excited ka ngayong with the thought of exploring your sexuality but siyempre do not forget to be safe while having fun and enjoying. With love and lust, Rica

If you have questions on love and sex that you want me to answer, you may message me at www.facebook.com/TheSexyMin­d or DM me on Twitter or Instagram: @_ricacruz.

Biography: Rica Cruz is a Licensed Psychologi­st, Marriage Counselor, and Sex Therapist. She comes out as the Resident Psychologi­st on Boys’ Night Out every Thursday night on Magic 89.9.

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