Our backyard would have a papaya tree for as long as I can remember. Mama would encourage us to eat papaya especially in the mornings because she said it will prevent “yayay papot” when we “popo.”

The papaya fruit has become so much a part of our diet that it has become natural to have it as dessert after a meal or as snack in the morning or afternoon.

Little did I know that this rounded fruit contains contraceptive capacity.

In fact women in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India have long used papaya as a contraceptive. According to a research, eating ripe papaya everyday can help prevent pregnancy. Further, the unripe fruit is even more potent.

It is theorized that the enzyme papain in the papaya fruit will suppress progesterone. Progesterone is a sex hormone needed to prepare the uterus for conception and maintenance of pregnancy. Another reason is that papain, which can be used to tenderize meat, may break down a membrane vital to the development of the fetus.

The research also found out that since papain interacts with progesterone, eating one papaya everyday for a week will bring on menstruation with no side-effects. Thus, it may be a cure to hormonal disorder.

Dr. David Reuben, a medical doctor and psychiatrist wrote a very informative book about “Everything you always wanted to know about sex, but were afraid to ask.” For me, it is the most straight forward and informative book about the topic ever written. I got hold of a tattered copy of the book and I read it from cover to cover. The book approaches the topic of sex in a very human perspective in form of questions.

One chapter in the book discussed about sexual intercourse. According to Dr. Reuben, there are three reasons for engaging in it. One is for reproduction or for the purpose of propagating the human race. Putting it simply, the wife or woman will get pregnant and the couple will have a child.

Second is, it is a means of expressing love. He said that this is the ideal form of sex for every couple. The third and most controversial is sex for recreation. This type of sex is engaged in for the sheer physical and emotional pleasure that is brought about by a complete sexual experience. However, this type of sex is has acquired a bad name over centuries. This is the type of sex that is forbidden but is being engaged in by a majority.

It’s a little complicated, isn’t it. And we thought sex is just sex. Given the choices, what type of sex do you have?

 I was reading a back issue of the Health Today Magazine and I came across an article about transdermal contraceptive patch. What I read intrigued me and half convinced me to try it.

I made a further research on it and here’s what I found out:

The transdermal contraceptive patch or more popularly known as “the patch” is the latest in the contraception department.

It is a new method of birth control, which is composed of combined hormone. It is a thin, beige, plastic patch that sticks to the skin and contains the hormones norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol. These are similar to the estrogen and progestin that are produced by a woman’s body.

Experts say that the patch is very similar to the oral contraceptive pill since it is composed of a combination of hormone to prevent pregnancy. However, it is better than the pill because of its transdermal administration. Transdermal, meaning through the skin. Further, you don’t have to endure the hassle of remembering to take a tablet everyday and the worry of missing to take it.

However, like the pill it also has some disadvantages depending on your age, the state of health of your body, and your lifestyle.

The next time you visit your gynecologist, discuss this contraception method. I’ll be sure to do this too.

Image source: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/utah/patch.htm

        One of the biggest realization I had when I became a wife and a mother is that I need to take extra care of myself because my husband and son are depending on me.

        I used to just take for granted the changes in my body. My menstruation periods and/or the absence of it every month. Now I really take the time to record it and to count my cycle because I know any variation especially a much extended period means something is already wrong with my system.

        Despite the tons of things that I have to do as a wife, a mother, and in my job, I make sure that I get as much rest as I can. That I get to eat on time because missing meals and not eating on time will trigger my hyper acidity and my hyper acidity would trigger a throbbing headache all day, which would in turn mean less quality time with my husband and son.

       The usual picture of a wife and mother, is one that is fat, "lusyang," and fatigued. Most stay-at-home wives and mothers have almost become one of the house’s furniture because they have blended so well with their day in and day out surroundings. Too bad!!!

        As husbands, sons, and daughters, we need to help keep our wife or mother healthy. This is in fact our responsibility. Our wives or mothers have always been there, when we get home, when we were sick or when we had problems. We sometimes take for granted that she gets tired too and that she needs time for herself too. After all, who would cook our meals, keep the house clean, manage the family income, take care of you when you get sick or comfort you when you’re sad, if she’s not there anymore. . . .