What do the stars have in store for you today?
Astrologist Jacqueline Bigar offers her daily horoscopes and, for those who are celebrating a birthday today, her predictions for the year ahead.
ARIES (March 21-April 19):
TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
minipills. Most birth control pills are combined pills. They contain a combination of two types of female sex hormones: the hormone estrogen and a progestogen (a group of hormones that includes progesterone). Minipills contain a progestogen, but no estrogen.
The estrogen in combined birth control pills prevents ovulation, the release of a mature egg from a woman’s ovary. Combined birth control pills also thicken cervical secretions, creating a barrier that makes it difficult for sperm to get into
HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
For Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014: This year others present you with a different perspective more times than not. You are confident and sure of yourself, yet understanding a new way of handling life could be quite rewarding. If you are single, during the next six months you could meet someone quite exciting. This person will be generous, and have an excellent sense of humor. If you are attached, the two of you will learn to respect your differences. As a result, your bond will become more loving and exciting. Both of you will flourish. CANCER is far more emotional than you are. ★★★ The Full Moon could affect your mood. You might want to exercise your “kiss and make up” technique, especially with a close associate. You might feel as though you’re between a rock and a hard place. Express your thoughts openly and kindly. Tonight: Relax at home. ★★★★ Consider opening up to new possibilities that emerge in discussions. You might be quite surprised by what occurs. You could feel overwhelmed by everything that happens. You simply need to take in the moment and not make a commitment right now. Tonight: Play it easy. ★★★ Be aware of expenses that keep arising. You might want to rethink your budget. The possibility exists that you might need to give up an indulgence. A little self-discipline will go far at this point. Know that you are capable of nearly anything. Tonight: Balance your checkbook.
CANCER (June 21July 22):
★★★★ Today’s Full Moon puts you directly in the spotlight. As a result, you’ll be able to maximize the lunar energy in your favor. Interpersonal relating will be highlighted. Seize the moment to act on an important matter. Tonight: Whatever makes you happy.
★★ A dispute suddenly could break out. Someone might misread your attitude. Make a point to clarify your thoughts. A serious but important conversation will stabilize the situation. Note how this person gets when he or she is upset. Tonight: Get some extra R and R.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
★★★ You know when you overspend. You might feel as if you have made a commitment and have little to no choice but to follow through. How you handle this matter will be important, but probably not as important as you think. Tonight: Where crowds are.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
★★★ You might feel as if you must act a certain way, and you could be irritated to be in that position right now. Do not fight the inevitable. You’ll want to balance the different aspects of your life. Tonight: Out till the wee hours.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
★★★★ Your sense of what to do might involve testing out your ideas on someone who is more knowledgeable than you on the topic. On some level, you could discover how easily irritated this the uterus. They produce changes in the tubes that carry the egg from the ovaries to the uterus. And they make it hard for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus. These effects are caused by the progestogen.
Combination birth control pills are 98 to 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. The more estrogen, the better the birth control effect. Unfortunately, the more estrogen, the higher the likelihood of side effects such as high blood pressure or headaches.
Minipills do not prevent ovulation as effectively as combination pills because makes you feel. Walk away from a difficult or volatile situation. Tonight: Go with the flow.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
★★★★ Relate to a partner or key associate directly in order to avoid a volatile situation. A friend still might be less than agreeable because of a sudden change of plans. Make a point not to lose your temper, and you will be OK. Tonight: Togetherness is the theme.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
★★★★ Avoid a potentially touchy situation by deferring to others. Consider what is more important: keeping the peace or being right. Demonstrate compassion toward a partner or loved one. This person could be feeling insecure with today’s Full Moon. Tonight: Sort through ideas.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
★★★ Someone could take advantage of your caring nature. You might feel hurt, or perhaps you’ll just feel sorry for this person. In any case, pull back and be more discriminating when it comes to your inner circle of friends. Tonight: Head home, and squeeze in some exercise.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
★★★ You might feel pulled in two different directions. Your friends really enjoy having you around, yet a child or loved one could express some neediness. You likely will try to juggle all of these concerns. As a result, a partner could become impatient. Tonight: Take a midweek break.
BORN TODAY:
Civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. (1929), playwright Moliere (1622), actor Lloyd Bridges (1913) they don’t contain estrogen. They mainly act by thickening secretions of the cervix and making it hard for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus. They are about 98 percent effective. Minipills need to be taken exactly as directed. Even missing one pill can greatly reduce their effectiveness.
Combination birth control pills are available in three subtypes: monophasic, biphasic and triphasic. Monophasic pills contain a constant amount of estrogen and progestogen. With biphasic and triphasic pills, the dose varies over the course of the month.
For most women, monophasic birth control pills are a good first option. They work as well as the more expensive and more complicated biphasic and triphasic products.
Minipills are a good option if you have a reason to avoid estrogen. The most common reasons are a tendency to develop blood clots, smoking and current breastfeeding. That’s because estrogen increases the tendency for blood clots. In smokers, even if they’ve never had a problem with blood clots in the past, starting on estrogen increases the risk for clots — and of the heart attacks and strokes caused by them.
Estrogen reduces the amount of breast milk, so estrogen-containing birth control pills normally are not recommended in women who are breast feeding.
It may take some trial and error to find the best birth control pill for you. Try to achieve the right hormonal balance — just enough to prevent pregnancy, but not enough to cause side effects.