Bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder, sometimes called alcoholism, often occur together. Although the association between bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder isn't clearly understood, these factors likely play a role:

• Inherited traits. Genetic differences appear to affect brain chemistry linked to bipolar disorder. These same traits may also affect the way the brain responds to alcohol and other drugs, increasing the risk of alcohol use disorder and addiction to other drugs.
• Depression and anxiety. Some people drink to ease depression, anxiety and other symptoms of bipolar disorder. Drinking may seem to help, but in the long run it makes symptoms worse. This can lead to more drinking — a vicious cycle that's difficult to overcome.
• Mania. This upswing from depression is usually characterized by an intensely elated (euphoric) mood and hyperactivity. It commonly causes bad judgment and lowered inhibitions, which can lead to increased alcohol use or drug abuse.

Bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder or other types of substance abuse can be a dangerous combination. Each can worsen the symptoms and severity of the other. Having both conditions increases the risk of mood swings, depression, violence and suicide.

Someone who has both bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder or another addiction is said to have a dual diagnosis. Treatment may require the expertise of mental health professionals who specialize in the treatment of both disorders.

If you've lost control over your drinking or you misuse drugs, get help before your problems become worse and harder to treat. Seeing a mental health professional right away is especially important if you also have signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder or another mental health condition.

Bipolar disorder in children is possible. It's most often diagnosed in older children and teenagers, but bipolar disorder can occur in children of any age. As in adults, bipolar disorder in children can cause mood swings from the highs of hyperactivity or euphoria (mania) to the lows of serious depression.

Emotional upheaval and unruly behaviors are a normal part of childhood and the teen years, and in most cases they aren't a sign of a mental health problem that requires treatment. All kids have rough periods — it's normal to feel down, irritable, angry, hyperactive or rebellious at times. However, if your child's symptoms are severe, ongoing or causing significant problems, it may be more than just a phase.

Here are some signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder in children:

• Severe mood swings that are different from their usual mood swings
• Hyperactive, impulsive, aggressive or socially inappropriate behavior
• Risky and reckless behaviors that are out of character, such as having frequent casual sex with many different partners (sexual promiscuity), alcohol or drug abuse, or wild spending sprees
• Insomnia or significantly decreased need for sleep
• Depressed or irritable mood most of the day, nearly every day during a depressive episode
• Grandiose and inflated view of own capabilities
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors in older children and teens

Children with bipolar disorder experience symptoms in distinct episodes. Between these episodes, children return to their usual behavior and mood.

Keep in mind, a number of other childhood disorders cause bipolar-like symptoms, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety disorders and major depression. Diagnosis can be challenging because these and other mental health conditions often occur along with bipolar disorder.

If your child has serious mood swings, depression or behavior problems, consult a mental health provider who specializes in working with children and teens. Mood and behavior issues caused by bipolar disorder or other mental health conditions can lead to major difficulties. Early treatment can help prevent serious consequences and decrease the impact of mental health problems on your child as he or she gets older.

Bipolar disorder can be treated with a number of medications. Some of these medications can increase your appetite or cause changes in metabolism leading to weight gain.

Whether a certain medication will cause weight gain or other side effects varies from person to person. Also, how well the medication works to treat bipolar disorder symptoms differs among individuals. Because of this, finding the medications that best treat your symptoms may require some trial and error.

Medications for bipolar disorder include mood stabilizers, antipsychotics and antidepressants.

• Mood stabilizers used to treat bipolar disorder include lithium (Lithobid), valproic acid (Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro, others) and lamotrigine (Lamictal). All of these medications are known to increase the risk of weight gain except lamotrigine.
• Antipsychotics prescribed for bipolar disorder include olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel), aripiprazole (Abilify), ziprasidone (Geodon), lurasidone (Latuda), cariprazine (Vraylar) and asenapine (Saphris). It appears that aripiprazole, ziprasidone, lurasidone and cariprazine are more weight neutral than the others, but that can vary from person to person.
• Antidepressants along with a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic may be used in treating bipolar disorder, though antidepressants alone could cause mania or rapid cycling in people with bipolar disorder. Some antidepressants may be more likely to cause weight gain than others, but this can vary from person to person. Talk with your psychiatric care professional if you have concerns.
• Antidepressant-antipsychotic combination medication works as a depression treatment and a mood stabilizer. The medication Symbyax combines the antidepressant fluoxetine and the antipsychotic olanzapine and is associated with weight gain.

Some of these medications may be less likely to cause weight gain when taken alone, but many people need more than one medication to control bipolar symptoms. Some weight gain may be inevitable when taking medications for bipolar disorder.

If weight gain is an issue, ask your psychiatric care professional for advice on strategies to manage it. Healthy eating, keeping physically active and getting psychological counseling (psychotherapy) can all help.

Continue to work with your psychiatric care professional to find the best way to keep your bipolar symptoms and your weight under control.

Treatment for bipolar disorder, formerly called manic-depression, generally involves medications and forms of psychotherapy — whether you have bipolar I or bipolar II. Bipolar II disorder is not a milder form of bipolar I disorder, but a separate diagnosis.

While the manic episodes of bipolar I disorder can be severe and dangerous, individuals with bipolar II disorder can be depressed for longer periods, which can cause significant impairment with substantial consequences.

The types and doses of medications prescribed are based on your particular symptoms. Whether you have bipolar I or II, medications may include:

• Mood stabilizers. You'll typically need mood-stabilizing medication to control episodes of mania or hypomania, which is a less severe form of mania. Examples of mood stabilizers include lithium (Lithobid), valproic acid (Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro, others) and lamotrigine (Lamictal).
• Antipsychotics. Your psychiatric care provider may add an antipsychotic medication such as olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel), aripiprazole (Abilify), ziprasidone (Geodon), lurasidone (Latuda), cariprazine (Vraylar) or asenapine (Saphris). Your provider may prescribe some of these medications alone or along with a mood stabilizer.
• Antidepressants. Your provider may add an antidepressant or one of the other medications used to treat bipolar disorder that has antidepressant effects to help manage depression. Because an antidepressant can sometimes trigger a manic episode, it needs to be prescribed along with a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic in bipolar disorder.
• Antidepressant-antipsychotic. The medication Symbyax combines the antidepressant fluoxetine and the antipsychotic olanzapine. It works as a depression treatment and a mood stabilizer. Symbyax is approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for the treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder.

In addition to medication for bipolar disorder, other treatment approaches include:

• Psychotherapy. As a key part of treatment, your psychiatric care provider may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy to identify unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, positive ones. Other types of therapy also may help, such as social rhythm therapy — establishing a consistent routine for better mood management.
• Substance abuse treatment. Many people with bipolar disorder also have alcohol, tobacco or drug problems. Drugs or alcohol may seem to ease symptoms, but they can actually trigger, prolong or worsen depression or mania. If you have a problem with alcohol or other drugs, tell your provider so that both your substance use and bipolar disorder can be treated.
• Treatment programs. Participation in an outpatient treatment program for bipolar disorder can be very beneficial. However, your provider may recommend hospitalization if your bipolar disorder significantly affects your functioning or safety.
• Self-management strategies. In addition to medications and other types of treatment, successful management of your bipolar disorder includes living a healthy lifestyle, such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet and being physically active. Keeping to a regular schedule, getting involved in social activities and joining a support group may also help. If you need advice in these areas, talk with your provider.

You may need to try different medications or combinations of medications to determine what works best. So it's important to regularly meet with your psychiatric care provider to see how well your treatment is working. If necessary, your provider may make periodic adjustments to your medication to keep symptoms and side effects under control.

Yes, birth control pills (oral contraceptives) can improve acne in women.

Though typically safe and effective, birth control pills for acne (combination estrogen-progestin pills) aren't for everyone. Side effects can include headache, breast tenderness, nausea, weight gain, breakthrough bleeding and a slightly increased risk of blood clots.

Talk to your doctor about how your health history and age may affect your risks with birth control pills for acne.

Don't take birth control pills for acne if you:

• Are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Haven't reached puberty
• Are over age 35 and smoke
• Have a history of migraines
• Have high blood pressure and vascular disease
• Have a history of heart disease
• Have a history of breast cancer, undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding or liver disease
• Have a history of blood clots

Taking birth control pills during early pregnancy doesn't appear to increase the risk of birth defects.

While some research has suggested a link between the use of birth control pills near conception and an increased risk of low birth weight, preterm birth or congenital urinary tract abnormalities, these concerns generally haven't been observed in clinical experience.

Birth control pills overall lower the risk of pregnancy and the risk of a fertilized egg implanting outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy), which most often occurs in one of the tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus (fallopian tubes). However, if you do conceive while taking a progestin-only birth control (minipill), there's a slightly higher chance that the pregnancy will be ectopic.

As a precaution, if you suspect you're pregnant, take a home pregnancy test. If the home pregnancy test is positive, stop taking the pill. If taking a home pregnancy test isn't possible, stop taking the birth control pill until the pregnancy is confirmed or ruled out. In the meantime, use another method of birth control — such as condoms.

If you're concerned because you took birth control pills before you knew you were pregnant, talk to your health care provider, but be assured that there's little risk.

As long as you are generally healthy, you can safely take birth control pills for however long you need birth control or until you reach menopause. This applies to both combination estrogen-progestin and progestin-only birth control pills.

However, certain health conditions increase the risk of using estrogen-containing birth control pills. Throughout your lifetime and as you age, there may be times when estrogen-containing pills aren't recommended. For example, your doctor may recommend another form of birth control if you:

• Are a smoker age 35 or older
• Have just given birth
• Have a blood-clotting disorder, uncontrolled high blood pressure, certain heart or blood vessel problems, breast cancer, certain liver problems, gallbladder disease, migraines with aura, lupus, prolonged diabetes or complications from diabetes

Progestin-only pills appear to be a safe alternative for many women who can't use estrogen-containing birth control pills due to one of the conditions listed above. Like estrogen-containing pills, progestin-only pills may not be recommended for women who have breast cancer or certain liver problems.

Taking birth control pills may decrease the risk of certain types of cancer. For example, taking either type of birth control pill may decrease the risk of endometrial cancer. And estrogen-containing birth control pills may decrease the risk of ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer.

On the other hand, research suggests that long-term use of estrogen-containing birth control pills is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer. This risk increases the longer you take the pills. But once you stop taking the pills, the risk of cervical cancer begins to decline. Approximately 10 years after stopping birth control pills, cervical cancer risk returns to the same level as for women who have never taken birth control pills.

The effect of estrogen-containing birth control pills on breast cancer risk isn't clear. Some research indicates that taking estrogen-containing birth control pills slightly increases the risk of breast cancer — but that 10 or more years after stopping the pills, breast cancer risk returns to the same level as for women who have never taken birth control pills. Other studies don't support a link between estrogen-containing birth control pills and breast cancer.

Progestin-only pills don't appear to affect the risk of cervical cancer or breast cancer.

Taking an occasional break from birth control pills offers no benefits and may increase the risk of blood clots or unintended pregnancy. If you're concerned about long-term use of birth control pills, discuss the risks and benefits with your health care provider. He or she can help you weigh the pros and cons of other types of contraception as well.

Yes. Pre-ejaculation fluid may contain sperm, which means pregnancy can occur even when full ejaculation doesn't occur within the vagina.

Withdrawal of the penis from the vagina before ejaculation is one of the oldest methods of birth control. It's free, readily available and has no side effects. Still, withdrawal is unreliable at best — and it offers no protection from sexually transmitted infections.

If you're trying to prevent pregnancy, choose a more reliable type of birth control. There are a variety of short- and long-acting forms of birth control. Ask your doctor to help you understand the options.

While some research suggests that bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) can help with modest weight loss when combined with diet and exercise, it's probably not worth the risk. That's because bitter orange may cause potentially serious health problems. So if you're trying to lose weight, stick to healthier methods and skip the bitter orange.

Bitter orange extract is often used in weight-loss supplements. Bitter orange contains synephrine, which is similar to the main chemical in the herb ephedra (ma-huang). Ephedra was banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration because it raises blood pressure and has been linked to heart attacks and strokes.

Like ephedra, synephrine may speed up your heart rate and raise your blood pressure. Strokes and heart attacks have been reported in some people after taking bitter orange alone or in with other stimulants such as caffeine. In addition, bitter orange may interact with some prescription medications.

Remember, just because an herbal supplement might be natural doesn't mean it's safe. Talk with your doctor before taking herbal supplements.

Although bladder infections are more common in women, men can get them, too. Signs and symptoms of bladder infection (cystitis) in men include:

• Frequent urination
• Strong, persistent urge to urinate (urgency)
• Burning or tingling sensation during or just after urination (dysuria)
• Low-grade fever
• Cloudy urine with a strong odor
• Blood in urine (hematuria)
• Trouble urinating, especially if you have a problem with your prostate

Conditions that may be linked to an increased risk of bladder infection in men include:

• An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH)
• Kidney stones
• Abnormal narrowing of the urethra (urethral stricture)
• Having a recent urinary tract procedure involving instrumentation, such as insertion of a tube to drain your bladder (catheterization) or a small camera to examine your bladder and urethra (cystoscopy)

Treatment of a bladder infection depends on the cause, but typically includes antibiotics.