The Michigan Daily - Friday, October 22, 1993 - 5 --- - --------- -- - i Source: UHS 88 percent effective alone; 97.5 percent with spermicides Provides protection against STDs and AIDS if used with nonoxynol-9 Easy and inexpensive method with no side effects Decreases spontaneity $3-$4.50/dozen atex Latex Condoms i 97 percent effective Best for women who have frequent intercourse or want spontaneity Does not prevent STDs or AIDS 0 Lightens periods and minimizes cancer risk Possible side effects $10/pack/month and gadg eots galore M Latex condoms disintegrate with oil-based lubricants including Crisco, chocolate syrup and whipped cream Vaseline, The Pill* t b ,R 9I f~S 75-82 percent effective ® Does not prevent AIDS or STDs ® Does not hinder spontaneity. Inexpensive method for those willing to risk an unplanned pregnancy Not a reliable method Free " A condom in a wallet has a two week life span ® The pill does not work combined with antibiotics use " Over five years, Norplant ends up being cheaper than birth control pills " The World Health Organization estimates that more than 250 million new STD cases appear each year Withdrawal K. . 1'iV ~ r7C j - N 82-94 percent effective 0 Protects against some STDs when used with spermicides Causes few side effects ® Bad idea for women who have large fluctuations in weight, hinders spontaneity and may cause urinary tract infections 0 $9.75-$12.59 N 82-94 percent effective U Does not prevent AIDS or STDs when used alone ® Available without a prescription ® Decreases spontaneity and some are allergic to T chemicals ® $4.60 for 3 Sponge with Spermicide M The average ejaculation is approximately 5 cubic centimeters, fO r 4$; V~QrE J ® 99.5 percent effective Does not prevent STDs or AIDS ® Long term protection that is easier than pill; can be removed at any time ® Requires surgical insertion and removal. Some implants can be seen under skin $490 (effective 5 yrs.) ® 97-99 percent effective ® Does not prevent AIDS or STDs Effective method that requires surgical insertion and removal ® Bad idea for those who have never carried full term pregnancy and those with pelvic or uterine problems O $129-$167 of protein broken condom. A missed period. Suddenly choosing a major seems like a inordecision. What you're about to decide will change the rest of your life. "It's not something I'd want to happen ever," LSA first-year student Lauren Morfoot said. "I'd just be a mess if I were pregnant. I wouldn't know how to handle myself." But for the people who requested the 1,600 pregnancy tests at University Health Service (UHS) last year, the decision seemed very real. For the 294 women who tested positive, the decision was real. Some of these students joyfully anticipated the birth of a child. Others regretted the night the condom broke, the day they forgot to take their pill or the evening when they didn't want to spoil the moment. "I thought I was pregnant once," said Beth, an LSA senior. "I was scared shitless. I had to take a wait-and-see approach, but fortunately I was lucky." After the condom broke she and her partner agreed they needed a new method. One month later, she was taking birth control pills. Her new birth control method is one of the most popular on campus. Other favorites include condoms, abstinence andspermicides. Students who choose to have sex have many birth control options available to them. Some methods, like withdrawal, are as old as sex itself. Others, like the female condom and Norplant are so new, few are ready to trust them. But one thing's certain: contraception is a topic students need to know everything about. The products we choose and how we use them can alter the course of our lives. Some products will prevent pregnancy. Others may just keep us alive. Condoms vs. the pill The last decade has marked a significant change in the way men and women think about sex. Pills, shots, foams and diaphragms used to be easy, fun ways to prevent unplanned pregnancies. But in the 1990's, more things have to be considered. While some contraceptives work just fine for catching sperm or killing eggs, viruses are smaller and are harder to control. The only real way to protect yourself form AIDS is abstinence. The next best thing is a latex condom with nonoxynol- 9 spermicide. But these rubber socks that roll onto the penis to block the flow of sperm (and viruses), can also be messy. Even when used correctly, they can break or slip off. Some students also complain that they're a pain to put on. They interrupt romantic moments and dull sexual sensations. As one male LSA senior pointed out: "Sex is much juicier without a condom." "It does kind of break the mood," agreed LSA junior Sue Wagner. "You have to stop, get it out and put it on. potential side effects associated with birth control pills. "I've heard it can affect people differently," she said. "Most of my friends who are on the pill can't wait to get off. It affects their moods and they experience a lot of weight gain." But one nursing school sophomore said the pill only affected her body in a positive way. "I grew a bra size," she said. "I thought (the pill) was great. It's much better than having to put in a diaphragm or something -it kinda blows the mood.", The pill also offers women the advantage of controlling their own bodies, Beth said. "It makes me more responsible for myself because I'm not depending on my partner for security." But in order to be effective, both the pill and condoms need to be used properly: Pills must be taken every day at around the same time. Condoms must be properly stored. The life expectancy of a condom in a wallet is about two weeks. The heat and compression breaks down the latex and spermicide, rendering it useless. Condoms also do not work when used with oil-based lubricants like chocolate sauce, whipped cream and vaseline. But head UHS gynecologist Ron Mulder recommends using a water-based lubricant such as K-Y Jelly. Spermicides may also be used alone for contraception, but these sperm-killing chemicals do not kill STDs such as HIV. New products Although none of the newest high- tech contraception devices can protect you from STDs, new products like Norplant and Depo-Provera can be easier to use and more convenient than condoms But students say they are suspect of birth-control devices they've never used and are hesitant to use newer products that have not been tested as widely as products like the pill and condoms. "I feel (Norplant) is still mostly experimental," Beth said. "I know it's been approved, but the history of the pill has 30 years. There's much more research into the effects. The unknown consequences of Norplant scare me." But the recently-introduced Norplant -the first substantially-new contraceptive in the United States in 25 years - offers many of the same benefits of the pill without the hassle of having to remember to take it every day. There are no messy lubricants or cups that need to be inserted. And nothing interrupts the fun, romantic flow of sexual intercourse. The six slender Norplant rods implanted under the skin of a woman's upper arm slowly release hormones that suppress ovulation into the blood stream. The product can be removed at any time and because it is good for up to five years, it ends up being cheaper than the pill in the long run. But many women shy away from Norplant because the six rods may be. visible beneath the skin and because 1950's. But because of regulatory obstacles, the product was not made available until this decade. It had been marketed in 40 countries before it was allowed to be distributed in the United States. Another new product, the female condom, is hard to use correctly, but it does have the advantage of being a woman's only form of contraception that prevents the transmission of STDs. The female condom is the same length as a male condom, but wider. The condom is made of a silicone-lubricated polyurethane sheath. On each end is a flexible polyurethane ring. One ring is used to insert into the vagina and the other remains outside the body to anchor the condom. Women have reported that the penis can slip under the exterior ring, therefore making the female condom completely ineffective. The female condom, marketed as "Reality," may be available at UHS later this semester after passing through an approval process. "The University wants to have as many options available for people so they can make the best choices for them based on lifestyle costs, health costs and financial costs," said Janet Zielasko, director of the UHS health promotion and community relations office. Other options Although condoms and the pill are the most common form of birth control on campus, sexually active people in the rest of the country are also commonly using the intrauterine device (IUD), the diaphragm and surgical sterilization. While some students use the diaphragm, surgical sterilization and the IUD are rarely seen because they can threaten a woman's chance of ever getting pregnant. In fact, UHS will not prescribe the IUD to women who have not been pregnant because the plastic devices inserted by a clinician into the uterus, may cause problem pregnancy later on. UHS practitioners generally advise against sterilization for younger people. "The earlier in her life she makes the decision (to be sterilized) the more likely she is to want a reversal," Dr. Mulder said. However, some students do use the diaphragm. This product can be compared to the condom in terms of drawbacks-it's a pain to put it and can be messy. But once 2 calories and .1 gram fitted to the body, it can be used repeatedly. For those who feel comfortable touching themselves enough to put diaphragms in correctly, they can save themselves the trouble of buying condoms. When used with spermicides, the diaphragm also can protect against some STDs, but not the HIV virus. The cervical cap, the sponge, and the diaphragm must be used with a spermicide and inserted before intercourse. These barriers must remain in the body long enough so the spermicide can kill all the sperm. Erika, an LSA junior, said timing the hours before intercourse made using the sponge much more difficult than condoms. "Condoms are a pain to use sometimes," she said. "But the sponge is far worse." Other students don't like using the sponge, cervical cup and diaphragm because they are uncomfortable touching their genitals. On the other hand, one student said: "The diaphragm is good, but again, some women (and their partners) don't install it right. If that puppy isn't put in right, you might as well be using the rhythm method." None of these options are failure- proof: Condoms can break, leaving both parties facing overwhelming fear. Pills won't work unless they're taken every day. Diaphragms, sponges and cervical caps must all be inserted properly and for the right amount of time. Norplant, surgery and injections can have a high initial cost. But choices do not have to be limiting. Many of these devices can be used to supplement each other. Combining condoms with the sponge is safer than condoms alone. Some students say they also use the withdrawal method -pulling the penis away from the vagina before ejaculation - in combination with other techniques. But used alone, withdrawal does not offer much protection. Sperm and harmful STDs may be in the pre- ejaculatory fluid. But what ever devise you choose to use, advises David, an LSA senior, be sure you use something. "It's your social responsibility as well as a responsibility to yourself to protect against the spread of disease as well as against pregnancy." IUD* i 99.7 percent effective Does not prevent AIDS or STDs Effective method that does not hinder spontaneity Requires visit to clinician every 3 months for injection $47/injection (effective for 3 months) Depo-Provera * V <, , :. MARCH Fertility Awareness 70-80 percent effective Does not prevent AIDS or STDs Natural method with no side effects; helpful if planning pregnancy. ® Bad for those with stressful lifestyle or irregular periods 0 Minimal cost I 1. 1 21P * 83 percent effective May protect against STDs. Still uncertain. Has no side effects 0 Must be correctly in place. Hinders spontaneity N $35.63 Contraception Education Program One- to two-hour session led by peer educators. Session covers lifestyle, health and economic costs of many forms of contraception with models of the female reproductive system and samples of contraception. m i i