OU ranked 92nd out of 139 universities in the nation for sexual health resources available to students in the most recent Trojan condoms sexual health report card.
The overall availability and knowledge of contraceptives is low among college students, according to the report card. There are many types of contraceptives, and each has its benefits and downfalls. The Daily gives you a breakdown of the old, the new and what you need to know to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Latex Condoms
The male condom is one of the most-used contraceptives among college students, said Terry Dennison, director of education for Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma. Not only do they prevent pregnancy, condoms also protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
Pros
• Has an 85 to 98 percent chance of preventing pregnancy
• Inexpensive and simple to use
• Effective against many diseases, including HIV
Things to know
• Must be disposed of properly and replaced after ejaculation to be effective
• Can interrupt intimacy and be distracting during sex
• Not safe for those allergic to latex
Oral Contraceptives
Oral contraceptives are popular among college women because they’re easy to use and widely available, Dennison said. Women on “the pill” take one per day for a low dosage of hormones, which suppresses ovulation and makes it harder for sperm to reach eggs.
Pros
• 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy if taken correctly
• May also relieve cramps and bleeding during menstruation
Things to know
• Must be taken on a tightly regimented schedule. Missing one dose could lead to an increased chance of pregnancy.
• Can cause some side effects like nausea, breast tenderness, irregular spotting, weight gain, mood changes or headaches
• Has a small risk of vascular blood clots or heart attack, so it’s best to consult a doctor about potential risk factors
• Not effective against STDs
Female Condom
The female condom has been available since the late 1980s. The female condom is made out of hypoallergenic plastic and was designed for women who have trouble getting their male partners to wear a condom.
Pros
• Almost as effective in preventing pregnancy as a male condom
• More protective than a male condom against STDs because it covers a larger area
• Less likely to cause an allergic reaction than the male condom
Things to know
• Somewhat expensive at about $3 to $5 and can only be used once
• In order to be effective, it must be disposed of properly and replaced after ejaculation
• Can interrupt intimacy and be distracting during sex
Nuva Ring
The Nuva Ring is a flexible vaginal ring that releases hormones similar to those in oral contraceptives. A woman inserts her own Nuva Ring and it stays in for three weeks. At the end of three weeks, the woman removes the ring and has her period. Once her period is over, she inserts another one.
Pros
• More than 99 percent effective if used properly.
• You don’t have to remember to take a pill every day.
• The ring is very light and pliable and a sexual partner shouldn’t feel it during intercourse.
Things to know
• Nuva Ring is available only by prescription because it has the same health risks as oral contraceptives.
• Side effects are similar to those of oral contraceptives
• Not effective against STDs
Depo Provera
Depo Provera is a birth control shot that is administered every three months at a doctor’s office. The shot gives the body progesterone and prevents pregnancy without taking a pill or inserting anything.
Pros
• About 98 percent effective in preventing pregnancy
• Menstruation may lighten or stop altogether after a few years of use
• No daily or weekly routine to worry about
Things to know
• Many women gain weight or may become depressed after receiving the shot for a few years.
• Requires a prescription and office visits to receive the shot
• Does not protect against STDs
Sources: Dr. David Porter; Terry Dennison, director of education for Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma and www.healthywomen.org
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RogerG 3 years ago
It is better to masturbate or to abstain from sex unless and until people are mature and smart enough to know how to use condoms and pills. Abstinence is the only way to prevent unwanted pregnancies unless a girl is trying to trap a guy. Bristol Palin was obviously horny and wanted to get laid.. She found out that there is a tremendous price for carelessness. Use condoms and pills and dont forget "that one time" will not work. So abstain, masturbate or always always use methods of birth control if you are having vaginal sex. Or otherwise use safer alternatives like mutual masturbation or even oral sex IF the person you are with is clean, disease free and specially viral infection free(means no herpes or AIDS) and of course best course is to pray and abstain and only use sex for procreation as the bible says so. It is not for enjoyment but only to be used for procreation.
Rhology 3 years ago
You forgot a CON for the oral contraceptive.
Many or even most or perhaps all have the tertiary effect of thinning the placental wall so that a fertilised egg (aka an embryo aka your very young son or daughter) cannot implant there and is therefore flushed in the subsequent menstrual cycle. For those who have thought the question of when life begins thru consistently, it should be clear that a tertiary effect of the pill is as abortifacient.
Thus it cannot be taken with a clear conscience.
JJanowiak 3 years ago
This article has one major factual inaccuracy: none of these methods have an "[blah] percent chance of preventing pregnancy" as the stat is phrased under the latex condom. Birth control failure rates, last time I checked, were measured in the number of cases per 100 who became pregnant over the course of a year. Saying that something has a specific percentage chance of preventing pregnancy gives your readers the (false) impression that each time they have sex with a condom, there is a sizable percentage chance that they will get pregnant. In reality, the chance of becoming pregnant from an individual act of protected sex, no matter the method listed above, is quite low, much lower than 10% as listed under the male condom part of the article, but extrapolated over a year it's something most people wouldn't want to risk.
It is also misleading that you only report the perfect use rates these methods: the typical use effectiveness of condoms is well below the number you report as are the rest of the methods - most people simply aren't perfect use. Ignorant readers might get the impression that whatever they do that perfect use statistic is the baseline statistic.
While this article was well-intentioned and it's always good to see more frank discussion of birth control on campus, at least spend the time to make sure that the information is accurate.