As collegiettes, we aren’t unaware of the risks of having sex, and we know how important it is to protect ourselves from STI’s or an unplanned pregnancy. Sure, there are tons of different brands of condoms we can use, but let’s be real, those can break and who know how long one has been sitting in a guy’s wallet? We have to take matters into our own hands, but what’s the best way? These are three of the most popular methods used among today’s collegiettes.
The Pill.
This is the most common method of birth control among women, and it’s easy to see why. As humans we are creatures of habit and form schedules, so taking the pill becomes secondhand to many of us. However, many women don’t know that they’re probably using it wrong… you may be used to taking the pill, but are you taking it at the same time every day? To ensure the pill’s effectiveness at preventing an unplanned pregnancy, you HAVE to take it the same time every day.
Pros: easy to take, there are different levels of estrogen in different brands, it regulates your period every month, and can help clear up your skin, you can get it for free (and without your parents knowing) at health departments (including the Watauga County Health Department) that have a Planned Parenthood clinic
Cons: different levels of estrogen may mean trying different brands until you find one that fits for you, and remembering to take it at the same time every day, if you don’t take it at the same time you’ll likely have an irregular period and spot often.
What Collegiettes Are Saying: “I enjoy taking the pill because I only have about 4 periods a year, and even when I have one it only lasts about a day or two… however, I always use condoms as well.”
The Shot.
The birth control shot, called Depo-Provera, can seem scary so let’s get some basic information on it out of the way. The shot is inserted into your arm, shoulder, or hip and releases a hormone called progestin into the body. The progestin keeps eggs from leaving your ovaries, thus preventing pregnancy since there is no egg to join the sperm. The shot also makes your cervical mucus thicker, which prevents sperm from getting to the eggs.
Pros: you only have to get this shot every 12 weeks, you can get it for free (and without your parents knowing) at health departments (including the Watauga County Health Department) that have a Planned Parenthood clinic, it’s very private so no one will see you slip away to take your pill, and also there has been research to show the shot can help prevent cancer of the lining of the uterus.
Cons: there may be irregular bleeding when you first start to get the shot, the hormones may make you feel hungry which could lead to weight gain, there are also other side effects that occur with any sort of hormone injection.
What Collegiettes Are Saying: “LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I only have to go every 12 weeks, it’s painless and I haven’t experienced any weight gain”, “You just have to be conscious of the hormone changing you so you may feel like you’re hungry”, “All I’m saying is tampons are expensive, and this stopped my period.”
The Arm Thing.
The doo-dad in my arm, the implanted birth control thingy, there’s endless quips collegiettes come up with for what is called Implanon or Nexplanon. It can seem scary to have something just hanging out in your arm, so here’s some background information on Implanon. Implanon is a thin and flexible plastic implant, close to the size of a match. The device is inserted under the skin of the upper arm and the hormone progestin is released, protecting against pregnancy for up to three years. It has similar effects to The Shot.
Pros: if your body is touchy when it comes to estrogen this implant can be used by women who cannot take it, it doesn’t have to be re-sterilized, there isn’t a pill to take every day or a doctor’s appointment to remember, nothing needs to be placed correctly before intercourse, it is covered by most insurances.
Cons: irregular bleeding is the most common side effect during the first 6 – 12 months of use, pain in the arm can occur at the implantation site, as well as other side effects that come with taking any hormone.
What Collegiettes Are Saying: “the procedure doesn’t hurt at all, they numb your arm before!”, “it only feels weird if I touch it, other than that I can’t feel it or see it”, “highly recommend this!”
These are just three popular types among collegiettes. Before you make a choice about what kind to start taking, you should meet with your regular doctor and a gynecologist to discuss any personal risks and ask any questions you may have about a specific type.
Images:
http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/New-Birth-Control-Pill-Means-PERIOD-265791
http://www.riversideonline.com/health_reference/Womens-Health/MY01007.cfm