Contraceptives. They are one of the most talked about thing on college campuses that are never “really” talked about in serious, factual discussion. It’s as if they are one of the last taboos from our impressionable preteen years. Though we chat about them with our doctors and friends or reach for them after gaining consent in the heat of the moment, how often do we really have conversations about the things we seem to be using all the time? Though our access to a liberal arts education may have broken down some outmoded sociocultural taboo barriers, allowing us to openly discuss previously forbidden topics from politics to religion to our hidden love for Boys Like Girls, it can sometimes seem like we are more comfortable blowing up a lost condom into a snake-like balloon animal at a party than discussing what the benefits and hazards of these very important types of birth control are. And in case you don’t feel like whipping out your laptop in the Pub to do some quick condom research over a slice of pizza, here are some quick facts and misconceptions about birth control. You could go on all day
about the various types available, so I will condense it down to the most popular three.
First, let’s quickly acknowledge that while protection against STI’s is incredibly important, this conversation will focus solely on birth control options, as these tend to be the most politicized.
Condoms are the most widely known and referenced form of contraceptives. They are most commonly made of latex, and it is very important to note that these types of condoms do not jibe with any kind of oil based lube; using one can cause these handy tools to slip or break. Not fun. Those with a latex allergy can turn to other materials, such as lambskin or “natural” condoms, but should be warned that these do not protect against STI’s and STD’s. Polyurethane or polyisoprene condoms, however, get the whole job done. Condoms, beside being practical, also have ribbing options and come in different sizes, flavors, even glow in the dark options. There’s no shame in stocking a healthy variety in your bedside table.
While traditional condoms can be incredibly useful at preventing STIs and pregnancy, they generally only have an 85 percent effectiveness rate: condoms can expire, and, when
put on incorrectly or kept in a wallet and subjected to wear and tear, they can and do break. The female condom, a latex like pouch inserted inside a female partner, provides another option, though it is susceptible to similar issues as the traditional condom. To increase the effectiveness of contraceptives, it is always better to use dual protection, or two or more forms of birth control at once.
Partners who already know one another’s STI status may just not like the way condoms feel and not want to use them. This is common scenario among college studies. For that reason it is important to know about the other forms of birth control as well, though these may not be as readily available.
Birth control pills, colloquially known as “the pill,” are still the most widely used form of contraceptive in the United States. However, there still seems to be a lot of misinformation about one of the most widely prescribed medications in the country. I will admit that while I always aim to be somewhat self- sufficient, while I can change a tire and fix 3 University’s running toilet, I actually had very minimal knowledge about how the pill worked prior to writing this article; and I am not in the minority. After a quick and very unscientific study around campus, I was surprised to find that many of my lady peers were quite confused about the science of the little pill they take everyday, and males even more so. After some brief investigative research and speaking with the head of the Health Center, Darlene Dunn, I can share a brief refresher for the rest of you who too have forgotten, or never bothered to learn, the nitty-gritty details since about our favorite little pill.
Hormonal birth control, like the pill, the shot, or the patch, all work by affecting women’s levels of progesterone and estrogen.
These two hormones are found naturally in women, but by altering the body’s amounts, we can medically prevent women from ovulating. Contrary to popular belief, the pill will not make you gain weight (I know, I know, I did not believe this either, but the science backs it up!). Birth control pills contain far less estrogen than they did when they originally entered the market, making them safer, and without many of the previous side effects, such as a modest weight gain. So, don’t let this worry deter you from trying the pill. The weight women do gain while taking it is suspected to be associated with the ways their bodies are already naturally changing when they are the age they start to using it.
For some women, birth control pills can help with menstrual cramps, mood changes, acne, polycystic ovary syndrome, and it has been shown to lower the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. Women historically did not have their periods for as long as women do today, so it is actually a health benefit, not a risk, to stop ovulation for a bit, despite what people who have moral or ethical objections to the pill (which is of course, their choice) might say. As with everything involving our bodies, it is important to remember that there is no “one size fits all” medication. Birth control pills come in hundreds of different iterations, with different levels of progesterone and estrogen, and every woman will react to hormonal birth control differently. Some may not react at all, and others may experience common side effects, such as weight gain or breast tenderness. Dunn suggests trying a few combinations before you completely give up on the pill. Figuring out which medication works best for you is much easier if you tell your healthcare provider honestly about any side effects you may experience.