MIND + BODY
No Gl ve, No L ve Story By Lexi Wicks | Design By Evelyn Perez-Sanchez Sex. It’s a word that is not always talked about within households and a topic that many students wouldn’t dare to bring up in the presence of family or friends. This can leave sex education limited and not often revisited despite new birth control options available. Sex can be whatever you want it to be as long as it’s consensual and talked about with your partner. Yet there is an important question a lot of people ask themselves: what birth control should we use?
Male Condoms
76-
–Doesn’t protect against STIs and may increase the risk of HIV infection in women who have sex multiple times a day (due to the irriation from spermicide) –Increases UTIs
79
Female condom Pros:
–Provides protection against STIs –Can be inserted well before intercourse (less interruption) –Male does not need to withdraw right after ejaculation, as he does with a male condom
Cons:
–May move or be uncomfortable –Can only use for one act of sex –Cost about $2.50 each
Arm Implant - (Nexplanon)
ve
% Effecti
Pros:
–Long-term method: 3 years after insertion - it can be removed by a health care provider when you want to or you can wait for 3 years when it’s time for a change of implant –May cause light or loss of menstrual periods
Cons:
–Does not protect against STIs –Requires minor surgery and insertion of tiny rod(s) underneath skin –May have side effects: irregular periods, depression, nervousness, hair loss and weight gain
All health information is sourced from the Center for Young Women’s Health.
e ctiv
e
9
Cons:
Ef 9 9% f e
Effectiv 9%
– Does not protect against STIs –Slightly higher in risk of infection in the first 20 days after insertion –The Copper IUD can have side effects: cramping, heavy period and spotting in between menstrual periods
SPRING 2022
80
–Doesn’t protect against STIs –Not very effective method of contraception –Difficult for male to always predict ejaculation –No control by women - need to rely completely on men to prevent pregnancy
–Have to use a new one every time you have sex –May disrupt/interupt sex –Women may be allergic to latex
–Protects as soon as it’s inserted –Doesn’t need daily attention (check once a month to see if it’s in place) –Comfortable (you cannot feel it) –Lessens menstrual flow (can be effective for heavy periods)
–Can insert right before or several hours before sex, provides protection for 24 hours –Doesn’t need a prescription
Cons:
Cons:
Pros:
Pros:
–Doesn’t cost anything –Allows men to be an active part of preventing pregnancy
–Provides protection against STIs –Doesn’t cost much and can buy at almost any drug store –Men feel they can last longer when using a condom –Allow men to have an active part in preventing pregnancy
22
The Sponge
–Natural, no side effects
Intrauterine Device (IUD)
Ef 83% fec
Pros:
Pros:
Cons:
% Effectiv
tive
Withdrawal (Pulling Out)
e
% Effectiv
e
87
It is essential to know your options. You know your body better than anyone. The decision is yours to make.
