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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (March 2, 1981)
‘Pill’ for males still years away Birth control research continues By ANN PORTAL Of the Emerald Women in the Libyan Desert wear leather pouches containing “magic po tions” to ward off pregnancy. While American birth control methods have considerably higher rates of effec tiveness than their Libyan counterparts, no method is 100-percent safe, effective and convenient, said gynecologist Dennis Schuelke. Speaking last week in a series on women’s issues sponsored by Lane County, Schuelke said although re search on new contraceptives con tinues, the development of a male con traceptive drug and alternative methods for women are probably still several years away. Schuelke said many men “want to exercise more responsibility,” for birth control, but there are "a lot of problems with male contraceptives." Drugs have been invented strong enough to suppress millions of sperm each month, but they carry “unacceptable” side effects. Other research focuses on antibodies r to destroy the sperm, but widespread use of the method is “a long way from happening,” Schuelke said. New methods of birth control for women include a pill that is taken only once a week, vaginal rings that secrete the hormones contained in the “pill,” microcapsules that secrete hormones when placed under the skin, anti-im plantation drugs, vaccines that immun ize women against pregnancy hor mones, and a vaginal sponge that acts as a disposable diaphragm. Among traditional birth control methods, the condom is still the most popular method worldwide, Schuelke said. But the “user effectiveness" of the condom is only 64-97 percent. "It's generally assumed that if you have a condom, you know how to use it — that’s not true.” The "scientific effectiveness” — or effectiveness rate — of the condom if used "perfectly” is 97-98 percent. The condom also provides protection against venereal diseases, has no side effects and can be purchased over the counter. Both diaphragms and chemical sup positories have effectiveness rates close to 98 percent, but if used incorrectly their effectiveness can drop dramatically. The main advantage of the two methods is that they produce few if any side effects. But both require a modification of sexual behavior, Schuelke said. Each must be inserted a specific amount of time before inter course, and the diaphragm must be left in six hours after intercourse. The diaphragm has the additional dis advantages of requiring education of the user, a proper fit, replacement every two years and proper care. Some women who wear diaphragms report irritation caused by sperm. Oral contraceptives are still the most effective method, and more than 30 brands are available by prescription. But many women experience a list of side effects "as long as your arm,” he said, and hesitate to use the pill. Schuelke warned against current ads that advertise a pill containing fewer micrograms of hormones. The key to the strength of the pill is not the micrograms but the strength of the hormone used, he said. According to Schuelke, the IUD has the lowest number of use-related deaths. lUDs have a user-effectiveness rate of 94-99 percent and do not restrict sexual behavior, he said But lUDs do have “rare" serious side effects, including serious infections, a 50-percent higher chance of spontan eous abortion if the user becomes pregnant and perforation of the uterus when the device is inserted. But the chance of complications is still less than 1 percent, Schuelke said The various forms of natural family planning, including the rhythm method, basil body temperature, ovulation, and mucous are inexpensive and have no side effects. They depend on the mo tivation of the user, he said, and all require extensive education of the user. Most restrict sexual activity to a large degree. Methods Schuelke termed “ineffec tive” include douching, withdrawal and morning-after pills — which produce many side effects. Abortion, while safer than pregnancy, should not be considered a good method of birth control, he said. IFC gives initial funds to KWAX By PAULTELLES Ol the Emerald The University’s public radio station will receive incidental fee funding for the first time next year. The IFC voted Thursday to give KWAX $1,583 to hire a public affairs specialist, a production assistant, and an engineer to record the Willamette Folk Festival next spring. The usually tight-fisted committee also gave the station $200 for advertising after committee chairer Jon Neiderbach expressed surprise that the station had included no advertising expenses in its request. KWAX manager Janet Kenney said the station needs the money because of pos sible cuts in federal funding next year. The committee was less generous with SEARCH, giving the group $6,752, almost $800 less than requested and $1,200 less than the group’s 1980-81 budget. SEARCH representatives said the pro gram, which provides “alternative” courses like “War in the Nuclear Age," has had difficulty keeping directors this year. But representatives said the group is getting back on its feet and now sponsors more courses than during the past few years. Most of the SEARCH cuts came from the printing and duplicating budget, which was cut by almost $400, and its travel budget, which was eliminated. In other business, the IFC gave the Amazon Community Tenants $1,443 — about $90 less than the group’s current budget, and more than $500 less than requested. Most of the cuts came from the elimina tion of the stipend for the group’s assistant director, which is currently $1,140 a year. The committee has cut assistant director’s stipends from most groups' budgets. Although refusing to fund ACT childcare for class registration days, the commitee said it would try to make sure the Univer sity childcare centers would be open for registration next year. Currently, the centers don't open until the first day of class. The Jewish Student Union received $2,118, more than $500 less than the union received in 1980 and about $300 less than requested. Some committee members questioned whether the JSU’s activities are perceived as cultural or religious, but union representatives convinced the committee that events like Holocaust Day and Israeli Independence Day are of wide cultural interest. The committee also gave the Student University Affairs Board $10,492, about $140 less than the board's current budget. OSBHE projections?” asked board member James Peterson. “The surcharge is the fairesl way in identifying a shortfall in revenue," board member Alvin Batiste said. He also suggested a tuition increase would encourage students to graduate early. Board Pres. Ed Harms said “You go to where the dollars are, and that’s where the people are." Atiyeh had also proposed in SPRING VACATION HAWAII March 21-28 $419.00 Airfare only Limited space available Call 687-2825 EUGENE TRAVEL 831 E, 13th Eugene, Or 97401 KONA CAFE^ Breakfast Served 7:30-11:30 Monday thru Friday Two Eggs, Hashbrowns and Toast . 1.75 Ham and Eggs, Hashbrowns and Toast .2.60 Diced Ham and Eggs, Hashbrowns and Toast .. .s.. 2.00 Huevos Rancheros .2.25 ...plus a selection of omelets and tropical juices. Homemade coffeecakes and pastries are baked fresh daily in our kitchen. SUPER-FAST SERVICE FOR PEOPLE ON THE GO! Lunch and dinner served daily also. 345-0214 “On 13th between the Bookstore and Duffy’s." Continued from Page 1 creasing tuition for non-resident graduate students 84 percent over the next two years, and most of the board was strongly opposed to such an increase. The board finally adopted across-the-board surcharge policy. The board also voted to con tinue linking tuition to percen tages of instruction costs. Resident undergraduates pay 23 percent of that cost, out-of state undergraduates 100 percent and resident graduates 27 percent. The board decided against increasing costs for non resident graduates — which are currently 50 percent — to 100 percent. The surcharges were labled "non-recurring," but several of the board members expressed doubts that the "surcharges” would be discontinued after the next biennium. The board also agreed to continue student fee remissions for foreign students currently receiving the remissions, but not to allow additional students in. Fee remissions, similar to subsidies, are given to foreign students studying in Oregon. The board s action on the surcharges came after receiv ing a 23-page report from Vice Chancellor Bill Lemman. tiection will fill ASUO, other posts As spring-cleaning time draws near, the ASUO also is cleaning house. All 18 elected ASUO positions will be filled in next term’s bal loting. Filing for the elections will begin March 11, and the deadline will be April 3. The races include seven Incidental Fee Committee seats, 16 Student University Affairs Board seats, four EMU Board seats and the ASUO president. The primary election will be held April 15 and 16, and the general election will be April 22 and 23. The ballot also will include amendments to the ASUO con stitution. Those amendments are subject to the same filing dates as the elected positions. i Keepsake i Registered Diamond Rings 1 Keepsake guarantees a truly perfect ) \ diamond of fine white color and correct t | cut There is no finer diamond ring • “ Something beautiful for everyone j'UottA jewelers KeepsakeComer J Valley River Center 484-1303 1 } 0»n» 10 00 9 SM 10 00-6 Sun 1100-6 j 311C 311C