ask the sexpert
I have been on the pill for years and was
thinking of changing to a diaphragm, but then I
heard that women who have a tipped uterus (as I
do) can’t use a diaphragm because they won't be
able to insert it correctly. I also heard that they
can’t use an IUD Is this true?
The majority of women who have a tipped
uterus have no problems with either IUD insertion
or diaphragm use. (Although rare, there are
women whose uterus is so severely tipped that the
diaphragm isn’t able to fit snugly around the
cervix, therefore reducing its effectiveness as a
birth control method.)
Correct insertion of the diaphragm is very
important for maximum protection against
pregnancy, but the ability to insert a diaphragm
correctly is only rarely impaired by a tipped
uterus. A more important factor for most women is
whether or not the instructions given at the time
the diaphragm is fitted are clearly understood.
If you decide to try a diaphragm, be sure that
the instructions given to you by the doctor or
nurse practioner are clear. The doctor also
should let you practice insterting your diaphragm,
and then check to make sure you did it correctly.
You can feel your cervix through the dia
phragm if it is inserted properly. Your cervix is
rounded and feels like the tip of your nose.
If a practice insertion is not offered to you at
the time your diaphragm is fitted, you should
request one.
What is the effectiveness rate of breast
feeding as a birth control method? I’ve heard
everything from 100 percent effective to ‘It's not a
birth control method — that’s just a myth.'
Most women who are not breast feeding
begin ovulating approximately six weeks after
delivery.
When a woman is breast feeding, she
produces high levels of prolactin. This hormone
stimulates milk production and also suppresses
ovulation.
Generally, the length of time ovulation will be
suppressed seems to be directly related to the
a'mount and intensity of breast feeding.
Therefore, women who breast feed and do not
supplement their babies’ diet with formula might
expect to suppress ovulation longer than women
who either don’t breast feed or who breast feed
but also use a supplement.
On the average, lactating (milk producing)
women who breast feed exclusively should begin
to utilize supplemental contraception such as
condoms, foam or diaphragm by 90 days after
delivery. Lactating women who supplement
breast feeding with other foods should begin
contracepting by four weeks post-partum.
Because many women ovulate before they
start menstruating again, even women who breast
feed exclusively are best protected from an un
wanted pregnancy by not waiting until they have
their first menstrual period before they start using
additional contraception.
Law student wins cash prize
Steven Shupe, a second-year law student at
the University, has won first place in the 1981
National Law Student Essay Contest on Envir
onmental Law sponsored by the American Bar
Association’s Standing Committee on Envir
onmental Law
Shupe received a $400 award for his winning
essay, “Waste in Western Water Law: A Blueprint
for Change ”
In his essay, Shupe wrote that existing water
appropriation law in the West should be changed
so that limited water resources can be used more
efficiently.
The traditional water appropriation system in
the West, which gives water rights in perpetuity to
those who first took water from a stream, needs to
be changed in response to the increasing scarcity
of water resources, he wrote.
SAhE
\ SPEGAL
v frotoM
The newest Birkenstock has two very
comfortable features—the traditional
Birkenstock fit, and
what is known in Ger
many as our"friendship'
price. Because the
uppers are made from
a new material created
especially for Birkenstock,
we are now able to offer you our
most popular model for just $35.00
Since it feels, looks and
wears very much like our
original leather Birkenstocks,
we call it The Bargain.
So will your feet.
Birkenstock,
2nd Floor Atrium
Mon.-Sat. 11-6
1 Oth & Olive
687-0065
A
Photo by Steve Dykes
Paul Olum fields students' questions at a convocation on
Wednesday.
Continued from page 1A
“The Legislature will realize
they have to come to grips with
the governor’s income pack
age,’’ Olum said. “The addi
tional shortfall increases the
chances of passage of the
governor's tax package.”
Failing to remedy an addi
tional 3 percent general fund
reduction would have bleak
SPRING
FLINGS
Close encounters of the
personal kind....
Coming June 8*
*if placed by June 5 at I pm at the
usual locations
V---_>
consequences for the economy
of the entire state, he said.
Olum proposed reducing
property tax relief while still
protecting the poor and elderly,
and increasing corporate taxes.
“Oregon industry would
suffer much more from the
mediocrity of a university than
an increased tax."
Loss of faculty salaries to the
local economy also would be
devastating, Olum said.
Salaries turn over 200 times
in a community,” he said. At an
average salary of $25,000 that’s
a loss of more than $22 million a
year to the economy, Olum said.
Olum answered students’
questions about the budget
making process and tuition in
creases. Several students
voiced concern about the pos
sible closure of their
departments and professional
schools.
Olum reassured students that
it is “too late in the game" to
plan enrollment reductions next
year, but that a surcharge of
$108 per year may be added to
tuition.
Olum said the University is
continuing legislative lobbying.
He'said legislators are symp
athetic to higher education’s
plight but are afraid of the pub
lic’s response to any reductions
in property tax relief.
1981 WOMEN’S Symposium
PRESENTS
May 21, Thursday
DANCE TO FIRST LIGHT!
This local women's band
will provide music for
your feet’s delight. Child
care available
Sliding fee: $2-4
1236 Kincaid
See our Women’s
Symposium Program for
a complete schedule of
events, available in Suite 1, EMU
University of Oregon Women's Symposium