wellnow
The
complete
lover...
Or what women want men to
know about contraception
hflen like to think they’re great lovers.
But how you perform in bed is only part of it. A
really great lover is involved in his love’s decisions
about contraception.
We took an informal poll of UO women. Here’s
what they told us about men and contraception.
SHARE THE COST: Contraception can be expen
sive. And when the cost is not shared, sometimes it
seems like exploitation. Men too often overlook
this, because most contraception affects only the
woman’s body.
TALK ABOUT IT: Women would like men to share
in the decision about contraception — what
method is best for the couple. Unfortunately, too
often more time is spent deciding on a restaurant
than how to prevent pregnancy and disease.
UNDERSTAND SIDE-EFFECTS: These include
physical (possible weight gain, headaches, pain,
irregular menstrual cycles) and emotional (although
men may only worry about disease, women also
contend with worries about pregnancy).
LEARN MORE: Peer health educators at the
Health Center have more information. Call
346-4456.
Amy Getman
HC focuses on uninsured students
of our major concerns at the Health Center
is the number of students without health insurance.
Estimates say from five percent to as many as
25 percent of UO students are uninsured.
This can have negative effects on students’ acade
mic progress, because they may not get the treat
ment they need for serious medical problems that
are not life-threatening.
For example, a dance major who injures her knee
may not be able to afford elective surgery without
insurance, nor would she receive hospital care
because her problem does not threaten her life.
Her injury may thus preclude her from continu
ing her academic progress in her chosen major. Her
life is suddenly and seriously changed.
We’ve noted indirect effects as well. An unin
sured graduate student who uses running to reduce
stress may be in a similar situation as the dancer, if
he injures his foot, for example.
His life is not threatened directly, but his academ
ic performance may be inhibited by stress and
fatigue.
In upcoming months, we’ll be
looking at a number of possible
solutions with regard to unin
sured students, in order to find
the best answers for them and
the UO community.
Our work in this area is con
sistent with our primary mission
of helping students get the best
education possible, by minimiz
ing health-related barriers to
personal development and
learning.
— Gerald J. Fleischli, M.D.,
director and physician, j
Health Center f
How to find the right contraceptive
Here’s a primer about contra
ceptive methods the Health
Center offers students, all at a
reduced price. The effectiveness
rates listed are with perfect use.
BARRIER METHODS
Barrier methods employ a
device to prevent contact between
the sperm and the egg, and are
placed before each act of sexual
intercourse.
Male Condom: One of the
most common methods of birth
control. The condom has an effec
tiveness rating of 97 percent,
which increases to 99.9 percent if
a vaginal spermicide is also used.
Condoms provide protection
against sexually transmitted infec
tions (STI), most importantly
HIV.
Female Condom: A relatively
new method made from
polyurethane that is inserted into
the vagina and is 95 percent effec
tive. A major advantage is that it
is woman-controlled and offers
protection against STI.
Diaphragm: A dome-shaped
rubber cup filled with spermicide
inserted into the vagina. It must
be kept in place for eight hours
after intercourse. A diaphragm
can be left in place for 24 hours,
and a new application of spermi
cide is necessary for each act of
intercourse. The effectiveness rat
ing is 94 percent.
Cervical Cap: A rubber cup
that is placed on the cervix. It
must be kept in place for eight
hours after intercourse, and can
be worn for 48 hours. Repeated
applications of spermicide are not
necessary. Effectiveness is 92 per
cent.
Spermicides: Nonoxynol-9 is
the only spermicide available in
the United States, and comes in a
variety of forms (foam, jelly,
cream, film, suppositories).
Spermicides are inserted into the
vagina and are 94 percent effec
tive. Nonoxynol-9 offers some
protection against STI’s.
Note that both the diaphragm
and cervical cap require fitting by
a medical practitioner, while con
doms and spermcides are available
over the counter.
Spermicides can cause skin
irritations for both men and
women, and may increase the risk
of bladder infections for some
women.
HORMONAL METHODS
Generally speaking, hormonal
methods offer higher effective
ness (99.9 percent) and greater
convenience than barrier meth
ods. They work primarily by pre
venting ovulation (release of the
egg from the ovary) and have non
contraceptive benefits such as
relief of painful menstrual peri
ods. They all require a prescrip
tion.
Oral Contraceptives (The
Pill): Most commonly used hor
monal method. It involves taking
a pill around the same time every
day. The menstrual period occurs
every 28 days and is typically
shorter and lighter. The pill
reduces the risk of ovarian cancer
and ovarian cysts. Many different
formulations are available to fit
the needs of individual women.
Depo Provera: An injection
given every three months.
Initially, menstrual bleeding is
quite irregular, but with contin
ued use menstrual periods stop
altogether. The absence of menses
is not harmful, but for some
women is disconcerting.
Norplant: Six capsules are
inserted under the skin of the
upper arm, gradually releasing a
hormone. Norplant is effective for
five years. A common side-effect
is irregular menstrual bleeding.
Hormonal methods offer no
protection against STI’s. No male
hormonal methods of contracep
tion are available.
“We’re all different people,”
says Colleen Jones, nurse practi
tioner at the Health Center. “The
method of contraception that
works well for one couple may not
work as well for others. We try to
present all the options so a couple
can decide which method best
meets their needs.”
—Jennifer Hoyt with Colleen Jones, NP
Fill your stomach before your grocery cart
If you want the best nutrition for
every dollar you spend at the grocery
store, start by talking with Kristen
Olmos, registered nutrition counselor
at the Health Center.
When I spoke with Kristen she gave
me handouts about cutting food costs,
getting my vitamins, and reading food
labels.
I learned a few interesting shopping
tidbits to pass on to you.
Never shop on an empty stomach,
and always use a prepared list of items
you need. Kristen says this method will
curb impulse buying — which is what
stores want you to do.
As you make your shopping list,
consider these tips for getting the best
nutrition for the least money:
• Dry beans and nuts are great sources of
iron, calcium, and protein.
• Bread and cereal will help meet your needs
for B vitamins.
• Buy leaner meats, even though they are
more expensive, because the nutritional
differences are well worth the extra cost.
• Buy fortified products instead of vitamin
supplements. They're cheaper and better
for you.
• Buy day-old baked goods: you'll hardly
notice the difference, except for the lower
price.
• Green and yellow vegetables and citrus
fruits are the most economical sources of
vitamins A and C.
Kristen also told me how to read
food labels. For instance, when you’re
buying bread, make sure whole grain
wheat is the first item listed and that
fat is no greater than three percent.
If you want more information, visit
the Peer Health Education room in the
Health Center. We even have cook
books you can borrow.
Kristen, who also works with eating
disorders, can be reached at 346-2794
or kolmos@oregon.
Jamie Abbott
Kristen Olmos, Health Center Registered Nutrition Counselor