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WWW JU STO U T COM
AUGUST 21. 2009
NORTHWEST NEWS
To Her Health
OHSU Studies Explore
Contraception and More
B k KATHRYN MARTINI
Researchers from the Women’s Health
Research Unit (WHRU) at Oregon Health
&, Science University (OHSU) have been
conducting research on women’s health is
sues for over twenty years. They are currently
conducting studies on contraception and seek
research participants, specifically participants
not at risk of becoming pregnant. Conse
quently, lesbian women are perfect candi
dates to assist with this kind of work, which
includes monetary compensation as well as
free healthcare throughout the study.
According to Jennifer Rhodes, a research
assistant in the WHRU for two years, there
are several current studies that need subjects,
and future studies are in the works includ
ing the contraceptive ring, a female condom,
a progesterone-only birth control patch and
emergency contraception. “Human subject
research is a safe enterprise,” says Rhodes.
“Being involved in a study allows women to
be a part of women’s healthcare. It’s women
working with women for women!”
Amy Olson is currently participating in
a study on a contraceptive ring. She has just
finished the first phase of the nine-month
program, which examines hormone levels in
the body and changes in the uterine lining
over the duration. Olson became involved
when a friend who works at the Women’s
Health Research Unit approached her.
“They wanted study participants who had
zero to slight chance of getting pregnant,”
Olson explains. “Since I’ve been a lesbian my
entire life, I’m an ideal candidate.” She was
able to commit to the study’s itinerary, which
included twice weekly visits to the clinic for
the first six weeks, the insertion of two sepa
rate rings and a cervical biopsy—which she
said didn’t hurt as much as a piercing.
Olson agreed to the study primarily for
the money, but also for the chance to do
something for others. She feels strongly
that contraceptive research is not just about
contraception but also about women’s health.
“Lesbians want to have babies just as much as
heterosexual women,” Olson states.
“We are a population that isn’t typically
included when studying reproductive health,
and many of us don’t know a lot about it.”
Olson also notes the importance of contra
ception for population control and protection
for all women against unwanted pregnancy.
“You never know what will happen,” she says.
“The less you understand about something,
the less prepared you will be if something
were to happen.”
Rhodes agrees and hopes to bring more
exposure to the studies. “As women, we are
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all in this together,” she says. “Contraception
and contraceptive issues are not exclusively
heterosexual—they are women’s issues.” She
adds that contraception isn’t just used for
birth control and that many women are on
hormonal contraception for other medical
reasons, including minimizing heavy bleed
ing, regulating cycles, managing menstrual
side effects, maintaining skin complexion and
eliminating periods all together.
The Population Control Council, an
international, nonprofit, non-governmental
organization, sponsors the contraceptive
ring study. It began in the summer of 2008
in the Dominican Republic and Chile, and
at OHSU in April of this year. The ring is
a new form of birth control that does not
contain estrogen and is delivered vaginally.
According to Rhodes, many women have
a difficult time with estrogen due to health
reasons or rare side effects. The mission of
both the Population Control Council and the
Women’s Health Research Unit is to improve
reproductive health for women worldwide.
To qualify as a study participant women
must be at least 18 years old, not at risk
for pregnancy and have normal menstrual
cycles. Qualified applicants are given a
comprehensive medical work-up including
full blood panels and regular testing; they’re
also cared for by a principal OB/GYN. All
medical care is covered and, in the case of
the contraceptive ring, participants are paid
upon completion of each phase—up to sev
eral thousand dollars.
Olson has already paid off some bills
but plans to do something fun with the re
mainder of the money, like getting a tattoo
or going on an extravagant vacation. She
encourages other lesbians to participate, not
only for the financial benefit but because of
the positive experience she has had working
with researchers—and the satisfaction of
helping others.
Women interested in learning more can
confidentially contact Willow at the WHRU,
503-494-3666 or whru@ohsu.edu. vW)
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