|
Sexual Health |
|
Contraception / Birth Control |
|
The decision to be sexually active with a member of the
opposite sex comes with the understanding that you may
responsible for a pregnancy. If you wish to avoid pregnancy
and still have sexual intercourse, you (and preferably your
partner) should carefully select a method of birth control
that best fits your lifestyle(s). |
Among University of Minnesota students
- *74.5% of all
students were sexually active in the past 12 months
- 19% had more than one partner
|
|
*2003 College Student Health Survey |
| In the
2004 College Student Health Survey, sexually active students
were asked about their primary method of pregnancy prevention
that was used during their last intercourse (with the option to
indicate all methods that apply). It was found that students
often used more than one method of birth control. |
| The
various contraceptive methods before are listed according to
percentage of use. |
- 53% Birth control pills
- 47.4% Condoms
- 15.1% Withdrawal
- 3.2% Depo Provera
- 3.2% Ortho Evra Patch
- 3% Fertility Awareness
- 1.6% Nuva Ring
- 0.8% Diaphragm and spermicide
- 0.5% Intrauterine Device (IUD)
- 0.5% Other
|
|
Students also do not rule out abstinence.
Whether intended or not. 31% of U of M undergraduate
students (aged 18 to 24 years) did not engage in sexual
intercourse in the past year. |
|
top |
|
Contraceptive Methods |
| The various birth control methods primarily used by college
students are explained in detail in the Planned Parenthood website. |
- Abstinence – When used correctly, abstinence is 100%
effective in preventing pregnancies and sexually transmitted
infections. 31% of U of M undergrads were not sexually active
within the last year.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/BC/abstinence.html
- The Pill – Studies for more than 40 years, the long-term
safety of the birth control pill is well known. Some credit the
pill with sparking a sexual revolution in the 1960s.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/YOU_AND_PILL.HTM
- Male Condom – The male condom, now primarily made from
latex, has been around for thousands of years. On advantage of
the condom is that it also protects against transmission of most
sexually transmitted infections.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/condom.htm
- Female Condom – The female condom, made from polyurethane,
was first marketed in 1994. According to the makers of the
female condom, “As a female-initiated method, it is an important
tool for women who cannot negotiate male condom use due to
personal or cultural constraints.”
http://www.femalehealth.com/theproduct.html
- Diaphragms and Cervical Caps – The need to plan ahead may be
a disadvantage of these products for some couples; however some
women like the fact that side effects are uncommon.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/DIAPHRAGMS.HTM
- Depo Provera – For this method, women receive an injection
in the buttocks or arm every three months. Advantages for this
method include convenience, safety, and effectiveness.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/depoforyou.htm
- The Patch – First available in 2002, Ortho Evra follows in
the footsteps of the nicotine patch by providing the same
hormones found in pills in an easy to use patch that is changed
weekly.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/030109_OrthoEvra.html
- Nuva Ring - Like the patch, the NuvaRing also first became
widely available in 2002. It is inserted into the vagina once a
month.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/030109_NuvaRing.html
- IUD (Intrauterine device) – According to Planned Parenthood,
“Despite years of negative publicity and speculation following
lawsuits brought on by the sale and use of a faulty IUD — the
Dalkon Shield, the IUD is still recognized by the World Health
Organization, the American Medical Association, and the American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as one of the safest
and most effective reversible methods of birth control for
women.”
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/iud.html
- Emergency Contraception - Emergency contraceptives are used
to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse (sex) or
contraceptive failure (e.g., when a condom breaks). Emergency
contraception is for emergency use only, and should NOT be used
in place of regular contraception.
http://www.bhs.umn.edu/services/emergencycontra.htm
|
|
top |
|
Services available at
Boynton |
All of the above birth control methods can be prescribed by
providers in Boynton’s
Women’s
Clinic.
- Appointments are available at 612-624-4600.
- In addition the Women’s Clinic offers a range of services
such as annual exams, pregnancy testing and education
counseling, treatment of UTI and health education.
- Free male condoms are available in limited quantities from
the Women’s Clinic front desk.
- An approximate cost for each of the birth control methods
listed above can be found by clicking on the link for each item.
- All students who take six or more credits per semester pay
the student services fee and are thus entitled to Women’s Clinic
visits at no additional cost.
|
|
top |
Return
to: U of M Home
