New birth control options for students
Student Health Services now offers intrauterine devices, Implanon
Tara Bannow
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: Money/Health
Before IUDs are implanted into the uterus, patients are encouraged to get tested for STDs, Wright said.
Implanon is a small, rod-shaped contraceptive placed underneath the skin in the arm that is effective for three years, Wright said.
"It's really a cool product," Burnetp said. "It looks like a fat, wooden matchstick."
Implanon is 99 percent effective, Burnetp added.
Although Implanon has been available in Europe for a while, it made its first appearance in the U.S. about a year ago, Wright said.
"We have more rigorous FDA approvals than they do in Europe," Burnetp said. "This delays some of the products we'd love to have out."
A colposcopy is an examination of the cervix, Wright said. If a patient has an abnormal Pap test, a colposcope is used to take biopsies to determine if the woman needs further treatment for precancerous cells. A biopsy, she said, consists of taking a pinch of skin and observing it under a microscope.
Student Health Services has been providing birth control pills for over ten years, Wright said. More recently, it added the NuvaRing, a contraceptive ring placed inside the vagina and replaced monthly, she said, adding the NuvaRing should be refrigerated before use. In addition, Student Health Services offers depropravera, an injectable contraceptive administered every three months.
Condoms, lubricant and Plan B, an emergency contraceptive, are also available.
"Condoms are an excellent method of preventing pregnancy," Wright said. "If used consistently, they're very good. The problem is how many people use them consistently or perfectly."
Students seeking further information on the products available, including prices, are encouraged to contact Student Health Services.
Freshman Julia Engelhardt said although she thinks people shouldn't be sexually active at this age, it's good to have these choices on campus.
"It's better to be able to get these resources here," she said. "If they were off campus, people would be less likely to go purchase them."
Implanon is a small, rod-shaped contraceptive placed underneath the skin in the arm that is effective for three years, Wright said.
"It's really a cool product," Burnetp said. "It looks like a fat, wooden matchstick."
Implanon is 99 percent effective, Burnetp added.
Although Implanon has been available in Europe for a while, it made its first appearance in the U.S. about a year ago, Wright said.
"We have more rigorous FDA approvals than they do in Europe," Burnetp said. "This delays some of the products we'd love to have out."
A colposcopy is an examination of the cervix, Wright said. If a patient has an abnormal Pap test, a colposcope is used to take biopsies to determine if the woman needs further treatment for precancerous cells. A biopsy, she said, consists of taking a pinch of skin and observing it under a microscope.
Student Health Services has been providing birth control pills for over ten years, Wright said. More recently, it added the NuvaRing, a contraceptive ring placed inside the vagina and replaced monthly, she said, adding the NuvaRing should be refrigerated before use. In addition, Student Health Services offers depropravera, an injectable contraceptive administered every three months.
Condoms, lubricant and Plan B, an emergency contraceptive, are also available.
"Condoms are an excellent method of preventing pregnancy," Wright said. "If used consistently, they're very good. The problem is how many people use them consistently or perfectly."
Students seeking further information on the products available, including prices, are encouraged to contact Student Health Services.
Freshman Julia Engelhardt said although she thinks people shouldn't be sexually active at this age, it's good to have these choices on campus.
"It's better to be able to get these resources here," she said. "If they were off campus, people would be less likely to go purchase them."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Shannon
posted 6/30/09 @ 4:13 AM CST
I was using the nuva ring. Once it was time to replace it the insurance company made me wait an extra week before I could pick it up. In that time frame I got pregnant. (Continued…)
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