health & fitness
alternative contraception
New birth control methods offer students options. BY SARA BEHUNEK
Frantically sifting through your bedside drawer, you finally accept that you are out of condoms. The scent of sweat wafts through your bedroom; intangible evidence of the innocent make out session turned naughty necking episode. The sheets entwined between her legs remind you of a place you will not be, at least not tonight. She forgot to take her pill three times this month already and you are condomless and out of luck.
With all the risks involved, sex depends on more than just being at the right place at the right time. It's about disease protection and birth control. If you wait anxiously every month for your or your girlfriend's period to arrive, it's time to consider other options.
Ortho Evra
Ortho Evra, also known as "the patch," has female students converting from the pill, says Mary Cink, registered nurse at Watkins Health Center. The patch, which releases the same mix of hormones as the pill, is similar in every way but one: It must be replaced only once a month. The waterproof, beige adhesive is worn for three weeks on the buttocks, stomach, upper-outer arm or upper-torso. It is removed for the fourth
to allow menstrual flow. With typical use, eight out of 100 females will become pregnant,
NuvaRing is a 2-inch-by-2-inch,flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina. Body heat activates the synthetic estrogen and progestin, which are released directly into the vaginal skin. NuvaRing contains fewer hormones and has fewer side effects. NuvaRing stays deep inside the vagina for three weeks. It is removed during the fourth week to allow menstrual flow. Users insert a new ring each month.
thursday, november 20. 2003
jayplay
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