In 2007, CNN.com reported that approximately 40% of babies were born out of wedlock. 13% of this includes women over and around the age of 20, and the numbers are continuing to rise!
Why is this people!?!
There is no way that our generation is any more littered with hormonal driven youth than our parents' generation who danced “CASUALLY” to Rick James’ “SuperFreak” and Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On!”
I have long wondered the answer to this question, but it crossed my mind last week as I sat in my introductory public health course…
A public health official came from Emory University and gave us a “nifty” acronym to remember ways to effectively use a condom. S.C.O.R.E.:
S-SELECT the condom
C- CHECK to make sure that it is free from puncture
O-OPEN
R-ROLL tightly leaving space at the top, and
E-EJACULATE
(She then suggested that it was more than okay to SCORE! *Wink*)
But, although it can be assumed that most people know the appropriate way to use a condom, I could not help but wonder that maybe there are some more savvy modes of contraception available to help reduce these OVERWHELMING statistics!
For Women:
Of course ladies there are your more generally known methods of contraception that include the pill, the patch, and the female condom but here are some lesser known alternatives.
The Vaginal Hormone Ring: (Better than 95 % effective) - this is kept in the vagina for 3 out of 4 weeks during the month.
Also known as the “Nuva Ring.”
Mechanism: It works very much like the typical birth control pill by releasing the hormones estrogen and progestin (similar to progesterone) which prevent ovulation.
Cost is about 15-50$ a month and can be purchases at the drug store or a clinic.
Contraceptive injections : (100% effective) - simply injected into the buttocks, to avoid impregnation for spontaneous sexual occurrence.
Also known as, Depo-provera, Noristerat, and Jab.
Mechanism: Ovulation is stopped, the mucus in the cervix is thickened, and they thin the lining of the womb so that the egg will not attach for fertilization.
Cost: Approximately 20-40$ per injection, and you can obtain them every 11-13 weeks.
For Men:
Sadly, there have not been many developments for men beyond the dreaded vasectomy and condom use, but there are myths of a new development of …..
“The Male Pill”
It is scheduled for release in 2014 on the British market ----So although many of you guys and girls are holding close to their seats waiting for its release, you may have to wait a while and save travel money!
Helpful Tidbits:
-For UGA students: The UGA Health Center provides free condoms to students through Health Promotions on the First floor of the University Health Center (706-542-1162).
Also, most other medical centers and hospitals provide free condom dispersal for those who are sexually active and/or would like to distribute them for legitimate public health awareness.
-CondomUSA.: is a free wholesale site that sells name brand condoms. They also have a pretty detailed website that you should check out! www.condomusa.com
Cited Articles:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/04/08/out.of.wedlock.births/index.html
Find out more, and the potential side effects of contraceptive methods at:
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/sex_relationships/facts/contraception_which.htm
About the Nuva Ring:
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/birth-control-vaginal-ring-nuvaring-4241.htm
About Contraceptive Injections:
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/preventingpregnancy/depoprovera.html
No comments:
Post a Comment