HA-Blog

According to a recent survey conducted by Boynton Health Services on campus, about 25% of U of M students have been abstinent in the past year. For the other three-fourths of campus, however, birth control is a big concern, and I’m going to tell you about the different birth control options available. The following information includes a brief description, the effectiveness, and cost (when purchased at Boynton pharmacy) of each choice available. The costs assume student services fees are paid (required for all full-time students) and also assumes the prescription will not be reported to insurance (i.e. Parents will not find out).
For more information, try the links at the bottom or call the Boynton Women’s Health Clinic at (612) 625-4607.

Condoms: can be bought over-the-counter for a pretty small price; however, because you live in the Res. Halls on campus, condoms are available for free from any CA, Health Advocate, or SHADE member. (There’s a link at the bottom with a list of the HA’s in your hall.) Health Advocates and members of SHADE have lube too.
Condom Effectiveness: Of 100 women whose partners use condoms, about 15 will become pregnant during the first year of typical use. Only two women will become pregnant with perfect use.

The Patch: is a thin plastic patch that is applied to the skin for three weeks, replaced with a new patch each week. No patch is used during the fourth week, during which the woman’s period occurs.
COST: $26/month
Patch Effectiveness: Although no studies have yet been published, it is assumed that the patch will be more effective than the pill — 8 out of every 100 pill users become pregnant with typical use. Fewer than one woman out of every 100 women who use the patch will become pregnant with perfect use.

Nuva Ring: is a small, flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina once a month. It is left in place for three weeks and taken out for the remaining week, during which the woman’s period occurs.
COST: $20/month
Nuva Ring Effectiveness: same as The Patch.

Birth Control Pills: available in two kinds: combination pills and progestin-only pills. Both are made of hormones like those made by a woman's ovaries. Combination pills contain estrogen and progestin. Birth control pills are taken daily, and must be taken at the same time each day to be as effective as possible.
COST: $16/month for generic brand of progestin-only pill.
$26/month for generic brand of combination pills. $40-$50/month for brand name combo. pills.
Birth Control Effectiveness: Of 100 women who use the pill, only eight will become pregnant during the first year of typical use. Fewer than one will become pregnant with perfect use.

Emergency Contraception: is an option used to prevent pregnancy after sexual intercourse has occurred, up to 5 days after unprotected sex. It is used after unprotected sex, if the condom was used incorrectly or broke, after forced intercourse, or if birth control pills were missed. Target and Cub are open on weekends, and the cost includes a brief consultation, no appointment is needed. (See last link for where to get it from, costs are below)
COST: $20@ Boynton, $10@ HCMC, $38@ Target Pharmacy, $38@ CubPharmacy
Emergency Contraception Effectiveness: Progestin-only ECPs reduce the risk of pregnancy by 89 percent if started within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. Only one woman out of 100 will become pregnant after taking progestin-only ECPs.

LINKS
*Planned Parenthood Website (a lot of good information on these birth control options and many others)
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/medicalinfo/birthcontrol
*Boynton Website on Sexual Health (more information and stats on usage)
http://www.bhs.umn.edu/topics/sexualhealth.htm
*Boynton Website on Emergency Contraception (everything you need to know about EC)
http://www.bhs.umn.edu/services/ec.htm
*List of Health Advocates in Residence Halls and Greek Houses
http://www.bhs.umn.edu/HA/reshall.htm#reshall
*List of Places to Get Emergency Contraception From
http://www.bhs.umn.edu/services/ec.htm#afterhours