As college women, most of you have probably heard of a few different contraceptives. However, chances are you don’t know everything about any of them. When facing the mantras of “practice safe sex!” or maybe just “abstinence is the only way!” it can be difficult to make sure you have all your bases covered if you don’t know what questions to ask or what options are available to you.
So, buckle your seatbelts and get ready to get a crash course on how to practice safe sex and what contraceptive options are out there.
First off, practicing safe sex just means taking steps to protect yourself and your partner from STIs when you have ANY genital skin-to-skin contact. That includes oral, anal, and vaginal sex.
So here’s what you can do:
Use a Barrier
One of the best ways to practice safe sex is to use a physical barrier. Most of you have probably heard of traditional condoms(Helpful hint: If he says it doesn’t fit, leave.) You can usually find these for FREE in your local health center (we have one on campus here at Tech). Also, if you’re using lube with a latex condom, make sure it’s water-based to reduce the risk of breakage.
But there are also other barriers you can take advantage of such as female condoms and dental dams. Female condoms are small plastic pouch-like devices that can be purchased over the counter at some pharmacies. Proponents like them because they give women power over their sexual health even if their partners are unwilling to wear a condom.
Dental Dams are thin, flexible latex or polyurethane squares that can be used to protect you or your partner during oral sex (mouth-to-vagina or mouth-to-anus).
Get Tested
Another really important part of safe sex is getting tested regularly if you are sexually active. Many STIs are asymptomatic, especially for women. So, you may not even realize you have one before you’ve spread it and/or caused irreversible damage to your reproductive system.
The nearest local STI testing resource is listed below, but you can find more resources and information at:
Lincoln Parish Health Unit
405 E. Georgia Avenue
Ruston, LA 71270
(318) 251-4120
You can also talk to your gynecologist or a nurse practitioner about getting tested when you go in for periodic check-ups.
Speaking of check-ups, what brings many of us to the gyno for the first time is birth control. Often, women just opt for the pill; however, there are several other options available to you. Refer to the chart below for an overview.
Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills
What is in it?
Oestrogen and progestogen
Effectiveness*
91-99%
Frequency of Replacement
1 pill per day (4-7 blanks) (28 pills per pack)
Short-term side Effects
Headache, breast tenderness, bloating, mood swings, cramps, spotting
Long-term Risks
Increased blood pressure, blood clots, and breast cancer
Notes
May help reduce PMS symptoms, regulate periods, reduce acne, protect against pelvic inflammatory disease, fibroids, ovarian cysts. Reduces the risk of cancer in the ovaries, womb, and colon
Vaginal Ring
What is in it?
Oestrogen and progestogen
Effectiveness*
91-99%
Frequency of Replacement
3 weeks in + 1 week off
Short-term side Effects
Vaginal discharge, breast tenderness, headaches, spotting
Long-term Risks
Blood clotting, cervical cancer
Notes
No long-term effect on fertility
Progesterone-only pills
What is in it?
Norethisterone or desogestrel
Effectiveness*
91-99%
Frequency of Replacement
1 pill per day (no blanks) (28 pills per pack)
Short-term side Effects
Spotty skin, breast tenderness, acne, libido changes, nausea
Long-term Risks
Ovarian cysts, breast cancer
Notes
Best for women over 30
Slightly less effective than the Combined Pill
Contraceptive Patch
What is in it?
Oestrogen and progestogen
Effectiveness*
91-99%
Frequency of Replacement
1 patch/week for 3 weeks + 1 week off
Short-term side Effects
Skin irritation, itching, soreness, nausea, headaches, moodiness, spotting
Long-term Risks
Blood clotting, cervical cancer
Notes
May help with heavy/painful periods or protect against ovarian, womb, and bowel cancer.
Contraceptive Injection
What is in it?
progestogen
Effectiveness*
94-99%
Frequency of Replacement
3 months (8-12 weeks)
Short-term side Effects
Weight gain, headaches, mood swings, tenderness, spotting, low libido, acne
Long-term Risks
Hair loss, infection, bone thinning (minor)
Notes
Good for women who can’t remember a daily pill
May take up to a year for fertility to return to normal
Implant
What is in it?
progestogen
Effectiveness*
99%
Frequency of Replacement
3 years
Short-term side Effects
Bruising, tenderness, swelling, period irregularities, headaches, nausea
Long-term Risks
Amenorrhoea, acne, infection
Notes
Can be removed anytime with a small medical procedure
Copper Intrauterine devices (IUD/IUCD)
What is in it?
(hormone free)
Copper T380 (varies)
Effectiveness*
99%
Frequency of Replacement
5-10 years
Short-term Side Effects
Heavy/painful periods, spotting, discomfort
Long-term Risks
Infection, womb damage, rejection, ectopic pregnancy, bleeding
Notes
Better for women with a light-to-moderate flow and mostly pain-free periods
Intrauterine Systems (IUS)
What is in it?
progestogen
Effectiveness*
99%
Frequency of Replacement
3-5 years
Short-term side Effects
Mood swings, breast tenderness, skin problems
Long-term Risks
Infection, discomfort, shorter/less painful periods, ovarian cysts (rare), womb damage, ectopic pregnancy
Notes
Mostly for older women or women who’ve had children
May be rejected or displaced in womb
Male Condom
Effectiveness*
82-98%
Frequency of Replacement
1 use
Notes
Please use these! No other birth control method also protects against STDs!
(except for the next one)
Female Condom
Effectiveness*
79-95%
Frequency of Replacement
1 use
Notes
Less effective than male condoms.
Withdrawal/Pull-Out
Effectiveness*
78%
Notes
If you are attempting to not get pregnant, please do not use this method alone as a form of birth control.
Spermicide
Effectiveness*
varies
72%
Frequency of Replacement
A few hours
Notes
Often combined with other contraceptive methods
Fertility-Awareness/ Natural Family Planning
Effectiveness*
76/99%
Notes
Involves tracking periods and abstaining when fertile
* dashes indicate variations between typical and perfect use
Information per the CDC & NHS
Always ask your doctor about which contraceptive methods would best suit your medical history. Schedule regular appointments to build rapport with him or her to make sure you have someone you feel comfortable with should a problem arise; it’s worth the initial awkwardness.
For more information on your contraceptive options, check out the following websites:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/how-effective-contraception/