Newspaper Page Text
Spelman Spotlight September 24, 1979 Page 7
Are You Under Control?
By Victoria McMillan
Birth control is a plausible
solution to the problem of
haphazard pregnancy. There are
several methods of birth control
today. When choosing one the in
dividual should weigh the
benefits and the drawbacks.
(Please note that the use of
douches does not prevent
pregnancy.)
One of the newer methods of
birth control is suppositories.
Semicid and the Encare Oval are
two of the most popular brand
names. Suppositories are placed
in the vagina ten minutes prior to
intercourse. The suppository will
effervesce and cover the walls of
the vigina and the opening of the
cervix. Nonoxynon-9 is the active
ingredient in suppositories. This
spermicide is also in foams,
jellies and creams. Each sup
pository will last for one hour and
should be replaced before each
intercourse. Although the
theorectical effectiveness is
about 98% the actual ef
fectiveness is only about 78%.
There is no clinical proof that this
method will prevent the transfer
of VD.
Suppositories may irritate
some women and their partner, in
this case the brand of suppository
should be changed or discon
tinued. Since this form of birth
control is fairly recent, it, like all
others, should be used with
caution. It would be beneficial if
your partner used a condom. Do
not douche until 8 hours after in
tercourse.
Foam
Foam is usually 78% effective.
It should be introduced into the
vagina 20 minutes before in
tercourse, if more than twenty
minutes pass before intercourse,
then another application should
be used. With each intercourse a
new application should be used.
Some women are allergic to
foams. It can be messy, irritating,
break up the continuity of the
sexual act and for those who per-
fer oral sex it has been reported
that it does not have a pleasant
taste.
Suppositories, foams, creams
and jellies can be purchased in
your local drug store.
Diaphragm
The diaphragm is 83% ef
fective. It is used with sper-
micidal jelly. One must be fitted
by a doctor, who will instruct you
on how to insert the diaphragm,
remove it and check from any
signs of wear. Your doctor may
advise against the 9 use of the
diaphragm if there is an opening
between the vagina and the rec
tum or between the vigina and
the bladder. When used properly
the diaphragm should not be felt
by either party. Some women are
irritated by the use of the
diaphragm and should seek ad
vise from their doctor.
IUD
The Intrauterine Device
(IUD), is generally made of
polyethelen injected with hor
mones or wrapped with copper
wire. The active ingredient can
wear off so it must be changed.
When there are no complications
the IUD is 95% effective. It can
cause a woman menstrual cycle
to be longer and heavier than
usual, if this continues however,
it should be check out be a your
doctor. Use of the IUD can also
cause extreme cramping in some
women. An IUD should be wat
ched closely, due to the fact that
it can move out of place and may
puncture the uterine lining, and
can contribute to pelvic in
fections.
The Pill
There are two different types
of “The Pill,” one of which you
should take the pill three weeks
and the other should should be
taken everyday. No one should
ever take any one’s else’s pills. It
is important to know that pills are
prescribed for each person. They
are designed to match the in
dividual hormone balance of
each women. The pill will work,
however, since they were meant
for someone else they can
produce headaches, weight gain
and if your are a border line
diabetic, it can cause a diabetic
reaction. The disadvantages of
the pill are the possibility of heart
and lung clot, stroke, liver
tumors, high blood pressure and
if not taken properly, pregnancy.
Withdrawal
Withdrawal demands that the
two people involved have ex
treme control, whereby the penis
is withdrawn from the vagina just
before ejaculation. One should
be aware that even the fluid
released before ejaculation may
contain some sperm leading to
pregnancy. It has a very low ef
fectiveness rate.
Dear Tell-a-Prob,
I’ve been dating a very nice guy
for several weeks and I have
grown very fond of him. He is
very sweet to me and I consider
him to be a very good friend. The
problem is now that we’re at
school, I’ve been hearing rumors
about him. I don’t know how to
get strange looks when I am seen
out with him. I don’t know how to
handle this problem. One part of
me says ignore the rumors while
Tell-A-P rob
the others part of me keeps
picking up little implications that
tell me the rumors might be true.
I am truly tom about this because
I really care about him an d don’t
want to lose him...I’m so con
fused! Help.
Signed,
“Not-so-Gay”
Dear Not-so-Gay,
By this point in time you
should have learned that it is pet
ty and unwise to listen to rumors
or to pay attention to “strange
looks” exchanged on college
campuses. You’ll never get away
from them so you must learn to
deal with them. Besides, no one
knows what is going on between
the two of you; don’t let anyone
(especially outsiders) interfere in
your private affairs. Secondly, if
you really consider this guy to be
a.close friend, you should not
have qualms about confronting
him with this problem directly. If
he is at all “real,” down to earth,
and concerned about your best
interests, he will be truthful and
discuss this matter openly to your
satisfaction. But, “Not-so-Gay,”
you will have to be ready to ac
cept what he says. Now, are you
really ready to deal with the
truth?
Dear Tell-a-Prob,
I have a serious problem with
my roommate. She is a very nice
girl, but she has a very foul
smelling body order that I can’t
deal with for the duration of the
year. I have tried dropping hints
but its just not working. What do
Ido?
Signed,
Suffocating in
Howard-Harreld
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