Students have issues with birth control

Freshman Anna Doyle has had some trouble with her birth control.

“With the pill, I forgot a… Freshman Anna Doyle has had some trouble with her birth control.

“With the pill, I forgot a lot. Sometimes I’d take three in one day,” she said. So Doyle decided to try the NuvaRing — a once-a-month birth control ring inserted in the vagina.

“[NuvaRing] is really weird. You can feel it. You inject it like a tampon. And you have to refrigerate it prior to using it. My roommate doesn’t believe in sex before marriage, which makes it awkward keeping it in our refrigerator,” Doyle said.

Doyle is one of many students who are exploring the best ways to manage unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases while staying sexually active.

But being sexual active in college isn’t necessarily a given.

Joseph Petrich, president of Pitt’s Anscombe Society — an organization dedicated to promoting abstinence, said that the only 100 percent effective way to avoid a pregnancy is to not have sex.

“It is a scientific fact that is undisputed by doctors, manufacturers of artificial contraceptives and proponents of natural family planning,” he said in an email.

But regardless of relationship status, age or ethnicity, students are having sex — and many are doing so without the proper protection.

According to a study conducted in 2011 by the American College Health Association, about 50 percent of college students reported having had vaginal intercourse within the past 30 days.

The National College Health Assessment Report of 2011 said that only 53 percent of students used a method of contraception the last time they had vaginal intercourse.

But students have many options available right on campus with which to protect themselves against unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Dr. Elizabeth Wettick, the medical director of Pitt’s Student Health Services, said that the Student Health Pharmacy offers a variety of contraceptive options.

The most popular method of birth control acquired through Pitt’s Student Health Services is the oral contraceptive pill, the cost of which is based on students’ insurance policies.

However, the pill might not be the most effective method because, in order for it to work properly, women must take the pill at the same time daily.

For this reason, Wettick encourages students to explore other forms of contraception.

She said that the most effective methods are tubal ligation, vasectomy, intrauterine device and Implanon.

Tubal ligations and vasectomies are permanent forms of birth control. An IUD is an object placed in a woman’s uterus, and Implanon is a rod that is inserted into a woman’s upper arm and releases the hormone progestin, which prevents a woman from ovulating.

According to Planned Parenthood’s website, the next most effective options include the Depo-Provera shot, the NuvaRing, the Ortho Evra patch or birth control pills — all of which are available through the Student Health Pharmacy.

“All of these options require a physician’s prescription. Most health insurance companies cover these products, so the cost is minimal if one uses insurance. However, if paying out of pocket, oral contraceptives cost as low as $15 per cycle to $60 per cycle,” Wettick said.

Though many students were taught about sex before coming to college, some still believe in myths about preventing pregnancy.

Wettick said the most common myth is that the withdrawal method is an effective form of contraception.

“Another myth is that having unprotected vaginal sex during menses is effective,” she said.

Males can also practice safe sex. Wettick suggests that males receive the HPV vaccine, available for free through Student Health, and consistently use a condom.

According to a study by the American College Health Association, about 22 percent of students received health information about pregnancy prevention from their college or university.

Although Wettick encourages students to be aware of their sexual health, many students continue to go on without taking many precautions.

Sophomore Alexander Hart said that he usually doesn’t know what form of contraception the girl is using before engaging in sex.

“I don’t worry as much as I should,” he said.