By Lisa Whitaker
Okay all you spring breakers out there-listen up, and listen good. My job this week is to inform you on how to protect yourselves from STD’s, pregnancy, and AIDS. I know, I know, you’ve heard it all before and it’s been pounded into your heads since middle school sex-ed class. But are you paying attention to all of those pamphlets and lectures you’ve been given? Studies show that you’re not. According to the Planned Parenthood official website, one in three sexually active people will have contracted an STD by the age of 24. And beyond that, at least one in four Americans will contract an STD at some point in their lives. With teenage pregnancy, even though the rates have dropped in the last few years, the numbers are still high. The Annie E. Casey Foundation did a study along with Planned Parenthood and found that about 40 percent of American women become pregnant before the age of 20. Also, about 22 percent of sexually active 18-19 year-old women become pregnant each year. With all of the birth control methods available, these rates should not be so high. However, because of these rates, the topic of contraception is one that needs to be discussed. So, here goes. (All of the following percentages came from my Healthy Lifestyles book “Understanding Your Health”.) Although abstinence is the only 100% effective way to protect yourself from pregnancy, there is still a chance of contracting STD’s and AIDS if oral sex is involved. So, even if you think you’re being safe by not having sex, oral sex still produces dangers.
Ladies and gentlemen, get yourselves some condoms! (Preferably with spermicidal lubricant.) Condoms are inexpensive-a box of 3 Trojans costs around $3.50-and easy to obtain so there is no reason why you can’t be safe when you’re having sex. When used properly, condoms without spermicide have about 87% effectiveness against pregnancy. However, condoms with spermicide are more effective, with a rate of 95%. Condoms with spermicide help protect against most STD’s and most importantly, AIDS. So go buy yourself some condoms and keep them handy-you’ll be more likely to use them if you already have them.
Withdrawal, or coitus interruptus, is the contraceptive practice in which the erect penis is removed from the vagina just before ejaculation. This method of birth control is only about 81% effective against pregnancy and offers no protection against STD’s or AIDS. The diaphragm is a soft rubber cup that rests in the top of the vagina. It covers the cervical opening and cannot be felt by either partner during intercourse. The diaphragm must be fitted by a physician and can be pricy. It must be inserted with a spermicide before every act of intercourse, and must be left in place for at least 6 hours afterward. It only offers an 80% effectiveness against pregnancy and protects against some STD’s because of the spermicide.
There are many other forms of birth control out there, such as “the Pill,” Depo-provera, IUD, and the cervical cap, but these all require a doctor’s visit and take some time to become effective and since spring break is next week, you don’t have that much time. I hope that you’ll take some of the information that I’ve given you with you-wherever you go next week- and make it useful.
