Contraception

Birth Control is very important to the lives of many sexually active people, especially UC Davis students, most of whom would rather be full-time students than part-time mothers or fathers.

Condoms can be found at practically every grocery store, convenience store, and gas station. You'll often have to ask for them at the register, since they're a high-theft item due to people who are too embarrassed and/or broke to purchase them. To find the store closest to you that sells condoms, as well as information about price, store hours, and whether the condoms are behind the counter, check out this Google map of Condom Availability & Sexual Health Resources In and Around Davis (link). In addition to listing where you can buy condoms on campus and in the Davis community, it also shows where you can get tested for STIs and HIV.

If you're a UCD student, you can get condoms for cheap ($1.50 for ten) at the Cowell Student Health Center, where they offer various brands and types. If you've got a Meal Plan through the UCD Dining Commons then you might be able to use your swipes to purchase them at certain DC snack-food areas. FREE condoms are available through Health Education and Promotion at the Cowell Student Health Center Annex (behind the Cowell Student Health Center). The Love Lab cart provides a wide selection of condoms and other safer sex products to students. Stop by and get 10 free condoms and other safer sex goodies! The Love Lab is available in the Cowell Student Health Center Annex. The Health Center provides great birth control information and a quiz online (link), including how to use contraceptives, effectiveness and potential side effects of methods, back-up options, and more. They also have helpful information if your birth control method fails, cannot be used, or has not been used properly.

Spermicides are also available over the counter at many locations.

Most other forms of birth control require a doctor consultation and/or prescription. If you have insurance, see your primary care physician or gynecologist. If you're a UCD student with SHIP, you can get contraceptives through Cowell Student Health Center. UC Davis student health insurance will also work at Sutter Hospital. If you don't have insurance, Communicare Health Center and Planned Parenthood offer low or no-cost family planning services.

Emergency Contraception is 89% effective within the first 72 hours after unprotected sex, but can be used up to 5 days after unprotected sex. The sooner it is taken, the more effective it is. Look into Plan B (Levonorgestrel) if you have had unwanted unprotected sex. You can obtain Plan B from Cowell Student Health Center (info), Sutter Hospital and Planned Parenthood. It can also be purchased without a prescription from Davis pharmacies (ask behind the pharmacy counter) as long as you have proof that you're age 18 or older. If you are under 18, you will need a prescription which students can attain by calling the Student Health Service Advice Nurse at 530-752-9649.

UC Davis Students can purchase Plan B at the Cowell Student Health Center pharmacy Monday through Friday for $25 with or without SHIP. Plan B is available at pharmacies around Davis for around $48-55. Keeping Plan B on hand is a good idea because accidents happen and Plan B is not always easy to obtain. Plan B does not expire until 4 years from the manufacturing date. Both men and women can purchase Plan B.

See Pregnancy. Talk to your doctor and your partner, and get all the information needed to make informed choices.

There are two types of condoms: male condoms and female condoms. Both provide significant protection against STDs and pregnancy during sex.

Most male condoms are made from latex, but those with latex allergies can use male condoms made from polyurethane or the female condom, which is also made from polyurethane.

They also make for good (albeit expensive) water balloons.

Sexual Health Interns with Cowell Student Health Center's Health Education and Promotion provide a Google map of Condom Availability & Sexual Health Resources In and Around Davis (link). It shows where you can get tested for STIs, HIV, and where you can buy condoms on campus and in the Davis community. Also listed are items sold, prices, and hours of stores selling condoms!

Hormonal birth control takes many forms these days.

The Cowell Student Health Center provides online birth control education and a quiz to help find the best birth control method for you (link). It includes information about the use, efficacy, and potential side effects of hormonal birth control methods. They also have helpful information if your birth control method fails, cannot be used, or has not been used properly.

Oral contraceptives, commonly known as The Pill, are the form most people are familiar with. There are many different types, with different combinations of hormones. In order to provide protection, these need to be taken daily at approximately the same time each day (the window of error varies depending on type). Some people partly take oral contraception due to the hormonal side effects - apparently they can help with acne, menstrual pains, and a few other things. Doctors will prescribe different ones depending on the hormone combination best for your body and desirable side effects.

Depo-Provera is an injection given every three months, making it a much safer method for forgetful people. However, this also means that if you suffer negative side effects, you can't just quit - you're stuck until the hormones are out of your system, which can take up to six months.

Ortho Evra is a transdermal patch (similiar to the nicotine patches that help smokers quit smoking) that releases hormones that are absorbed through the skin. The patch is changed once a week. This helps reduce the chance of forgetting. If you have sensitive skin or are allergic to adhesive DO NOT USE Ortho Evera (the patch).

NuvaRing is a hormone-filled ring (kind of like a jelly bracelet) which is inserted into the vagina, then changed once a month, reducing the risk of forgetfullness.

All types require a prescription. Also, they do not provide any protection against STDs, so it's a good idea to keep using condoms unless you are sure of you and your partner's status. It would be a good idea to visit a local health center and have yourselves tested for your own knowledge and health.

An Intra Uterine Device (IUD)) is a small T shaped device that is inserted by a health care provider through the cervix and placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It is a safe and very effective method. There are 2 types of IUDs: the Paragard IUD, which contains no hormone and can be left in place for 10 years, and the Mirena IUD, which has Progesterone and can be left in place for 5 years. IUDS work by making it harder for an egg to reach or attach to the uterus, disrupting sperm movement. The hormonal IUD also helps block sperm from getting into the uterus. For these reasons IUDs can be very effective "Morning After" interventions. It is a good method if a woman prefers a non-hormonal method or if she has difficulty remembering to take pills.

Similar to hormonal birth control, the IUD does not provide any protection against sexually transmitted infections, so it's a good idea to keep using condoms unless you are sure of you and your partner's STI status.

For those looking for a non-chemical form of birth control who are willing to take on more responsibility than simply popping a pill, the Fertility Based Awareness Methods may be a good option. The Fertility Based Awareness Methods involve tracking basal body temperature, cervical fluid, and other bodily signals to determine when fertility is greatest, and is commonly used both for avoiding unwanted and achieving wanted pregnancy.

The Experimental College has offered a class about the Fertility Based Awareness Method in past quarters, check the current schedule to see whether it is offered in the current quarter. Taking Charge Of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler website is an excellent book explaining the method.

The Fertility Based Awareness Method does not provide protection against STDs, and is therefore considered most appropriate for people in long-term monogamous relationship unless used in conjunction with condoms. The effectiveness of this method has been estimated at 91-99% with perfect use. The failure rate is between 5% and 25% or higher with actual or typical use, which is at times incorrect and inconsistent.

Student Health Services -Contraception Resources

Comments:

Note: You must be logged in to add comments

2008-05-21 23:38:11   I suffered horrible side effects on Depo-Provera. Buyer beware! It took MONTHS before that S*** was out of my system and I started to go back to normal. I did some light research and, evidently, there is a segment of the female population that absolutely cannot tolerate Depo. It makes sense since it's not really Progesterone, but rather Progestin. The man-made stuff. —CurlyGirl26

2008-05-21 23:40:06   And I'm glad that this page has information on the morning after pill. I don't think there is enough awareness about this wonderful, wonderful medication. —CurlyGirl26