Be smart; stay safe
Sex is enjoyable, no two ways about it. If Hollywood
is anything to go by, those who do it do it a lot, and
those that haven’t done it at all, are on a constant
quest to finally “get some.”
However, as with anything fun, there are a number of risks involved, namely sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies.
Thankfully, there are a number of products and methods that are devoted to maximizing safety without minimizing the pleasure that makes sex so enjoyable in the first place.
ABSTINENCE
The only 100 per cent guaranteed method of avoiding pregnancy and STIs is simply not doing it. If you are not ready for it, and your significant other is, make it clear to them They will respect your choice or you should find someone who will.
Cost: $0
Prevents: STIs, pregnancy, feelings of regret when you’re not ready
DENTAL DAM
A sanitary latex barrier, these protect a woman during oral-vaginal sex and oral-anal sex. You can also use everyday kitchen wrap or a slit-open condom.
Cost: Purchased in store for $2 to $5 each
Where to get it: Drugstore, most adult shops
Prevents: STIs like herpes and HPV, does not prevent pregnancy
MALE CONDOMS
The most commonly known and used contraceptive, condoms come in a variety of colours, flavours and textures. They not only prevent STIs and pregnancy, but they can enhance the sensation for both the male and female partners. They are suitable for protection during all varieties of intercourse.
Cost: Generally between $10 and $15 for a box; free at the Fowler Kennedy Medical Clinic for Fanshawe students
Where to get it: Any pharmacy, supermarket or adult shop, as well as many corner stores
Prevents: Pregnancy (when worn properly) and STIs (Except HPV or herpes)
CONTRACEPTIVE PATCH
A patch worn on the female’s skin that released estrogen and progestin into her bloodstream to prevent her ovaries from releasing an egg. It also thickens her cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to penetrate. Each patch is worn for a week at a time, and patches are worn three out of every four weeks. It’s removed on the fourth week of the month to allow for a natural period. It can be worn on your butt, stomach, back or upper arms, but not your breasts, and the location should be changed up a little each week.
Cost: Approximately $32 a month
Where to get it: Prescription required
Prevents: Pregnancy but not STIs
IUD (INTRAUTERINE DEVICE)
There are two types of this T-shaped device: ParaGuard and Mirena. ParaGuard is wrapped in copper, which acts as spermicide and should not be used by anyone with an allergy to copper. Mirena releases synthetic progesterone in small amounts to decrease the bleeding and cramp pains some women with an IUD experience during their period. The IUD is inserted by a physician after an evaluation. It runs the risk of possibly falling out for women who have not had children.
COST: $200 to $400, plus the cost of the doctor inserting it and checkups, but it is effective for several years
WHERE CAN YOU GET IT: Must have consultation with a physician
PREVENTS: Pregnancy but not STIs
VAGINAL RING
A soft flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina. Similar to the contraceptive patch, is it worn for three weeks per month and then removed to allow for a period.
Cost: About $30 to $35 a month
Where to get it: Prescription required
Prevents: Pregnancy but not STIs
THE PILL
The woman takes the pill once per day at approximately the same time. It is available in many different brands, all with various side effects. Prescriptions are available from a family doctor or through the London Health Unit.
Cost: Varies between brands, but will generally cost $7 to $15 per pack at the London Health Unit
Where to get it: Through your family doctor or the London Health Unit
Prevents: Pregnancy but not STIs, advisable to use with condom or dental damn.
PLAN B (MORNING-AFTER PILL)
Two pills that are taken orally in the event of unprotected sex, breaking condoms or any other incident that may cause pregnancy. The pill should be taken the day after, but it is still effective within 72 hours of intercourse.
Cost: $40 per dose, covered under many
Where to get it: Most drug stores, no prescription required.
Prevents: Pregnancy, but not STIs. If you had sex without a condom, get checked for STIs in addition to acquiring Plan B
*Most methods of contraception can be covered by your FSU Health Plan, but inquire first.
However, as with anything fun, there are a number of risks involved, namely sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies.
Thankfully, there are a number of products and methods that are devoted to maximizing safety without minimizing the pleasure that makes sex so enjoyable in the first place.
ABSTINENCE
The only 100 per cent guaranteed method of avoiding pregnancy and STIs is simply not doing it. If you are not ready for it, and your significant other is, make it clear to them They will respect your choice or you should find someone who will.
Cost: $0
Prevents: STIs, pregnancy, feelings of regret when you’re not ready
DENTAL DAM
A sanitary latex barrier, these protect a woman during oral-vaginal sex and oral-anal sex. You can also use everyday kitchen wrap or a slit-open condom.
Cost: Purchased in store for $2 to $5 each
Where to get it: Drugstore, most adult shops
Prevents: STIs like herpes and HPV, does not prevent pregnancy
MALE CONDOMS
The most commonly known and used contraceptive, condoms come in a variety of colours, flavours and textures. They not only prevent STIs and pregnancy, but they can enhance the sensation for both the male and female partners. They are suitable for protection during all varieties of intercourse.
Cost: Generally between $10 and $15 for a box; free at the Fowler Kennedy Medical Clinic for Fanshawe students
Where to get it: Any pharmacy, supermarket or adult shop, as well as many corner stores
Prevents: Pregnancy (when worn properly) and STIs (Except HPV or herpes)
CONTRACEPTIVE PATCH
A patch worn on the female’s skin that released estrogen and progestin into her bloodstream to prevent her ovaries from releasing an egg. It also thickens her cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to penetrate. Each patch is worn for a week at a time, and patches are worn three out of every four weeks. It’s removed on the fourth week of the month to allow for a natural period. It can be worn on your butt, stomach, back or upper arms, but not your breasts, and the location should be changed up a little each week.
Cost: Approximately $32 a month
Where to get it: Prescription required
Prevents: Pregnancy but not STIs
IUD (INTRAUTERINE DEVICE)
There are two types of this T-shaped device: ParaGuard and Mirena. ParaGuard is wrapped in copper, which acts as spermicide and should not be used by anyone with an allergy to copper. Mirena releases synthetic progesterone in small amounts to decrease the bleeding and cramp pains some women with an IUD experience during their period. The IUD is inserted by a physician after an evaluation. It runs the risk of possibly falling out for women who have not had children.
COST: $200 to $400, plus the cost of the doctor inserting it and checkups, but it is effective for several years
WHERE CAN YOU GET IT: Must have consultation with a physician
PREVENTS: Pregnancy but not STIs
VAGINAL RING
A soft flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina. Similar to the contraceptive patch, is it worn for three weeks per month and then removed to allow for a period.
Cost: About $30 to $35 a month
Where to get it: Prescription required
Prevents: Pregnancy but not STIs
THE PILL
The woman takes the pill once per day at approximately the same time. It is available in many different brands, all with various side effects. Prescriptions are available from a family doctor or through the London Health Unit.
Cost: Varies between brands, but will generally cost $7 to $15 per pack at the London Health Unit
Where to get it: Through your family doctor or the London Health Unit
Prevents: Pregnancy but not STIs, advisable to use with condom or dental damn.
PLAN B (MORNING-AFTER PILL)
Two pills that are taken orally in the event of unprotected sex, breaking condoms or any other incident that may cause pregnancy. The pill should be taken the day after, but it is still effective within 72 hours of intercourse.
Cost: $40 per dose, covered under many
Where to get it: Most drug stores, no prescription required.
Prevents: Pregnancy, but not STIs. If you had sex without a condom, get checked for STIs in addition to acquiring Plan B
*Most methods of contraception can be covered by your FSU Health Plan, but inquire first.
