Die Matie 27-7-16

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DieMATIE WOENSDAG 27 JULIE 2016 | GR ATIS

VYF-EN-SEWENTIGSTE JAARGANG | NO 4

Foto: INTERKULTUR

SKOONSKIP-STEMME Maties se koor was die groot wenner by vanjaar se Internasionale Koorspele in Rusland. Lees meer oor hulle prestasie op bladsy 3.

Contraceptive for men might soon be changing the ball game

Willing to go on the pill, Maties men? EUGENIE GREGAN

W

omen might soon be asking men the infamous “are you on the pill” question. According to a statement released by Stellenbosch University’s faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences last week, a new method of male contraception is expected to become available within the next two years. Experts said this method is as effective as a vasectomy, but will be reversible with little or no side-effects. Dr Amir Zarrabi, a urologist and specialist in male fertility and microsurgery, said that if successful, the method “will drastically change the field of contraception”. The new contraceptive is called Vasalgel and is currently being tested by the American Parsemus Foundation. Vasagel is described as a type of “no-scalpel vasectomy”. It blocks the flow of sperm from the testicles to the penis, but unlike a vasectomy it does not sever the tube that carries sperm. A gel is injected into the tube forming a barrier that blocks sperm, but allows other fluids to pass through. It can be flushed from the tube with an injection of a sodium bicarbonate

solution, reversing the effects of the gel. “Although Vasalgel blocks the flow of sperm it does not offer any protection against the transmission of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV,” warned Zarrabi. Previous efforts to develop a male contraceptive focused on hormonal manipulation, which is how the contraceptive “pill” for women works.

This new method can change the ball game for women, who can spend roughly up to R1 000 a year on contraceptive pills. According to Lynne Julie, a doctor at campus health services, the pill is a very popular method of contraception amongst female students. Campus health also provides support for students who need advice regarding contraceptives.

“Students can come in to see the clinical nurse practitioner (sister) at campus health and she will take a medical history, do a clinical examination and discuss the options with regards to contraceptive method of choice,” said Julie. Although certain oral and injectable contraceptives are available for free at campus health, Julie said that other methods of contraception are available at pharmacies on prescription but can go up to as much as R200 for a sheet of 28 tablets. “The Mirena, an intra-uterine device, costs upwards from R1500, but they need to see a gynaecologist to insert this which means consultation fees as well. The device can stay in for five years. “The Implanon, an implant in the arm, is available at the local clinics, usually at small admin fee, or private practice, which can cost upwards from R1200. This stays in for three years,” said Julie. She encouraged students to visit campus health if they have questions, where their sisters provide necessary counselling and advice regarding safe sex practices as well as the different options of contraception that is available.

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