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The Big East Movement Broncos officialy accept new conference invitation Page 6 w w w.arbiteronline.com
Boise, Idaho
First issue free
Issue no. 31, Volume 24
December 08, 2011
Free Birth Control Hey ladies! Birth control, among other preventative sexual health services, will be free beginning August 2012.
Birth control
More than
wrapping your
Page 3
willy
MORNING-AFTER
Natilie Craig Journalist
// Birth control taken up to three days (72 hours) after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. // Available at health centers and drugstores. // Safe, effective, painless. // No prescription required. // Cost varies from $10 to $70, depending on where it is purchased and health provider. // Not intended as a primary form of birth control; does not protect from STDs.
O
n top of studying, homework, jobs and classes, students still find a way to incorporate sex into their lives. Finding the right protection and birth control methods for your lifestyle might be a challenge, but neglecting the safety of yourself and your sexual partner may have devastating repercussions. There is no perfect method of birth control but there are many options. Condoms and the pill are the most common, but other forms of birth control also fit into students’ busy lifestyles. “Since I have only used the pill, I personally would say that it is super easy to use and fairly inexpensive,” a sophomore elementary education major said. “If you are good at taking it everyday then I would say that this is the easiest because if you don’t want to take it anymore than you can just be done, opposed to having the IUD or something long term.” Some factors to consider when choosing a birth control method are health, side effects, sexual lifestyle, effectiveness and future fertility. The only method that is 100 percent effective in protecting against pregnancy and STDs is abstinence. Other
THE SHOT // The hormone progestin injected into the arm or side to prevent pregnancy. // Lasts three months // Effective, convenient, relatively painless. // Requires a prescription. // Costs $35–$75 per injection, plus any possible exam fees, depending on health care provider.
See BIRTH CONTROL OPTIONS I page 3
INTRAUTERINE DEVICE //An IUD is an “intrauterine device.” // Small “T-shaped” device inserted into the uterus. // There are two brands. ParaGard® contains copper and is effective for 12 years. Mirena® releases small amounts of progestin and is effective for five years. // Less than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant each year with an IUD. // There is no protection against STDs. // Must be inserted by a healthcare provider. // Costs between $500 and $1,000 up front, but lasts for multiple years.
CONDOMS
BIRTH CONTROL PILL
// Condoms also protect both you and your partner from sexually transmitted infections. // Condoms have no side effects except for people who are allergic to latex. // Condoms are available in drugstores, community health centers, some supermarkets, and from vending machines. Individually, condoms usually cost a dollar or more. Packs of three can cost from about $2 to $6. E ARBITER
// Condoms are worn on the penis during intercourse. They are made of thin latex or plastic that has been molded into the shape of a penis. // Like all birth control methods, condoms are more effective when used correctly. // Each year, 2 out of 100 women whose partners use condoms will become pregnant if they always use condoms correctly. // Each year, 18 out of 100 women whose partners use condoms will become pregnant if they don’t always use condoms correctly.
Bree Jo
nes/TH
ONLINE
Illust
ration
What do you do to protect yourself? a) condoms b) birth control pill c) intrauterine device d) other Let us know at arbiteronline.com
// The pill is simple, safe and convenient. It does not interfere with having sex. // Less than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant each year if they take the pill each day as directed. // About 9 out of 100 women will get pregnant each year if they don’t always take the pill as directed. // Certain medicines and supplements may make the pill less effective. These include the antibiotic rifampin (other antibiotics don’t interfere), certain medicines for yeast infections, certain HIV medicines, certain antiseizure medicines and St. John’s wort. // The pill doesn’t protect against STDs. // Some of the most common side effects usually clear up after two or three months. They include bleeding between periods (most often with progestin-only pills), breast tenderness, nausea and vomiting. // Birth control pills may be purchased with a prescription at a drugstore or clinic for about $15–$50 a month.
NUVARING® // A small ring inserted into the vagina once a month for three weeks to prevent pregnancy. // Easy to get with a prescription. // Less than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant each year if they use NuvaRing® as directed. // About 9 out of 100 women will get pregnant each year if they don’t always use NuvaRing® as directed. // May cause regular, lighter and shorter periods. // It is left in place for three weeks and taken out for the remaining week each month. //Costs about $15-$70 a month.
Information courtesy of Planned Parenthood
Give ‘em hell
Ski-aholic
Moscow Mayhem
Huff and Puff
Teachers thoughts on evaluations Local (page 3)
Boise State student eyes US ski team bid. Sports (page 7)
Riots in Russia protest the United Russia party. News Briefs (page 2)
Smoking ban causes divergence Opinion (page 4)
The Arbiter
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