Many college women my age are on the pill. Each day, we take birth control in the form of a tiny little blue or green tablet to ease our bodies of back pain, menstrual cramps and, most importantly, for contraception.
However, the way we take birth control may be changing. Like I said, most women use a daily pill. But that can be a little tedious.
We are college students, and we are, by default, forgetful. Sometimes we forget to feed ourselves or to turn off the coffee pot when we go to class. We may also forget to take medication on time.
That is why popularity for intrauterine devices, or IUDs, may be on the rise. IUDs are small T-shaped devices made of plastic that are inserted into the uterus. Hormone IUDs can last up to three or five years, depending on the brand you take.
However, non-hormonal IUDs can be kept in place for up to 10 years. Now that is quite a long time to not have a baby. It also seems to be the smarter, more convenient option for women who don’t plan on raising an infant anytime soon.
I admit my ignorance to forms of birth control that are not the generic pill. There is the birth control shot, patch, implant and vaginal ring. Some of them seem invasive, to be honest.
There is abstinence-only, but when is the last time that ever worked? I’m talking to you, George W. Bush.
While I usually remember to take my pill on time each day, it is a hassle. I have to make monthly runs to the health center and panic each time I wait until the last minute. Which of course, is every time.
Whether it’s running out of refills or just forgetting entirely, the daily birth control pill is getting more and more inconvenient for college women. It also seems less cost-effective.
Each method comes with a variety of side effects, some worse than others. If I forget to take my pill on time, I may or may not turn into a raging psychopath. There’s really no guarantee.
If not for researching on WebMD myself, I would remain blissfully unaware of my options.
I pay each month for a pack of pills that will only keep me baby-free through the next four weeks of my life. But another form of birth control could do the same thing for the next three years. Now that sounds more practical.
I encourage all women to explore every birth control option they may have. If I had known all of my options, I might have chosen a little differently.
nrowthor@indiana.edu
