Spring Break
Nurse-midwife tells students about birth control options
Bridgette Blight
Issue date: 3/13/08 Section: Campus
Erickson-Owens highly recommended that all women have emergency contraception, otherwise known as the morning after pill, in their medicine cabinets. Plan B is a stronger version of hormonal birth control pills. It is 75 percent effective against pregnancy if taken less than 72 hours after unprotected sex, and it can be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected sex, according to the FDA. In August 2006, the FDA approved over-the-counter sales of Plan B to anyone 18 or older.
Erickson-Owens provided the cost of each method that she discussed. Many are available at CVS pharmacy. She also shared that condoms, the second most popular birth control method for college-age people, are available at URI health services for 25 cents each.
Erickson-Owens recommended that people speak with a health counselor or physician when choosing birth control methods and call their physician if they are experiencing side effects of hormonal birth control.
Karen Stein, English professor and director of the Women's Studies Program, introduced Erickson-Owens and referenced a study headed by a researcher from the Centers for Disease Control. The study underscored the need for sex education, and found that more than one in four girls from the ages of 14 to 19 are infected with at least one sexually transmitted infection.
Erickson-Owens provided the cost of each method that she discussed. Many are available at CVS pharmacy. She also shared that condoms, the second most popular birth control method for college-age people, are available at URI health services for 25 cents each.
Erickson-Owens recommended that people speak with a health counselor or physician when choosing birth control methods and call their physician if they are experiencing side effects of hormonal birth control.
Karen Stein, English professor and director of the Women's Studies Program, introduced Erickson-Owens and referenced a study headed by a researcher from the Centers for Disease Control. The study underscored the need for sex education, and found that more than one in four girls from the ages of 14 to 19 are infected with at least one sexually transmitted infection.
