ee ee Le September 20, 1993 Other Press Telereg Extravaganza! NVI LLLUS 10 B.0 The Cervical Cap What: ee shaped rubber cap (user fills with spermicide) that fits snugly over the cervix. How: prevents sperm from entering uterus; sper- micide renders sperm inactive Effectiveness: 80% - 98 % Cost: $13- $25 Accessibility: Prescription Ups: Some protection against Std’s and pelvic in- flammatory disease. Downs: User should have normal Pap test (can cause abnormal cell growth in cervix); some peo- ple are allergic to rubber, spermicide; toxic shock syndrome (very rare). ATTN VUCTUCVEL OVD CYNE TE The Condom What: tissue sheath placed over penis How: collects sperm so it doesn’t enter uterus Effectiveness: 64% - 97% Cost: $6 - $11 a dozen Accessibility: Over the counter Ups: latex condoms are the best protection against AIDS and other STD's Downs: Some people are allergic to latex. The Diaphragm What: Latex disk (user fills with spermicide) in- serted to cover the cervix How: prevents sperm from entering the uterus; spermicide renders sperm inactive Effectiveness: 80% - 98% Cost: $13 - $25 Accessibility: Prescription Ups: same as cervica! cap plus reduces risk of cer- vical cancer. Downs: Higher rates of urinary-tract infections; some people are allergic to latex, spermicide; toxic-shock syndrome (very rare); weight changes of more than 10 Ib. require a refitting of the dia- phragm Spermicide What: foam, cream, gel, jelly or suppository that contains a chemical agent (nonoxynol-9 or octoxynol) How: Renders sperm inactive (it kills them) Effectiveness: 70% - 80% Cost: Under $10 a tube Accessibility: Over the counter The Sponge What: Sponge of soft synthetic material contain- ing spermicide; fits over cervix How: Sponge prevents sperm from entering uterus; spermicide kills sperm for 24 hours Effectiveness: 80% - 87% Cost: $3 - $5 for 3 Accessibility: Over the counter Ups: Some protection against sexually transmit- ted diseases Downs: Irritation, allergic reaction, toxic-shock syndrome (very rare) Warning: Must be moistened to activate spermi- cide; can be used repeatedly during 24 hour pe- riod, but sponge must be left in at least 6 hours after last intercourse Depo-Provera What: Injection of synthetic hormone, progestin: good for 3 months How: Prevents ovaries from releasing egg; alters cervical mucus to block sperm Effectiveness: 99.6% Cost: $30 for 3 months Accessibility: Doctor visit Ups: may lessen risk of endometrial cancer; lighter periods or noné at all (thus can prevent iron deficiency) Downs: Possible weight gain, headache, fatigue; risk for women who have had liver disease, unu- sual vaginal bleeding, breast cancer; may cause Fast Facts About Birth Control © increase of osteoporosis, breast cancer; does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases The Pill What: Combination of two synthetic hormones, estrogen and progestin How: Prevents ovaries from releasing egg or al- ters cervical mucus to block sperm Effectiveness: 99% Cost: $10 - $30 a month Accessibility: Prescription Ups: Less risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, ovar- ian and endometrial cancer; some. protection against benign: breast tumours and ovarian cysts Downs: Nausea, depression; increased risk for women who smoke or have had blood clots, heart attack, stroke, liver tumours; does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases The Mini-Pill What: Contains one synthetic hormone, progestin, in lower amounts than the Pill How: Alters cervical mucus to block sperm or pre- vents fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus Effectiveness: 97% Cost: $10 - $30 per month Accessibility: Prescription Ups: Doesn't contain estrogen, so no added risk of blood clots, heart attack or stroke Downs: Spotting between periods; does not pro- tect against sexually transmitted diseases Warning: If the mini-Pill is missed for even. one day, it is unreliable for the rest cf the month; also, it is more effective if taken at the same time every day The IUD What: Intrauterine (i.e. inside womb) that con- tains copper (ParaGuard copper, good for 8 years) or releases a hormone (Progestasert, good for 1 year) How: Prevents fertilization of egg or changes uterine lining so egg can’t implant Effectiveness: 97% Cost: $140 and up Accessibility: Doctor visit Ups: none Downs: higher risk of pelvic infection; risk of ste- rility or puncture of uterus (very rare); if preg- nancy occurs while IUD is in place, miscarriage or ectopic (outside the uterus) pregnancy more likely Female Sterilization What: Fallopian tubes are cut or clamped How: Prevents eggs from travelling from the ova- ries to the uterus Effectiveness: 99% Cost: $1000 - $2500 (covered by Medicare) Accessibility: Surgery Ups: None Downs: risk of surgical complication or reaction to general anaesthetic; post surgical pain/discom- fort; may increase risk of later hysterectomy; does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases Warning: If procedure is misperformed, preg- nancy could occur (very rare) Male Sterilization What: Tubes that deliver sperm are cut or blocked How: Prevents sperm from travelling from testi- cles to penis Effectiveness: 99% Cost: $250 - $550 (covered by Medicare) Accessibility: Surgery Ups: None Downs: Post surgical pain and swelling; risk of infection (rare); does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases Warning: Procedure is reversible; though it can fail to prevent pregnancy (very rare), vasectomy is generally more effective and less risky than female sterilization