No method of birth control is
foolproof: the only sure way to
prevent pregnancy is not to have sex.
Everyone who has sex should read
thisarticle. There isa section near the
end on safe sex.

There are three important
considerations for you and your
partner when selecting a method of
birth control: what is best for you,
which method will you use
consistently and properly, and what
can protect you from sexually
transmittable diseases and AIDS.
Birth control is by no means “up to
the woman”. Mature sexuality
involves a deliberate, mutual choice
—neither partnershould assume that
“things are taken care of.”

Following is a brief guide to the
most common methods of birth
coitrol. Your doctor, Planned
Parenthood (731 - 4252), the
Everywoman’s Health Centre (322 -
6692), or Vancouver Woman’s Health
Collective (736 - 5262) can help you
decide which contraceptive is right
for you.

The Pill:

This is the most commonly used
method of birth control. It is a series
of pills designed to regulate a
woman's menstrual cycle through
compounds similar to hormones.
Use: The Pill must be prescribed by a
doctor. Generally, a series of pills
come in a package, and one must be
taken daily throughout the 21 to 28
' day cycle. The hormone level is
changed so that an egg isnot released
by the ovaries each month. The pills
also affect the cervical mucus, making
it difficult for sperm'to gain access to
the uterus.

Reliability: If the method is
used properly (if you take a pill
everyday), one in every hundred
women becomes pregnant. This rate
increases, of course, if a pill is missed
or the method is otherwise used
improperly.

Advantages: The pill can also
help to decrease cramping and
menstrual flow. They also decrease
therisk of pelvicinflammatory disease
and functional ovarian cysts.
Research also shows that they may
lower the risk of developing cervical
cancer. They are easy to use and aid
in spontaneity.

Disadvantages: During the first
month of use, a backup method is
necessary. Some initial side effects,
such as headache, breakthrough
bleeding between menstrual cycles,
weight gain, or depression may occur.
There is also an _ increased
susceptibility to cardiovascular
disease, especially in women who
smoke. There is little data available
on the long term effect of the pill but
it may increase the chance of
developing breast cancer. Birth
control pills do not protect the user
from sexually transmittable diseases
(STDs) or AIDS.

Cost: $14 --$18 for a one month
supply from a pharmacy.

Intrauterine Device
(IUD):

Also known as a coil, ring or
loop, this device is inserted and leftin
the uterus to preventimplantation by
sperm and conception.

Use: The device is usually plasticand
contains copper or hormones. It has
astring attached and mustbeinserted
by a doctor. Newer devices must be

checked periodically andif pregnancy

The Pill and Your Health

The use of contraceptives can
influence the body’s need for some
nutrients, particularly vitamins and
minerals. Side effects attributed to
birth control pills can often be
recognized as nutritional deficiencies.
Theseadverse effects may besominor
thatthey arenot ized asdefinite
sideeffects, butstill may impairhealth.
The need for niacin, vitamin K,
calcium, iron and copper seems to be
decreased by the use of the pill while
the need for vitamin B2, vitamin B6,
vitamin C, folic acid, zinc, vitamin E
and iodine is increased.

Symptoms such as fatigue,
depression, nervousness, skin
problems, and low resistance to
infection may frequently beattributed
tonutritional deficiencies. Tobemore
specific:

’ Lack of B6:

Headaches, nausea, water retention,
foot and leg cramps.

Lack of B2:

Oily skin, whiteheads, visual
problems, soreness of lips and tongue.
Lack of Folic Acid:

Anemia, fatigue, depression, gray-
brown skin pigmentation of the face,
vaginitis.

Vitamin B2, vitamin B6, and folic
acid are part of the B complex. Good
food sources include whole grains,
liver, wheat germ, and nutritional

yeast. The daily use of yogurt
promotes the utilization of B vitamins
by the intestines, and the growth of
healthy vaginal bacteria.

Bleeding gums, bruising, weakening
of cell walls, lowered resistance to
infection, and gum disease. Food
sources for vitamin C are citrus fruit,
bell peppers, and dark green
vegetables. Supplements may be

necessary.
Lack of Zinc:

Zinc is essential for resistance to
infection, rapid healing of wounds,
heaithy skin, fertility, and normal
blood cholesterol. Food sources
include nuts, shellfish and leafy
vegetables grown in healthy soil.
Lack of Iodine:

In combination with high estrogen
levels, can cause abnormal tissue
changes in the breasts. Food sources
include sea food, iodized salt, sea salt,
and kelp. Kelp is available as a
nutritional supplement.

Vitamin E:

May be helpful in avoiding cancer,
blood clots, high blood pressure,
varicose veins. Food sources include
wheat germ and whole grains.
Supplementsareoftennecessary,and
are best provided from’a natural
source.

  

occurs the device must be naeel: ‘Condom:
immediately. An IUD can be worn
for 2 years before it must be replaced.

Reliability: TheIUDisslightly
less effective than the Pill. Itis94% to
98% effective.

Advantages: The IUD is non-
chemical, cannot be felt by either
partner, and requires no preparation
at the time of intercourse.
Disadvantages: Initial insertion
may be painful if no previous
pregnancy has occurred. The IUD
may. cause irregular bleeding or
heavier cramps during menstruation
for the first few months after insertion.
Increased risk of PelvicInflammatory
Disease (PID). There is a small risk of
fallopian tube scarring which could
lead to infertility. There may be an
increased risk of AIDS if exposed to
the virus. TUD’s do not protect the
user from sexually transmittable
diseases(STDs) or AIDS.

Cost: $25-$30 at insertion.

Diaphragm:

The diaphragm is a soft rubber
dome or pouch that is filled with

contraceptive jelly and placed over -

the cervix thus forming a chemical
and physical barrier thatsperm must
Pass to cause conception.

Use:The initial fitting must be done
by adoctor. Contraceptive jelly must
be placed into the diaphragm and
may be inserted by the woman up to
3 hours prior to sex. The diaphragm
must be left in for 6 to 8 hours after
intercourse.

Reliability: 90% effective.
Advantages: Insertion can
become a routine part of bedtime
preparation. The device cannot be
felt by either partner. There are no
side effects.

Disadvantages: There is a small
chance the diaphragm may become
dislodged. The need for insertion
may reduce spontaneity. The fit
must be checked every year and if
unusual weight change occurs. Use
of a diaphragm in no way reduces
the risk of contracting AIDS or any
other STD.

Cost: $10- 15 for the device plus
contraceptive jelly.

Cervical Cap:

Used in place of diaphragms in
women with a retroverted (tilted)
uterus. It is very similar to use and
effectiveness as a diaphragm.

A thin sheaf of strong rubber which
covers an erect penis and holds the
semen after ejaculation.
Use:Thecondommustbe put onafter
erection and before any vaginal
contact. The condom prevents
seminal fluid from entering the
vagina.

Reliability: Condoms used
with spermicide are up to 99%
effective. Condoms used alone are
about 90% effective.

Advantages: Thecondomis the
only way a man (unless sterilized)
can take an active part in preventing
pregnancy. Noprescriptionisneeded
and itis easy touse. A condomis the
only effective way to avoid exposure

to AIDS or other STDs during

intercourse. Itis advisable to always
use a condom to protect yourself
from disease.
Disadvantages: There is the slight
possibility of the condom slipping or
tearing, allowing sperm toescapeinto
the vagina. The useofacondom may
reduce some of the sensation and
may interrupt spontaneous sex.
Although the condom offers
protection from most STDs it is not
100% effective.
Cost: | Unlubricated condoms are
$4 - 5 for a box of 12. Condoms
lubricated with the spermicide
Nonoxynol-9 are $10 - 12. Both are
available in drug stores.
Continued on page 4
continued from page 1

Shelter Needs Your Help

Since 1973 Vancouver Rape
Relief and Women’s Shelter has been
operating as a feminist response to
rape and rape prevention. The fact
that, typically, nine to ten times more
women call women-operated rape
crisis lines, as opposed to going to the
Police, clearly shows the need for
these services.

Of the 1423 calls received last
year, only 15% said they had any
hope the judicial system would work
for them.. Besides their reluctance to
go to the police, all the callers shared
two other facts: They were women
and their attackers were men.

“By and large the man was
someone the caller knew, most often
one with whom she was involved —
her father, husband, brother, lover,
ermployer,andsoon,” reports Bonnie
Agnew, a Rape Relief Collective
member. “Theattack took place most
oftenin her home, hiscar, hercar,and
increasingly in our workplaces.”

Statistics show that in Canada, a
women is raped every 17 minutes; 1
women in 4 will be raped in her
lifetime; 1 in 8 girls is sexually
assaulted before theage of 18, usually
by a male family member; 54% of
women living with a men will be
struck at some time during the
relationship; 60% of reported rapes,
and most battering and child sexual
assault, take place in the home; and
90% of women are sexually harassed
On the job at some time during their
work life.

The many activities undertaken
by Vancouver Rape Relief and
Women’s Shelter require money, so
that fundraising is a major (and
ongoing) consideration of the
collective. One fundraising event that
takes place every year, is the annual
walkathon, held in May.

The fifteenth annual walkathon
will be held Sunday, May 30, 1993.

As always the walk will take a
route around the Stanley Park
Seawall, but this year it will start and
end at Ceperly Park, near Second
Beach. At the conclusion of the walk,
a free picnic will be held with
entertainment for childrenand adults
alike.

The fundraising goal for the
Walkathon this year is $40,000. But
the walkisalsoanannual celebration,
a place to catch up with friends, raise
awareness about violence against
women, and have fun!

The route is wheelchair
accessible (including bathrooms),
with pushers /companions available;
child care is a regular feature for the
whole day, and those who prefer to
cycle the route are encouraged to do
so.

If you would like to take part in
the walkathon, please phone255-4294
to register and get a pledge sheet. For
other information about the
walkathon, please phone Vancouver
Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter at
872-8212 or write to P.O. 65342, Station
F, Vancouver, B.C., V5N 5P3.