Advertisements for birth control are everywhere — TV commercials, magazine ads, even on the back of bathroom stalls.
Contraceptives are used to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, but it may be hard for a young woman to know where or how to get help.
According to a study by Wendi A. Story of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, there are between 12 and 23 percent reported unplanned pregnancies among college-aged women.
Dr. Philip Hindelang, a gynecologist at LSU’s Student Health Center, said there are four main types of birth control on the market he suggests to his patients — the pill, the shot, the patch and the ring.
Hindelang said the pill is the most commonly used method, and more women know and use this. This sells for about $8 at the Health Center.
Depo Provera, also known as the shot, is one of the new products being advertised. This involves an injection once every three months.
“This is good for women who might have bad cramps or who might forget to take their pills,” Hindelang said.
At $61.50, this is the most expensive of the methods, he said.
“The disadvantages to the shot might be weight gain if someone has poor eating and exercise habits,” Hindelang said. “And about 5 to 6 percent of people who take this may get mood swings, irritation or depression.”
Other alternatives are the patch, Ortho Evra and the ring, NUVARing. The patch, a weekly method of birth control, attaches directly to the skin and can be worn under clothes, while the ring is inserted into the vagina for 21 days at a time.
Dr. Hindelang, along with fellow Health Center gynecologist Dr. Lauren F. Ogden, answers many students’ questions each day about contraceptives, sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.
If a woman thinks she may be pregnant or have an STD, she can visit the clinic to get advice and help, he said.
Although STDs can be treated at the clinic, a woman with a confirmed pregnancy is referred to another doctor.
“We see them initially, but then we send them to a private doctor,” Hindelang said. “We’re just not set up for prenatal care, and we can’t deliver here.”
According to a study by College Area Pregnancy Services, many women who become pregnant either get an abortion or drop out of school.
For those students struggling with guilt, depression or anxiety, there are services available to deal with the emotions surrounding any decision they may make.
LSU’s Mental Health and Wellness Centers have counselors for students going through this emotional time, Hindelang said.
Dr. Hindelang hopes more students will use the Student Health Center facilities. The visits are free and confidential.