Sex and birth control are unavoidable topics among college students, but too often the issue gets tossed aside and deemed taboo. These subjects need to be taken seriously, and it’s important that students aren’t misinformed.

Birth control and contraceptives have many fallacies attached to them. After talking with students around campus, it’s clear people are misinformed.

When asking students about their knowledge of birth control and contraceptives the phrase, “well, my friend told me this .” was uttered almost every time. Not to discredit any of your friends or peers, but it’s likely that some of the information you’re getting isn’t completely true.

“I’ve heard girls say that they can’t get STDs if they are on the pill,” senior Maggie Kalitowski said.

“I’ve heard people say that even if a girl misses a few pills she is still OK,” senior Andrew Harings said. “They think as long as they take them at some point, they are still protected from getting pregnant.”

The problem doesn’t seem to be lack of information; it’s the misconceptions that are being spread by word of mouth between students.

I spoke with Deborah Wright, a nurse practitioner from Student Health Services, and she helped clear up some of the myths that are out there regarding birth control methods.

Myth: The pill protects you from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Fact: Absolutely not. The only sure way of not contracting an STD is abstaining from sex. The most viable and safest way to start protecting yourself is to use condoms.

“Condoms will protect you from most STDs and STIs, its just important for students to use them and be prepared,” Wright said. “No method can protect you from everything, but condoms are a good precaution to take.”

Myth: You have to be having sex to be on the pill.
Fact: “You can get on the pill to be safe and prepare ahead of time,” Wright said. “If you know sex might be an option for you sometime soon or in the future; there’s nothing wrong with planning ahead of time and starting an effective method in advance.”

Myth: You’re still protected even if you miss a day or two of the pill, as long as you take them at some point.
Fact:“It’s important to get a renewal method down and get your supplies ahead of time,” Wright said. “The first pills in the cycle are the most important pills to take on time, but all pills should be taken around the same time everyday.”

Myth: I don’t have insurance, so I can’t afford to be on birth control or contraceptives.
Fact: Student Health Services offers affordable exams and contraceptive supplies. Wright explained that the services provided by SHS are partially funded by student segregated fees from students’ tuition.

SHS also helps students enroll in the Wisconsin Family Planning Waiver Program. The waiver plan will cover the cost of contraceptive services.

“Any student can apply (for the Family Planning Waiver Program), if they are a U.S. citizen and live in Wisconsin during the school year,” Wright stated. “There are income requirements, but most students do no earn enough money to disqualify them from the program.”

Myth: Condoms and the pill are the only options for contraceptives and birth control methods.
Fact: For women who have difficulty remembering to take the pill every day or don’t like being on the pill, SHS offers the patch, the ring, and the Depo-Provera shot.

“Diaphragms are also an option that women can use,” Wright said. “A diaphragm is like a cup that holds spermicidal gel that kills sperm and prevents them from traveling into the uterus.”

A newer option out there is the Intrauterine Device (IUD). This is a small device that is placed in the uterus. This method affects movement of the sperm to prevent fertilization.

“This (the IUD) has been out for many years, but has just become available for college students in the past few years,” Wright said. “The IUD is a good method but is considerably more expensive.”

One difference between a diaphragm and an IUD is that a diaphragm needs to be inserted every time you have intercourse and an IUD remains in your body until you have it removed. Both options can be covered under the Family Planning Waiver Program.

It’s important to be sure you’re getting reliable information before making any decisions. Any one option is not right for everyone.

Know what your options are before deciding what’s right for you to help ensure you’re protected. Student Health Services is one place to start and it’s located right on campus. It doesn’t cost anything to get started and talk about your options.