In this day and age, it seems like every one of my friends is on the birth control pill. However, unlike most girls, most of my friends went on the pill to have sex at the end of high school, and simply stayed on it to enter college. And while most people know the basics of birth control, few people ever bother to read the fine print. So here are some of the most important things that you should know (i.e. all the stuff that’s on that little packet of info you throw out every month):
1. Being on antibiotics can make the pill less effective
This is something that most girls do not know, but is often the most common mistake that girls on the pill make. Even if you are taking your pill at the exact same time every day, if you are on antibiotics, they are working so hard to fight viruses that they can sometimes fight the effects of the pill. If you are taking antibiotics, but are still healthy enough to be having sex, use a backup form of birth control.
2. You may not get your period every month
As I personally learned from being on Loestrin 24, sometimes the pill may make your period so light that it will disappear for months at a time. While you should probably get a pregnancy test just to be on the safe side, missing your period for a month or two DOES NOT mean that you are pregnant.
There’s something in the government water because lately it feels like all they want to do is control our uterus’s (Uteri?). Like, back off politicians, I know how this organ works, and until you get your period in the middle of 10th grade math class while wearing khakis, don’t tell me what to do with my body. And I’m not the only one who feels this way. A bunch of awesome college students made this awesome video. It’s a great midday pick-me-up and we suggest watching it, sharing it, and being so inspired that you do something crazy, like write to your senators.
And to all the elders reading this, know this: just because we had helicopter parents and just because our helicopter parents made sure we won a participation trophy for every sport we played, does not mean we’re a bunch of apathetic sexters just sitting around. We’re young, we have a voice, and unlike you, we know how to use social media to get our voices heard.
A lot is happening in the world right now. Egypt said no more to their President, and since then, other countries such as Bahrain, Libya, Yemen, Iran, Kuwait, Algeria, and Dijbouti have actively started seeking change from their governments. Tons of stuff is happening back in the United States too. There are the Wisconsin protests rising up against the newly elected governor’s budget, the House voting to ban federal funding to Planned Parenthood, possible threats to cut funding for programs like Americorps, and of course, we’re still in a terrible economic recession.
As college students and young women, we should be aware of what’s going on around us. For example, the federal funding to Planned Parenthood could hurt women across the country and prevent us from having affordable birth control options (such as the Pill and IUDs) and annual health screenings. Sometimes sitting around doesn’t seem good enough, but people often say “I’d get involved, but I don’t know how.” Consider this your friendly college guide to activism so you can get involved:
Utilize Facebook and other social media platforms: The world of social media is meant to be an extension of your personality, so why not use it to share what you believe in? Passionate about animal rights — don’t be afraid to ‘Like’ PETA or post a video about puppy mills. Are you upset that funding was cut in your home state for education? Post an article about it on your blog — use it to start a dialogue. Tweet about what’s on your mind. Send out Facebook event invites for club meetings about campus fundraising or for the Gay/Straight alliance you just joined.
Register to vote: This is straightforward and simple. By registering to vote, even if elections are right around the corner, you are taking a proactive step to say, “Hey, I want to voice my opinion.” You can register to vote here.
There’s a lot of things that come with having a grown-up, healthy sex life. Our sex ed classes were taught by those who preached about “sexual health,” but never really explained what that meant. Does it just mean going to the doctor or are there more things that can fall under the umbrella of “sexual health”?
There’s a lot more to leading a healthy, sexually active life than just visiting the doctor (though, we’ll talk about that too), so let’s take a look at what we can do to live those sexually healthy lifestyles we’re always told about.
Be honest with yourself and your partner. Are you ready to be having sex? Have you thought about the possible long-term implications and responsibility that comes with being sexually active? The important answer here isn’t just whether it’s yes or no – but it’s that you stay true to whatever that answer is. If being sexually active isn’t in the cards for you at the moment, be honest about it, own it, and don’t ever do anything you don’t think you’re ready to do.
Get on birth control. If and when you decide you’re ready to get naked with another person, you must get yourself on some form of birth control. There is no excuse for not using protection, and unless you’re planning on having a child anytime soon, it’s best to get yourself on birth control stat. If, for some reason, being on hormonal birth control isn’t an option for you, check out responsible alternatives such as condoms (which you should be using with BC anyways), or IUDs. (Editor’s Note: Seriously, ask your doc about an IUD. It’s the best thing I ever did.)Read More »
Last week I went to my university’s health center for a birth control pill issue. As soon as Dr. Nancy scurried in with her Lisa Frank name tag and orthopedic shoes, I knew that this was going to be trouble. I answered the routine questions and then braced myself for what was next; the question that every single girl dreads.
“Are you sexually active?” inquired Dr. Nancy with her beady eyes judging my contraceptive-popping self. What the hell are you supposed to say in that situation?
“Well, you see Nance, I did hook up with my ex-hook up two weeks ago but other than that it’s been quite the dry spell…” Nobody really wants to delve into their complicated lust life with a complete stranger.
This got me thinking, how does anybody really know if they are “sexually active”? To me, activity isn’t all-or-nothing; there are several levels to be aware of. Dr. Nancy, for instance, would abide by the criteria of “hyperactivity.” In other words, if you have ever touched a boy or even really thought about it, you are sexually active for the rest of your life and probably well after you’re dead. Read More »
We live in a social media obsessed world. There’s Facebook, Myspace, (although I wonder if anyone actually still uses it), Twitter, and many blogging platforms such as Tumblr, WordPress, and Blogger. Although we upload our pictures to Flickr and Facebook all the time or write about our weekend experiences in personal blogs, there could be a possible downside to all of this internet exposure: According to the Wall Street Journal, 85% of hiring managers Google a candidate before or after an interview. This fact, which is becoming more and more well-known, brings up the question: To blog or not to blog?
While I’m not saying that anyone who publicly posts pictures of themselves puking into a fraternity bathroom shouldn’t be a cause for concern, I am posing the question of boundaries and what and when a company should base their decision on hiring someone because of what comes up when they use Google. For example, take all the CollegeCandy contributors. Should our future bosses decline an interview with us, even though our resumes may be well qualified, simply because we once wrote an article that mentions sex or highlights the importance of birth control?
Personally, I think keeping a blog of any kind is a worthwhile venture. As a writer, I like to post things I’m interested in, things that drive me crazy, and of course, continuously write about things that matter to me (this includes everything from literary theory criticisms to the correct usage of the Real Housewives of New Jersey’s infamous phrase “prostitution whore”). However, I often worry that if I post liberal-sided articles or a picture of me enjoying a glass of wine that someone may use those things against me and blow them out of proportion one day. Despite more and more social media outlets being introduced to society on a regular basis, it seems like the idea of censorship or hiding oneself (at least the internet brand of oneself) is becoming a constant battle. Read More »
We all know the movies don’t necessarily contain the most accurate depictions of actual life. Or do we?
Whether we realize it or not, we all pick up subtle things from movies that we expect to find in our actual lives. And while I’m willing to overlook some of the media’s follies (like the fact that people in any foreign country all speak English), some of their depictions of sex are just. so. wrong.
Sex requires a soundtrack.
Sure, some people like to have sex to music and watching couples do it to some big, romantic song in the movies makes us all think music will enhance our orgasms, too. But how many times have you set your iTunes to random and had the Spongebob theme song come on in the middle of your session? Awkward! Sometimes it’s best to leave the music off while you’re getting frisky (unless you’re trying to drown out the noise so your roommates don’t hear). It will still be just as good.
Couples always finish together. Not only do women orgasm every time they have sex in movies, but they always do it at the exact same time as their partner. Anyone who’s ever had sex in the real world knows this couldn’t be further from the truth for most sexual encounters.
Dear Tuffy Luv,
Me and my partner had sex with a condom and by mistake condom broke and I didn’t realize. So later I bought Yasmine contraceptive pills, which contains 21 pills, and my partner took it. Are there any chances of getting pregnant?
Regards,
JM
Dear JM,
Tuffy’s. Bloodpressure. Slowly. Rising.
JM, I was going to rip you a new one, but I have decided instead to use your unbridled ignorance as, like, you know–a cautionary tale.
Why the hell would you write to an advice columnist about an emergency that is time sensitive?! Boy, this letter is from WEEKS ago and I am just now seeing it–it is now WAY too late for me to actually give you advice. I hope for everyone’s sake that nothing terrible happened to you and your ladyfriend. May you be safe and happy and baby-free. Read More »
Of course you think you know everything about sex. You’re a liberated, intelligent college woman, right? And you’ve done your research; you know what’s what. Well, guess what? There’s always room for a little extra know-how, and we’ve compiled the ultimate resource on everything you need to know about sex. Take notes, you just might learn a new fact or two.
1. How not to become a Baby Mama
The birth control method you might be using that…(wait for it)…doesn’t work 27% of the time.
2. Not all men are created equal
Is there such a thing as too big? Too small? Maybe a little…stubby? With this visual guide you can tell if your man’s more a shower or a grower…or maybe a “soda can”.
3. It should last how long?
Apparently wishing for a guy who can go all night long isn’t what we need. 15 minutes max is what the pros recommend, and in reality, most couples spend less than seven minutes on intercourse.
There’s a lot of things that come with having a grown-up, healthy sex life. Our sex ed classes were taught by those who preached about “sexual health,” but never really explained what that meant. Does it just mean going to the doctor or are there more things that can fall under the umbrella of “sexual health”?
Last week I went to my university’s health center for a birth control pill issue. As soon as Dr. Nancy scurried in with her Lisa Frank name tag and orthopedic shoes, I knew that this was going to be trouble. I answered the routine questions and then braced myself for what was next; the question that every single girl dreads.
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