Family health class teaches us the dangers of unprotected sex; however, there are many different ways to be safe. The places with the most options of birth control on the island are the Vashon Pharmacy and the DoVE project.
At the Vashon Pharmacy, there are prescription and nonprescription methods of birth control available. For instance, condoms and spermicide both are nonprescription and can be purchased legally at any age; condoms range in price from $1-3, depending on brand, and spermicide can cost between $.50-1.50 per use.
“Vaginal spermicides are a type of contraceptive,” said the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit medical research group. “These products are inserted into the vagina before any genital contact occurs or sexual intercourse begins.”
Over-the-counter protection includes Plan B One-Step, sometimes called the “morning after pill,” usually costing between $35-45, and the pelvic exam costing up to $250 without insurance. The pelvic exam is not required in order to get birth control, but it is highly recommended, especially if you’ve already engaged in sexual behavior. Both are available and can be purchased at any age, without parental consent.
Women also can use the Combined oral contraceptive pill (commonly referred to as just “the pill”) as a menstrual suppressant. According to the Department of health and human services, an average of nine Out of 100 women who take the pill each year get pregnant, making it the number one most effective contraceptives in the United States.
“Doctor-ordered birth control products are… by far the most common,” said Vashon Pharmacy owner Tom Langland. “They come in a little plastic wallet… You take the active pill for 21 days, then go off for 7 days, then repeat the next month. It prevents you from ovulating.”
The Pharmacy also has another barrier method: the contraceptive sponge.
“The sponge is effective for more than one act of intercourse and up to 24 hours. It needs to be left in for at least six hours after having sex to prevent pregnancy. It must then be taken out within 30 hours after it is inserted.”
Hormonal methods include the birth control patch, Depo-Provera shot/injection, and the vaginal ring. The patch releases the hormones progestin and estrogen into the bloodstream. They are worn on either the lower abdomen, buttocks, upper body, or outer arm. The birth control shot also releases the hormones progestin and estrogen, but it is required to get a shot in the buttocks every three months. Another hormonal method is the vaginal ring.
“This is a thin, flexible ring that releases the hormones progestin and estrogen,” said the Mayo Clinic. “It works by stopping the ovaries from releasing eggs. It also thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps the sperm from joining the egg.”.
The pharmacy also offers the implantable rod and Intrauterine devices (IUD). Both of these methods require a trip to the doctor, and involve the release of progestin into the uterus, preventing sperm from joining the egg.
Permanent birth control methods include the sterilization implant (essure) and surgical sterilization. Essure is nonsurgical and is done by threading a spring-like device through the vagina and uterus into each fallopian tube. Surgical sterilization is a method in which the fallopian tubes are cut so that the egg can no longer get through to the uterus.
Some of these methods require more than a trip to the pharmacy, but not to worry; they are available at Vashon Natural Medicine, Vashon Family Practice, and Vashon Health Center Highline.
The DoVE project not only offers the same methods of birth control, but is also available for scheduled appointment with one of their health care professionals to answer questions.
“I believe it is important for young people to know about birth control so, they can have agency and autonomy when it comes to their own bodies,” said a spokeswoman for the DoVE project, Brianna Sherman. “Abstinence education has proven to be ineffective and alienating; therefore sex ed/health is an extremely important mechanism of keeping people informed and healthy.
“Teens can also apply for Apple Health separate from their parents strictly for the purpose of procuring STI testing and treatment and birth control.”
It is vitally important for any young adult, sexually active or not, to know their birth control options. It gives people power over their own body, and it allows them to take the actions that are best for them.