Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Health

On Women Blog - U.S. News & World Report

Cheap Birth Control (Once Again) for College Women

March 11, 2009 03:09 PM ET | Deborah Kotz | Permanent Link | Print

Reader Comments

low cost birth control

The only place I found on the internet for affordable birth control is: http://www.MyCycleDirect.com. The MyCycle company is the #1 online Birth Control Pharmacy.

I am relieved at least the first step of this battle is finished!

I, for one, am so grateful that some sense has come to our legislature.

Some comments pertaining to abstinence seem to disregard those who are in college and in long term relationships and assume that it's only the guys who want to have sex. That couldn't be the furthest thing from the truth. I'm 27, in college, a straight A student and I've been with the same man for almost two years. We have a healthy, happy relationship that does include sex (enjoyed by BOTH of us) and birth control. Contraceptives are a necessecity, but are breaking our bank. And yes, he splits the cost, but it is hard. We plan to get married, when we can afford to, but it's just not a reality right now. I would never marry someone who I wasn't sure I am compatible with in EVERY way. I am fine with other's choices about abstinence until marriage, but that's not my choice and it's not the choice of thousands of college students. Not all of them are one night stands or flings. Some of us are in stable long term relationships and yes women enjoy and seek sex.

My boyfriend and I need to be protected from pregnancy, because if we were to get pregnant, we'd have to be on federal or state aid until we finish school. (We are both absolutely dedicated to our education and have agreed that if a pregnancy were to happen, we would keep it. I am pro-choice, and my choice would be to go on with a pregnancy.) Financial assistance for preventative birth control is a heck of alot cheaper than helping out once a pregnancy occurs. ...I'm just saying it makes financial sense to help students and the poor with contraceptives. I hope drug companies will agree to slash costs for us, because we are responsibly trying to better ourselves through education and we will eventually be able to buy contraceptives from them once we get full time jobs.

Birth control and STDs

Just remember that non-barriers methods do NOT protect you against STDs and much less against the emotional consequences of sex outside of marriage (Can you disconnect your mind and spirit from your body?).

CDC states that ~19 million people get an STD each year. 1 out 4 young people <24 has at least one of the most common STDs. Condoms reduce the risk of getting HIV/AIDS, but don't do much good to reduce other STDs, especially the most common viral ones: HPV and Genital Herpes.

And you say abstinence sucks? I don't think so. Tell me you know a person that regrets being virgin at the time of the honeymoon. I didn't and I don't :)

Waiting to have sex until marriage is the only 100% effective method to protect you against pregnancy, STDs, and a broken heart because of sex. Abstinence rocks!!

How the drug companies deal with this is now the question.

I will be interesting if the drug companies decide to offer special pricing especially on the ring and the patch. I heard a loud cry from those of us in college health and from women's groups when prices were raised but I never heard any complaints from the drug companies about "having" to charge a higher price. It will be interesting to see if they if fact offer a lower price or if they stick to the high profit low volume pricing that is now in place.

Show me a college guy

Who happily and honestly practices private solo sex as needed and does not do college women until he marries one, and I'll show you an example of the solution to abortion, STDs and unplanned pregnancies at college.

Yes, the first half of that statement enables the second half. Birth control is a male responsibility.

Deborah Solomon regarding cheap birth control for college women

March 12, 09

I realize there has been much debate about the issue of STD's and unplanned pregnancies. I have known of some young women that were advised to get on birth control and enjoy their sexuality. Some ended up with cervical cancer and STD's. I have known several parents that their children knew who they wanted to marry when they graduated from high school or after they had attended a year of college. These young couples went ahead, with their families blessings,and married and went on to establish their careers or acquire their college degrees together. Obviously cheap birth control would be of importance to help these married couples reach their goals of establishing their careers or acquiring a degree before they begin a family.

I believe this could be a helpful strategy, for some people, where the faith community could find common ground and promote healthy sexual boundaries within heterosexual marriage. It could certainly help resolve a lot of problems regarding aids, STD's, cervical cancer, and unplanned pregnancies.

Come On

Larry of CA: Read the article before giving your opinion.

"The new provision, in a bill expected to be signed by Obama as early as today, allows drug companies to once again offer the discounts, at no cost to taxpayers."

If YOU are going to respond to an article, YOUR argument would be more valid if YOU read it.

I don't care about any of these isues except

I do not want MY tax dollars going to pay for any of them. If you are going to play around then YOU are responsible for YOUR birth control or pay the consciences.

Having the government pay any part of this is wrong and should not be done. By the way I am against welfare, unemployment, food stamps, and tax breaks for the number of kids you have. Take responsibility for your decisions and actions and don't rely on the rest of America to take care of you.

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About On Women

Deborah Kotz, senior writer for U.S. News & World Report, covers everything women care about when it comes to their health. She's often tapping out "Oprah-esque" confessions about how the latest news relates to her personally—whether it's on breast cancer, contraception or easing work-family stress. She'd love to hear your confessions too at onwomen@usnews.com. Also, you can follow Deborah on Twitter at twitter.com/debkotz2.

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