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news
Student
health services educates campus
By Heather Clarke
Summer On-line Forty-Niner
The Cal State Long
Beach’s Student Health Services educates students while providing
them a form of health care through their Sexual Health Awareness
Workshop.
The workshop provides
birth control pills and exams for students. However,
in order to receive a prescription for birth control pills,
students must first attend SHAW. The workshop is generally
two hours long, depending on the amount of people present,
and is conducted in groups by a nurse, said Jeanne Ruehl,
nurse practitioner at the center.
Nurses discuss
birth control issues, the pap smear exam, and self breast
exams. Female students are able to bring their friends and
partners for the workshop. Questions and concerns are answered
and students make appointments for the required physical and
pap smear. An annual Pap smear at the Health Center is required
for pill refills.
Michelle Biba,
a peer educator and student assistant, said the center targets
students between the ages of 18 and 35 and everyone always
comes out of the workshop learning something new. She said
that one of the most frequently asked questions concerning
birth control pills is if it works immediately. Biba said
that it takes one month for the pills to take effect.
“I would say on
average most [students] are kind of aware but not informed,”
Biba said regarding sexual health issues.
Many of the female
students who attend SHAW to get birth control pills do not
necessarily need them because they are sexually active, Biba
said. Many women seek prescriptions for birth control pills
because they have irregular periods and need the pills to
regulate them.
According to Planned
Parenthood, there are many benefits that can be gained from
birth control pills. Planned Parenthood lists that the pill
helps ovarian cysts, acne, menstrual cramps, cancer of the
ovaries and uterine lining as well as iron deficiency anemia.
There are risks
and possible side effects which Planned Parenthood lists as
bleeding between periods, breast tenderness, weight gain or
loss, nausea, change in mood and headaches.
Side effects from
birth control pills depend on a woman’s health history, family
history, and experience with birth control, Biba said.
“Of course if they
have any side effects they should go back to the doctor to
get a lower dose pill,” Biba said.
The health center
offers a list of birth control pills available. The list includes
Ortho-Cyclen, Norsette, Triphasil, Demulen and Ortho-Novum.
Other services
and programs for students, including testing for STDs and
nutrition counseling, are free and confidential. Graduate
students from the family and consumer science department conduct
nutrition counseling, said Jennifer Layno, administrative
assistant at the health center.
The newest addition
to the center’s services is the Men’s Health Clinic. It provides
glucose, cholesterol and lipid testing. Prostate exams are
available as well.
The last SHAW orientation
for the summer will be held on Aug. 6. For more information
call Health Services at (562) 985-4609.
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