Center
encourages sexual awareness
Health:
CSULB's Health Services provides specialized
services for women who are pregnant or who
fear they may be.
By
Cherie Otto
On-line Forty-Niner
In
2002 Health Services administered 1,025
pregnancy tests, of those, 108 were positive.
More
and more students are using the services
offered to get pregnancy tests, birth control,
emergency contraceptives -- the morning
after pill, and condoms.
"More
are coming for emergency contraception then
those coming for unwanted pregnancy,"
said Michael Carbuto, a physician here on
campus. "When students come in to get
a pregnancy test sometimes it's too soon
to tell. A woman should wait about a week
before coming in."
"Not
everyone that comes through the door gets
one," said Karen Taylor, a medical
technologist. "Girls come in the day
after having sex and want a pregnancy test.
Our methodology won't pick that up."
In that case the morning after pill can
be an option.
Emergency
contraception is requested often and is
easily accessible at Health Services.
One
student, who wishes to remain nameless,
has taken the pill and said though she is
glad it's available, it has made her less
worried about using a condom.
"I
think women don't feel they have to worry
as much about being safe because this is
an easy solution," she said
"It's
a relief to know that I don't have to wait
and worry for weeks about whether or not
I'm pregnant," said another student
who requested anonymity.
The
pill costs $9.90 and contains a high dosage
of birth control, which should be taken
within a 72-hour period.
The
side affects common with this pill are nausea
and vomiting. There are also no long-term
studies to show whether women will be permanently
damaged or have other risks after taking
it.
"It's
a great solution if the condom breaks,"
Carbuto said. "It's not harmful no
matter how many times you take it, but nothing
is 100 percent."
Besides
making emergency contraception available,
the Heath Center makes sure to educate students
about sexual health.
If
a student would like to receive birth control
she would first have to attend a workshop
class called SHAW. There she will learn
more about being safe and what is available
to her if she were to get pregnant. No one
is allowed to receive birth control without
attending this program.
The
facility also makes services affordable
to students so they don't have to worry
about paying high costs for birth control.
"Having [birth control] at a cheaper
price makes it easier for students who have
to pay for it themselves," the sophomore
student said.
If
a student were to become pregnant, Health
Services would have to get them help outside
of the offices.
"Were
not open 24 hours, seven days a week,"
Lawrence Harvey said. "You never know
when they need an obstetrician."
A
pregnant woman can get a list of referrals
and discuss options with a nurse or doctor
if this occurs.
"The
staff there is helpful and supportive of
whatever decision you make," an anonymous
junior said. "They are there to help
not lecture."
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