Family planning meeting held at Health Center

Family planning and preventing sexually transmitted diseases are a couple of the focuses of the family planning orientations held at the Student Health Center every week.

Family planning facilitator Seanna Sifflet said that although the majority of those who attend the orientations are women, men are welcomed and are encouraged to attend.

"It's important that men come to the meetings so they can get a real feel of what a woman has to go through every year when she gets a pap smear," Sifflet said.

Facilitator Karen Brandeis added that a man has as much at stake as a woman.

The orientations offer students the opportunity to look at, touch, and ask questions about most birth control devices that for some might be intimidating. The facilitators also explain to the students what to expect when going in for a Pap smear, pelvic exam or physical.

Although Health Services doesn't give advice on adoption or abortion options as part of the orientation, students will find information such as literature about these other options.

Students are shown a variety of birth control devices such as diaphragms, male and female condoms and contraceptive foam. Birth control devices are offered for sale at minimal costs. Depo-Provera, an injected birth control device that lasts up to three months, is available for $35. Condoms are available in packs of 12 for $2. To receive the discount a student needs to present identification at the pharmacy window.

The demand for the pill is due to its low cost at the center. Birth control pill packs available elsewhere for $20 are $1.50 at the center.

The family planning orientations are held from 4 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays at the Student Health Center.