Reflection: STDs and Contraception

        As college students, sex was an important topic to my group and myself. This is a time where we encounter new experiences in college and then eventually venture out to the real world. All these experiences are unpredictable, especially when it pertains to sex. Being aware of the harms of sex, whether it is from pregnancy, STI, or an STD, is important because these troubles can lead to pain, fertility, and the destruction of lives for a future baby or immature parents. In class we discussed all of the contraception methods, and I was surprised about how many different methods there are. There are two methods, barrier and hormonal, and both methods offer many different options. This particular lecture was so helpful because it exemplified that not only using a contraception is important, but also making sure the contraception is used correctly. Condoms or the birth control pill are extremely effective unless the user gets lazy and doesn't put the condom on fully or the women does not take the pill at the correct time each day. It was interesting to learn about the other methods, such as the IUD or the shot, that takes away this chance of error. Another great piece of information that was clarified from this discussion was the truths about plan B. Plan B always seemed evil and very harmful for a women, but the lesson stated that plan B should not be commonly used, but it is a safe and effective last resort method. 
        This lesson is so important for public health because people are out and about in the world having fun and trying to fall in love, which brings about strong emotions and, sometimes, bad decisions. This decisions are catastrophic though, resulting in the continuous spreading of STD's and bringing babies into the world when the parents are not ready emotionally and financially. If contraception were talked about more commonly and stressed about as much as possible, then high school/ college students, as well as poor communities, might be able to avoid these troubling situations because contraception methods such as abstinence or condoms are free (if there is a close by health center for the latter). It needs to be considered cool to use a condom because people think they can just “pull out” and they will be fine. Awareness over this issue is very important for the public.
         A remaining question I have is how using contraception can be shifted to being “popular” in more cultures. The problem with contraception for males is being able to stop when in the heat of the moment and use the contraception. The stop in sexual action is a big negative for many people, and if this could be avoided, I believe contraception would become more popular. This is a very important topic and the more people who pledge to use some form of contraception, the better our world's health will be.






Zack Krause
Kevin Bevillard
Khadijah Brown