THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 30, 1994 TAG: 9412300082
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E11 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Listen Up!
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Dear Smitha and Jonathan,
I'm 17 and have already had sex once. I want to get birth control, but I'm not exactly sure where or what type to get, and I don't want to ask my parents because they are very religious and they think I am a virgin. - Wondering
Dear Wondering,
First, you may think your parents won't understand your wanting to get birth control, but we strongly encourage you to talk to them about this. You said that they are ``very religious,'' so you have probably been told that premarital sex is wrong. While you may not agree with their viewpoint, what they are telling you to do is what they believe is in your best interest.
Having sex is a huge step both physically and emotionally, and most parents want to know when their child is entering a new phase of life, even if they don't totally approve. If you feel that your parents won't understand and you are still determined to be sexually active, here are some protective and preventative measures.
You must see a doctor to get birth control pills, a diaphragm or Norplant (a hormonal contraceptive that is implanted under the skin and protects against pregnancy for about five years). These types of birth control may have side affects. For example, if you are considering going on the Pill, you need to know if your family has a history of breast cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, strokes or blood clotting disorders.
By law, the doctor must keep your visit confidential and is not permitted to notify your parents. However, a doctor might tell your parents because he or she believes it is in your best interest. You can remind him or her during your visit that you want the matter to be kept confidential.
An option is going to a family planning clinic like Planned Parenthood, where you can be counseled on various methods of birth control and find one right for you. Your privacy is protected. There are Planned Parenthood clinics in Hampton, Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach. They are listed in the white pages in the back of the phone book.
You don't need to go to a doctor to get over-the-counter birth control such as condoms, sponges or spermicidal foam or jelly. They are sold in most supermarkets and drug stores, and anyone can buy them. Condoms used with spermicide containing nonoxynol-9 protect against sexually transmitted diseases as well as pregnancy.
You need to also remember that pregnancy is not the only danger in having sex; sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea and herpes can cause anything from minor discomfort to death. The Pill or Norplant or a diaphragm will not stop the spread of these diseases, so we strongly encourage using a condom with them. None of these preventive measures are 100 percent effective, and as you probably have been told before, ``the only 100 percent effective birth control method is abstinence.'' MEMO: Smitha Gottimukkala is a senior at Norfolk Academy. Jonathan Kolm is a
senior at Tallwood High. Their column appears biweekly in Teenology.
They accept questions on INFOLINE. Call 640-5555 and enter category
8335. Or write to them at 4565 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va.
23462. by CNB