Feminist Action at Middlebury
Reproductive justice!
Sex
positivity
Inclusive feminism
Birth Control Options
Many women on campus, especially first-years, are often unsure of what birth control options are available to them here at Middlebury. This site aims to clear up some of that confusion by providing information on the available options, how much they cost, and where you would go to receive them.
Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills are a kind of medication that you take daily to prevent pregnancy. You can either take the combination pills, which contain both estrogen and progestin hormones, or you can take progestin-only pills (taking either is fine- they simply work in different ways). You can either take the pills for 21 days (3 weeks) then stop taking them for a week so that you can have your period, or you can take them continuously to reduce how often you have periods.
Birth control pills can be purchased with a prescription at a pharmacy in town. They cost about $0–$50 a month (they are free if you have the school health insurance).
More information can be found here.
Where can I get them?
Parton Health Center can write you a prescription (call to schedule an appointment with the Nurse Practitioner) and so can the Middlebury Planned Parenthood in (PP will often give you your first pack on site).
The birth control patch is a beige patch that sticks to the skin. A new patch is placed on the skin once a week for three weeks in a row, followed by a patch-free week (so that you can have your period). It works by releasing the same two hormones, estrogen and progestin, as the combination birth control pills and NuvaRing.
The patch may be purchased with a prescription at a pharmacy in town. A one-month supply costs about $0–$80. How much is it with the school health insurance?
Where can I get them?
Parton Health Center can give you a prescription (call to schedule an appointment with the Nurse Practitioner) and so can the Middlebury Planned Parenthood.
More information can be found here.
Birth Control Patch
Birth Control Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing)
The vaginal ring is a small, flexible ring you insert into your vagina once a month to prevent pregnancy. It is left in place for three weeks and taken out for the remaining week each month (so that you can have your period). NuvaRing release the same hormones, estrogen and progestin, as the birth control combination pills and the birth control patch.
The ring may be purchased with a prescription at a pharmacy in town. You will need a new ring every month, which will cost about $0–$80. How much is it with the school health insurance?
Where can I get them?
Parton Health Center can give you a prescription (call to schedule an appointment with the Nurse Practitioner) and so can the Middlebury Planned Parenthood in town.
More information can be found here.
The birth control shot is an injection of the hormone progestin. Each shot prevents pregnancy for three months, and every three months you need to return to your health practitioner for a new injection. Each injection will cost about $0–$150. How much is it with the school health insurance?
Where can I get them?
Parton Health Center can give you an injection (call to schedule an appointment with the Nurse Practitioner) and so can the Middlebury Planned Parenthood in town.
More information can be found here.
Birth Control Shot (Depo-Provera)
Birth Control Implant
The birth control implant is a thin, flexible plastic implant about the size of a cardboard matchstick. It is inserted under the skin of the upper arm. It protects against pregnancy for up to three years by releasing the hormone progestin. Your health care provider will numb a small area of your arm with a painkiller, and the birth control implant is then inserted under the skin. Insertion takes only a few minutes and the implant can be removed at any time within the three year period.
The implant and the visit associated with it will cost about $0–$800.
Where can I get it?
Parton Health Center does not offer this type of birth control. However, Middlebury Planned Parenthood does.
More information can be found here.
IUDs are small, "T-shaped" devices made of flexible plastic. The IUD is inserted into your uterus and prevents pregnancy by affecting the way sperm move so they can't join with an egg. There are two types of IUDs: copper and hormonal. The copper IUD contains copper and is effective for 12 years, while the hormonal IUD releases a small amount of progestin and is effective for either three or five years, depending on the brand you get. IUDs are easily removed since there is a 2-inch long string that hangs down into the vagina.
The implant and the visit associated with it will cost about $0–$1,000.
Where can I get it?
Parton Health Center does not offer this type of birth control. However, Middlebury Planned Parenthood does.
More information can be found here.
Intrauterine Device (IUD)
Other contraceptive methods
Other contraceptive methods include condoms, both female and male, (which you get for free from Parton Health Center!) and the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a shallow, dome-shaped cup with a flexible rim that is inserted into the vagina right before intercourse. They prevent pregnancy by keeping sperm from joining with an egg. In order to be as effective as possible, the diaphragm must be used with spermicide cream, gel, or jelly.
How effective are these methods?
