OXFORD, Ohio (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) — The United States has the highest sexually transmitted disease rate in the industrial world. The birth control pill does not protect against these diseases, and many researchers feel people need new options. Now, women may have one. When you look at Heidi Schran and Selene Carey, you might think they’re sisters. Not only do they look alike, but they also talk about everything — even sex. Selene says, “If I wanted to have sex with someone, I would ask her. I would say is this OK with you? We’d definitely talk.” She is 15 years old. And Heidi is her mom. “I just want her to be able to make good choices, have lots of options,” Heidi tells Ivanhoe. Selene’s future is one of the reasons why Heidi participated in a study to try a new spermicide. Michael Thomas, M.D., a reproductive endocrinologist at University of Cincinnati, says current spermicides can cause irritation. This study focuses on two new gels called BufferGel and C31G. Besides fewer side effects, another advantage is that these gels may protect against sexually transmitted diseases — giving women a new option. “Women realize that they can’t allow the male to take full responsibility that they’re going to be the ones who will suffer the consequences whether it’s a pregnancy or whether it’s a sexually transmitted disease,” Dr. Thomas tells Ivanhoe. Living in a college town and working at Planned Parenthood, Heidi understands the need for new choices in contraception. She says, “Anything to help empower women, I think is a really great thing to be part of.” And she hopes it will give her daughter new options someday. Many sexually transmitted diseases do not have symptoms, so Dr. Thomas says that’s why giving people more choices to protect against them is important. Right now, the gels are only available to people who are participating in the studies.
If you would like more information, please contact:
Sheryl Hilton University of Cincinnati Medical Center 3223 Eden Ave., Room 165 Health Professional Building Cincinnati, OH 45267-0550 (513) 558-4561 Sheryl.Hilton@uc.edu
