Well, that’s an explosion of stupidity.

So the latest issue that’s gotten the blogosphere all atwitter is this one. I believe it is supposed to be a commentary on the shortage of emergency contraception in New York State. What it ends up being is a screed in ignorance. Others have addressed the many shortcomings in this…article, so I’ll try to avoid being redundant. But there are some points, particularly the public health perspective, that haven’t been. I’m fully aware that Cat Marnell will never see this post, which is fine, because I use big words that would probably go over that vacuum she calls a brain. I’d like to think I’m qualified to talk about this topic, with my master’s degree in sexual health and undergraduate education in reproductive biology. (You really need to look at the Skepchick article for her ignorance culled from the comments)

1. There’s a small amount of pre-cum that contains sperm before ejaculation. Meaning if the boy pulls out, he’s still left some of them behind. All you need is one! (well, and others to break down the zona pellucida of the ovum but I digress). Withdrawal can be an effective method of birth control but not guaranteed.

2. She doesn’t like the birth control pill. Fair enough, it can be difficult for people who have stable lives to remember to take it everyday, let alone people who are more transient (ie students who vary their study/drinking schedules). But the reasons she lists – weight gain, acne, spotting, aren’t as serious as she makes them out to be. Weight gain has been addressed by Scicurious. I find it a bit amusing that this perception persists in places like South Africa, but it’s perfectly logical as they probably can’t access information as readily as a health editor from xojane.com. Additionally, I like to keep point out to Cat Marnell that Plan B (and similar compounds) are just an extra large dose of birth control. Before Plan B was licensed, women were told to take extra pills to do essentially the same thing. I recall coming across a paper that listed the exact number of various pills needed for emergency contraception, and took note of the number required for my particular brand…

On the other hand, some women go on the pill specifically to help them control their menstrual cycle. The pill is pretty good at preventing pregnancy when you remember to take them consistently. Some pills are more time-sensitive than others, the progestin-only pill which has a 3hour window, whereas the combined pill (the one most commonly prescribed) doesn’t require so much timing.

3. Depo-Provera – again not for everyone, since it requires a shot every 3 months.

4. Condoms. Everyone knows how much I love them, and find them endlessly entertaining. They come in so many flavours and colours, including blue (blueberry), purple (wildberry), and red (strawberry). I know there’s lots of issues surrounding condom negotiation (ie a young woman feels like she can’t ask her partner to put one on because it’s a sign of infidelity, there’s a power imbalance in the relationship, ruins the moment) but it’s still the best protection against STIs and pregnancy. Two for the price of one!

5. Abortion. Rates of abortion goes down when contraceptive use goes up. You can never stop having abortion as an option as many unintended pregnancies are the result of faulty contraception (ie condom breaks, inconsistent pill) but they are related.

6. Diaphragm. Requires a lot of forethought…something Cat Marnell doesn’t really have. She also probably has herpes, as most people have contracted it but are asymptomatic (only about 30% of people have symptoms).

Emergency contraception is to be used well, in an emergency. If she’s spending $50 every time for EC, once every 2 months, that’s $300 total. (Not including the 3 times in one month that she spent on a sexy guy) I’m estimating birth control is $10 per month (approximately, depends on the country and pharmacy where you’re buying it), even if it was $20/pack, it would be less than the $300 a year she’s spending on EC.

I’m torn over this article. Is she a greater threat to the public health with her ability to spread STIs or to future generations with all of her near-misses at reproducing? Or the misinformation that she spews?

I weep for humanity.