Women's Health Research Newsletter
August 2007

Help us spread the word.

We are here to help.

A local paper recently published an article highlighting the real and appalling situation regarding extreme price hikes for contraception as a result of the passing of a piece of federal legislation.

I wanted our community to know about a potential bridge for this gap. The Women's Health Research Unit at OHSU's Center for Women's Health is a resource. At present, we have studies that offer women contraception at no cost (including FDA approved oral contraceptives), as well as access to new methods, including a new ring that has shown to be as effective as the contraceptive ring currently on the market, but is good for an entire year (one trip to the pharmacy!). Again, this is at no cost to women. We are also, in most cases, able to provide compensation for the time dedicated to the study, and often women get pap smears and other medical services by highly skilled, licensed practitioners.

We are here to help. There is much I could write regarding the social and economic implications of this legislative maneuver, and the cost of preventing a pregnancy versus having an unwanted pregnancy. But this is not the forum for that discussion. What I want to emphasize to local women is that we are here, and that we can offer a solution. Call us confidentially at 503 494-3666. Or find us online at http://www.OHSUwomenshealth.com/research/current.html.

Heidi Printz, Ph.D.
Division Manager, Women's Health Research Unit
Oregon Health & Science University