Yay!! I love when the Teen Moms talk about birth control. Kailyn wins this week for bringing birth control conversations out in the open.

Why is it so awkward to talk about birth control? Girls may be able to talk about it with their friends, but not with parents and boyfriends. You don’t have to go around sharing your birth control plans with everybody, but preventing pregnancy should absolutely be a discussion between you and your partner.

Jordan gets really uncomfortable when Kailyn brings up birth control. He doesn’t want an unplanned pregnancy, but has a hard time talking prevention. He says he’s never talked to a girl about sex before. I think you should be comfortable enough with your partner to communicate how you feel about sex before you’re actually having sex. Kailyn thinks it’s crazy that Jordan is having such a hard time talking about it; after having a baby, it’s easier for Kailyn to talk about her body. But you don’t have to wait for an unplanned pregnancy to decide to use protection!

Kailyn has a lot of options for birth control. She has trouble with the pill because she’s too busy to remember to take it every day. Her doctor tells her about the patch and the ring, but Kailyn wants something she doesn’t have to think about. She decides the best choice for her is an IUD, a little device that her doctor puts inside her uterus and protects her for between 5 and 10 years (depending on which IUD you get).

There are a lot of options out there. If you’re thinking about having sex, talk to your partner about their expectations. A lot of couples have an unplanned pregnancy because they assumed the other person would take care of birth control. Don’t depend on anyone but yourself to provide protection. Think about what kind of methods you feel comfortable with. If you can’t talk to your partner about safe sex, try waiting. Consider the consequences before you have sex. Ultimately, you are the best protector of your body!  

Get more info on birth control here and if you need help finding a health center, use our free health center locator!

This post was written by Kate, an intern for The National Campaign. Kate is a senior at George Washington University, studying journalism and sociology. She loves theater and cooking, and eats mashed potatoes every single day. Have a question for Kate? Email us!