Think about this: if you're having sex and not using any kind of birth control, you're actually planning on getting pregnant. It’s as simple as that. So how do you protect yourself? Read on.

The most effective birth control of all: Not having sex. It’s the only ‘method’ that can provide a 100% guarantee of no pregnancy and no sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Bottom line: No sex, no pregnancy. And even though it may seem like everyone’s doing it, that’s just not the case…the truth is some people are, some people aren’t…and some people are just lying. Only about half of high school teens have had sex and about 66% of teens who have had sex say that they wish they’d waited. That means that for every 3 people who’ve done it, 2 wish they hadn’t. Just something to think about.

When it comes to not getting pregnant or causing a pregnancy, the next best thing to no sex is protected sex. Every single time. For example, did you know that a couple who has sex without using condoms or any other kind of contraception (birth control) has an 85% chance of getting pregnant within a year? Talk about bad odds!

So let’s say you and your partner have decided to have sex and you want to be responsible and use birth control. But you find all the choices overwhelming and confusing. What can you do? Just keep reading! We’ve gathered some information to help you understand what the options are and included details that can help you decide which are best for you and your partner. If you still have questions after reading this, feel free to send us an email. We’ll do our best to get back to you within a few days.

Basically, contraceptives fall into one of two categories depending on how they work:

1. Hormonal: These methods release specific amount of hormones (something our bodies make on their own as well). This prevents a woman from ovulating (releasing an egg for fertilization). If no egg is released, pregnancy can’t occur. However, these methods do not protect against STIs. Examples include the pill, patch, shot, and ring. Also, these require a prescription, which are available through a doctor’s office or clinic. These methods only work for girls.
    
2. Barrier: These methods act as a wall to keep the sperm from reaching the egg; they also can prevent STIs. There are barrier methods for boys and girls: male and female condoms. Both can be purchased at a drugstore without a prescription.

There's so much more to learn! Click here to get all the info on birth control.