This page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

  • Many teens who have sex either don't use contraception at all or use it inconsistently. Nearly one-third of teen girls used no contraception the last time they had sex.
  • Teens are much more likely to have unplanned and unprotected sex when they are using alcohol or drugs. You know drugs and alcohol change your perspective and that they can cause you to make really bad decisions about sex.  Using alcohol, cigarettes, and/or illicit drugs significantly increases the likelihood that boys and girls will begin having sexual intercourse before age 16. And teens 15 and older who drink are seven times likelier to have sexual intercourse and twice as likely to have it with four or more partners than non-drinking teens. More than one-half of teens (53%) say the main reason teens do not use protection is because of drinking or using drugs.
  • Many teens feel pressure not to use protection. More than one-half of teens (52%) surveyed recently said that one of the main reasons that teens do not use birth control is because their partners don't want to.
  • The younger teens are, the less likely they are to use contraception or to use it effectively.
  • Teaching teens about contraception does not make them have sex. Research is clear on this point: sex education does not increase sexual activity. In fact, in some cases, teaching teens about contraception seems to delay their sexual activity.

  • If you are mature enough to have sex, then you should be mature enough to use protection.
    - Jonathan, Santa Fe, 17
  • The way I look at it, birth control has saved my life. Every time I have sex I use it. I'm very careful because I can't imagine having a baby right now. I'm just glad that I learned about birth control in school because not having sex just isn't realistic.
    - Tania, Newport News, 16
  • We talked about sex and birth control way before we started having sex. We always use two forms of protection every time we have sex just in case one fails. And it does happen.
    - Josh, Pittsburgh, 18
  • I have three kids and am 17. I worry about it still because I don't want anymore kids. I make sure I use the protection I need now. I wish I could show teens how hard it is. I don't want to see anyone go through what I have at my age.
    - Jen, Boston, 17

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The following is a brief list of contraception web sites which will offer you more detailed information and statistics as well as options for getting involved in the abstinence movement.  The National Campaign neither works with nor necessarily endorses any of the messages or information on this list. 

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This page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.