BIRTH CONTROL -- THAT IS, "CONTRACEPTION"

As much as abstinenceis the right choice for some people, many teens don't want to wait to have sex until they're ready to have a baby. Puberty brings with it a lot of sexual feelings and many teens choose to have sex for the first time during their teenage years. If you do choose to have sex and want to avoid pregnancy, you need to make sure that you use protection every single time. Sexually active couples who don't use protection (that is, birth control -- also called "contraception") during intercourse have an 85-90% chance of becoming pregnant over the course of one year.

QUESTIONS ABOUT CONTRACEPTION

  • Are there many different methods of contraception?
    Yes. There are two main types of contraception: barrier methods and hormonal methods. Barrier methods physically prevent sperm from reaching the uterus and fertilizing the woman's egg. Hormonal methods, on the other hand, alter a woman's hormonal cycle to prevent pregnancy. These are the two types of contraception that are generally used by teenagers.
  • How do you know which one to choose?
    Each method of contraception has plusses and minuses. There's no single "best" method of contraception, so you will probably want to talk with a doctor or another trusted adult about your specific needs and concerns before deciding which to use. Friends often have a lot of advice but it's often not as good as what a doctor can offer.

    Whatever your situation, there should be an option that works for you. For many people, condoms are best, because they not only help prevent pregnancy, but also help prevent against HIV and other STDs. Some prefer hormonal methods because they are extremely effective in preventing pregnancy -- but they provide no protection at all against STDs. For very good protection against both pregnancy and STDs, a hormonal method should be used at the same time as a condom.
  • Where do you get contraceptives from?
    It depends which type you're looking for. Some methods, such as condoms, are widely available from pharmacies and other stores. They're also available from many healthcare providers. Other methods, like hormonal methods, are only available from doctors and require a prescription.

FACTS ABOUT CONTRACEPTION

  • 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. They are also more likely to regret having sex in the first place.
  • 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.

WHAT ARE TEENS SAYING ABOUT CONTRACEPTION?

  • 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

What do you think? We want to know - send us an email and tell us your thoughts on sex, relationships, and contraception..

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The following is a brief list of websites which will offer you more detailed information about contraception as well as options for protecting yourself.  Stay Teen neither works with nor necessarily endorses any of the messages or information on this list. 

  • Choosing a Birth Control Method - Interactive program helps you choose the birth control method that's right for you. From the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals.

  • Go Ask Alice! - A resource that answers questions on various topics, including relationships, sex, sexual health, emotional health, and more. Questions are submitted anonymously and answered publicly by Columbia University’s Health Education Program.

  • I Wanna Know - Sexual health and STD prevention information for teens, including chat, education, games, and other resources. From the American Social Health Association.

  • MTV's It's Your Sex Life - An informational health resource for teens looking for answers about safe sex and protecting themselves from disease and unwanted pregnancy. From MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation.

  • Planned Parenthood's Teen Talk - Planned Parenthood Federation of America's award-winning website for teens covers a range of issues, including sex, reproduction, pregnancy prevention, and contraception methods.

  • Scarleteen - Advice, help and information about teen sexuality. Special sections for teen gals and guys

  • Sex Etc. - A teen-produced website with tons of information on issues related to sex, abstinence, contraception, and much more. Published by Answer at Rutgers University.

  • Teen Source - A resource for teens seeking information on healthy and responsible sexual lifestyles. From the California Family Health Council.

  • Not-2-late.com: The Emergency Contraception Website - Information about emergency contraception. Operated by the Office of Population Research at Princeton University and by the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals.

Something to add? Tell us! Send us an email and tell us your thoughts on sex, love, relationships, and contraception.

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