What is the best way to make sure I don't get pregnant (or get someone pregnant)?

Well, the only 100% foolproof way of avoiding pregnancy is to not have sex. But if you're going to have sex then you need to make sure you use protection carefully, consistently and correctly EVERY SINGLE TIME. There are lots of methods of contraception available -- the patch, the pill, the shot, and condoms, to name a few. Find out about each of these and other methods at What Works/What Doesn't or talk to your health care provider to find out more about finding the birth control method that's right for you. Remember that only condoms will protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.

I think I'm pregnant. What should I do?

The first thing to do is figure out if you are in fact pregnant. You can take a home pregnancy test from the drugstore now, but you should also see a doctor/nurse/health care professional to be absolutely sure. The sooner you know, the better off you'll be. If you are pregnant, your health care provider will give you a lot of guidance on what to do next. If it turns out you're not pregnant, think about this experience as the best reason to use protection every single time you have sex -- or a good reason to wait. Call Planned Parenthood at 1-800-230-PLAN or visit PlannedParenthood.org to find a clinic or doctor right away.

I'm pregnant. What do I do now?

Find an adult you love and trust -- hopefully your parents, but if not, someone who loves you and will have your best interest in mind. This isn't something you should face alone. You also need to see a doctor or other health care professional as soon as possible to determine how far along you are in your pregnancy. One thing you absolutely cannot do is ignore the fact that you are pregnant. Call Planned Parenthood at 1-800-230-PLAN or visit PlannedParenthood.org to find a clinic or doctor right away.

Can you really get pregnant or get someone pregnant the first time you have sex or if you only have sex with someone once?

Yes, you can. Every single time you have sex there is a chance of pregnancy. The first time and every time. The only 100% foolproof way to avoid pregnancy is to not have sex. If you are having sex, it's important that you use protection each and every time you have sex. No exceptions. Visit Preventing Unintended Pregnancy for more on how to prevent pregnancy.

I'm not sure if I had sex or not. How can I tell?

You can get pregnant if you had vaginal intercourse -- which means that the male's penis goes inside the female's vagina. If he ejaculates while inside the vagina, or just after pulling out, the sperm can wait around for up to six days (which is why protection is so important). That's why "pulling out" isn't a reliable form of birth control. It's important to use a condom each and every time you have sex. No exceptions. Visit What Doesn't Work for more information.

Do condoms really break? What do I do if that happens?

If used correctly, condoms rarely break but not everyone uses them correctly. For example, it's important to make sure there's enough room at the tip, you have to roll it on so that there's no air trapped inside, you have to make sure that when you open the package you don't damage the condom with your teeth or fingernails. You also have to make sure you're not using expired condoms or lube that will break down the latex (petroleum jelly is a big no-no). And don't use two condoms at once -- the friction can cause them to break. Visit Condom Cues for more.

If the condom breaks, you can get Emergency Contraception ("Plan B" or "the morning-after pill"). Take it right away -- the sooner you take it, the more likely it is to work well (within 72 hours of having unprotected sex). This medication has the same hormones found in birth control pills and it interferes with the fertilization process. It is not a replacement for, nor is it as effective using regular birth control pills or other contraceptives correctly. Anyone 17 years or older can buy Emergency Contraception at a drug store without a prescription; if you're under 17 you will need a prescription. To find out more about Emergency Contraception and how to get it, check out Go2PlanB.com or PlannedParenthood.org.

If I want to go on the pill do I have to tell my parents?

You can't just go into a store and buy the pill like you can with condoms and spermicide, but there are many health clinics where you do not need your parents' permission to get a prescription for it. In some states you can even get a prescription online, although in most places you will have to see a health care provider of some kind and get an exam in order to get a prescription. Once you have a prescription, you take it to a pharmacy just like for any other medication. Then you have to take it every day according to the directions. Call Planned Parenthood at 1-800-230-PLAN or visit PlannedParenthood.org to find a doctor or clinic.

I've had unprotected sex and I've never gotten pregnant. Does this mean I can't get pregnant?

No. If you are sexually active and not using protection, you have an 85% chance of getting pregnant within one year. Just because it hasn't happened yet is no guarantee that it won't. If you're in doubt, get checked out by an obstetrician/gynecologist, and use that as an opportunity to talk about the best birth control method for you. Unless you are actively trying to prevent a pregnancy, chances are good that you will get pregnant. The only 100% foolproof way to avoid pregnancy is to not have sex. If you hare having sex, use a condom each and every time you have sex. No exceptions. Visit Preventing Unintended Pregnancy for more on pregnancy prevention.

I tried the pill but didn't like it. What other options do I have?

Don't give up! There are nearly 50 different brands of pills and chances are there is one that will work for you. And if the pill isn't right for you, there are many other options. See below for some ideas and click on our links to find out more. Remember: if you're starting a new pill or are "between" contraceptive methods, either don't have sex at all or use condoms. All of the methods below except condoms require an initial visit with a health care provider.

• The Pill: There are two basic kinds of birth control pills -- some contain two kinds of hormones (estrogen and progestin) and some contain only one (progestin). If you're having problems with one, make sure to talk to your doctor about working with you to find the right one. The pill takes about a month to kick in so you need to use condoms during that first month.
• Depo Provera ("the shot"): Depo is an injection you get in your arm every three months and like the pill is up to 99% effective.
• The IUD: The IUD is a small device put into the uterus by a doctor or health care provider that stays in place as long as 5 years and prevents pregnancy the whole time. You can get it removed by a doctor any time. Like the pill, the IUD contains hormones that help prevent pregnancy. More than 160 million worldwide use this method -- making it the most widely used type of reversible birth control in the world.
• Nuva Ring ("the ring"): The ring is a plastic ring you insert into your vagina once a month. Like the pill, this is a hormonal birth control method.
• "The Patch": The patch is like a band-aid that you stick on your belly or hip each week. Hormones from the patch are absorbed through your skin. It's comfortable and you leave it on while showering, swimming, etc. until it's time to change it.
• Implanon ("the implant"): The implant is a small rod inserted into your arm by a doctor, and it can prevent pregnancy for up to three years. It is also a hormonal birth control method.
• The Diaphragm and Cervical Cap: These are both flexible barriers that you insert into the vagina before having sex each time. You usually use spermicide with them. These are not hormonal birth control methods.
• Condoms: Condoms are available in drug stores without any sort of prescription. They are the only form of contraception that protects you from sexually transmitted infections and diseases, so even if you use the pill or the patch or the ring or the shot or something else, it's good to use condoms too. Having condoms handy doesn't make you pushy or easy -- it makes you smart.

Check out What Works/What Doesn't or talk to your health care provider to find out more about finding the birth control method that's right for you.

What if I think I want to get pregnant and have a baby?

Remember, it's all about timing: preventing pregnancy now can help you be the best parent you can be later in life, when you're emotionally and financially ready.

Most teen moms say they love their children but wish they'd waited 10 years. Babies are wonderful, and they need and deserve adult parents who are willing and able to do the demanding and lifelong work of raising a child. Babies require unconditional love 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They give a lot of love back, but they depend on you for everything.

Babies need parents who are committed to each other and their families. Having a baby often leads toa lot of problems in a relationship -- it usually won't strengthen a relationship or necessarily lead to marriage. In fact, 8 out of 10 fathers never marry the teen mothers of their babies. Raising a child is hard. Raising a child alone is even harder. Being a teenager is a great time for growing up, getting an education, meeting new people and having fun -- not pregnancy and parenthood. Visit Planned Parenthood's Teen Talk to learn more about teen pregnancy and parenthood.