Confusing Contraceptions

Parenthood is one of the hardest jobs a person can have. Raising a child while still in high school though can be even harder. Teen pregnancy is an issue that society has tried to reduce by educating teenagers about ways of pregnancy prevention. Abstinence is stressed as the most effective form of pregnancy prevention, but teenagers are also urged to use other methods if they choose to engage in sexual activity. In order to more effectively prevent teen pregnancy, however, teenage girls should be better informed about the different methods of birth control.

The most well known form of birth control is a condom. What many do not know though is that there are other forms recommended by doctors. According to Planned Parenthood, there are ten different types of birth control that all work differently and may not be best for everyone. There are those such as condoms and the sponge that can be bought over the counter while others such as the daily pill and vaginal ring must be put in by a doctor (Planned Parenthood). It is important for a teenager to be aware of how each works in order for their choice to be as effective as possible.

Although all forms of birth control are supposed to prevent pregnancy, they are not always guaranteed to work. This may be because the female is using her birth control incorrectly, but even if she was, not all forms are still completely effective. Because of this, it is important to understand the effectiveness of which ever method a female may use. According to Planned Parenthood birth control chart, methods such as the cervical cap or the vaginal sponge result in fifteen to twenty-five per hundred females becoming pregnant each year. Other methods that are not over the counter, such as the shot or the patch, however result in only two to eight per hundred females becoming pregnant each year. Knowing about the chances of becoming pregnant while using birth control can inform the user of things to be aware of and ways to make their choice more effective.

While some women may be confident in their choice of birth control, there are also multiple myths that prevent women from having correct information. One common myth that sometimes prevents women from using the pill, for example, is that birth control causes cancer. According to “Steven Goldstein, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York University School of Medicine in New York,” though, studies have shown that birth control pills actually reduce the risk of certain cancers if continued to be used correctly (Bouchez 1). Another more common myth, however, is that a tighter condom on the male partner will increase chances of not becoming pregnant. The fact though is that using a tighter condom actually increases a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant because “a condom that is too tight is more likely to burst during intercourse” (Bouchez 2). No matter what method a female may decide to use though, they should always be aware of the myths and facts to better prevent an unintended pregnancy.

Another factor a woman should take into consideration when choosing birth control is what the probability is of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Of the ten existing forms of birth control, the only form that can prevent the transmission of STDs is a condom. Unlike the other forms of birth control, condoms can cover an infected genital area or prevent the exposure of infected secretions from either partner (CDC 1). According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), however, a condom’s protection is only effective if it is used consistently and correctly and covers all the genital areas infected (1). Women who may choose to engage in any sexual relations with multiple people should definitely take this into consideration.

The most important thing for teenagers to know about birth control though is the health risks. Although male and female condoms may only cause irritation or an allergic reaction, all other forms of birth control have more serious health risks (Health and Human Services). According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, birth control pills, the patch, and the vaginal ring, for example, may cause blood clots, stroke, heart attack, or vision problems depending on the condition of the patient (1). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also says that diaphragms, sponges, and cervical caps can cause toxic shock syndrome if left in for a long period of time (1). Diaphragms may also cause urinary tract infections, and cervical caps may result in an abnormal pap smear (Health and Human Services). There may also, however, be other side effects that are less serious that teenagers should also be aware before using birth control such as headaches, weight gain, and mood swings (Health and Human Services).

Some would argue that teenage girls should not be informed about birth control because it would make them more prone to engaging in sexual activity. While some girls may choose to use birth control for sexual purposes, it should be noted that others may choose to use it in order to reduce cramps and mood swings during their periods rather than for sexual purposes. Whatever a teenager’s reason may be for choosing to use birth control or not though should remain their business. Either way, all teenage girls should be informed about birth control so they can be confident in their choice of pregnancy prevention.