Birth Control Methods 1 out of every 5

Birth Control Methods 1 out of every 5 sexually active teen females will get pregnant this year.

Remember: The total risks of birth control are much less than the total risks of a pregnancy!!

Teens & Birth Control: Excuses. . . Excuses • • “It was unromantic and planned” “I Would feel guilty” “It is against my religion” “We used the withdrawal method” “Doctor will blab to my mom” “It won’t happen to me” “Condoms break and don’t work”

Abstinence • The conscious decision (you choose) NOT to participate in ANY forms of sexual activity. • The only method that is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and sexually transmitted HIV.

Chemical Methods • Foam / Suppositories / Film (OTC) • The box MUST say: – Nonoxynol 9 (chemical that kills sperm) – Contraceptive (reduces chances of pregnancy) – Spermicide (kills sperm)

Foam / Suppositories / Film • What are they? – Made of chemicals (Nonoxynol 9) that kill sperm. • How effective is it? – 76% effective if used alone…should be used in combination with another method (i. e condoms) • What are the health concerns? – Nonoxynol 9 may cause an allergic reaction. • What are the strong points? – Easy to buy, carry and use. • What are the weak points? – Must be put in shortly before sex (read instructions) – NO protection against HIV or other STI’s.

Hormonal Methods (Rx) • • • Depo Provera Birth Control Pill Nuva. Ring The Patch ECP / Plan B

Depo Provera • What is it? – Artificial hormones injected by a doctor every 3 months. • How effective is it? – It is more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. • What are the health concerns? – Headache – Nausea • What are the strong points? – Does not interfere with sex. – Lasts 3 months • What are the weak point? – It must be injected. – NO protection against HIV and other STI’s

Birth Control Pill • What is it? – Pills made of artificial hormones that must be prescribed by a doctor. • How effective is it? – If you are very careful… 99% – If you are not very careful… 95% • What are the health concerns? – Headache – Nausea – Increased blood pressure. • What are the strong points? – Easy to use. – May regulate menstrual cycle and/or decrease cramping. • What are the weak points? – You must remember to take EVERYDAY at the same time. – NO protection against HIV or other STI’s.

Nuva. Ring • What is it? – Polyethylene vinyl ring that contains birth control hormones. • How effective is it? – If you a very careful… 99% • What are the health concerns? – Headache – Nausea • What are the strong points? – You only have to remember to remove the ring every 3 weeks. – May regulate menstrual cycle and/or decrease cramping • What are the weak points? – NO protection against HIV or other STI’s.

The Patch • What is it? – Thin beige patch that contains birth control hormones and adheres to the skin. • How effective is it? – If very careful… 99% • What are the health concerns? – – – Headache Nausea Heart Attack Stroke Rash (due to adhesive) • What are the strong points? – You only have to apply a patch once a week for three weeks. • What are the weak points? – NO protection against HIV or other STI’s.

ECP / Plan B • What is it? – 2 pills that contain birth control hormones. – Pills should be taken 12 hours apart. • How effective is it? – If taken within 72 hours (3 days) … 87 -90% – If taken within 120 hours (5 days)… 72 -87% • What are the health concerns? – – – Nausea/vomiting Fatigue Headache Breast tenderness Cramping • What are the strong points? – They prevent pregnancy from occurring…they DO NOT cause an abortion • What are the weak points? – Not as effective as birth control pills or condoms. – NO protection against HIV or other STI’s.

Barrier Methods • Diaphragm / Cervical Cap (Rx) • Condom (OTC)

Diaphragm / Cervical Cap • What is it? – Small rubber cap that fits inside the vagina and covers the cervix. – Must be used with a contraceptive cream or jelly. • How effective is it? – If you are very careful each time… 94% – If you are not very careful each time… 80% • What are the health concerns? – Nonoxynol 9 may cause allergic reaction. • What are the strong points? – May be put in up to 2 hours before sex. • What are the weak points? – Can be messy and difficult to insert. – Must be left in place for 6 -8 hours after intercourse. – NO protection against HIV or other STI’s.

Condom • What is it? – A latex, polyurethane or animal skin “sock” that fits over an erect penis to catch semen. • How effective is it? – If you are very careful… 97% – If you are not very careful… 86% • What are the health concerns? – None • What are the strong points? – Easy to buy, carry and use – Helps protect against HIV and other STI’s. • What are the weak points? – Must be put on directly prior to sex – May reduce sexual pleasure

Percent of LAUSD students having sex who used a condom in the last 3 months (YRBS, LA 2005)

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT… Couples who use no birth control have a 85% chance of a pregnancy within the first year. Will you be one of the 512, 000 of the teens that gave birth this year?