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...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• NuvaRing• 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.

NuvaRing• 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

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10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

50.00

60.00

70.00

80.00

2001 2003 2005

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?