1. Birth Control
What You Need to Know

2. Overview Factors to Consider First
Different Forms of Birth Control: Hormonal, Barrier, and Others
Advantages
Disadvantages
How to Get It
What to do before contacting a clinic
Clinics that serve teens
Where to go for more information

3. Before We Begin…

4. Factors to Consider First
The birth control method you choose should take into account:
Your overall health
How often you have sex
The number of sexual partners you have
Effectiveness at preventing Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDS
Some STDs have no symptoms and can cause long term damage, so you should get checked regularly if you are sexually active

5. Factors to Consider First
How well each method works (or is effective) in preventing pregnancy
Effectiveness is based on one year’s use. For example: if a method is 98% effective, if you use only that method for one year, and use correctly every time, there is a 98% you will not get pregnant in that year
Your comfort level with using the method
Any potential side effects. If you are breast feeding, talk to your doctor before using hormonal contraception

6. Abstinence Not having sexual intercourse at any time.
Includes vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse
100% effective at preventing pregnancy and STDs
The only sure way to prevent pregnancy and protect against HIV and other STDs
While you can only get pregnant through vaginal intercourse, it is still possible to contract disease through oral and anal intercourse

7. Abstinence Advantages Disadvantages Free Safe
You can remain abstinent while on birth control
Disadvantages
If you might have sex with your partner, it is better to plan on using birth control ahead of time

8. Hormonal Birth Control

9. Oral Contraceptives
Known as “The Pill,” it is the most popular form of birth control (aside from sterilization)
A pill is taken daily to block the release of eggs from the ovaries.
Different types
Standard pill contains estrogen and progestin
Mini-Pill only has one hormone, progestin
Extended cycle pills, (i.e. Seasonale), which have 12 weeks of pills that contain hormones (active) and 1 week of pills that don’t contain hormones (inactive). While taking Seasonale, women only have their period 4 times a year- when they are taking the inactive pills.

10. Oral Contraceptives Advantages
The pill is typically 95% effective at preventing pregnancy. With perfect use, it is 99.9% effective
Oral contraceptives lighten the flow of your period and can reduce the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cancer, benign ovarian cysts, endometrial cancer, and iron deficiency anemia
95% effective means that 1 in 20 will get pregnant.

11. Oral Contraceptives Disadvantages
Antibiotics and certain other medications (check with your doctor) may reduce the effectiveness of the pill in some women Needs to be taken at the same time everyday.
A back-up method of birth control is needed if you take the pill more than three hours late
The pill may add to your risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, blood clots, and blockage of the arteries, especially if you smoke.
If you are over age 35 and smoke, or have a history of blood clots or breast, liver, or endometrial cancer, your doctor may advise you not to take the pill.
Does not protect against STDs

12. The Patch (Ortho Evra)
This is a skin patch worn on the lower abdomen, buttocks, or upper body
You put on a new patch once a week for three weeks, and then do not wear a patch during the fourth week in order to have a menstrual period.
Contains the same hormones found in oral contraceptives

13. The Patch (Ortho Evra) Advantages Disadvantages
Low Maintenance: One patch per week
The patch is 98 to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy
Disadvantages
Same as those with the pill, including that it is effected by medications and has a clotting risk
Less effective in women who weigh more than 198 pounds.
You will need to visit your doctor for a prescription
It does not protect against STDs or HIV.

14. Depo-Provera Sometimes referred to as “The Shot”
Injections of the hormone progestin in the buttocks or arm every 3 months
It is between 97-99% effective at preventing pregnancy

15. Depo-Provera Advantages Disadvantages Works for 3 months continuously
Does not require daily maintenance
Often stops menstruation completely
Disadvantages
Women should not use Depo-Provera for more than 2 years in a row because it can cause a temporary loss of bone density
Does not protect against STDs

16. The Hormonal Vaginal Contraceptive Ring (NuvaRing)
The NuvaRing is a ring that releases the hormones progestin and estrogen.
You squeeze the ring between your thumb and index finger and insert it into your vagina.
You wear the ring for three weeks, take it out for the week that you have your period, and then put in a new ring.
The ring is 98 to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy

17. The Hormonal Vaginal Contraceptive Ring (NuvaRing)
Advantages
Low Maintenance: One ring every three weeks
Disadvantages
You will need to visit your doctor for a prescription
Does not protect against STDs and HIV

18. Intrauterine Device (IUD)
Three Types
Progestasert (Plastic)
Copper
Intrauterine System (Mirena)
All are placed in uterus by a doctor
98%-99% effective
Provides steady birth control for 1-12 years (depending on type)

19. Intrauterine Device Advantages Disadvantages Works for long periods
High effectiveness rate
Low maintenance: no daily pills or journaling
Disadvantages
Most be put in and removed by a doctor
Does not protect against STDs

20. Barrier Devices

21. Male Condom
Male condoms are 84 to 98% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Condoms can only be used once.
Condoms come lubricated (which can make sexual intercourse more comfortable and pleasurable) and non-lubricated (which can also be used for oral sex).
It is best to use lubrication with non-lubricated condoms if you use them for vaginal or anal sex.
You can use KY jelly or water-based lubricants, which you can buy at a drug store. Oil-based lubricants like massage oils, baby oil, lotions, or petroleum jelly will weaken the condom, causing it to tear or break.
Always keep condoms in a cool, dry place. If you keep them in a hot place (like a billfold, wallet, or glove compartment), the latex breaks down, causing the condom to tear or break.

22. Male Condom Advantages Disadvantages
Only latex or polyurethane condoms are proven to help protect against STDs, including HIV.
Aside from abstinence, they are the most effective way to prevent transmission of STDs and HIV
You can buy them at almost any drug store, grocery store, or gas station.
Disadvantages
Lambskin condoms are not recommended for STD prevention because they have tiny pores that may allow for the passage of viruses like HIV, hepatitis B and herpes.

23. Proper Male Condom Use

24. Female Condom
Worn by the woman, this barrier method keeps sperm from getting into her body
Made of polyurethane and is packaged with a lubricant
Female condoms are 79 to 95% effective at preventing pregnancy
The only brand sold in the
U.S. is Reality

25. Female Condom Advantages Disadvantages
May protect against STDs, including HIV
Available without a prescription or doctor’s visit
Can be inserted up to 24 hours prior to sexual intercourse
Disadvantages
Difficult to find (few drug stores carry them)
Locally, available at Rite Aid

26. Diaphragm, Cervical Cap, and Cervical Shield
All are barrier methods of birth control; the sperm are blocked from entering the cervix and reaching the egg
Are 84-94% effective in preventing pregnancy
The diaphragm is shaped like a shallow latex cup.
The cervical cap is a thimble-shaped latex cup.
The diaphragm and cervical cap come in different sizes and you need a doctor to fit you for one.
The cervical shield is a silicone cup that has a one-way valve that creates suction and helps it fit against the cervix.
The cervical shield comes in one size and you will not need a fitting.

27. Diaphragm, Cervical Cap or Shield
Advantages
The relationship of the vaginal barrier methods--the diaphragm, cap and sponge--to STD prevention is not yet clear. May offer some protection.
Disadvantages
Before sexual intercourse, you use them with spermicide (to block or kill sperm) and place them up inside your vagina to cover your cervix (the opening to your womb).
Barrier methods must be left in place for 6 to 8 hours after intercourse to prevent pregnancy.
You will need to visit your doctor for a proper fitting for the diaphragm or cervical cap and a prescription for the cervical shield.

28. Contraceptive Sponge
This is a barrier method of birth control that was re-approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2005 (Today Sponge).
It is made out of polyurethane foam and contains the spermicide nonoxynol-9. Before intercourse, you wet the sponge and place it, loop side down, up inside your vagina to cover the cervix.
The sponge is 84 to 91% effective at preventing pregnancy in women who have not had a child and 68 to 80% for women who have had a child.
The sponge is effective for more than one act of intercourse for up 24 hours. It needs to be left in for at least six hours after intercourse to prevent pregnancy and must be removed within 30 hours after it is inserted

29. Contraceptive Sponge Advantages Disadvantages
It can be purchased at a drug store.
Disadvantages
There is a risk of getting Toxic Shock syndrome or TSS if the sponge is left in for more than 30 hours.
The sponge does not protect against STDs or HIV

30. Other Methods

31. Emergency Contraception
This is NOT a regular method of birth control and should never be used as one.
Emergency contraception, or emergency birth control, is used to keep a woman from getting pregnant when she has had unprotected vaginal intercourse.
Unprotected can mean that no method of birth control was used.
It can also mean that a birth control method was used but did not work – like a condom breaking or when a woman has forgotten to take her birth control pills
Emergency contraception consists of taking two doses of hormonal pills taken 12 hours apart and started within three days after having unprotected sex.
The pills are 89% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Another type of emergency contraception is having the Copper T IUD put into your uterus within seven days of unprotected sex.
This method is 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy.

32. Emergency Contraception
If you want the emergency contraceptive pills (Plan B)
If you are under 18, you will need a doctor to write you a prescription
If you are over 18, you can get it from a pharmacy without a prescription
More at:
IUD has to be put in by a doctor

33. Emergency Contraception
Advantages
Provide a reasonably reliable back-up source of birth control
Disadvantages
You will need to visit your doctor for either a prescription for the pills or for the insertion of the IUD
Not all doctors insert IUD’s
Neither method of emergency contraception protects against STDs or HIV.

34. Fertility Awareness Methods
Sometimes referred to as the “rhythm method”
You do not have sex on the days that you may be fertile.
These fertile days are approximately 5 days before ovulation, the day of ovulation, and one or more days after ovulation.
Fertility awareness means that you can be abstinent or have sex but you use a barrier method of birth control to keep sperm from getting to the egg.

35. Fertility Awareness Methods
Advantages
Low Cost
Natural
Disadvantages
Most keep a written record of period activity
Does not work if you have irregular menstruation
Provides no protection against STDs
Costs
Only for barriers during fertile periods

36. Things to be Aware Of…
When a teen girl becomes pregnant, she faces three choices: abortion, teen parenthood, or adoption. Each choice comes with its own set of challenges.

37. Safely Surrendered Baby

38. How to Get Birth Control

39. Before You Contact a Clinic
Discuss the idea of birth control with your parents. If they approve, you can use your family doctor and your regular medical insurance.
If you use your parent’s health insurance, it is very likely they will find out you have visited a doctor.
If your parent’s object with you using birth control, understand the reason for the objection before getting it on your own.
If you are at least 13 years old, you can access reproductive medical services without parental consent.

40. The Costs

41. For more information Websites
Sex, Etc. is a comprehensive and straight forward website about sex for teens. A great place for general information.

42. For more information
Places to Call

43. Summary
There are many types of birth control, but only barrier methods such as condoms protect against sexually transmitted diseases and HIV
It is best to plan ahead. You can remain abstinent even if you take birth control
If you are 13 or older, you do not need your parent’s consent to contact a medical provider about birth control

44. Any Questions?