Birth Control, Protection, & How to get it (3)

Chapter Three

Birth Control, Protection, & how to get it.

You should try to talk to your parents about birth control if you feel like you need it. Even if you are not sexually active, there are many benefits to being on BC. And it takes about 2 months for the pill to kick in and be fully effective.

Some parents think that Birth Control is “Taboo” or a bad thing. That it encourages kids to have sex and make bad choices. Or that it will affect their moods and behaviors negatively. They might give you stories about “When my sister took that she went CRAZY” or “Your great aunt never had kids and she took birth control when she was a kid so that must be why she is infertile.”

Truth be told, Birth control has come a long way in the last 15-20 years, and there are a variety of options now available so if one doesn't work well for you they can switch to another kind. And all teenagers (whether on BC or not) have a lot of hormonal and attitude changes they go through, as well as episodes of anxiety or depression- that is a normal part of puberty and adolescence.

There is not 1 teenager I know that would not like lighter, less painful, more predictable periods and clearer skin! And teens who want to have sex, are going to do it with or without birth control. The only thing birth control does is prevent a “bad choice” from becoming a “life changing mistake”.

But I know that not all parents will understand this. And it is a difficult (and sometimes uncomfortable) thing to talk about. If your parents are not supportive there are ways to get it yourself. And there are probably many other people who are willing to help you (an aunt, older sibling, or trusted adult you can confide in?)

So here are some methods and products for prevention, where to get them, and how to use them:

#1. The Condom.

A condom is the safest and most effective form of prevention. It is a little plastic “glove” that holds all the precum and ejaculation fluids. It is the only form of protection that keeps you from sharing “fluids” and STDs, STIs, and other infectious matters. You can buy these almost anywhere, from gas station bathrooms, to pharmacys, to grocery stores. You do not have to be a certain age or gender to buy them. No one will say anything or accuse you for buying them. They have condoms for male or female parts (yes there’s a girl version.) And is it not the “Man’s Job” to have one. If you are a female even thinking about sex you should have one. Keep it in the period pocket of your purse. It’s better for you both to have one than neither of you.

Do not store this any place they will get bent, punctured, or excessively hot or cold, like your wallet or inside your vehicle.

#2 The Pill

Oral Birth Control is also one of the most effective ways to prevent pregnancy. They also have many other hormonal benefits such as getting rid of PMS, making your periods shorter lighter and more predictable, clearing your skin, and preventing endometriosis. There are a lot of myths about how it will make you crazy or suicidal, but 99% of the time you just get a little emotional for the first few weeks (same as PMS) as your hormones balance. The pill does not reduce your chances of getting pregnant in the future when you choose to stop, and can make you be more fertile and increase your pregnancy chances the day you stop taking it, for several months after. You become fertile as soon as you miss a pill. It does not stay in your system for any amount of time after- so DO NOT have unprotected sex on a day you missed, or delayed taking your pill!

You do have to have a prescription to get Oral Birth control, but you can get it from almost any Dr, or clinic. Your Dr can not tell your parents about your visit or prescription or even that you were seen by a Dr, so if your parents are not supportive of you don't want them to know you can pay for the appointment yourself (don't use their insurance or it will send them a bill). There are many clinics who offer low cost appointments to teenagers for this reason. Don't be afraid to call around and ask for prices. You usually only need 1 appointment to get a year or more's worth of prescriptions available.

#3 The Patch

Just like the pill you will need to see a Dr to get a prescription for the patch but instead of taking medicine orally it is absorbed into your skin through a patch much like the one smokers use to quit.

#4 Spermicide

You can get this from a drug store, shopping center, or pharmacy without a prescription. It is a foam or gel that comes with an applicator (like a tampon). You squirt this foam into the vagina before sex and it it kills any sperm that come in contact with it. However spermicide is only 72% Effective (28 out of 100 woman will become pregnant using this properly) And for some it has negative side effects including itching, burning, and spotting. It should be used with another form of protection, or as an added precaution.

There are even more options to chose from. Including removable inserts, and surgical implants but these are more expensive and you would probably have a more difficult time getting them on your own without a parent or insurance. So since this article is directed to young teenagers I chose to leave them out. There is one other “Back up Plan” but it is so important that I gave it its own Chapter. (Click Here)