Birth Control 101 for Teens
It’s May, which means it’s Sex Ed for All Month! At Project TeenBirth we honor the sexual and reproductive health of all people, and we especially focus on supporting teens and young adults. While we technically celebrate sex ed for all the entire year, we are excited to acknowledge the importance of this movement.
Young people deserve access to information, support, and choice when it comes to their sexual and reproductive health. If this message resonates with you, check out this blog with 8 ways to honor your sexual health and education. In this particular piece, we are going to focus on contraception options (aka birth control).
Disclaimer: 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘴, 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵; 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘛𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘉𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘤 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 / 𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩.
What is Contraception?
If you are a young person who wants to avoid pregnancy, and you do want to engage in sex that may result in pregnancy--penis and vagina sex-- there is a range of birth control options that can help you meet your needs. In other words, contraception (aka “birth control”) helps you prevent pregnancy.
Per ScarleTeen, one of our favorite resources, “Here's the reality: according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute and other reliable sources, a sexually active young adult who does not use contraceptives has an 85-90% chance of becoming pregnant within just one year.”
What Types of Contraception are There?
This interactive guide from Planned Parenthood allows you to explore and learn about 18 different methods of contraception. sex, etc. is also a great hub for birth control info and relatable stories written by fellow young people. Below you’ll find brief summaries about the most common types of birth control teens we work with are using. We encourage you to do additional research and talk with your care provider about your options.
Implant: For people with uteruses, the birth control implant (aka Nexplanon) is a small rod that releases hormones into your body for up to 5 years. This implant is about the size of a matchstick, and it will be inserted into your arm by a doctor or nurse.
IUD: (aka Intrauterine Device) An IUD is a small T-shaped device that is placed in the uterus. Some IUDs are copper and non-hormonal, while others release hormones. IUDs can offer long-term protection-- up to 12 years with copper IUDs.
Birth Control Shot: The shot (aka Depo-Provera or the “depo shot”) is an injection you get at your doctor’s office or clinic once every 3 months. This form of birth control is for people who have a uterus.
Ring: The birth control ring is a small, flexible ring that is placed (by you) inside your vagina 24/7. It releases hormones that help prevent pregnancy.
Patch: The patch is applied to your stomach, upper arm, butt, or back, and it releases hormones through the skin.
Pill: Birth control is a type of hormonal birth control for people with uteruses. You take 1 per each day, and the pills come in a monthly pack.
Condoms: External condoms are thin, stretchy pouches that are worn on the penis during sex. They help prevent sperm from getting into the vagina. Condoms provide protection from both pregnancy and STDs.
Internal Condoms: Internal condoms go inside the vagina for pregnancy prevention. They can be used in the vagina or anus for protection from STDs.
Diaphragm: A diaphragm is a shallow, flexible cup that covers your cervix during sex and is inserted into the vagina.
Emergency Contraception: Emergency contraception is a safe way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Check out the different options, including copper IUDs and “the morning after pill” here.
A Note About STI Prevention: These contraception options help you prevent pregnancy, but the majority of these do not prevent STIs or sexually transmitted infections. Please research each option to understand if and how it can help protect you from STIs. This article from ScarleTeen offers great info about STI testing. We recommend all readers check it out!.
How to Get More Info and Support
ScarleTeen offers 1:1 birth control consultations and troubleshooting. Check out their moderated forums here, and if you're in the United States, at their text helpline at: (206) 866-2279.
Teens in the Tampa, FL area can find tons of support with Teen Connect Tampa Bay, including pregnancy testing, STI testing, and birth control options.
Finally, if you are a teen who would like support in taking the first steps towards honoring your sexual health and education, please reach out. We are here for you!
Author: Courtney Harris is a witness, space-holder, supporter, and caregiver for families of all types and in all stages; she has worked with youth and their families since 2008. Currently, Courtney serves as a Life Coach for Teens and a Companion for Birth and Beyond. She is passionate about honoring life’s transitions and believes that all birthing people deserve compassionate, steady, and informed support throughout their unique reproductive journeys. You can connect with Courtney here and across all social media platforms at @companioncourtney.