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'Birth control' is a term that describes things that stop a woman or girl from becoming pregnant, or giving birth. Birth control can mean a wide range of things from 'contraceptives' (used to reduce the chances of a woman becoming pregnant) to other ways of avoiding pregnancy, like not having sex.
The first time she has sexual intercourse. Even if she has sex before shes had her first period. Even if she has sex during her period. Even if a boy pulls out (withdraws his penis) before he comes. Even if she has sex standing up. Even if she forgets to take her pill for just one day.
Take our pregnancy quiz to make sure that you really know what causes a girl to get pregnant!
pressured into having sex just because others are. Its important to feel that youre ready before you start having sex.
Dont feel pressured into having sex just because others are.
Some people believe that you shouldnt start having sex until youre married, and that even then, you should only have sex if you want to have a baby. For instance, this is generally what Catholics believe. Other religious groups (and some people who arent religious) also believe in abstinence until marriage, but many think that once you are married, its ok to use birth control if you still dont want a baby. A lot of people, on the other hand, don't think that there's anything wrong with having sexual intercourse when you dont want a baby, and many dont believe that you have to be married, or even in a serious relationship, before you start having sex. You should think about what you personally believe about this issue.
If you have sex, you need to consider how you feel about this issue, and how your life would be affected if you had to make such a decision. An abortion is a serious, life-changing procedure, which can carry both mental and physical risks for a woman. Different countries have different laws about abortion, and in many countries it is illegal.
Barrier methods - which physically prevent sperm from swimming into the uterus and fertilizing the womans egg Hormonal methods - which alter a womans hormonal cycle to prevent fertilization. These are the main types of contraception that are generally used by teenagers.
Other types of contraception, which are generally not used by young people, include natural methods such as only having sex at certain times of the month (these are often not effective enough), and sterilization, which is a permanent surgical procedure. The intrauterine device
(IUD) and intrauterine system (IUS), also known as 'the coil', are generally not used by young people although in some countries, such as the UK, they are now considered suitable for all age groups.
The male condom is the only method of contraception that boys can use. It's really just a rubber tube. It's closed at one end like the finger of a glove so that when a boy puts it over
his penis it stops the sperm going inside a girl's body. An advantage of using male condoms is that a boy can take an active part in using contraception it's not just the girl's responsibility.
It's a good idea to practice with condoms before having sex. You can get used to touching them, and it might help you feel more confident about using them when you do have sex.
Spermicides
Spermicides are chemical agents that both kill sperm and stop sperm from travelling up into the cervix (the lower part of the uterus, or womb, where babies develop). Spermicides come in different forms including creams, foaming tablets, gels and foam (which is squirted into the vagina using an applicator). Young people who use spermicide mostly choose foam. Spermicides are not very effective against pregnancy when used on their own, but are very effective if used at the same times as a male condom. When used together, the male condom and spermicide can be a great combination for effectively protecting against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV.
Some condoms also come lubricated with spermicide (Nonoxynol 9). A spermicidal lubricant aims to provide an additional level of protection if some semen happens to leak out of the condom. This can help to reduce the likelihood of pregnancy, but regular use of Nonoxynol 9 can cause an allergic reaction in some people resulting in little sores that can actually make the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections more likely. Nonoxynol 9 is only a suitable spermicide for a woman who is HIV-negative, and whose partner does not have HIV either. It should only be used for vaginal sex.
People often talk about being 'on the pill'. This means they are using the oral contraceptive pill as a method of contraception. This has nothing to do with oral sex, and just means that the contraceptive is in pill form which is taken orally (swallowed).
How does it work? The pill contains chemicals called hormones. One type of pill called the combined pill has two hormones called Oestrogen and Progestogen. The combined pill stops the release of an egg every month but doesn't stop periods. The other type of pill only has Progestogen in it. It works by altering the mucous lining of the vagina to make it thicker. The sperm cannot then get through, and as the sperm can't meet the egg, the girl can't get pregnant.
What do you do? Usually a girl has to take one pill every day for about three weeks. She then takes a break for seven days while she has her period, before starting the cycle again (or instead, she may take sugar pills for those seven days, i.e. pills that dont actually have any affect, but which are taken purely so she keeps in the routine) for seven days. It's very important not to forget to take these pills. If this happens, protection against pregnancy is lost. The Progestogen-only pill also has to be taken at the same time every day.
How effective is the pill? It's a very effective method of contraception if it is taken correctly. If the pill is taken exactly according to the instructions, the chance of pregnancy occurring is practically nil. But if a girl forgets a pill, or is very unwell, its effectiveness is reduced. Another disadvantage of the pill is that it does not provide any protection against STDs. For very good protection against both pregnancy and STDs, the birth control pill should be used at the same time as the male condom.
How do you use it? How does it work? The most popular form of this type of contraception, Depo-Provera, involves the girl having an injection once every twelve weeks. The injection is of the hormone Progestogen. The injection works in the same way in the body as the Progestogen only pill, but has the advantage that you do not have to remember to take a pill every day. It
does however have the same disadvantage as the hormonal pill, in that it provides no protection against STDs.1
What is it? The 'implant' is a newer form of contraceptive, which has become available in some countries, such as the UK. It is a small tube, a little over an inch long, which is inserted under the skin on the inside of a girl's arm.
How does it work? The implant works in a similar way to the contraceptive pill, but instead of taking a pill every day, hormones are steadily released into a girl's body from the device. This is seen as an advantage, particularly for girls who have trouble remembering or don't like having to take a pill every day. However, the implant can cause unwanted side effects, and like the other hormonal contraceptives, the implant does not protect against STDs.