Abstinence -- Family Planning Clinics -- Male Condom -- Female Condom -- Birth Control

Birth control is a way to prevent pregnancy. While there are many different types of birth control, they all fall into two different categories: barrier and hormonal.

• Barrier methods basically block the sperm from getting to the egg. Condoms (both male and female), diaphragms and cervical caps are all barrier methods of birth control.
  
• Hormonal methods basically change the menstrual and ovulation cycle to prevent a female from releasing an egg from her ovaries, known as ovulation. That makes it nearly impossible for a pregnancy to happen. Birth control pills (the Pill), Depo-Provera (the shot), and the birth control patch are all hormonal methods of birth control.

Abstinence is a promise to yourself that you will not have sexual intercourse (oral, anal or vaginal) for a particular period of time. Some teens decide to remain abstinent until they’re married. Others make a commitment to wait at least until they graduate from high school or they are in long term (more than a few months) relationship. Teens choose to be abstinent for many reasons, but preventing pregnancy and disease are usually top concerns. Abstinence, when practiced faithfully, leaves no chance for pregnancy and disease.
           To succeed, you’ll need supportive friends and partners. Seek them out. You’ll also need to keep your life goals clearly in focus. And, you’ll have to stay committed to your own desires and values, no matter what anyone else says or does.

Family planning clinics, like Planned Parenthood, are great places for teens to go for information about birth control and help in getting it. These clinics often charge only what you can afford to pay. Clinics also promise confidentiality, meaning they never tell your parents or call your house, without your permission. Clinic counselors will talk to you about your birth control options --- everything from the pill to condoms to Depo-Provera, a birth control shot that lasts three months. This is also the place to go for "emergency contraceptive pills" -- high doses of birth control pills that can be taken if you have unprotected sex. ECPs, as they are called, can prevent a pregnancy up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. But, it only works about 70 percent of the time, so it is much safer to use a condom and birth control.
           To find a clinic near you, call Planned Parenthood at 800-230- PLAN, visit their website at www.plannedparenthood.org or check in you phone book under "family planning."

The male condom is a thin piece of latex or polyurethane that a guy wears over his penis during oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse to prevent pre-ejaculatory fluid or semen from entering a partner’s mouth, anus or vagina. Condoms can be made of latex, polyurethane and natural skin. Only latex and polyurethane condoms prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
           Some condoms are called “novelty” condoms, meaning they’re just for fun and don’t protect against sexually transmitted infections. Be sure to read the packaging carefully! Condoms come in different colors, flavors and textures. Also, some are lubricated to reduce friction. Others have the spermicide known as nonoxynol-9, which does double duty. It kills sperm and lubricates. Flavored condoms... more...

The female condom has two rings on either end connected by a condom-shaped tube that is made out of thin piece of polyurethane. One ring is inserted into the vagina, against the cervix, located at the back of the vagina. The other ring hangs outside the vaginal opening. This is where a guy’s penis is inserted during intercourse. Just like male condoms, female condoms can only be used once. Also, never use a female and male condom together. They’ll both tear and you’ll end up with no protection.
           When used perfectly, the female condom prevents pregnancy about 95 percent of the time. The “real world” rate is a lot lower -- 79 percent -- because they tend to be tough to use. But, if you can master it, female condoms also offer some protection against sexually transmitted infections Again, like male condoms... more...

Birth control pills are made of fake, or synthetic, hormones that stop a female from releasing an egg, which is called ovulating. With no egg there can be no pregnancy. A birth control pill must be taken every day, preferably around the same time, to work. If you miss a pill, or take them at different times on different days, they may not work. After one full week of taking the Pill, it becomes effective at preventing pregnancy. When used perfectly -- taken every day at around the same time -- it prevents pregnancy 99 percent of the time. Factor in human error -- missing a day or taking them at different times -- that rate drops to 95 percent. Birth control pills can come with side effects, both good and bad. They include slight weight gain, lighter periods, less acne, a bigger appetite, mood swings, bleeding between periods, and changes in sex drive. For most girls... more...

Depo-Provera, sometimes called “The Shot,” is a hormonal method of birth control that stops a female from releasing eggs, or ovulating. Hormonal methods change the way a woman’s body works to prevent her from getting pregnant.
           Depo-users get a shot once every three months. It’s more than 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy, as long as you get the shot on time. The most common side effect is spotting and irregular bleeding during the first few months of using the shot. Many girls eventually stop having periods. Some also report headaches and mood changes. Depo-Provera offers NO protection against sexually transmitted infections, so a condom must also be used during intercourse. Like other hormonal methods... more...

Othro Evra, the birth control patch is a small square that looks a lot like a band-aid. It releases hormones, similar to those found in birth control pills, through the skin to stop a female from releases eggs, or ovulating. This is another hormonal method of birth control, which basically changes the way a female’s body works to prevent pregnancy.
           You stick the patch on your stomach, upper arm, lower back, or buttocks. After three weeks, you remove it, have your period and then put a new patch on seven days later. When used perfectly, the Ortho Evra patch is more than 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. The patch offers NO protection against sexually transmitted infections, so a condom must also be used during intercourse. Like the pill... more...

The NuvaRing is a flexible rubber ring that’s inserted into the vagina for three weeks each month to prevent pregnancy. Hormones, which are concentrated in the ring, are released into the bloodstream to prevent a female from releasing eggs, or ovulating. This is another hormonal method, which basically changes the way a female’s body works to prevent pregnancy.
           The ring is inserted into the vagina between the first and fifth day of the menstrual cycle. It stays in the vagina for exactly three weeks, when it’s removed. In two to three days, the girl will get her period. Exactly seven days from when she removes the ring, she inserts a new one. That gives ongoing protection against pregnancy. The NuvaRing prevents... more...

Spermicides kill sperm, stopping them from swimming to an egg and starting a pregnancy. They come in different forms, but all have the chemical nonoxynol-9, which kills sperm. Spermicides come in suppositories, foams, creams, inserts, film and gels. You can use a spermicide alone, but it’s better at preventing pregnancy when used with a condom or diaphragm.
           Spermicides are inserted into the vagina before intercourse. With some products, like film, inserts and suppositories, you have to wait a little while -- usually 15 to 30 minutes -- before having intercourse, while the warmth of your body melts the spermicide. Foams, creams, and gels are effective as soon as they are inserted. When used alone... more...

Withdrawal (or “pulling out”) is a when a guy pulls his penis out of his partner’s vagina before he ejaculates, or cums, so that no semen enters her body. This can be tough. It means a guy has to have complete control over his body so he pulls out completely before any semen enters her vagina or gets near the opening.
           If he is able to pull out without releasing any semen on or near the opening of the vagina, then withdrawal is pretty effective. When used perfectly, withdrawal prevents pregnancy about 96 percent of the time. But, that drops to an unsafe 81 percent with typical or “real world” use, because many guys don’t have enough control to pull out on time, especially when they’re so close to the pleasure of orgasm.
            A major side effect of pulling out is the risk of spreading sexually transmitted infections. Pre-ejaculatory fluid, the stuff that leaks from the penis before a guy comes, can carry infections. Another problem is that pulling out often makes sex less pleasurable for the guy. He’s worried about controlling himself and can’t relax and enjoy orgasm.