If you decide to have sex and you don’t want to get pregnant, you will need to find a method of birth control that is right for you.

Condoms: You should always use a condom when having sex because they also help prevent STDs. Many other forms of “birth control” do not prevent STDs. And although condoms don’t protect you from all STDs, they do reduce the risk of contacting many, and especially HIV. Many times condoms are used the wrong way, and then they don’t protect against anything. When using a condom, make sure the penis is fully covered by the condom and that there is a little room at the end of the condom for the sperm to collect in. Also, condoms often rip easily, so be careful. Don’t rely on the guy to have a condom. If you are sexually active, bring condoms with you and don’t hesitate to make sure they are used. If a guy refuses to put on a condom or tries to pressure you to do without, then he is not the right guy for you.

The Pill: The birth control pill is a common form of contraception used by women. It is over 90% effective in preventing pregnancy when used correctly. Some types of pills are more effective than others, and you will get conflicting information about effectiveness from each company and survey. There are many different types of pills on the market. Talk to your doctor about which pill is right for you. There are some important things to remember about taking the pill. Your OB/GYN will give you specifics, but you should be cautious when taking the pill and not get lazy about the rules. It works by preventing ovulation, which is the release of the egg into your uterus that happens every month. If you don’t ovulate, then you can’t get pregnant, because there is no egg to become fertilized by a sperm through sexual intercourse. There are certain side effects associated with the pill, including nausea, slight weight gain, headaches, breast tenderness, dizziness and mood changes. Many girls won’t take the pill because they’re afraid of over-exaggerated myths about weight gain. The weight gain that happens when you take the pill is very slight, and it varies for everyone. Lots of girls don’t even gain any weight at all. By exercising regularly and eating right, you can totally prevent any weight gain associated with the pill. It’s silly to refuse something that could help you just because of your vanity, so talk to your doctor if you’re really concerned and be smart. Many women who take the pill feel that their hormones are “out of whack” and feel very emotional when they first start taking the pill. This is natural because the pill is designed to change your hormonal balance in order to prevent ovulation. Some women take the birth control pill to control irregular periods, to minimize cramping in PMS, or to clear up acne problems.

• Use an alternative form of birth control during the first month that you are taking the pill – just to be safe until you are sure you are in the habit of taking your pills every day and aren’t likely to forget one.
• Scheduling matters when you take the pill. Try to take your pill at the same time every day to get your body used to the routine.
• Don’t smoke when you are on the pill. Birth control pills increase the health risks associated with smoking, including heart disease, blood clotting and stroke.
• Certain medications, including many antibiotics, may affect the effectiveness of birth control pills, so be sure to use an alternative method of contraception, such as a condom, if you are prescribed an antibiotic.
• The pill does not protect against STDs. Always use a condom when you are having sex. Even if you are having sex with a long-term boyfriend who you trust very much, you should still use a condom while you’re on the pill. You can never be too sure about these things.
• Most of all, make sure you take your pill every day. If you skip a day, you can generally double up on the next day—but if remembering to take your pill is hard for you, it might not be the best birth control method for you.

The Patch: There is a relatively new method of birth control out that is called the patch. This is a thin, band-aid-like patch that stays on your body all month long. It acts just like the birth control pill, but you don’t have to remember to take the pill every day. The patch is very durable and generally won’t fall off, even in the shower or at the beach.

• Your Responsiblity
• Abstinence
• Teen Parenting
• STDs