For many teens, thinking about having sex is stressful because it means thinking about how to prevent a pregnancy from happening. You may have heard of birth control -- also known as contraception -- but there's so much information out there that it can be hard to tell where to begin. Here are a few tips on how to start learning about birth control and why it's so important.
Be Brave
Let's face it: Asking questions about sex and birth control can be really intimidating and embarrassing, especially if sex is a taboo topic in your family or community. However it doesn’t need to be this way.Everyone -- even the world's most famous "sexperts" -- has questions about sex, and learning how to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is a smart and responsible decision, no matter how old or experienced you are. In other words, having questions about sex is completely natural and you have nothing to be embarrassed about.
Keep an Open Mind
Whether you're planning to get married before having sex, planning to do it tonight or something in between, accurate information about sex and birth control is a must. Even if you think you will be abstinent for the foreseeable future or that there's no way you could get pregnant, circumstances can change: In fact, almost 1 million U.S. teens get pregnant each year, most by accident.Plus, sex will change the lives of at least a few of your friends during their teenage years. At the very least you're going to want to understand what others are going through and be helpful to them. And chances are, you'll need this information for yourself sometime in the near future, too.
Talk to a Doctor
Not everyone can discuss sexual topics with their family, whether it’s for religious reasons or out of sheer embarrassment. Sometimes parents can be wrong though, too, so try to have a few different people you can chat with about birth control frankly and honestly. If possible, one of these people should have a medical background.Talking with a doctor, nurse or health educator at Planned Parenthood, a women’s health clinic or a teen health center is key, whether or not you can talk about birth control with your parents. These people are likely to have the most accurate and up-to-date information about birth control and STDs, plus they'll be able to teach you how to use a condom and answer specific questions about The Pill.
Talk to Other Trustworthy Adults
Your friends might have a lot to say about sex, but you need to balance their opinions with those from someone who's been around the block a few more times than you have.If you're able to talk to one of your parents, an older brother or sister, or a close family friend about birth control, do it. These people most likely have your best interest in mind and feel some responsibility for helping you grow up healthy and safe. They're also likely to know what's worked for other members of your family in terms of birth control.
Know Your Health History
For most people, birth control doesn't pose any major health risks. However, it's important to make sure that a problem such as a latex allergy or blood-clotting disorder doesn’t run in your family.A latex allergy can make it difficult to use latex condoms, while a blood-clotting disorder can make it very risky for you to use certain types of birth-control pills. Talk to one of your parents, if you can, or your doctor to see if either of these factors might be an issue for you.
If you're thinking about using birth control that contains hormones, it’s also important to let your doctor know if you smoke. Some birth control methods will be safer than others since smoking can increase your chances of getting a life-threatening blood clot.
Debunk the Myths
There's a lot of bad and biased information out there when it comes to sex, birth control and STDs. Be critical when you're seeking information, especially if you're getting your facts online or from other teenagers. If the information you get sounds fishy, ask a few people you trust if it's true and continue searching for details on the topic.Whenever possible, get your information about birth control and sexual health from a health clinic or university. These aren't the only places with good information on these topics, but they're much more likely to give you accurate information than a stranger on a message board in cyberspace.
