BIRTH CONTROL METHODS
The most effective method of birth control is abstinence, which means no sexual intercourse. Abstinence is the only absolute way that teens will not have to deal with pregnancy or STDs.
For people who do choose to have sex, there are more than a half-dozen effective birth control methods to choose from, but note that not all of them protect against STDs. Check below to learn some important information about these methods, as well as some popular ones that aren't as effective or as safe as you might have thought.
NOTE: there are two percentages provided to describe the failure rates for each birth control method:
Perfect-use failure rate: the percentage of people using the method correctly who will become pregnant anyway after 1 year of using that method. (For example, if the "perfect-use failure rate" is 2%, then that means 2 out of 100 people who are used that method [and always used it perfectly] will become pregnant after using it for a year.) Typical-use failure rate: the percentage that's closer to reality because most people don't use birth control perfectly each time. This is then the percentage of people who will become pregnant after a year of using that particular form of birth control. Remember, abstinence (the decision to not have sex) is the only method with a 0% failure rate.
Birth Control Pill, Cervical Cap, Condoms, Depo-Provera, Diaphragm, Douching, Emergency Contraception ("morning-after pill"), IUD, Norplant, Rhythm Method, Spermicide, Withdrawal
A complete discussion of all the important details of the many birth control methods is beyond the scope of this chapter. For more information, or to find which method is best for you, consult your gynecologist or family planning clinic.
Progestin only oral contraceptives (minipills)