By Shari Levine
At one time birth control was illegal in America. As Margaret Sanger, a crusader for birth control and the founder of Planned Parenthood once said, "No woman can call herself free who does not own and control her body. No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother."
Throughout history women like Margaret Sanger have fought political and religious battles for the birth control choices we have today. One hundred years ago, most girls got married in their teens and had almost no access to birth control. They knew that many women died during childbirth, and were powerless over their fertility.
In 1916, Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in Brooklyn, NY. She and her sister, who were both nurses, passed out diaphrams and information about birth control to poor women. Soon after the clinic opened they were arrested for breaking the Comstock Law, which said that giving out birth control information or devices was illegal.
At the age of 80, Margaret received great news -- the world's first birth control pill made of hormones had been approved. Her life's work helped millions of women. Since then the number of contraceptive choices that use hormones to prevent pregnancy has skyrocketed.
Protect Your Future
Even with all these options, almost one million teen girls in the US get pregnant each year, and millions of adolescents swap sexually transmitted infections with each other. The majority of teenagers think that it's important to use birth control each and every time they have sex, but they don't. In one survey teens said that alcohol, drugs and their partner's values affect whether or not they use contraception.
Whether you are sexually active or not, it's important to be educated about birth control because someday -- maybe way in the future -- you might want to have a sexual relationship. Or, one of your friends may need advice about it.
The Choice is Yours
One of the safest, most effective contraceptives is easy to find, cheap, and simple to use. Health care providers recommend the condoms and spermacide for both teenagers and adults. You can buy condoms at the grocery store and pharmacy. Most come in a package of three for about $2.00, and they are rolled onto the penis before sex. Much easier and a whole lot less expensive than pregnancy or herpes!
A few birth control methods such as the IUD, female sterilization, (getting your tubes tied) withdrawal, and the rhythm method (a.k.a. fertility awareness) are NOT recommended for teenagers.
The best methods for teens are barriers such as the condom and diaphram because they help to prevent sexually transmitted infections in addition to pregnancy. Effective methods such as the birth control pill, Norplant, and Depo Provera use hormones to prevent your body from ovulating. No egg means no baby.
The Ring and the Patch are two new methods that use hormones to prevent pregnancy. Emergency contraception can be used to prevent pregnancy after you have unprotected sex.
Babies are amazing, adorable and A LOT of work. They change your life in EVERY possible way. Margaret Sanger and all the other women who fought for the legalization of birth control gave us the gift of choice. Use it wisely, appreciate it, and take care of your body inside and out.
Some definitions:
The Ring (NuvaRing)
This is a small, flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina once per month. It is left in place for three weeks and taken out for the fourth week (during menstruation.) The ring releases hormones that prevent pregnancy.
No studies have been completed yet, but the Ring is assumed to be very effective � fewer than 1 in 100 women who use the Ring will likely become pregnant. You must visit a health care provider to get a prescription for the Ring. It is not recommended for women who smoke cigarettes, have heart disease, blood clots, cancer or other medical problems. Costs about $30-$35 per month.
The Patch (Ortho Evra)
The Patch is a thin plastic patch that you place on your skin once a week for three weeks. During the fourth week the patch is left off and menstruation begins. The patch releases hormones that prevent pregnancy.
No studies have been completed yet, but the Patch is assumed to be very effective - fewer than 1 in 100 women who use the Patch will likely become pregnant. You must visit a health care provider to get a prescription for the Patch. It is not recommended for women who smoke cigarettes, have heart disease, blood clots, cancer or other medical problems. Costs about $30-$35 per month.
The Condom
A condom is a sheath that fits over the penis to protect both partners during vaginal, oral and anal sex. Latex and animal skin condoms are available over the counter and should be used with a spermicide.
When used consistently and correctly, about 14 out of 100 women whose partners use condoms will become pregnant during the first year of use. Cost between $0.30 and $0.60 per condom.
The Birth Control Pill
The birth control pill contains hormones that stop the body from ovulating (releasing an egg from the ovary.) The pill is taken every day for three weeks, and sugar pills (placebo) are taken during the fourth week when menstruation begins.
When used consistently and correctly, five out of 100 women who use the pill will become pregnant during the first year. The Pill is not recommended for women who smoke, have high blood pressure, or other medical conditions. Costs $20-$35 per month.
The Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a soft latex barrier that covers the cervix and blocks the opening to the uterus. It is used with spermicide to prevent the sperm from coming in contact with an egg.
About 20 out of 100 women who use a diaphragm will become pregnant each year. You must visit a health care provider to be fit with a diaphragm and to get a prescription. Costs $15-$50 for the diaphragm and then $8-$17 for the spermicide.
Depo Provera
Depo Provera is a shot of hormone that can prevent pregnancy for up to 12 weeks. A health care provider must give you the shot in the upper arm or buttocks.
About 3 out of every 1,000 women who use Depo Provera will become pregnant during the first year of use. The total cost per year is between $215 - $545, and it may be cheaper at a family planning clinic.
Emergency Contraception (EC)
Emergency contraception (also called the morning after pill) can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. It is provided as a high dose of birth control pills or a copper IUD is inserted into the uterus. The pills must be taken within 120 hours (about 5 days) after unprotected sex, and they work best if taken within 72 hours. Emergency contraception is available by prescription from a health care provider. Costs vary.
Spermicide
Think sperm killer. A sperm killing chemical is put into a cream, jelly, foam, or suppository that you insert into your vagina. Spermicides alone are not very effective at preventing either pregnancy or STIs. However, when used with a condom they can be over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy, and can help to prevent some STIs. Spermicide is also used with a diaphragm, and is available over-the-counter at a pharmacy or supermarket.
For more information on contraceptives, try these sites:
Planned Parenthoods teen website
Margaret Sanger information
Health information for teen girls -
