Contraceptives, also known as Birth Control, are designed to prevent pregnancy. Contraceptives work in a number of different ways

  • By preventing sperm from reaching the eggs.
  • By keeping the ovaries from releasing eggs.
  • By Sterilization, i.e., permanently preventing pregnancy by preventing the egg and sperm to meet in the Fallopian Tube
  • By preventing an embryo to implant in the uterus.

What Are The Best Teenage Contraceptive Methods?

There is no ‘best’ contraceptive for anyone. Your choice of birth control must be based on several factors like

  • Whether you plan on getting pregnant soon, in a few years or never
  • The effectiveness of each method
  • Possible side effects
  • How often you have sex
  • How many sexual partners you have
  • Overall health
  • How comfortable you are with using the said method

What Are The Different Types Of Contraception For Teenagers? 

If you are a sexually active teenager, it is necessary to use the right contraception to prevent teenage pregnancy. One can choose from different types of birth control methods. These include:

  • Barrier methods prevent the sperm from reaching the eggs. These include male or female condoms, diaphragms, contraceptive sponges or a cervical cap to prevent the sperm from meeting the egg.
  • Short-acting hormonal methods release hormones in your body that prevent the egg from getting released. These are pills, mini-pills, patches, injections, and vaginal rings. These birth control methods are to be taken either every day or month.
  • Long-acting and reversible contraceptives are birth control that your doctor inserts once, and you do not have to take birth control every day or month. These last for 3 to 10 years, depending on the method. Examples are intrauterine devices (IUDs) and hormonal implants, which prevent the embryo from implanting in the uterus.
  • Female and male sterilization: This is the permanent form of birth control that prevents pregnancy by doing a minor surgery or medical procedure, on the woman or man.

Contraception That Prevents STI 

Only two types of contraceptives can protect one from STIs, including HIV: male condoms and female condoms.

Although condoms are the bests way to prevent STIs, they are not the best method of birth control. So, if you have sex, the best way to prevent both STIs and pregnancy is to use a dual form of protection. This means using a condom to prevent STIs and using a more effective form of birth control like an IUD, implant or shot.

How Can I Get Contraceptives As A Teen? 

If you are a teen and want to have safe sex, it is important to use birth control. Teenage contraceptive methods are many and when you use birth control the right way, it helps you from getting pregnant and prevents sexually transmitted infections in teens.

Sexually active young people can talk to their parents or their doctor to decide which method is best for them.

Can You Get Contraceptives Without A Doctor’s Prescription? 

You can buy some forms of birth control without a doctor's prescription. These are called over-the-counter (OTC) birth control. Some of the over-the-counter types of birth control are:

  • Male condoms: These are thin, fitted tubes that are put over the penis before you have sex.
  • Female condoms: These are long plastic pouches put in the vagina before you have sex.
  • Vaginal sponge: this small round device is put in the vagina before having sex.
  • Spermicide: it is a product with chemicals that kills sperm, and it goes into the vagina before sex.

Emergency Contraception is a birth control measure, used after sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy. Read more about it on our app. (give link)