Birth Control Methods

Do Now: What is something you have heard about birth control? This could be from a family member, friend, on the internet, TV, radio, newspaper, magazine…

Contraception = Birth Control Today you will learn about: ◦ Effectiveness of various birth control methods ◦ How different types of birth control work ◦ Questions that can help someone decide on the best birth control method for themself ◦ How different people apply all of this information when making “real life” decisions ◦ Internet sources for reliable birth control info

About 50% of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended (not planned) It’s not who someone is, or how they identify, it’s what they do that can cause an unintended pregnancy. Unintended pregnancy: the facts

Without birth control… 85 of 100 females will become pregnant each year when not using any form of birth control 

Birth Control There are many types of birth control There is not one “best” method for everyone All methods of birth control are most effective when use correctly and consistently

Abstinence = 100% Effective Abstain = to not do something Abstinence = not having any sex that involves putting a penis in a vagina. Requires that partners communicate well and work closely together People choose to be abstinent for different reasons at different times in their lives. In San Francisco, the majority of students choose to be abstinent from vaginal & anal sex during middle and high school.

Hormonal Birth Control Works: 2. Stops ovulation: Prevents eggs from coming out of the ovaries. 1. Thickens the cervical mucous: Makes it difficult for sperm to get through. 3. Thins the lining of the uterus: Makes it more challenging for a fertilized egg to implant.

Easy to use & HIGHLY Effective = over 99% effective Less than 1 of 100 woman will get pregnant within a year Very easy to use Implant – small device put under skin of arm IUC – small device put in uterus IUC & Implants last between years Sterilization – permanent, teens cannot choose this method

Common & Works Really Well = % effective Female controlled Require a prescription Methods that use hormones ◦ The Shot – injection lasts 3 months. ◦ The Ring – worn in the vagina for a month ◦ The Patch – worn for a week ◦ The Pill – taken daily LOWER chance of user error HIGHER chance of user error more effective less effective

Common & Works Well = 79-98% Barrier Methods Put on penis or inside vagina to keep sperm & egg from meeting No hormones Can be fairly effective, but easier to make mistakes &/or forget Can be bought without a prescription at any age Provide STI protection

Less Common & Less Effective = 76-88% Barrier Methods + Spermicide Worn inside vagina Keep sperm & egg from meeting and kill sperm No hormones Can be fairly effective, but easier to make mistakes &/or forget Can be bought without prescription Spermicide can be irritating to the body and can increase the chance of contracting an infection.

Difficult to Use Correctly = about 73-97% More effective than NO method Difficult to use & not recommended for people in their teens Withdrawal (“pulling out”) – penis removed from vagina before ejaculation Fertility Awareness Methods - ◦ Require a class to learn to use ◦ Help a female understand the menstrual cycle and fertility ◦ Used to plan or prevent a pregnancy

Emergency Contraception in case of unprotected sex or a birth control failure (e.g., the condom breaks) Emergency Contraceptive Pills (Plan B, NextChoice, Ella) o Very safe, up to 89% effective – teens can get Plan B in a drug store without prescription or parental permission Paragard IUC is more effective than EC Pills. Can be left in after as a form of birth control. o Requires a visit to the doctor o Very safe, up to 89% effective – teens can get Plan B in a drug store without prescription or parental permission In California, teens can get these methods for FREE at clinics

 Two Lies & A Truth A.A female cannot get pregnant the first time having vaginal sex. B.Some birth control pills can help prevent acne. C.Someone only needs to take the birth control pill on the days that they have sex. TRUE! 

 Two Lies & A Truth A.After starting birth control pills, if someone has a negative side effect like headache or moodiness, it is usually temporary. B.Withdrawal (pulling the penis out of the vagina before ejaculating) is 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. C.Washing out the vagina after sex (douching) can prevent pregnancy. TRUE! 

 Two Lies & A Truth A.The pill makes females gain weight. B.The pill can cause cancer. C.It is safe for a female not to have a period every month when she is using certain hormonal birth control methods. TRUE! 

 Two Lies & a Truth A.An IUC can make a female infertile (unable to become pregnant). B.All birth control methods provide some protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). C.Intrauterine Contraception (IUC, like Mirena) can safely be used by teens. TRUE! 

What is the “best” method? The best method of birth control is the one that you think fits your life best. It is a method that you (& your partner) feel comfortable using and that you will use correctly every time! ?

Which is Right for Me? A.What is my goal in using birth control? How effective is it? B.Are there potential side effects? C.How does my partner(s) feel about birth control? D.Do I want a method that I can hide? E.Do I want a method that will protect me from STIs? F.How comfortable am I using this method? G.What are my values and beliefs about birth control?

A.What are my goals in using birth control? GOAL: highly effective pregnancy prevention. HINT: methods that have a lower chance of user error tend to be more effective. Which methods have a low chance of user error & are recommended for teens?

A.What are my goals in using birth control? GOAL: Menstrual regulation – having a more regular/predictable period. HINT: Methods that have estrogen and progesterone work well at regulating the menstrual cycle. Which methods can help regulate a period?

A.What are my goals in using birth control? GOAL: Stopping period. HINT: Methods with continuous release of hormones (progesterone) tend to stop periods after 3 months. Hormonal methods that can be used continuously can stop periods. Which methods can stop periods? Continuous use: Progesterone :

B. Are there potential side effects? Most methods are safe for most people. People with certain health conditions may not be able to use estrogen – be honest with your doctor. Some people are allergic to latex or the chemical in spermicides. Some of the side effects can be viewed as positive – such as lighter and more regular periods and decreased acne. Which methods contain estrogen?

C. How does my partner(s) feel about birth control? An important question for all people: o Some methods more female-controlled o Some methods more male-controlled Some methods require partners to work closely together, some do not. Which methods require partners to work together?

D. Do I want a method I can hide? Which methods can be hidden? Some methods are more discreet than others. Sometimes, people may need to hide birth control from a parent, guardian, or partner. Trying to get someone pregnant when they do not want to be is a sign on an unhealthy/abusive relationship.

E. Do I want a method that will provide STI protection? Which methods provide STI protection? Hormonal methods do not provide good protection from STIs. Some people choose to use both a hormonal method and a method for STI protection.

F. How comfortable am I using this method? Some methods require users to touch their genitals, to swallow a pill daily, get an injection, or get undressed for the method to be inserted into the uterus. People may be uncomfortable with some of these things. Which methods require the user to touch genitals?

F. How comfortable am I using this method? Some methods require users to touch their genitals, to swallow a pill daily, get an injection, or get undressed for the method to be inserted into the uterus. People may be uncomfortable with some of these things. Which methods can someone get without a physical exam or without getting undressed?

G. What are my values and beliefs about birth control? People have different values and beliefs about birth control. Some religions and cultures have specific beliefs about birth control. Some people don’t have penis-vagina sex frequently and would only like to use a method when they have PV sex. Which methods can be used “as needed?"