Michelle Sello 12/6 Research Project Are teenagers not using oral contraceptives because there are too many disadvantages or because they are simply uninformed?

Source A Birth Control Pills Success Rate with Typical Use: 91% Pros Cons Very effective against pregnancy if used correctly Makes menstrual periods more regular and lighter Decreases menstrual cramps and acne Makes you less likely to get ovarian and uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, and anemia Doesn’t interrupt sexual activity Doesn’t protect against STIs Depending on your insurance, your birth control may be free or there may be a co-pay. Need to remember to take every day at the same time Can’t be used by women with certain medical problems or by women taking certain medications Can occasionally cause side effects such as nausea, increased appetite, headaches, and, very rarely, blood clots Need a prescription Still need condoms to lower the risk of STIs 58% 42% Source A Reference CONTRACEPTION: PROS AND CONS OF DIFFERENT CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS | CENTER FOR YOUNG WOMEN'S HEALTH In-text: (Youngwomenshealth.org, 2017) Your Bibliography: Youngwomenshealth.org. (2017). Contraception: Pros and Cons of Different Contraceptive Methods | Center for Young Women's Health. [online] Available at: http://youngwomenshealth.org/2009/01/28/pros-and-cons-contraceptive-methods/ [Accessed 2 Apr. 2017].

Source B Pie Charts representing the number of teenagers informed/ uninformed about contraceptives through a survey amongst females (at St Doms) 36.3% 63.6%

Source B Reference Survey, charts and data conducted by (me) Michelle Sello

Why are American Teens so ignorant about sex and Birth Control? Source C Why are American Teens so ignorant about sex and Birth Control? A study taken from Guttmacher surveyed that 1.800 men and women around the ages of 18 to 29 found that the lower the level of contraceptive knowledge amongst young women, the greater the chances of expected unprotected sex within a period of three months. Proving that their behaviour put them at risk for an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy. Abstinence is “the practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something, typically alcohol or sex.” Including this issue, abstinence only education that does not provide detailed information about contraceptive use, except occasionally to emphasize certain limits. People who believe in abstinence believe that providing information about health benefits of condoms or contraception contradicts their message regarding abstinence. This is how we get terrifying statistics mentioned above. Another survey was conducted whereby 60% of people underestimated the effectiveness of oral contraceptives and 40% held fatalistic views on the matter of birth control being used. More than 50% of young men and 25% of young women received low scores on their knowledge about contraceptives. CDC found that plus minus 31% of teenagers did not use contraceptives because they though they could not get pregnant at that time. Teenagers are uninformed about birth control pills as they do not know; how to use them, how effective they are, how safe they are, how to get them, what the benefits are and what the minor disadvantages are. While the pill has health benefits as the side effects aren’t always a bad thing. Besides pregnancy preventation the progestin in them reduces menstrual cramps and makes female periods lighter as well as; reduce acne, bone thinning, cysts in the breasts and ovaries, endometrial and ovarian cancers, serious infections n the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus, reduces iron deficiency and premenstrual syndrome People are also uninformed that the pill is convenient as taking birth control pills is easy and effective although remembering to take them everyday can be hard. The pill packs are small and can be carried around everywhere. The pills does not interfere with action or regular sex and protects you from pregnancy. Many people believe the pill makes their sex lives better as they do not have to worry about interrupted sex . You do need perspectives from a doctor or nurse before taking birth control pills, the pills are convenient to get as they can be mailed to you and you can order them online. Source C Reference WHY ARE AMERICAN TEENS SO IGNORANT ABOUT SEX AND BIRTH CONTROL? In-text: (Alternet, 2017) Your Bibliography: Alternet. (2017). Why Are American Teens So Ignorant About Sex and Birth Control?. [online] Available at: http://www.alternet.org/story/155396/why_are_american_teens_so_ignorant_about_sex_and_birth_control [Accessed 2 Apr. 2017]. What Are the Benefits & Advantages of Birth Control Pills? In-text: (Pill?, 2017) Your Bibliography: Pill?, W. (2017). What Are the Benefits & Advantages of Birth Control Pills?. [online] Plannedparenthood.org. Available at: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-pill/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-birth-control-pill [Accessed 2 Apr. 2017].

Contraception for adolescents Source D Contraception for adolescents Within the period of 1985 to 1990 the cost to the public of teenage child births was 120 billion dollars and with the age of specific teenage mothers 83% of them come from poor and low income families. Having a child as a teenager triggers poverty amongst 28% of these teenage mothers. In the united states alone, there are 12 million adolescent girls and each year at least 1 million of them become pregnant, in which 1 in 5 of them are all sexually active teenage girls. While only 30% of sexually active girls within 15 to 19 are on contraceptive pills. In most cases teenagers need to discuss oral contraceptives with their providers, this may be difficult as most teenagers and parents do not discuss sex amongst each other as this is a discovered parental fear to say the least. Clinics should encourage but not insist parental involvement. As a result many teenagers are reluctant to seek birth control because of the involvement and informant of their parents. In certain situation emergency contraception is a good option when it comes to preventing pregnancy amongst teenagers. Most commonly known as the “Morning after pill” it is effective for up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. It interferes with the ovulation, fertilization and implementation. It is another form of an oral contraceptive that most teens are uninformed about. Source D Reference DAVTYAN, C. Evidence-Based Case Review: Contraception for adolescents In-text: (Davtyan, 2017) Your Bibliography: Davtyan, C. (2017). Evidence-Based Case Review: Contraception for adolescents. [online] PubMed Central (PMC). Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1070796/ [Accessed 1 Apr. 2017].

Conclusion The disadvantages of oral contraceptives have been stated in Source A, but there are more; (Such as hair loss, skin changes, weight gain, hypertension, depression, headaches etc.) but what was not discussed was the ideology that it is reassured that if a certain brand of contraceptive pills is giving you more side effects than benefits you have the ability to change the brand after consulting your doctor or nurse. An overview of Oral Contraceptives is that they are most commonly used by adolescents but their compliance and continuation rates are poor. A confidential and concrete approach to contraceptive counselling is likely to be effective in increasing the use of and compliance with methods of birth control. Counselling about the side effects of different contraceptives is essential , learning how to deal with the problems is better than stopping the contraceptive completely. Emergency contraception should be discussed whenever contraceptive methods are discussed. This shows that teenagers are not using oral contraceptives because they are uninformed by hospitals, their doctors as well as parents.