There are many methods of birth control, but not all are ideal for teenagers. Each
method has its pros and cons, and it's important to discuss these with your
daughter and her health care provider before choosing a method. Her health care
provider should be the go-to resource when figuring out which birth control will
be the best fit, but here are some of the top birth control methods for teenagers
to get your discussion going.
1. Birth control pills
Pills are one of the most popular forms of birth control because they're effective,
convenient, safe to use and easy to obtain with a prescription. Women take one
pill each day, which delivers hormones that prevent eggs from leaving the
ovaries and makes cervical mucus thicker, which keeps sperm from getting to
the
eggs. Combination hormone pills contain both estrogen and progestin. Some are
progestin-only pills.
There are many additional benefits of birth control pills, including reduced
menstrual cramps, lighter periods and some protection against pelvic
inflammatory disease. Some types even help reduce acne, prevent bone thinning
and alleviate premenstrual symptoms. Certain types let you have just four
periods a year. However, there can be some side effects of birth control pills,
like
bleeding between periods, nausea and breast tenderness, which usually only last
for the first few months.
They may be good for your daughter if she can be counted on to take the pill at
the same time every day (progestin-only pills, also known as mini-pills, require
more precise timing). If not, they won't be as effective. Find out more about how
to effectively use birth control pills.
2. Birth control shot
The birth control shot (Depo-Provera) is a good option for women who aren't
good at remembering to take a pill every day, since the injection is once every
three months. The shot contains the hormone progestin to help prevent against
pregnancy by working in the same way that birth control pills do.
In addition to effectively preventing pregnancy, the shot can also protect against
endometrial cancer and iron-deficiency anemia. It has possible side effects like
weight gain and irregular menstrual bleeding.
This is an easy option for your daughter if she's OK with getting regular
injections and can make it to her doctor's office whenever she needs to get the
next shot.
The birth control vaginal ring (NuvaRing), is a small, flexible ring that a woman
puts into her vagina for three weeks every month. It's easy to obtain with a
prescription and is very effective. It works by releasing progestin and estrogen,
and therefore has many of the same benefits and side effects as the pill and the
shot. It may also cause increased vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation or
infection.
A vaginal ring could be a good option for your daughter if she's comfortable
inserting it and taking it out every month.
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