By Amber
If you’re a sexually active teen, birth control is definitely a must. Choosing the one that works best for you is key.
Real Life Decisions
A few years back, I had a friend who started having sex early. Instead of judging, I just talked to her. I talked to her to see how she felt, what birth control methods she was considering or already using, and other things on the topic. She told me her and her partner were sometimes using condoms, sometimes not. That was my opportunity to say, “Hey, I know you’re not stupid but I don’t want you to get hurt or worse. You should get on birth control.”
She told me she had been on the IUD but that sometimes it gave her unbearable cramps and her partner could feel it while they were having intercourse. So she said she took it out. (There are multiple types of IUDs so if one doesn't work for you, there's probably another one that will.) I asked her if she had thought about considering other options. She said no because they always made sure he pulled out. I told her that doesn’t always work and she should consider another birth control.
So Many Options
She said the only others she knew of were the shot and the pill, which she wouldn’t remember to take everyday. I said “what about the implant?” She looked at me as if I was speaking another language. I ended up explain what I knew about the implant (Implanon) at the time, which was that it's inserted into the inner part of the upper arm by a clinician and that it only takes a few minutes. I also mentioned that it can be left in place for up to 3 years and is highly effective. She said it sounded scary, but she would consider it.
Finding Your Birth Control Match
A week later, the same friend came to me saying she got the implant. She reported that it barely hurt, and it was quick and easy. I was happy to have helped her because had I not known about any other birth control, I would not have been able to give her advice about all of her options. Moral of the story? Find the right long-term contraceptive for you because there’s one out there for everyone!