Birth control: so many options

Birth control has long been one of the most controversial topics in modern medicine. More than 37 million American women use some form of birth control, although many have different reasons for doing so. Birth control is most commonly associated with its obvious function, which is the prevention of unplanned pregnancies. However, more advanced methods of birth control are commonly used for other reasons, such as the stabilization of menstrual cycles and to relieve symptoms from other female health conditions.

Birth control is usually viewed as a women's issue, probably because the most common and reliable forms of birth control – pills and shots – are used by women. However, there are temporary contraceptives that men can use too. Condoms and spermicidal lubricants are among the birth control methods commonly used by men.

When is the right time for women to use birth control?

As young women reach sexual maturity, many are reluctant to speak up about the need for birth control pills and shots – the most reliable forms of birth control. Part of the reason for this collective silence is that, in the United States, young women are taught to refrain from sexual activities until they are adults. Often, these lessons are not taught in a positive light, which causes young women who ponder these issues to second-guess whether they should raise their concerns with others. Other women may choose to remain silent about birth control because they're concerned the discussion might misrepresent their feelings about sex. Just because a woman wants to start using birth control doesn't mean she's ready to be sexually active.

To summarize, there is no specific age at which all women should begin using birth control. The answer of when to begin is different for each individual woman. Young women who experience painful or severe periods may start using birth control long before they're ready to have sex. On the flipside, women who don't have any health problems may wait until after high school before deciding to start with birth control pills. Others may anticipate becoming sexually active and start using birth control during their teenage years.

Women who are considering using birth control should speak with their primary care physicians or counselors. Most communities and college campuses have female health clinics where women can learn more about birth control, always anonymously and often free of charge. The decision of whether to use a long-term form of birth control such as pills or shots should never be taken lightly. These forms of birth control pose very few health risks, but women should always weigh their health, spiritual belief and lifestyles when considering whether to take this important step.

No birth control method is guaranteed

There's only one way to guarantee you won't get pregnant, and that's to abstain from having sex. Some types of birth control pills and shots are extremely reliable, but there's always a slim chance that birth control can fail to work properly. For this reason, numerous conservative social groups criticize birth control and portray abstinence as the most logical solution that should be taught to young men and women. However, this logic is heavily flawed, as most people have sex regardless of whether it is “safe” to do so. We believe knowledge and preparation are the best tools for preventing unplanned pregnancies. People are going to have sex regardless of whether they have birth control. Therefore, providing birth control – and teaching people about how it works – is the most effective means in preventing unplanned pregnancies.