Birth Control Methods: Birth Control Pills / Question
Published: July 24, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
My boyfriend and I are ready to have safe sex. It seems like everytime the situation arrives I end up being on my period. Are there pills available that would make me stop having a period? I know about birth control to prevent pregnancy, but would it also stop my period?
Signed: Birth Control Pills to Stop Period?
Dear Birth Control Pills to Stop Period?,
TeenHealthFX is glad to hear that you and your boyfriend are concerned with practicing safe sex . We are concerned though that you may not have all of the information you need to make the best possible choices when it comes to protecting yourselves, so please, read on:
There are many different birth control options that can protect you against both pregnancy and STDs. Oral contraceptives, commonly called birth control pills are 95% - 99% effective against pregnancy if used correctly. However, the pill offers no protection against STDs. One of the advantages of the pill is its ability to regulate your period. They can provide a balance of hormones to your body, making your period predictable-meaning, if you take the pill correctly at the same time every day, you will know when you will get your period. Also, your symptoms may be less severe, including lightening your flow. The goal, however, is not to eliminate your period altogether.
TeenHealthFX again congratulates both you and your boyfriend for talking about having sex before you actually have sex and planning to keep yourselves safe. Please talk with a health professional who can further explain your options, answer your questions, or go over methods to further reduce your chances of becoming pregnant or getting an STD. If you live in Northern New Jersey, you can contact the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at (973) 971.6475, or make an appointment at your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood office. They will see you confidentially (which means your parent does not need to be notified) on a low or no cost basis.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Compared with other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use, and male high school students are more likely than female students to rarely or never wear seat belts.
