Birth Control Methods: Condoms / Question
Published: August 13, 2001
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Yes, I was wondering, people say to prevent pregnancy you should use a condom, but as well to prevent STD's you should use a condom. So if you are always using a condom how does a girl get pregnant?
Signed: Condoms? How Does Someone Get Pregnant
Dear Condoms? How Does Someone Get Pregnant,
First thoughts:
TeenHealthFX is concerned about why you may be asking this question. Are you thinking about trying to become pregnant? If you are, TeenHealthFX highly recommends that you think this through before you do it. Having a baby is a great responsibility for anyone, especially a teenager. Before you try to become pregnant, TeenHealthFX encourages you to go to a teen health center in your area to discuss this. A doctor or professional their can discuss pregnancy with you and also talk to you both the positive and negative sides to parenting. Please do not make this decision on your own.
To answer your question: For a woman to become pregnant she must be ovulating and have sex and her vaginal area has to come into contact with a male's semen. In order to prevent pregnancy and STDs, people use birth control.
The best method of birth control to prevent pregnancy and STDs is by not having sex - that is the only method that is 100% effective. Each birth control method is only as good as its user and all methods of birth control carry a small risk of pregnancy. For a condom to be effective, it needs to be used and put on correctly. This is the same for all types of birth control. Some forms of birth control prevent STDs and pregnancy, while other just prevent against pregnancy (pill, depo, diaphragm, etc.). If you are sexually active, you need to practice safer sex (sex-9) and go to a teen health center.
A teen health clinic can see you without your parent's permission, confidentially and on a low/no cost basis. Also, they can help to educate you in making the best possible decisions regarding sex, birth control and STD protection. If you live in Northern New Jersey you can contact the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at (973) 889.6350. If you live outside of Northern New Jersey, please call your local Planned Parenthood.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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