New Contraception Recommendations for Females
In September 2010 the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) made the recommendation that teenage girls considering contraception would be better served by hormonal implants or IUDS over more traditional methods. The ACOG was not opposing to teen girls using the pill; they felt that hormonal implants and IUD’s were more effective. The reason was that since birth control pills frequently have to be taken at specific time every day in order to be the most effective. Forgetting to take the pill even once can lead to pregnancy. Because of this factor the effectiveness of the pill is usually rated around 90 percent effective.
A study in an issue of the New England Journal of Medicine found that compared to women using IUDs, unplanned pregnancies were 20 times more likely among women taking birth control pills, the patch or ring. For women under 21, using the pill, patch or ring, the risk for unplanned pregnancy when was doubled that for older women.
An IUD, or intrauterine device, is a small, T-shaped piece of plastic inserted in the uterus that can prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years. An implant is a matchstick-size plastic rod that releases hormones. It is placed under the skin of the upper arm and usually lasts three years.
Both types of contraception are more invasive than the pill, requiring a doctor to put them in place. This along with the cost (IUD and implant can cost hundreds of dollars) is most likely the reason why the pill is still the most popular form of contraception in the U.S. However, with the new health reform law requires health insurance plans to cover birth control without co-payments. There are also publicly funded health clinics are able to offer birth control free or at a reduced cost.
About 42% of adolescent females ages 15–19 in the US have had sexual intercourse. Most sexually active adolescents have used contraception at some point, but they frequently use methods with relatively high failure rates such as condoms and withdrawal, or they incorrectly use more dependable methods such as the birth control pill. The fact that 8 out of every 10 adolescent pregnancies are unintended underscores the need for dependable and effective contraceptive methods for teens.
No matter form of birth control is used; a condom should still be used at all times. Birth control methods do not protect against AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s).
