Meta Description : Here’s an argument why teenage girls should be on birth control and the options that are available to them.
In the 1970s, when the birth control pill became widely accessible in the United States, it irrevocably transformed the lives of women. For the first time in history, a regular woman had the freedom and opportunity to further her education, make more money, and choose when and how many children she would have. In addition to these advantages, the pill improved the prenatal outcomes of both the mothers and their infants. Reproductive choice has been shown to improve the economic prospects of both children and adults.
While the birth control pill is very successful in preventing unexpected pregnancies, it may also help with the symptoms of a variety of illnesses (acne, headaches, mood swings, etc.) Furthermore, birth control alleviates the pain and discomfort associated with heavy periods and hormonal fluctuations.
Although it may seem that once a woman becomes sexually active, she should begin using the pill or other hormonal birth control, this is not necessarily the case. The next article will look at when young women should start using birth control and how oral contraceptives, in particular, may benefit them.
Why take birth control?
To avoid unintended pregnancies, many women begin taking oral contraceptives. There are now 61 million women of reproductive age in the United States, which implies they are between the ages of 15 and 44. Seventy percent of these women are at risk of an unexpected pregnancy, which means they are sexually active but do not want to have a child. Women between the ages of 15 and 19 are the most likely to have an unwanted pregnancy.
Birth control tablets are a typical kind of contraception that may help you avoid becoming pregnant. Those with uteri may utilise this approach by taking a tablet once a day (with water!). The pill is quite successful in preventing pregnancy when taken as directed. Increased bone density and healthy cholesterol levels have been linked to the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which are contained in the combo tablet.
Despite the fact that many parents are concerned about their children's sexual behavior, having access to safe and effective birth control is critical since more than half of all teens are sexually active.
Male condoms have an 82 percent effectiveness rate, whereas the withdrawal technique has a 78 percent efficacy rate. The tablet, on the other hand, has a 91 percent efficacy rate. The pill is the only birth control technique that adolescent females have direct control over out of the three most common birth control methods used by teenagers.
When can a woman start birth control?
Many youngsters begin taking the pill at the age of sixteen. The majority of teenage women have formed a menstrual cycle by this age. Some kids are ready to start taking the pill at a younger age, but it's important to talk to a doctor first. Because women between the ages of 15 and 19 are more likely to get pregnant unexpectedly, starting birth control at 16 is a common choice.
Because the pill requires the user to follow a set of instructions or follow a set of routines while taking it, it's also necessary to examine the person's psychological maturity. The majority of the advantages of a drug are lost when it is not used appropriately. While forgetting one tablet may not seem like a huge problem, it's a good idea to develop a routine to minimise undue worry. It's acceptable to take the missed dose together with your next medication the next day. The progesterone-only tablet must be taken at the same time every day to prevent pregnancy.
Side effects of birth control
Teenagers get the same negative effects as adults with uteri while using birth control tablets. The primary distinction is that acne may be more prevalent in teens. As a result, if a youngster is prone to acne, progestin-only tablets should be avoided (POPs). Birth control, contrary to common opinion, is often used to treat acne and may be an effective acne treatment. As a side effect, the medication often produces enlarged or painful breasts. If this becomes a problem, you may always switch to a different kind of birth control with the advice of a doctor.
Conclusion
Forgetfulness is a risk with birth control tablets, despite the fact that they are the most often recommended hormonal contraception for teenagers. If parents or guardians are concerned that the pill is not the best choice for their adolescent, the patch, ring, shot, implant, or IUD may be considered. Birth control is essential in any instance to avoid unplanned pregnancy and increasing overall quality of life.
