Hickson, Kathryn: Teens and Contraception

                  Many parents of teenage girls are unsure about different forms of birth control. Most are open to the use of temporary forms such as condoms and birth control pills, but more long-lasting methods such as IUDs are still not considered by some teens. Studies show that long lasting forms of contraceptives account for less than 5% of all contraceptives used.

                  Condoms are easily attained for teen boys or girls. While they are one of the more easily accepted forms of birth control, they have a higher failure rate than other methods. Many teens either fail to use them or have defective ones. Birth control pills are more effective, but if used inconsistently, they have a much higher failure rate. If used correctly and consistently, birth control pills and condoms are effective, but have a much higher failure rate than other more long lasting birth control methods.

                  IUDs are one of the most effective forms of birth control. They are long lasting and do not need to be taken every day. The failure rate is extremely low for IUDs and they reduce the chance of unwanted pregnancy to less than one percent. However, many parents of teens are unsure about allowing their teens to obtain such a form of birth control. They fear that it will make it, “ok to have sex.” They think that teens may take advantage of being unable to get pregnant and end up getting an STD.

                  Eighty percent off all teen pregnancies are unintended. Twenty percent of the overall unintended pregnancies in the United States are to teens. IUDs reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, but it is still recommended that condoms be used to protect from STDs.  If IUDs reduce unwanted pregnancies, it may be a good idea to educate parents on the use of IUDs so that more teens have access to them earlier, possibly reducing unwanted pregnancies even more.