Although IUDS and implants
are longer lasting and have a higher pregnancy prevention rate teenagers are
more willing to use temporary, less effective contraceptive methods such as
condoms and birth control pills. The articles, “Health Behavior News Service”
by Milly Dawson and “IUDS, Implants Best Birth Control, ACOG Says” by Charles
Bankhead address possible reasons concerning this issue.
One justification is that parents seem to prefer the temporary methods. Dawson states that parents are more willing to allow their daughters to use birth control pills and condoms rather than longer term, more effective contraception. Other studies show that the more accepting parents are of their teenager’s independence, the more open minded they are about using efficient, long lasting prevention. The parents most likely associate the long acting birth control with an ongoing sexual relationship and therefore prefer contraception to be short and temporary. They also could be concerned about the safety issues related to long acting methods.
According Bankhead, almost half of all teenagers from age fifteen to nineteen have had sex, and only 4.5% of women of that age group chose long-term contraception. It also mentions that, “teenagers account for 20% of all unintended pregnancies in the U.S.” He hints how alarming it is that so many teen pregnancies occur but could have been avoided. Again, the article notes that condoms and birth control pills are the most preferred methods of prevention although they are among the least effective. The article states, "With top-tier effectiveness, high rates of satisfaction, and no need for daily adherence, long-acting reversible contraceptive methods should be first-line recommendations for all women and adolescents.” It is obvious that he is in favor of increasing awareness of the less used forms of birth control and wants to educate the public. But why haven’t we all heard of this before? It is simply because some of the disadvantages are the high cost, the lack of availability and familiarity, and of course, the safety concerns.
Overall, the reasons for the most efficient form of contraception being the least used is parental influence, price, big safety issues and, most of all, the lack of knowledge on the subject.
One justification is that parents seem to prefer the temporary methods. Dawson states that parents are more willing to allow their daughters to use birth control pills and condoms rather than longer term, more effective contraception. Other studies show that the more accepting parents are of their teenager’s independence, the more open minded they are about using efficient, long lasting prevention. The parents most likely associate the long acting birth control with an ongoing sexual relationship and therefore prefer contraception to be short and temporary. They also could be concerned about the safety issues related to long acting methods.
According Bankhead, almost half of all teenagers from age fifteen to nineteen have had sex, and only 4.5% of women of that age group chose long-term contraception. It also mentions that, “teenagers account for 20% of all unintended pregnancies in the U.S.” He hints how alarming it is that so many teen pregnancies occur but could have been avoided. Again, the article notes that condoms and birth control pills are the most preferred methods of prevention although they are among the least effective. The article states, "With top-tier effectiveness, high rates of satisfaction, and no need for daily adherence, long-acting reversible contraceptive methods should be first-line recommendations for all women and adolescents.” It is obvious that he is in favor of increasing awareness of the less used forms of birth control and wants to educate the public. But why haven’t we all heard of this before? It is simply because some of the disadvantages are the high cost, the lack of availability and familiarity, and of course, the safety concerns.
Overall, the reasons for the most efficient form of contraception being the least used is parental influence, price, big safety issues and, most of all, the lack of knowledge on the subject.
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