Written by Lauren Young
Some may have heard of the phrase being “on the pill” which means that a woman is taking a contraceptive pill, one of many forms of birth control available. For adolescent women, birth control can be used to regulate periods, relieve cramps, reduce acne, ease dysmenorrhea, and other various reasons. However, as the name states, birth control is primarily used to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Approximately 20 birth control methods exist, such as an implant, shot, vaginal ring, and patch [1].
Two popular forms require an implant or shot. The progesterone-containing implant is a tiny rod inserted into the upper arm that can protect against pregnancy for up to three years. It can have long-lasting effects without sterilization and does not require a daily routine to be taken. This form is more suitable for women who cannot use estrogen or those who are breastfeeding. By using the shot, progestin is injected and is effective for nearly three months. This method is immediately effective if it is injected within the first 7 days of your period. Both the implant and the shot have a 99% effectiveness, but can cause side effects like irregular bleeding for the first six to twelve months. Other less common side effects could be a shift in sex drive, weight gain, depression, or change in appetite.
The last three methods involve the patch, the vaginal ring, and the well-known pill. A popular form of the patch, Ortho Evra, is applied to the back, upper arm, stomach, or buttocks once a week for three weeks and a patchless week on the fourth. The patch can assist with irregular periods, headaches, and bone thinning. The vaginal ring is also inserted once a month for three weeks and taken out in the fourth week. It can result in lighter periods and even protect against cysts and ovaries in breasts. Lastly, the pill is an oral contraceptive, composed of estrogen and progestin that’s taken daily. The progestin creates thicker cervical mucus, thus preventing the sperm from reaching the eggs [2]. In the packet of 28 days, the last 7 pills for the last week of the month are taken as a reminder but contain no actual hormones. They all have a 99% effectiveness rate with correct usage and have similar side effects such as vomiting, nausea, and tender breasts, but can also include yellowing of the skin, chest and abdomen pain, and trouble breathing depending on the method.
To assess the appropriate form of birth control for you, talk with your doctor. If birth control cannot be accessed through insurance, Planned Parenthood is another alternative available that requires only a $15 clinic visit fee and can provide pills for a year for as low as $9 a month. Birth control may be a highly effective way to prevent pregnancies or even relieve period symptoms, but there are potential side effects that can affect mental and physical states. Talk to a healthcare professional to find a personalized option that works the best for you.
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