Every September 26th we celebrate World Contraception Day, a day dedicated to spreading education about contraceptives (also known as birth control). World Contraception Day started in 2007 as a result of several organizations—including the United Nations and the International Alliance of Women—wanting to build awareness about accessible birth control options. This year’s theme is “A choice for all—agency, intention, access.”
“Pregnancy should happen by choice not by chance,” states the United Nations Population Fund. People use contraception for purposes ranging from helping to prevent unintended pregnancy to relieving painful periods to treating painful acne. Whatever reason someone has for choosing to use contraception, there are different kinds available!
It’s important that teens are knowledgeable about these options and have the opportunity to figure out which type will work best for them. World Contraception Day is a day where efforts to inform, educate and learn about birth control are celebrated.
What Suits You?
Having the knowledge to make an educated decision about what is best for your body can lead to more comfort with your method. Each category of contraception has options. There are long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) like the intrauterine device (IUD), short-acting hormonal methods like the Pill and barrier methods like condoms (internal and external), among others.
Different forms of birth control work better for different people. Considerations include how to access the birth control—do you need a healthcare professional to insert it, can you get it over the counter, etc.? How often do you need to take it or have it replaced—every day, once a month, after a few years? For instance, the Pill needs to be taken at around the same time each day, while an IUD may be left in for several years (it can be removed by a healthcare provider as needed at any time).
Reminder that there is only one type of contraceptive which will prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs): a condom (note that while a dental dam prevents STIs, it’s not effective at preventing pregnancy).
Some of the Options
While the Pill and IUD may be more well-known forms of contraception, there are others. For example, ever hear of the shot, the implant, the patch or the ring? Read on!
The shot is an injection you get every three months and uses the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy by halting ovulation (when an egg is released). It also works by thickening cervical mucus so sperm cannot get through to fertilize an egg.
The implant is a small, flexible rod (about the size of a matchstick) placed into the upper arm by a healthcare provider. It releases progestin to prevent ovulation. It can work for up to three years before needing to be replaced.
There is also the patch, a small, skin-toned (there are a variety of tones to choose from) sticker which releases estrogen. The patch typically gets placed on the upper back or arm. For it to work properly, you must swap it out weekly at the designated time.
The ring is made of soft, flexible ethylene-vinyl acetate and contains estrogen. It gets inserted into the vagina each month (much like a tampon) and sits just below the cervix.
There are non-hormonal options, too. For instance, while some IUDs contain hormones, the copper IUD does not (copper is a natural sperm-repellant).
Check out this list for more details and options!
Invaluable
Having different choices is invaluable. Everybody deserves the opportunity to learn what works best for them and their body. For instance, as a person with a phobia of needles, I would probably opt for something besides the shot! However, this option might be preferable for a person who wants a “set it and forget it” contraceptive, where they don’t need to remember to take something on a regular basis.
Most people will find a contraceptive that works for them. Having the opportunity to choose lets teens have more say! As for preventing unintended pregnancy—while many teens are not having sex, those who do are entitled to learn about and choose from these options. Many young people also rely on contraception for reasons unrelated to sex and they deserve to know about these health care options as well.
Join us in celebrating World Contraception Day!
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