Inside: “Cause and Effect” of Birth Control: What Adolescents Must Know. Collaborative post.
Birth control is the use of medicines, devices, or surgery to prevent conception. According to MedlinePlus, some birth control options are reversible while others are permanent.
Certain birth control methods may even prevent sexually transmitted infections or STIs. Do adolescents use contraceptives? Yes and no depending on the degree of awareness.
In a recent report, 28.9% of sexually active female adolescents reported they did not use any contraception. Out of these, 10.2% were eligible for emergency contraception although just 5.6% actually received it.
Now, there are certain things that teens need to be made aware of when it comes to birth control. In this article, we will discuss the universal law of cause and effect that functions behind control. Teens need to understand it to make an informed choice.
Effectiveness of Birth Control Options
Essentially, there are two types of birth control options to choose from, hormonal and non-hormonal. While the former work by altering a person’s natural hormones, the latter prevent pregnancy without causing any alterations.
Examples of non-hormonal birth control methods include abstinence, withdrawal, condoms, and fertility awareness (calendar method). Hormonal birth control options would include contraceptive pills and injections.
In general, hormonal birth control options are said to be more effective than non-hormonal counterparts. They are also easier to use and understand. For instance, an implant may stay effective for many years.
Non-hormonal methods tend to be a bit more complicated as they require daily monitoring of fertility signs, including basal body temperature and cervical mucus. Plus, they are largely vulnerable to human errors.
Furthermore, hormonal birth control options may help manage menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding. In some teens, they help clear the appearance of acne. As a result, many adolescents use these options primarily to regulate their menstrual cycle or manage acne.
Side Effects
On one end of the spectrum lies the effectiveness of birth control options. On the other hand, teens must inform themselves of any side effects.
In this regard, non-hormonal birth control options win. They generally carry fewer side effects or risks. The worst that may happen with these methods is pregnancy.
Does that sound horrific? It may be but this pales in comparison to the risks that some hormonal birth control options carry. Let’s use the examples of contraceptive pills and injections.
Birth Control Pills
For many teens, remembering to take a birth control pill every day can be a major hassle. However, that is the least of the problems this contraceptive option is capable of.
Medical News Today talks about 10 possible side effects associated with the pill. These include –
- Breakthrough bleeding between periods
- Breast tenderness
- Nausea
- Weight gain
- Mood swings
- Migraines and headaches
- Vaginal discharge
- Blurry vision or dry eyes
- Decreased libido
In terms of long-term health issues, there is the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and breast or cervical cancer.
Injectable Contraceptives
This type of birth control involves injecting the hormone progesterone through the upper arm or buttocks every few weeks. These injections may be effective but they also carry the risk of some of the above side effects.
For instance, they may lead to rapid mood changes, weight gain, and pain or discomfort at the injection site. Some may cause worse problems, as is the case with Depo Provera.
It is a contraceptive that is administered every 12 or 14 weeks via an injection on the upper arm or buttocks. Its risks have outweighed its effectiveness as many women suffered serious complications.
According to TorHoerman Law, the most concerning side effect related to this medication has been meningioma. It is a brain tumor that develops in the membranes surrounding the brain.
Affected women have filed the Depo-Provera lawsuit against the manufacturer, Pfizer. This litigation is expected to grow speedily given the vast number of women who have used the contraceptive. Attorneys are accepting tens and hundreds of cases every month.
Besides brain tumors, other side effects include weight gain, mood changes, menstrual irregularities, difficulty breathing, and allergic reactions.
Interference
There are various ways in which birth control options can interfere with health. Let’s look at two major forms this may take –
Menstrual Cycle
A lot of teens use birth control options not just to prevent pregnancy but also to manage their menstrual cycle. This is not entirely ineffective because hormonal birth control can regulate menstrual cycle in the following ways –
- Stop excessive bleeding
- Relief from frequent and painful menstrual cramps
- Managing PMS symptoms
- Reducing the appearance of acne
- Taking care of migraine headaches that are hormone-related
However, the risks outweigh the benefits. This means birth control methods interfere with the menstrual cycle as well in the following ways –
- Changing the length of the period, either making it shorter or longer
- Altering the flow by making it lighter or heavier
- Making the period pain more painful
- Spotting or bleeding in between periods
- Irregularities in bleeding
- Partial or complete suppression of the menstrual cycle
Medications
Another area where birth control methods can interfere is medications. This may happen in the following ways –
- Slowing down the metabolism of certain drugs, which may reduce their effectiveness
- In turn, some medications can speed up the metabolism of birth control. This will also reduce the effectiveness of birth control.
- Hormonal birth control can interact with certain medications in a way that leads to unintended pregnancy.
According to Statista, nearly 23% of female teenagers in the US used the birth control pill in 2023. A similar percentage even used the withdrawal method to prevent pregnancy.
Though teens can use birth control, it’s important to increase awareness about what’s safe and what’s not. Without the right information, it’s difficult to promote safety through contraception.