Helping Young People Choose the Birth Control Method Right for Them: A Guide for Youth-Supporting Professionals

Birth control, also known as contraception, is a method or device used to prevent pregnancy. Choosing which birth control method to use is an extremely personal decision. No contraceptive method is the right choice for everyone, and what works best for one person
may not work as well for another. To make an informed choice, young people—who may have less experience using birth control and be less aware of their needs and preferences—require medically accurate information about the full range of birth control options. This is no less true for young people who are involved with the child welfare or justice systems, who are experiencing homelessness, and who are disconnected from work and school.

Activate developed this booklet to help youth-supporting professionals empower these young people to choose the birth control method that is right for them. Except where otherwise noted, we drew on information from several online sources, including Bedsider, Planned Parenthood, the Cleveland Clinic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration. The booklet addresses the following questions about 18 birth control methods:

• What is it?
• What type of method is it?
• What brands are available?
• Who can use it?
• How is it used?
• Can it be reused?
• How long does it last?
• Does it require an appointment with a health care provider?
• Does this method require a prescription?
• Does it prevent STIs?
• Can you get pregnant in the future if you use this method now?
• What percentage of users are likely to get pregnant within the first 12 months with typical use?
• What percentage of users are likely to get pregnant within the first 12 months with perfect use?
• What are some side effects of using this method?
• What are the potential benefits of using this method?
• What are the less common risks associated with using this method?
• Who should not use this method?

The booklet also includes some follow-up questions that youth-supporting professionals to ask young people who are considering a particular method of birth control as well as a glossary of key terms. The booklet is designed to be used in conjunction with the Helping Young People Choose the Birth Control Method Right for Them: A Guide for Youth Supporting Professionals, which youth-supporting professionals can use to guide young people’s contraceptive decision making.