I do not actually have personal feelings on this topic. As an AI system, my role is to discuss issues factually and summarize information objectively.

1. Birth Control
By: Ashley Charest

2. Definition of Birth Control
 Birthcontrol: Birth control is the use of any
practices, methods, or devices to prevent
pregnancy from occurring in a sexually
active woman.(Medicine net.com)

3. Different Kinds of Birth Control
 1. Oral contraception – The pill
 Advantages – more regular and less painful periods. Easy to
use, does not interrupt spontaneity. Reduces incidence of
ovarian cyst and fibrocystic breast changes. May relieve
premenstrual syndrome. Protects against uterine and
ovarian cancers. May reduce acne.
 Disadvantages – Does not protect against STD, must be
taken daily, sometimes difficult to remember. Can have
unpleasant side effects. Raises risk of heart attack and
stroke in some women. Requires a prescription. May cause
depression. (Our Body, Ourselves, 2005)

4. Diaphram
 Advantages – can be inserted up to 6 hrs before sex. May help you
know your body better. Does not affect menstrual cycles. Provide
prevention against most reproductive tract infections. Can be
used during menstruation to contain flow during intercourse. Has
minimal side effects.
 Disadvantages – Does not provide as much protection against HIV
as condoms. May interrupt spontaneity. Requires a fitting at a
clinic. Needs occasional refitting. May increase risk of bladder
infections and can be messy.
 (Our Bodies, Ourselves, 2005)

5. Contraceptive Patch
 Advantages – these are the same for The
pill.
 Disadvantages – these are the same as
the pill.

6. Vaginal Ring
 Advantages – easy to use, safe and
convenient. Can be worn for 3 weeks. Private,
no visable patches or pill packets. Provides
protection from pregnancy one pill at a time.
Does not interrupt spontaneity.
 Disadvantages - does not protect against
STI’s including HIV. Slightly raised risk of heart
attack and stroke for some women. Requires
a prescription.

7. Depo Provera
 Advantages – Private, Does not require regular
supplies or attention. Affective after 24 hrs. Does
not interrupt sexual spontaneity. Has no estrogen.
May decrease risk for uterine and ovarian cancers.
 Disadvantages – does not protect against STI’s
including HIV. Requires injections every 3 months.
Delay of return to fertility. Possible weight gain.
Possible irregular bleeding or no menstrual
bleeding at all. If side effects occur they can last
a long time. (Our bodies, Ourselves, 2005)

8. IUD
 Advantages – immediately effective. No
thought about contraception as long as it is in
place. Effective for 5 to 10 years. Does not
interrupt spontaneity.
 Disadvantages – Does not protect against STI,
including HIV. Insertion and removal require
clinic visits. Can be expelled. Can cause
heavier than normal menstrual periods.

9. Why Women Resist Using Birth
Control
 1. Embarrassed or ashamed of own
sexuality.
 2. Unrealistically romantic about sex..
 (It has to be passionate and spontaneous.)
 3. Don’t want to inconvenience partner
 4. Denial that pregnancy can happen “to
me”.
 5. Feel tempted to become pregnant to
prove we are fertile.


10. Myths or Reality
 Teenages who participate in sex education
classes are more like to have sex.
 Myth - With the knowledge of birth control
less pregnancy and STIs
 If I miss a period while on the Pill, it doesn’t
necessarily mean I am pregnant.
 Reality – It is not uncommon to miss a period
while on birth control pills.

11. Areas Which I disagreed
 Over the past 150 years woman tried to move forward with birth
control and each attempt had a backlash from conservatives.
 1870 – Birth control branded “race suicide”
 1930 – After WW II woman put back into home and fostered Baby
Boomers.
 1960’s – new rise in feminism – defining birth control as a
reproductive right and motherhood as a choice.
 I feel that birth control is a choice of each individual woman, not
men. I feel men have no right to tell us what to do with our bodies.

12. QUOTE
 “Although many teens think that parents
must give consent in order for teens to
obtain contraceptives, this is not true”.
 This jumped out at me, because I hope
that teenagers, even when they feel they
can’t talk to their moms, reach out to
teachers, guidance counselors, physicians
for guidance.

13. Discussion Question
 How would you feel if you had a child
who was 14 years old and she wanted to
start birth control?