Medically reviewed by Sophia Yen, MD, MPH – Written by Pandia Health Editorial Team. Updated on Feb 16, 2021

Birth control pill packet in denim jean pants pocket

A brief history:

When the birth control pill became widely available to U.S. women in the 1970s, it revolutionized their lives. For the get-go time in history, the average woman had the freedom and ability to pursue higher education, earn more than money, and decide when she would become pregnant and how oftentimes. In addition to those benefits, the pill also created healthier pregnancy outcomes for both women and the children they chose to accept. Reproductive option has been shown to amend economic outcomes for children and adults akin.

While the nascency control pill is highly effective at protecting women confronting unintended pregnancies, it can also amend the symptoms of numerous health conditions (acne, headaches, mood swings, etc.) Not to mention, taking birth command reduces the pain and inconvenience of heavy periods and hormone fluctuations.

On the surface, it might seem like women should starting time the pill or other forms of hormonal birth control one time they become sexually active, but that's not necessarily the case. The following article will explore when it's safe to first taking nativity control and how young women tin can benefit from taking oral contraceptives in particular.

Why do women take birth control?

Many women beginning using oral contraceptives to forbid unintended pregnancy. Currently, at that place are 61 million U.S. women of reproductive age, significant they are between the ages of 15 and 44. 70% of those women are at risk of unintended pregnancy, meaning that they are sexually agile, but do not want to become meaning. The women who are at the highest gamble of unintended pregnancy are between the ages of 15 and 19.

Arguably, it is women in this age group who would experience the most disruption to their lives if they were to get pregnant unintentionally. Recent studies indicate that 42% of teens between the ages of 15 and nineteen have had sexual intercourse. 99% of those sexually active teens use some class of birth control. The most common forms are:

Male Condoms

A male condom is a "thin sheath placed over the erect penis." In addition to nascency control, condoms should exist used because they are the only class of birth command that will protect confronting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Withdrawal

Known as the "pull out" method, withdrawal contraception is when the penis is withdrawn from the vagina before ejaculation to forestall pregnancy. While this may seem similar an easy solution, it is less constructive than other methods.

The Pill

Birth control pills are a common method of contraception and help to foreclose pregnancy. Using this method, those with uteri accept a pill in one case per twenty-four hour period (make sure to take it with water!). When the pill is taken as prescribed, it is highly effective at preventing pregnancy. Estrogen and progesterone, the hormones in the combination pill, may also atomic number 82 to positive health outcomes such as improved bone density and increased levels of good cholesterol. Those who accept the pill also accept the option to make their #PeriodsOptional by skipping the carbohydrate pills at the terminate of each pack.

Many adults may be uncomfortable with teenage sexual activity, just when effectually one-half of all teens are sexually active, it's important that they accept access to safe and constructive birth control.

Male condoms take an effectiveness rate of 82%, and the withdrawal method has an effective rate of 78%. The pill, in dissimilarity, has an effectiveness rate of 91%. Out of these three birth control methods that teens are most likely to use, the pill is the but one that teenage girls have straight control over.

What is the youngest that a woman can start birth command?

Average age to showtime birth control

Historic period 16 is the about common age for teenagers to start taking the pill. At this age, most young women accept established a menstrual cycle. Some teenagers are ready to start the pill at a younger age, but it's crucial to discuss this with a doctor showtime.

Women who are between the ages of 15-19 are more at risk of unintended pregnancy, which is also why sixteen is a common age to start nativity command.

What factors should you consider before starting birth control?

Information technology'due south also important to consider the psychological maturity of the individual because the pill does require that the user sticks to a schedule or regimen when taking information technology. ot taking the pill correctly means the user loses most of its benefits. While missing one pill may not have a large effect, as taking the missed pill with your side by side pill on the following 24-hour interval is a condom method, it is a best practice to develop a routine to avoid unnecessary stress. On the other manus, the progesterone-but pill (a.k.a mini pill) must be taken at the same fourth dimension every day in order to protect against pregnancy.

Best birth command for teens

IUD or Implant

As the former saying goes, "prepare it and forget it." Teens have busy, chaotic lives so information technology may be difficult for them to retrieve to take their nativity command every day and at the same fourth dimension. With an IUD, you exercise not demand to worry about your nascence command for 3-10 years (information technology depends on the make you choose). Similarly, the implant only needs to be replaced every iii years

Condoms

Condoms are especially important in preventing unplanned pregnancy and the transmission of STIs. Teenagers who are sexually active should apply condoms to ensure skilful sexual health. Unlike an IUD, implant, or pill, nonetheless, this method of contraception does not provide health benefits such as helping with PCOS and making your #PeriodsOptional.

The Pill

Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills are a groovy choice to care for acne and painful, heavy periods. For maximum effectiveness, the pill should exist taken daily at the same fourth dimension. With 40 varieties of the birth control pill, if 1 does non work for you in that location are enough others to choose from, making the pill a smashing option for many women.

What are some of the side effects of the nascence control pill in teens?

The side effects of nascency control pills are the same for teenagers as they are for adults with uteri. The main divergence is that teenagers may be more affected by acne. For this reason, iIf a teenager is prone to acne, they should steer clear of progestin-simply pills (POPs). That said, birth command is actually used to help treat acne and can be a corking tool to clear upwards skin. Individuals who take the pill may also observe swollen or tender breasts. If this is something that becomes confusing, switching to a different course of birth control with the assistance of a dr. is always an pick.

How presently practise birth control side furnishings start?

Afterwards starting birth control, individuals may feel side effects such as headaches, nausea, sore breasts, and/or spotting (bleeding between periods). It typically takes 2-iii months for these side effects to get away and for your period to get more regulated.  If after a few months y'all still are experiencing side effects, speak with your md most whether you lot should switch nascence command methods. Thankfully, there are 40+ dissimilar types of the pill alone, so if ane method does not work for yous, you may demand to endeavour other options to observe your perfect fit.

What does birth command assist with?

seven% of birth control pill users take the pill strictly for medical reasons, and not to prevent pregnancy. A adult female does not accept to be sexually active to do good from the pill. She may exist prescribed nativity control to help with i or more of the following wellness weather condition:

Heavy, irregular periods

Teenagers are more probable to endure from heavy, irregular periods compared to older women. Astringent premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms can cause acne, cramping, and bloating that tin can make it difficult to go to schoolhouse or even complete daily activities. This can be painful, and emotionally sad for young girls. In addition, heavy haemorrhage tin can cause iron deficiency anemia. Teens are at a higher adventure of developing this disorder because their bodies use upward iron stores more chop-chop than adults. Furthermore, the pill may be benign, as it helps regulate hormone levels and decrease bleeding during periods.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that can cause heavy and irregular periods, excess pilus growth, weight gain, and insulin resistance. Symptoms typically kickoff in the teen years and can exist incredibly difficult to navigate. Individuals with PCOS may exist prescribed birth control to assist alleviate symptoms.

Acne

Hormonal swings related to the menstrual cycle tin make adolescent acne worse. This tin be painful, leave permanent scars, and crusade emotional distress. Teenage girls who regularly experience acne are frequently prescribed hormonal birth control to improve the status of their skin.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition that causes the cells of the uterine lining or endometrium, to begin growing outside of the uterus. These cells attach to the exterior of the uterus, and develop on the kidneys, float, ovaries, fallopian tubes, or intestines. If left untreated, endometriosis can cause excruciating pain, anemia, and potentially infertility or ovarian cancer equally a result of internal scarring. Nativity control pills tin be used to suppress the growth of endometrial cells and thus, protect women's fertility and overall health.

What'south the takeaway?

While nascency control pills are the most normally prescribed hormonal contraceptive for teens, forgetfulness may be a business organisation. If parents or guardians are worried that the pill is not the best method for their teenager they tin can consider the patch, band, shot, implant, or IUD. Regardless, it is important to annotation that birth control is beneficial for both preventing unplanned pregnancy and improving quality of life.

How can Pandia Health assist?

It's now easier than ever before to access safe and effective hormonal contraceptives. Pandia Health is leading the way with convenient nascency control commitment services for women who wish to start the pill, patch, or birth control ring. If you alive in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MI, NV, TX, TN, PA, WA, or WY you tin can sign up for an online consultation with one of our practiced doctors. You lot tin can likewise transfer current a birth control prescription to our pharmacy for FREE delivery right to your mailbox.

#SkipTheTrip to the pharmacy and gain a #PandiaPeaceOfMind in knowing that y'all volition never run out of birth command on our watch.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old do you have to be to get birth control in the Usa?

At that place is no age restriction for nascence control. If you tin can get meaning or get someone meaning, and so you should take access to birth control. There are sure states that may require parental notification or consent though well-nigh are exempt from that state law if you go to a title X Family unit Planning dispensary (funded by the US government).

When should you start birth control?

The nearly common age to outset taking birth control is sixteen, but some teenagers may take it fifty-fifty earlier. If y'all can become significant or get someone meaning, then y'all should have access to nascency command. Whenever you decide you may want to starting time taking birth control, consult a doctor, every bit they tin help you determine which method is all-time for you.

Should I take birth control?

If you are someone who is heterosexually sexually agile and wants to forbid unintended pregnancy, birth command is a corking option. Birth control also helps regulate irregular periods and manage PMS symptoms such as cramps, headaches, and acne.

What does birth control help with?

Birth command is a peachy fashion to prevent unintended pregnancy, make your #PeriodsOptional, and improve your overall quality of life every bit a woman of reproductive age. More than specifically, it can aid relieve symptoms of several health atmospheric condition including PCOS, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, and endometriosis.

Is nativity control worth information technology?

Yes, nascence control is worth information technology in making your life easier in terms of helping you prevent unintended pregnancy and other health bug. Talk with your doc to acquire which birth control method is all-time for you. The nascence control pill is generally $15/pack without insurance. Nether the Affordable Care Act whatsoever FDA approved birth control for those with uteri is bachelor to those with insurance for "free" = no copay, no deductible.

Should I put my daughter on "birth control" when she is not sexually active?

If your daughter is experiencing heavy or painful periods or severe PMS and/or is looking to make her life easier past making her #PeriodsOptional, then nativity control is a nifty option. Check out our CEO and co-founder Dr. Sophia Yen's TEDxBerkeley talk on the science and safety of #FewerPeriods Dr. Yen waiting two years after your FIRST period to start hormonal treatment. If you start birth control before this time, and then you may risk losing some of your concluding years of growth young women typically abound an actress one-ii inch after their first period.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this commodity intend to inform and induce conversation. They are the views of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Pandia Health. This article is not, nor is it intended to exist, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical communication.