The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends IUDs or hormonal implants as the best birth control for girls, according to the Miami Herald.
The Miami Herald notes that both types of contraception are more invasive and expensive than birth control pills, requiring a doctor to put them in place, which may explain why pills are still the most popular form of contraception in the U.S.
But birth control pills are sometimes only 91 percent effective. They often must be taken at the very same time every day to be most potent, and teenage girls may forget them.
Birth control pills are also the subject of health concerns, because they carry an increased risk of blood clots. While all birth control pills can increase the risk of clots, a number of studies indicate that pills with the artificial hormone drospirenone can increase that risk up to three times compared to other oral contraceptives on the market.
Pills with the drospirenone include Yasmin, Yaz, Beyaz and Ocella.
Although IUDs and implants carry risks, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ recently updated guidance for teens states that IUDs and implants are safe and nearly 100 percent effective at preventing pregnancy, and should be “first-line recommendations.”
The organization’s previous guidelines from 2007 also encouraged the use of IUDs and implants among teenagers, but the new guidelines go further. Now they say physicians should discuss the two types of birth control with sexually active teens at every doctor visit.
The College also emphasized that condoms should still be used at all times because no other birth control method protects against AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
According to the article, a government survey found 43 percent of girls ages 15 to 19 have had sex. Most are using some kind of effective birth control, but only about 5 percent use the long-lasting devices.
Patients should consult their doctors before making any changes in their medication. A consultation with a Beyaz lawyer is also important if there are significant injuries while on Beyaz or similar birth control pills.
See the story here:
https://www.miamiherald.com/2012/09/20/3012556/iuds-implants-urged-for-teen-girls.html
