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Your choices for a birth control method might be different from when you were a young adult than that of a woman who is older or who is married. It is important for you to know about birth control methods available today, even if you are not yet sexually active.

Contraception is a very important key to your sexual health and state of well being. 25% of women who have intercourse without using a method of birth control will become pregnant within one month and 85% will become pregnant within one year.

Choosing a birth control method is a very personal decision, but one you might want to discuss with your sexual partner. To choose which birth control method to use, consider how well each one will work for you. Here are some questions you may want to ask yourself:

• Does it protect you from sexually transmitted diseases?
• How will it fit into your lifestyle?
• How effective is it?
• How safe is it?
• Is it affordable?

Talk to your sexual partner or parent if you can. Remember, you can get a prescription for birth control without parental consent. You can also see a health care provider without anyone else knowing also. It’s your body and your privacy.