More Teens Use Long-Term Birth Control Option; 5 Important Facts on Contraceptives

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An increasing number of teens in the United States are using long-term forms of contraceptive methods, according to the statistics from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Usage of the types of birth control methods vary by state but according to Newsmaine, the most effective type of contraceptive, known as long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), remains to have low usage. Most teenagers are allegedly unaware of LARC even though it is highly endorsed by The American Academy of Pediatricians and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Unlike condoms or birth control pills, LARC methods are long-term, more convenient, and do not require frequent patient compliance. According to a Fox News report, the CDC said that LARC users have less than one percent chance to get pregnant compared to the nine percent risk for those who use birth control pills, and 18 percent for those who use condoms.

"Health care professionals have a powerful role to play in reducing teen pregnancy. They can encourage teens not to have sex, and discuss the use of IUDs and implants as contraceptive options available to teens who choose to be sexually active," said Ileana Arias, principal deputy director at the CDC, according to the Fox News article. "We need to remove barriers and increase awareness, access and availability of these methods for teens," Arias added.

"Removing barriers to LARC by educating providers that LARC is medically safe for teens, training providers on LARC insertion and a client-centered counseling approach that includes discussing the most effective contraceptive methods first, and providing contraception at reduced or no cost to the client, can increase the array of options available to teens and may contribute to the continuing declines in teen pregnancy in the United States," according to the uncited report by Fox News.

5 Important Facts on Contraceptives

1.) In the United States, teen births have declined in the last couple of years. Nearly 90 percent used birth control - mainly condoms and birth control pills - every time they had intercourse, according to the available data published on the CDC website.

2.) LARC is a proven safe and effective birth control for teenagers. It can prevent pregnancy for 3 - 10 years and have a less than one percent chance of failing during the first year of use.

3.) LARC cannot protect against sexually transmitted diseases, so the CDC recommends that it should be used with condoms.

4.) Title X is a federal grant program that funds family planning centers to be trained in the insertion and removal of intrauterine devices (IUDs) including LARC for teens at minimum to no cost.

5.) There are currently 25 states in the Unites States that grant Medicaid coverage on family planning services on the basis of income. In 20 states, this includes individuals aged 19 years and above.