The Pros And Cons Of Birth Control

Although the sex talk is often a scary conversation for parents and for teenagers, one cannot avoid the facts - like the average first time to have sex is during the age of 17 (Guttmacher Institute). With that being said, only 49% of teenagers have discussed with their parents different forms of birth control (Advocates for Youth). There are several different forms of birth control that millions do not participate in, and several people don’t even know about. Contraception and birth control have come a long way in history to the point of legalization, but it is now the time for it to be socially permitted throughout society. There are too many barriers for women to be knowledgeable and introduced to birth control.
History of birth control leads back to 3000 B.C (Our Bodies Ourselves). Most birth control revolved around condoms until much later. Other forms were explored due to most

prevention, like condoms, failing. For example, Egyptian women would use a concoction of cotton, dates, honey and acacia as a form of birth control during ancient times; it was later discovered that fermented acacia has a spermicidal effect, which means acacia has the ability to destroy sperm (Nikolchev). In 1914, the devoted activist Margaret Sanger adopted the term ‘birth control’ and began her journey to educating women. “…arrested in 1916 for opening the first birth control clinic in the country, Sanger would not be deterred. In 1921 she founded the American Birth Control League, the precursor to the Planned Parenthood Federation…” (PBS Online). In 1950, Sanger wrote the research for the first birth control pill and personally raised approximately $150,000 for the birth control pill project. In 1957, the FDA approved the birth control pill for several menstrual disorders. Three years later in 1960, the pill was federally approved for contraceptive use. By 1964, eight states still claimed the use of birth control illegal. It wasn’t until 1972, through the Baird v Eisendstadt case, that birth control was legalized for every state. (Our Bodies Ourselves). While the birth control bill is one of the most controversial means of contraception, it is by no means the only form of birth control.
Although the birth control pill was revolutionary, many other alternatives for contraception have been introduced before and after its introduction. Throughout 1844 through 1873, vaginal sponges and male caps were introduced as forms of birth control. Vaginal sponges and male caps are similar variations of a female condom. In 1976, the U.S Federal Drug Associate (FDA) approved the T-shaped IUD (DeNoon). In 1992, the U.S FDA approved the Depo-Provera, widely known as the birth control shot. After the NuvaRing was approved in several European countries, the United States FDA approved the NuvaRing during October 2001 (Muir, Allen, Et Al). Birth control has consistently introduced different methods, yet most young adults are still not aware of them. Despite the tremendous amounts of research and approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the birth control industry has not been able to reach its maximum potential.
Birth control comes in several different forms. Oral contraceptives, widely known as birth control pills, are usually the cheapest option ranging from $0 to $50 a month. When on the pill, it is taken every single day for three weeks, then sugar pills are proceed on the next seven days. Another form of birth control is DMPA by Depo-Provera, which is a birth control shot. The first visit can cost up to $250 and then, after the first visit, approximately up to $150 a visit. DMPA is an injection of progestin and lasts up to three months. There are several other options such as Ortho Evra, Today Sponge, NuvaRing, Fem Cap, and even more. Birth control usually contains two hormones known as estrogen and progestin. The hormones, estrogen and progestin, keep the eggs from leaving the ovaries and also make cervical mucus thicker preventing sperm from ever getting to the eggs (Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc.). Birth control is considered a form of prevention, and, as the Chinese proverb goes, “prevention is better than cure”. In this case, birth control is the prevention, while abortions or having a child when not prepared would be the ‘cure’.
One of the barriers to widespread use of birth control is religious opposition. While the Obama administration has recently required catholic hospitals and religious institutions to provide birth control and other forms of contraception, many politicians are against birth control and have been challenging this medical reform. John Boehner, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, stands against birth control. In 2012, Boehner supported reversing the requirement of faith-based employers to provide contraceptive coverage. “In a rare floor speech, the Ohio Republican, who is Catholic and was one of 12 children, called the contraceptives rule an ‘unambiguous attack on religious freedom in our country’ and accused the Obama administration of violating the First Amendment’s freedom of religion.” (Min, Zapler). Boehner’s religious beliefs influence his decision-making, thus impacting the access of birth control education.
Sexual intercourse is an adult activity that should be thoroughly thought out.

Once teens and young adults take part in sexual intercourse, they should be able to access birth control as their personal choice, and having a shared healthcare with parents is preventing that. In 2011, 6.6 million young adults took part in their parent’s health plan (The Commonwealth Fund). Teenagers aren’t able to discuss the sex topic with their parents. 88% of teenagers are worried about their parents’ reaction about talking about sexual health issues (Advocates for Youth). Teens and adults can purchase birth control at clinics, but there are still so many barriers to make a smart choice. For example, birth control pills are the cheapest forms of birth control, though several admit accessing birth control is difficult. “55% of 18-34 year olds say they’ve struggled with the cost of prescription birth control” (Bedsider). With 6.6 million young adults taking part in their parents plan, the lack of communication from the government to society to parents to their children is hindering young

adults.
There are approximately 62 million women in their childbearing years (15 years old to 44 years old). “About 43 million of them (approximately 70%) are at risk of unintended pregnancy—that is, they are sexually active and do not want to become pregnant, but could become pregnant if they and their partners fail to use a contraceptive method correctly and consistently” (Guttmacher Institute). Of the 3.1 million unintended pregnancies that occur each year, 54% of them are due to the nonuse of contraceptives and 41% due to inconsistent use, only leaving 5% of unintended pregnancies due to consistent use of contraceptives, such as birth control pills. Several women are making mistakes because they aren’t well informed about other forms of contraceptives and birth control due to the lack of promotion. If the use of other contraceptive devices and birth control were used, there wouldn’t nearly be as many unintended pregnancies.
There are several popular arguments promoted by those who do not believe in birth control. People often say that birth control is often known as wrong and immoral. Some even perceive birth control as unnatural and a form of abortion. By definition, though, abortion is “the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or, closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus…” (Merriam-Webster, Incorporated). It was concluded that birth control is a form of prevention, not abortion. There has been extensive research on birth control, but several still believe birth control carries health risks and depopulation. Others suggest that society should keep contraceptives traditional with the usage of condoms. The challenge with condoms is that they are becoming increasingly unpopular, and less effective. “Condom use…decreased by almost one-half among women aged 15–19 years—from 36% of teenagers in 1995 to 20% of teenagers in 2006–2010” (6 Jones, Mosher, Daniels). The male condom is 98% effective but the typical use of the condom leads to a method failure rate of 18%. There are alternatives to birth control, but the different kinds of birth control should be acknowledged and communicated to women.
By approving birth control in society and eliminating barriers, it gives women opportunities to make educated decisions that positively impact society, and eclipses previous negative notions. Many women are not using any form of contraception or birth control, leading to unwanted pregnancies, abortions, and sexually transmitted infections. The majority of women who are sexually active do not have any intentions of having children. Birth control is a safe and smart way to avoid pregnancy. Starting off as a $150,000 research project for the birth control pill in 1950, forms of contraception have been thoroughly researched and invested upon since then. The US Food and Drug Administration have already approved every single form of contraception or birth control that can be prescribed. Despite some personal opinions on birth control, it is a safe method of prevention that should discussed. Overall, birth control and contraceptives could form a healthier, safer and more empowering society.