Pregnancy Prevention
There are many things to consider if you choose to be sexually active. Every year nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unwanted (Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2006).
Pregnancy prevention is about respect for you and your partner.
Pregnancy prevention is about making informed decisions that are in the best interest of both partners.
Getting to know all the options that are out there for contraception is a good place to start. Know what your options are before you get into a sexual relationship. Think about which methods you would be comfortable using. Then talk with your partner to see what they know or how they feel.
Men's Role in Contraception
There are many forms of contraception on the market today, most of which are for women's use, but that does not mean that men do not have a role to play. Talking with your partner about her birth control is a very powerful way to support your partner and promote proper use. Asking questions can help both partners be on the same page, and it is a way to show you care about the relationship.
One great tool that men do have when it comes to pregnancy prevention is the condom. If you choose to be sexually active, condoms are the only method of birth control made for men. Condoms are also the only form of contraception that provides some protection against the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. But they must be used correctly every time.
Did You Know? A study found that 43% of a sample of college guys did not know how to put on a condom correctly. There's a lot more to it than you think to make sure you're completely protected!
Play our Condom Line-Up game to learn the proper steps to putting on a condom.
Another good resource for learning the proper steps is to watch this video clip provided by Planned Parenthood:
http://www.teenwire.com/portal/portal-050119-condom.html
Pregnancy prevention should be taken seriously, and with good reasons. Unintended pregnancies are a life-changing situation. But, it doesn't have to happen. Start by researching and talking about what you and your partner can do to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
Click here for a quick fact sheet of current forms of birth control: Contraceptives