There comes a time when almost any teenage girl thinks about going on the birth control pill. Whether your friends are on it or you simply want to try it out, it is likely that you will give thought to going on the pill. Are you ready for the birth control pill, however? Here are some of the different factors that you will want to take into consideration when trying to determine if you are ready for the birth control pill or not.
Why Do You Want to Go on the Birth Control Pill?
Before trying to determine if you are ready for the birth control pill, it is important to consider why you want to go on it. Is it because you are sexually active? Do you have irregular menstrual cycles? Are side effects related to menstruation, like mood swings, bloating and acne, bothering you? These are all very good reasons to think about going on the birth control pill.
Will You Remember to Take the Pill Every Day?
One of the main keys to be reading for the birth control pill is being responsible enough to remember to take it every day. Missing even one birth control pill can result in pregnancy or it may cause your periods to become even more irregular. If do not think that you will be able to remember to take the pill, you may want to talk to your doctor about other options, such as the birth control patch or shot.
How Do Your Parents Feel About You Going on the Pill?
It is a good idea to talk to your mom, dad, or other guardian about going on the birth control pill. If they are agreeable to taking you to the gynecologist for your first appointment and walking through the process, it will make it go a lot easier for you. Keep in mind that there are ways to obtain birth control without a parent’s consent, however. Going to Planned Parenthood is one of the options for girls who do not want their parents to find out that they are going on birth control or sexually active. Although you may not want to do something behind your parent’s back, it is better to prevent pregnancy if you do choose to become sexually active.
Is the Birth Control Pill Going to Be Affordable For You?
The expense of birth control is another factor you will need to take into consideration. The type of insurance that you have is going to determine how much money you will be paying for birth control. If your parent does not offer to pay for your birth control, you are going to need to find a way to pay for it yourself, whether you do so with savings or an after school job. If you go to Planned Parenthood, you may be able to get samples of the birth control pill for free and general sexual health advice.
These are just a few of the different factors that teenagers thinking about going on birth control should be sure to think about. Remember that if you do become sexually active in a relationship, it is important to take preventative measures to ensure that you do not become pregnant. While you will want to consider all of these important factors, it is likely that you will have a good idea of when you are really ready to go on the birth control pill.
