Prevention
How can we prevent this?
The most simple and effective answer to this question is abstinence. Avoid situations where you feel you may be tempted or pressured into sexual activity. No contact is the only method of prevention that is 100% effective. And with abstinence, you won't get STI's either! How exciting!
That being said, realistically, humans want to reproduce. It's natural, but if you are tempted and going to engage in sexual activity, be safe about it. Many methods of birth control are available.
The United States teen pregnancy rate is at its lowest currently. The quality of life for teen mothers can be improved by giving them flexible options to be a mom, while also accomplishing their goals and maintaining an education or career. Teenage pregnancies are also prevented by education about safe sex, and easy access to birth control.
Barriers
Barrier methods are physical covers in forms of condoms (both female and male) and diaphragms.
Condoms, when used correctly are 98% effective. Spermicide is a gel that will kill sperm cells when placed near the cervix. On their own, because humans make errors, condoms are around 85% effective according to plannedparenthood.org. However, with the addition of spermicide, the percentage of pregnancy may be greatly reduced.
These methods also block sexually transmitted infections. They can be found at drugstores and at various other locations. Planned Parenthood can inform you about all the types of birth control, and give you access to some of them.
Hormonal
Hormonal birth control comes in three common forms. Hormonal contraceptives alone do not prevent STI's.
The pill. There are many brands of oral contraceptives. Commonly found in the United States are: Ortho Tri-Cyclen (tri-sprintec and tri-previfem), Loestrin FE 1/20 (junel FE 1/20), Nor-Qd (camila and norethindrone), and Desogen (apri). These vary in price. The pill is 91% effective on its own, and even more effective with a condom or other barrier method.
The patch. It is also called a birth control patch and a common brand name is Xulane. It normally looks like a square bandage.
The implant. On its own, it is 99% effective. It works by being inserted into the bicep/tricep area and remaining there under the skin. An advantage of this method is that it can last up to 4 years. A common brand is Nexplanon. It is still crucial to use this method along side a barrier for STI prevention.
Less common is the shot which works for 3 months. It is an injection.
IUD
IUD stands for Intrauterine Device. There are two types: copper and plastic. Copper IUDs do not have hormones, but the plastic types do. They can work for a very long time to prevent pregnancy. Again, they do not protect from STIs.
According to plannedparenthood.org, IUDs can also be used as emergency contraception. Another type is the morning-after pill, commonly referred to as Plan-B, but that is a brand name.
They are more than 99% effective. With them, there is less chance for error because you cannot forget to take it; it is internal, and will not come out without the help of a doctor.
Sterilization
For teenagers, this really is not an option but for the future, it may something to consider.
Vasectomies and tubal ligation are almost 100% effective. However, our bodies are amazing and make exceptions sometimes, or surgeons can make errors.
These methods are considered permanent. So, during your adult years, make sure that you are not going to want kids if you are considering this method.
And finally, abstinence, again!
Abstinence can be hard and seem useless because many think that pregnancy will not happen to them. It's more common than you may think. Not only does abstaining in sexual activity keep you from getting pregnant, but also keeps you from contracting STI's/STD's, some of which are incurable and life-lasting.
STIs/STDs
These infections are not only inconvenient, but can make you sicker with time. One major example is HIV, which diminishes the body's ability to fight off infections and illnesses. White blood cells target infection, and HIV targets these cells. These are also known as macrophages, and their main purpose is to kill the invading cells. We stay healthy when the entire immune response system is balanced and the B cells, T cells, macrophages, and antigens are performing correctly. We get sick when our immune system is damaged and imbalanced, and communication between cells is impaired, so the virus or bacteria outnumbers the good cells and takes longer to fight off.