November 18 is Thanks, Birth Control Day, when people and organizations share why birth control is important. At Fact Not Fiction, we believe that everyone should know what methods of birth control exist, how to make the best choices about it, and how to get a prescription.
In a survey by Power to Decide, 88% of respondents aged 18-34 think everyone in the U.S. deserves access to the full range of birth control methods, no matter where they live, or what their economic status is.
What are the benefits of birth control?
99% of US women have used birth control. It allows people to plan for a family on their own terms and gives them the power to decide their own futures, and it lets people pursue their goals and live life without the risk of pregnancy.
Here are just a few of the other benefits of being on birth control:
- Reduces menstrual cramps and lightens periods
- Makes periods easy to predict
- Can lessen hormonal acne
- Reduces your risk of ovarian cysts
- Can reduce your risk of anemia
[Source: Healthline]
How many types of birth control are available?
Choosing which birth control method is best for you can be difficult–there are so many options available. Talk to your doctor and listen to your body to see what works best for you!
- Condoms
- The Pill
- IUD
- The Shot
- Implant
- The Patch
These are just a few of the common methods of birth control. See the full list of methods and learn specifics about each type on our website.
How do I get a prescription for birth control in Mississippi?
You need a prescription for birth control pills, and you can get a prescription from a doctor or nurse at a doctor’s office or health clinic. Visit our clinic finder to locate a clinic near you, or check out our blog about telehealth options.
Federal law allows for women to seek services for family planning and testing for sexually transmitted infections if they are 13 years or older. The problem for young women is that if they do not want their parents to know that they are sexually active, your insurance will send home an explanation of benefits that will tell the parent that their daughter was seen in the clinic. The parent may ask their child why they went to the clinic, so if there is not good communication between the adults and the child, things could get messy!
Talking about birth control with your parent/guardian
Talking about birth control may seem scary, but using birth control is mature and responsible–and so is talking with your parents about it. While sharing with your parents is encouraged, it’s okay if you want to keep some stuff private. They may ask you if you’re having sex and you should be honest with them if you can. It’s their job to help you stay safe and happy, which is why they want to know details about your life.
If you feel like you can’t tell your parents you’re having sex, you can say, “I want to go on birth control, just to be safe.” You could also talk about the other benefits of birth control. Some forms of birth control help with things like lighter periods or clearing up acne.
If your parents get upset, tell them that you know they care about you and you trust their advice, so that’s why you came to them. You can also admit that this isn’t the easiest talk to have. Remind them that protecting yourself against STDs and pregnancy is really important. For more frequently asked questions about sex and control, see our Ask the Expert page.
As for parents, you should be comfortable talking to your children openly about sex and anatomy. This helpful blog post is for parents, high schoolers, and young adults and focuses on sexual violence and why you should be able to have open conversations.
At Fact Not Fiction, we want everyone to have the right information, regardless of your age, gender, sexuality, or whether or not you’re sexually active. Whatever you do, with whomever, don’t do it in the dark. And ALWAYS make sure it’s done with consent.
