• Are there many different methods of contraception?
  Yes. Contraceptives work by preventing a man's sperm from fertilizing a woman's egg, and this can be done in several different ways. There are two main types of contraception: barrier methods and hormonal methods. Barrier methods physically prevent sperm from reaching the uterus and fertilizing the woman's egg. Hormonal methods, on the other hand, alter a woman's hormonal cycle to prevent fertilization. These are the two types of contraception that are generally used by teenagers.
• How do you know which one to choose?
  Different methods of contraception have their individual advantages and disadvantages. There's no single ‘best' method of contraception, so you will probably want to consult with a doctor or another trusted adult about your specific needs and concerns before deciding which to use. Whatever your situation, there should be an option that works for you. For many people, barrier methods of contraception are best, because they not only help prevent pregnancy, but also prevent against HIV and other STDs. Some prefer hormonal methods because they are extremely effective in providing protection against pregnancy -- but they provide no protection at all against STDs. For very good protection against both pregnancy and STDs, a hormonal method should be used at the same time as the male condom.
• Where do you get contraceptives from?
  It depends which type you're looking for. Some barrier methods, such as condoms, are widely available from pharmacies and other stores. They're also available from many healthcare providers. Other barrier methods are only available from doctors and all hormonal methods of contraception are only available by prescription from doctors.

• Many teens who have sex either don't use contraception at all or use it inconsistently. Nearly one-third of teen girls used no contraception the last time they had sex.
  
• Teens are much more likely to have unplanned and unprotected sex when they are using alcohol or drugs. You know drugs and alcohol change your perspective and that they can cause you to make really bad decisions about sex. Using alcohol, cigarettes, and/or illicit drugs significantly increases the likelihood that boys and girls will begin having sexual intercourse before age 16. And teens 15 and older who drink are seven times likelier to have sexual intercourse and twice as likely to have it with four or more partners than non-drinking teens. More than one-half of teens (53%) say the main reason teens do not use protection is because of drinking or using drugs.
  
• Many teens feel pressure not to use protection. More than one-half of teens (52%) surveyed recently said that one of the main reasons that teens do not use birth control is because their partners don't want to.
  
• The younger teens are, the less likely they are to use contraception or to use it effectively. They are also more likely to regret having sex in the first place.
  
• Teaching teens about contraception does not make them have sex. Research is clear on this point: sex education does not increase sexual activity. In fact, in some cases, teaching teens about contraception seems to delay their sexual activity.

The following is a brief list of websites which will offer you more detailed information about contraception as well as options for protecting yourself.

• ARHP's Choosing a Birth Control Method
• FDA's Condom Brochure
• Go Ask Alice!
• MTV's It's Your Sex Life
• Not-2-late.com: The Emergency Contraception Website
• TeenWire's Birth Control Options For Teens