The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that one in five teens have used the morning-after pill, compared to ten years ago when it was only one in twelve. This is likely correlated to the fact that the pill is now over-the-counter and, as of two years ago, available to any age. More accessible birth control in combination with better sex education have led to a huge decrease in teen pregnancy.
The survey found that even though the percentage of teens using emergency contraception has risen, they aren’t having any more sex than previous years. “Teens, like adults, often aren’t very good at contraception,” said Bill Albert, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy’s chief program officer. Uses of the daily birth control pill and the patch have both declined, which may also be contributing to the increase.
The pill prevents 95% of pregnancies if used with in 24 hours of sex. The price can vary depending where it is purchased. Though the morning-after pill is an amazing resource to have, it should not be used as your regular birth control method. Here’s a helpful infographic to help you navigate the many options you can choose from to use regularly:
via Amplify Your Voice
Top image c/o: Ramapo College
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