It's becoming quite a popular contraceptive method amongst young people, particuarly students and as an alternative for sterilisation by older generations.

I'd hate to think that British teens could be coming here for information which isn't really relevant to them and what's on offer in this country.

Info on the contraceptive implant can be found here:
http://www.fpa.org.uk/guide/contracep/conimp.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/relationships/sex_and_sexual_health/contr_implant.shtml

As for the general questions:

1. What contraception are you currently using? Are you happy with it or have you had side effects?  
Implanon contraceptive implant. Only had it inserted about a week ago but as of yet have had no problems and most people I've spoken to seem pretty happy. The main side affect seems to be changes to periods.

2. Which do you consider the best for teenagers to use?  
I don't consider there to be a best type of contraceptive it's what works for you and your circumstances. Although condoms are obviously advised as one of the few means of preventing STDs. Especially as even in some commited relationships you can be at risk, as I sadly found out when my much trusted boyfriend of two years chose to have unprotected sex with someone else and then sleep with me.
Sadly we are living in an age when having a quick shag can come before someones health.

3. Do you think birth control should be easier to get? Should we skip doctor appointments? Should it be free?   In my experience birth control and advise surrounding it could not be more accessable.

It's free here in the Uk and I'm lucky to be on the books of a fabulous family planning centre with a number of drop on sessions as well as apointments on offer. A range of educated, friendly staff and a range of condoms that I can pop in and request at will. So I'm quite priviliged in that respect.


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"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains the same
to find the ways in which youyourself have altered" Nelson Mandela

Post edited at 11:33 am on Nov. 21, 2006 by JennyColada

The patch causes heartattacks, there have been commercials left and right saying lawsuits have gone out from women dying or having heartattacks from using the patch, and can actually collect money if they have suffered a heartattack or their loved one's died from taking it. So really, nothing in this world is safe anymore. My mom and sister do not take birth control, my mom is close to 42 years old and has never once taken birth control in her life according to her, she has 2 kids my sister and I. She says she will never use birth control, my sister says the same thing too, she has been on damn near everything except the patch and has gotten really sick from everything she has used, so she has stopped taking it and says she will not go back on it, and it has been 2 years. She is 25 years old and has been in a relationship with her boyfriend for 2 1/2 years now, and they are fine.
                 

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Rest in peace to my best friend Joshua of 18 years, born Nov. 20, 1986,
passed away Jan. 14, 2008. I'll see u soon in Heaven, love you.
RIP to my angel Julia, born June 10th 1987
passed away July 30th, 2009. I'll always love you my angel

I think teenagers should be using condoms AND something else, if not you are really risking it!! ALWAYS USE BACKUP!

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I really do not go well with condoms though, I must be allergic to latex. They kill my vagina everytime!

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I personally do not believe the failure rate percentages that are reported by birth control manufacturers. I don't believe I'm that lucky (or unlucky..however you want to view it) to be in that small a percentage. I believe that a girl having sex is prone to getting pregnant regardless of the obstacles you put in the path. Pregnancy is one of those natural occurrences when there's an egg available and sperm within its path. We  as a society should be more concerned with our behaviors that cause the sperm being made available to the egg than being all concerned with and concentrating on the obstacles.  Afterall, you cannot stop mother nature from making it rain or snow....what makes anyone really think they can stop the natural process of placing sperm and eggs in the vicinity of each other and not having pregnancy occur?

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"If you want to change the world, be that change." --Gandhi

I was given this prescription by my doctor and i am supposed to start taking it, does anyone have any pro or con reports?

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Im 16 and my mom would never put me on the pill b/c she doesnt want me having sex, so is there a way to get it without doctor perscription, like perhaps do family clinics do it?

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Condoms are available to anyone at any age.

But yes, many free clinics offer low cost Birth Control.

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If one, settling a pillow by her head,
Should say: "That is not what I meant at all. That is not it, at all."

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Anyone have any reports about YAZ? birth control pill?

I was given this prescription by my doctor and i am supposed to start taking it, does anyone have any pro or con reports?

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I started taking Yaz last July. So far I haven't gotten the promised shorter period. Instead, my period just gets heavy faster so it all comes at once and then it's light for about 4 or 5 days. I experienced a lot of nausea the first few months, but that's expected for any birth control pill. Also, I gained about 10 pounds (but that could be dietary, I'm not sure, it always used to be really hard for me to gain weight), my breasts grew about 1/2 cup, and my butt is a little rounder :P