Birth control has many advantages, from helping to regulate a woman's menstrual cycle to reducing the risks of unplanned pregnancy. Whether you are a teen who doesn't want your parents to know you're trying to get on the pill, or a parent who wants to help protect their daughter, read on to learn how to get on birth control.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here.

• Birth control pills are a contraception prevention method that are taken orally by the patient. There are a number of different types of birth control pills, each one designed to meet different women's needs. It is imperative that you seek help from your doctor or a professional in a Planned Parenthood clinic to ensure that your birth control prescription fits your body's needs.

• Most forms of birth control use synthetic female hormones estrogen and progestin, and in their different combinations they help to prevent pregnancy in a variety of ways.

1. Combined, estrogen and progestin suppress the pituitary gland and prevent ovulation.
2. Progestin alone will prevent ovulation, as well as preventing the male's sperm from reaching the egg.

(Creative Commons photo by spentpenny)

• There are several different options if you are interested in birth control:

1. Implant
2. Ortho Evra Patch
3. Pills
4. Vaginal Ring
5. Birth Control Shot

• Each option is designed for different types of lifestyles. If you are unable to take a regular, daily pill, an option like the vaginal ring or the birth control shot might be more suitable for you.

• Your family doctor or a specialist in a women's health clinic will help prepare you and your body for birth control. Before you can begin taking birth control pills, you will be required to have a physical which may include:

1. Blood work
2. Pelvic exam
3. Birth control discussion and counseling
4. Follow-up after a period of birth control

• If you are a teenager who is afraid that your parents would not approve of you going on the pill, you may be able to get into a Planned Parenthood clinic for a physical. You will still be required to pay for the pills if you can afford them. Planned Parenthood is required to keep your medical information private, even from your parents.

• Getting on birth control is relatively simple, however you will need to have a physical to make sure you are in good health, and not suffering from any conditions that the hormones might worsen. Sit down with your doctor and discuss which method is right for you. If you are unable to afford birth control, or you are a teenager who cannot get help from your parents or family practitioner, you may be able to get help through a Planned Parenthood clinic in your area.

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