Your Question:
Dear Experts,
Hi, I am doing a paper for health class and I want to know what is the most popular kind of birth control in America. Thanks!
healthstudent87
The Answer:
Dear healthstudent87,
Good question! The most common form of birth control in the United States is sterilization. About 27 percent of women who use a form of birth control rely on tubal sterilization, and nearly 10 percent of women who use birth control rely on their partner’s vasectomy to prevent pregnancy.
Tubal sterilization involves closing off a woman’s fallopian tubes, which is where an egg is fertilized by sperm. Since sperm can’t reach the egg, pregnancy can’t happen.
Vasectomy involves keeping sperm out of seminal fluid. Sperm are made in the testicles. They pass through tubes called the vasa deferentia to other glands, where they mix with seminal fluids to form semen. Vasectomy blocks each vas deferens and keeps sperm out of seminal fluid. Without sperm, seminal fluid can’t cause pregnancy.
Sterilization is permanent, which is the main reason it is not recommended for teens.
The most popular form of reversible birth control in the U.S. is the birth control pill. More than 30 percent of women who use birth control rely on the pill. About 18 percent rely on condoms. Only latex and female condoms reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections as well as pregnancy.
Hope this information helps!
Take care,
teenwire.com® Editors
This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.