No, unfortunately this information is not a mistake. A new report released by the Centers for Disease Control reveals more startling information about teen contraception use and unplanned pregnancy. Around 400,000 teens (ages 15-19) become teen parents every year in the US, and our teen birth rate remains the highest in the developed world.

During 2004-2008, the CDC reports that 73.2% of teen mothers stated that their pregnancy was not planned. About one half (50.1%) of these teens report that they were not using any method of birth control before getting pregnant (this number actually dropped to 44% in 2007, then rose to 55% in 2008). It seems that teens had many excuses for not using birth control. These ranged from misconceptions, lack of access and mistakenly thinking they could not get pregnant at the time. Nearly one-quarter said that they didn't use birth control because their partner didn't want to.

Yet, the even more alarming news... 22.2% of these teen moms (who had not used contraception) revealed that they didn't mind if they got pregnant. Read More...

Okay, so it seems from your questions and emails that lots of you are interested in IUDs. Many you all have shared your IUD stories:

• Why Did You Pick IUD Use?
• What Was Your IUD Insertion or Removal Experience?

This makes me happy that there is so much interest about IUDs - which, by the way, are one of the most effective of all available contraceptives. For those of you who use IUDs, my question to you is... how do you know your IUD is still in place? Read More...

Unintended pregnancy is a huge dilemma that affects thousands of people every year. In the US, 50% of all pregnancies are not intended. The surprising fact is that of these women who are facing unplanned pregnancies, about half of them were actually using birth control the month that they conceived!

Statistics like these show how important it is to understand the birth control method you have chosen and to make sure you know about potential risks and medications that could lower the effectiveness of your contraception.

Read More...

They say a picture is worth a thousand words - then what about a video? What better way to learn about IUDs? An intrauterine device, or IUD, is a highly effective birth control method available to women.

Both the Mirena IUD and ParaGard provide  long-term, effective contraception without sterilization.

• Video: Information on Intrauterine Devices
• What to Expect During an IUD Insertion
• How an IUD is Removed
• Does the IUD Cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Infertility?

IUD Stories... Please Share:

• What Advice Convinced You to Get an IUD?
• What Is Your IUD Removal or IUD Insertion Experience?

_{Photo © Blausen Medical}