Reader Stories: Talking to Parents About Sex and How To Get Birth Control

Have you talked to your parents about birth control and/or sex? It may be embarrassing and intimidating to ask your parents questions about sex and how to get birth control, but it can be a wonderful opportunity to open the lines of communication. When it comes to something as important and life-changing as sex, it’s wise that you also get information from a trusted adult who has already been down this road. Your parents’ perspective can really help you in your decision whether to “do it” now, to wait or to choose abstinence.

It’s important to have your questions about birth control and sex answered with correct information.Female teens who discuss contraception with their partners before sex are twice as likely to practice safe sex. Research about teen birth control decisions shows that consistent teen birth control use happens in relationships where partners have discussed birth control prior to first having sex. Sixty two percent of females and 51% of males who discussed birth control with their partners before having sex for the first time reported always using contraception. Having the birth control talk, first with parents, may help facilitate these conversations between teen partners. Many teens have questions about how to talk to their parents about sex and birth control options.

So, if you have had the sex talk with your parents, please share how your sex discussion went. By doing so, other teens may gain some helpful tips on talking to their parents about birth control and sex.