This story is the fifth in a seven-part package about sex ed and sexual health at Menlo. A shorter version of this story also appeared in the March 2021 47.4 print edition of The Coat of Arms.

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Whether it be the birth control pill, IUDs, implants, condoms or shots, there are many different forms of contraceptives available today. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that 24.4% of women in the United States between the ages of 15 and 49 use birth control pills, an IUD or an implant.

A junior girl currently has the Annovera ring, a vaginal ring that can be used for up to a year. She originally got the ring in eighth grade to help lessen strong period cramps but is now glad she has it for multiple reasons. “As I’ve had [the ring] throughout high school, it’s been a great thing because it stopped my period, and it’s a good practice to use it [to prevent pregnancy],” she said. The junior girl also added that she hasn’t experienced any negative effects, and she’s glad that her parents were accepting. “I know some people can’t be honest with their parents, but it’s really great that [mine] are on board.” 

The junior girl believes that there is stigma surrounding contraceptives, as they are often only associated with having sex. “It can be difficult because even if a girl just wants to control her cycle or be [sexually] safe, it can feel like a taboo topic,” she said. However, she is still open with it and thinks it’s more accepted in her friend group and community than in other places.

Although condoms are often used by biological males for pregnancy and STI prevention in a sexual relationship, contraceptives such as vaginal rings, birth control pills, IUDs and others are used for the most part by biological females in a sexual relationship, according to counselor Jake Fauver. The junior girl thinks that it’s good that many females are protecting themselves with contraceptives, but it would be great if males could do it as well. “In relationships, it would be awesome [if contraception] could be [the responsibility of] both parties,” she said.

Another junior girl got an IUD in eighth grade because she had a heavy period that gave her anemia, among other side effects. She noted that it was really controversial in her family because she was young, but she is glad she got it. “[Getting the IUD placed] was the most painful experience of my life. I got my period for [around] 100 days at first, but there’s no doubt in my mind that it was worth it,” she said. Since getting the IUD and the first period after, she hasn’t gotten her period or cramps since. According to the CDC, IUD placement is uncomfortable for almost everyone, but the levels of pain vary from person to person. 

While contraceptives are widely used and available in the United States, there are still pros and cons. Contraceptive types range in effectiveness, with no contraceptive being 100% effective. According to the CDC, both male condoms, female condoms and withdrawal have around a 80% effectiveness rate. Injections, patches, birth control pills and rings all have around a 90% effectiveness rate. The most effective methods of contraception are implants and IUDs, which all have around a 99% effectiveness rate. Furthermore, almost all contraceptives result in some side effects, whether they be emotional or physical.

Biological females go on contraceptives for a variety of reasons beyond pregnancy prevention, such as to stop or regulate periods. “This is not only about preventing pregnancy and for heterosexual females; it can have some health benefits for many people,” Fauver said.

Fauver believes that the sexual education program at Menlo has improved the information it provides about contraceptives in recent years, but it is still a work in progress. He also thinks that students get curious about contraceptives at different points in their lives, so addressing it multiple times is important. “I think we’re laying a good foundation [in] ninth grade that we’re working on building on [later],” Fauver said. “When you hear about contraception in ninth grade, maybe you’re thinking nothing about it, but maybe as a junior or senior you’re thinking about it more and want to revisit it.”

He also thinks that there is a problem with the weight of contraception falling on biological females in relationships. “Biological males often don’t need to or care to think about it at all, […] and we need to normalize the conversation [for males],” Fauver said. He understands why research has gone toward biological females taking contraceptives as they are the ones who have a uterus where the baby is developed, but he thinks more research needs to go into male birth control beyond condoms. 

Fauver referenced male contraceptive studies that halted because the biological male subjects would report pain or discomfort as a side effect from the contraceptives being studied, although it was often similar to what biological females experience on their contraceptives or periods. “I’m all for more equity in […] research,” Fauver said. “And even if the research and science doesn’t [result in more male contraceptives], biological male partners should be more informed and play a bigger part in the conversation of contraceptives because that’s how we grow, and that’s how we develop healthy relationships, in my opinion.”