Many Teens Rely on the Pill for Non-Sexual Reasons

Maddi Sunshine
Dr. Boyd
Biology 1-2 Honors
Many Teens Rely on the Pill for Non-Sexual Reasons
Summary:
Studies by the Guttmacher Institute have found that 33% of U.S. teens and 14% of all U.S. women taking the oral contraceptive are doing so mainly to treat menstrual cramps or for other purposes not having to do with birth control. For the most part, over half of the women are using the pill for non-contraceptive reasons. A poll was conducted by National Center for Health Statistics, interviews done in-person to 7,356 women ages 15 to 44 between June 2006 and December 2008. Across the nation, 11.2 million women ages 15 to 44, or 18% of all U.S. women are currently using the oral birth control pills. Out of all these women it was said that 86% say they take the pill for birth control. Other reasons found for taking the pill are: reducing cramps or menstrual pain (31%), menstrual regulation (28%), treatment of acne (14%), and treatment of endometriosis (4%). Teenage pill users stood out in the survey for non birth control related motivations. 79% to 91% of the teens report painful periods and 25% say menstrual irregularity.
Critique & Impact:
This article is all about how birth control can be used in many other ways than to prevent pregnancy. Many people are quick to judge when they hear about teenagers using birth control but it very commonly used to for reasons like pain and also not asked in the survey but for important medical reasons. This proves how important a daily pill can be to some women.
Reference: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=many-teens-rely-on-the-pill