More teens popping the pill

A new study shows that eighteen percent of teenage women ages 13 to 18 filled prescriptions for oral contraceptives in 2009, a proportion that has steadily risen since 2002. Another study shows that the use of hormonal contraceptive pills may negatively affect bone density in teenagers. Should parents encourage their sexually active daughters towards other forms of contraception? Of course abstinence is another option, and many parents and reproductive experts still feel this is the most important message of all. But for parents who can face the sexuality of their teens, what is the best form of birth control for them to use?

A new study shows that eighteen percent of teenage women ages 13 to 18 filled prescriptions for oral contraceptives in 2009, a proportion that has steadily risen since 2002. Another study shows that the use of hormonal contraceptive pills may negatively affect bone density in teenagers. Should parents encourage their sexually active daughters towards other forms of contraception? Of course abstinence is another option, and many parents and reproductive experts still feel this is the most important message of all. But for parents who can face the sexuality of their teens, what is the best form of birth control for them to use?

Guest:

Delia Scholes, PhD, Senior Researcher with Group Health Research Institute, studies impacts of various contraceptive use

Diane Tanaka, medical director of the Teenage Health Center at Children’s Hospital LA