Accurate, trustworthy information is essential for people to find and use a birth control method that works for them. Having the autonomy to choose a method and feeling confident that their choice is a good fit are key elements to achieving reproductive well-being. While people of all ages need this information, adolescents and young adults (AYA) face particular barriers to accessing high-quality birth control information because of the inconsistent quality and availability of sex education, concerns about privacy, and logistical constraints such as limited transportation and finances. A new study by Pleasants et al. used Power to Decide’s 2023 Thanks, Birth Control Survey to examine how AYA are currently getting information about birth control and their preferences for getting the information necessary to make decisions about their method. As a pediatrician, what they found aligns with what I see every day and highlights the need to support young people’s access to information from the sources they want.
Where are young people getting birth control information right now?
Birth control information of varying quality and accuracy is more available than ever with expanding access to websites (like Bedsider.org) and social networking sites like TikTok. But young people are still getting information from their friends, family, providers, parents, schools, and others. And unfortunately, some aren’t getting birth control information at all! It is important to remember that sources of information are not all equal, and there is a lot of misinformation about birth control being shared online. In my experience, it is not uncommon for patients to have no information or inaccurate information by the time we discuss their birth control options in the clinic.
Where do young people want to get information about birth control?
Providers have a unique position and opportunity to provide information on birth control to AYA patients. This recent study confirms what we often hear from AYA—they most want to get information about birth control from trusted people in their lives—health care providers and parents. And Pleasants et al. found that AYA who get their contraceptive information from a health care provider are the most likely to report feeling they had enough information to decide on a birth control method that was right for them. Furthermore, providing high-quality and person-centered care can increase trust and autonomy for patients around birth control decisions that will augment future experiences and relationships with sexual and reproductive health care.
What can providers and trusted adults do right now?
Research tells us that it often takes months for adolescents to feel comfortable enough to talk about their birth control options with a provider. Knowing that AYA want to get birth control information from a provider, you can make sure to offer person-centered birth control counseling as part of routine care. The study by Pleasants et al. also shows that parents are a key source of information—particularly for younger people (<18 years old)—so providers can encourage parents (when present during health care visits for AYA) to talk with the young people in their lives about sexual and reproductive health.
Will talking to young people about birth control make them have sex, have more sex, or get a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?
No, no, and no. The truth is that providing sex education and information on birth control does not increase rates of sexual activity, lower the age when someone becomes sexually active, or increase the number of partners. This means that providing truthful, non-judgmental information about sex and birth control can help AYA prevent STIs and increase their reproductive autonomy. Sadly, a lack of sex education or abstinence-only programs can result in exactly the opposite.
Bottom Line
- Adolescents and young adults (AYA) want information from providers and parents, but right now, many aren't getting it.
- Information from a provider can increase AYA confidence in making birth control decisions.
- Providers have a unique opportunity to improve access to high-quality contraception information and resources (like Bedsider.org) for AYA and to encourage parents to be trusted sources for the young people in their lives.
