Preventing Unplanned Pregnancy and Completing College
Lesson Two: How Much Do You Know About Sex and Birth Control?

How Much Do You Know About Sex and Birth Control?

Lesson Two explores some of the myths, magical thinking, and gaps in knowledge that that may put you at risk for unplanned pregnancy.

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Before You Get Started

Here are some things to keep in mind before you begin:

• The lesson is organized around several websites. Print or save the Lesson Two Study Guide on the right and use it as you work through the lesson.
• This lesson should take you about 30 to 40 minutes to complete. It is best if you can complete it in one sitting. If you must stop before you finish the entire lesson, just note the page you are on, so when you return to the lesson, you can pick up where you left off.
• You should download, save, and/or print a copy of the Lesson Two Study Guide now.
• Throughout the lesson there are short self-check activities such as drag and drop games, flash cards, and matching questions. These are designed to be fun and to help you learn the material; they are not graded.
• IMPORTANT: At the end of the lesson there is a short quiz, the results of which you will print out and hand in to your instructor for credit or a grade.

Technical Information

1. It's a good idea to have the latest versions of Flash and QuickTime on your computer. If you have trouble viewing any of the pages in the lesson:

a. Flash: Flash version 10.3 or higher needed.

1. Check your version of Flash.

2. Install the latest version of Flash.

b. QuickTime: Version 7.7 or higher needed.

Download and install the latest version of QuickTime. Note: Once you have downloaded QuickTime, you must install it. Start the install process by clicking "Run." Detailed instructions for installing are at the bottom of the QuickTime download page.

2. Also be sure pop-up blockers are disabled in your browser.

Bedsider.org -- A Comprehensive Online Resource About Contraception

In this lesson, you will be guided through Bedsider.org, a resource for information about birth control. It is user-friendly, fun, and filled with information. 

On Bedsider you can explore various birth control methods, compare them side-by-side, and find one that's right for you.

Other Bedsider features include a zip-code-based search that directs you to places you can go for contraception in your community. And you can even get birth control reminders sent directly from Bedsider to your phone.

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An Introduction to Sex and Birth Control

Today there are more ways than ever to prevent unplanned pregnancy. For instance, you can choose to say "not right now," or "no vaginal sex." There are many reasons you might make this choice, and if you stick with it 100% of the time you're guaranteed to not get pregnant (or get anyone pregnant). And if you're avoiding sexual activity altogether, you'll be safe from STIs too. But it does involve a whole lot of self-control.

You might feel a little self-conscious about your decision not to have sex right now, especially if it seems like lots of people you know are hooking up. But, check it out: virginity is widely accepted and respected among 18-24 year olds, including those who have already had sex. And, different people have different reasons for not having sex, such as just not feeling ready, the risk of pregnancy and STIs, or waiting until they have fallen in love, just to name a few.

Also, just because you have had sex before doesn't mean you can't make another choice—you always have a choice whether or not to do it now, with this person, and under these circumstances. Check out Bedsider for real stories of men and women who have chosen to say "not right now" and helpful tips if you're considering it.

 Not having sex is a great, effective option to prevent unplanned pregnancy, but it may not be right for you. Lesson Two will offer helpful information about all the available methods so that you can make the most informed, healthy choice if and when you're ready to have sex.

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Source for survey data: Kramer, A. (2014).   Virgin Territory: What Young Adults Say About Sex, Love, Relationships, and The First Time. Washington, DC : The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

Evaluate Your Knowledge: How Much Do You Really Know About Birth Control?

Click on the five Question links to see the self-check questions. Answer each question, then click on "check answer" for each question to see the correct answer.

 Question 3

 Question 4

 Question 5

Evaluate Your Knowledge: How Much Do You Really Know About Birth Control?

Click on the four Question links to see the self-check questions. Answer each question, then click on "check answer" for each question to see the correct answer.

Evaluate Your Knowledge: How Much Do You Really Know About Birth Control?

 
Click on the six Question links to see the self-check questions. Answer each question, then click on "check answer" for each question to see the correct answer.

 Question 1

 Question 2

 Question 3

 Question 4

 Question 5

 Question 6

Evaluate Your Knowledge: How Much Do You Really Know About Birth Control?

Click on the five Question links to see the self-check questions. Answer each question, then click on "check answer" for each question to see the correct answer.

 Question 1

 Question 2

 Question 3

 Question 4

 Question 5

Evaluate Your Knowledge: "Not Right Now"

Click on the three Question links to see the self-check questions. Don't forget to click on "check answer" to check your answer for each question.

 Question 1

 Question 2

 Question 3

To learn more about what young adults think about waiting to have sex, check out Virgin Territory: What Young Adults Say About Sex, Love, Relationships, and The First Time.

Bedsider Articles

Bedsider also covers the latest news and research about birth control, sex, HIV, and STIs, health insurance, and much more.

Click on the image below and scan the Provider Perspectives article, one of a series in which medical experts answer common birth control questions.  You might also check out the Get on Top series for the latest news on birth control.  Don't worry; you won't be quizzed on these articles.   

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Guy's Guide to Birth Control

Check out these videos for birth control basics that dudes (and ladies) can understand.

• Get Guy Nottadadi's advice. He knows you don't know squat about birth control. It's okay, though. He wants to help.
• Learn the differences between birth control fact and fiction. You might be surprised at the truth!
• Hear real guys talk about their birth control choices.

Click on the image below to go to the Guy's Guide.

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Evaluate Your Knowledge: Is It Fact or Fiction?

Click on the five Question links to see the self-check questions. Answer each question, then click on "check answer" for each question to see the correct answer.

Fact or Fiction?

Common sex, pregnancy, and birth control myths

It turns out that misinformation is a bigger issue than you might suspect. 

Fifty-nine percent of women and 47% of men say it is at least slightly likely they are infertile (19% of women and 14% of men describe it as quite or extremely likely)...but are they really?

The Good, the Bad, and the Barren

Click on the image below to watch a video and

Fact or Fiction?

Common sex, pregnancy, and birth control myths

Check out more of Bedsider's humorous "Fact or Fiction" animations by clicking on the links below.

Don't worry, you won't be quizzed on them.

These video clips are short, informative, and entertaining!

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Birth Control Methods

Explore the methods, effectiveness, and costs

There are many different methods of birth control available. Let's explore the different birth control methods and gather information about each one. Use the Lesson Two Study Guide to make notes about the information you find. In particular, be sure to record the effectiveness rate and cost of each type of birth control. (You'll need this information for activities in this lesson and the Lesson Three Study Guide.)

Click on the image below to go to the "Bedsider Method Explorer" website. Then click on the photo of each birth control method to see information about each one, including effectiveness, side effects, costs, and real women and men talking about their experiences.

Note that in Lesson Three you will find out if you might be eligible for free or low cost birth control, so don't let the potentially high cost of some methods lead you to rule out something that you're really interested in.

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Birth Control Methods

Self-check: Categorize the birth control methods based on their effectiveness

Consult your completed Lesson Two Study Guide to categorize the effectiveness of each birth control method at preventing pregnancy. If you need extra help, you can consult the "Compare Methods" matrix at Bedsider.

Birth Control Methods

Emergency contraception

Sometimes the best plans don't work out the way we had hoped.

There are different types of emergency contraception. Currently, there are several types of emergency contraception pills available that men and women can purchase over the counter or online. Fill in the different types of emergency contraception in the table on the Lesson Two Study Guide.

Click on the image below to go to the "Bedsider Emergency Contraception" web page and learn more about emergency contraception and how to use it.

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Birth Control Methods

Real Stories

What do real people have to say about using different methods of birth control?

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You may also want to explore additional videos on the website to learn more about other birth control methods you might be interested in.

Lesson Two Complete

You have reached the end of Lesson Two: How Much Do You Know About Sex and Birth Control?

If you completed this lesson for course credit, check your course syllabus or consult your instructor to find out if you are required to submit an assignment and/or take a short quiz.

Click here to proceed to Lesson Three: Make a Plan and Take Action.

Note: Be sure to save your completed  Lesson Two Study Guide  in a safe place. You'll need it for the next lesson.