Kelly, 28, the shot
After experiencing an unplanned pregnancy in her early 20s, Kelly knew she needed better birth control. She started using the shot and has been covered ever since. After getting on the shot, Kelly realized she was getting hungrier and eating more than used to. Rather than abandoning her method, she started watching her diet and […]
Savannah, 18, not right now
A few months after a bitter break up, Savannah is currently saying “not right now.” She tends to not have casual hook-ups and isn’t looking for a new relationship yet, so, really, it’s pretty easy for her to avoid having sex. She’ll soon move to a new city and she’s ready for the fresh start. […]
Angela, 22, fertility awareness methods
Angela, a stay-home mom of one, has been using fertility awareness since giving birth to her daughter. She’s been tracking her periods and learning when in her cycle she’s most fertile. Rather than using condoms (or another barrier method), Angela chooses to not have sex during her most fertile times. She feels closer to her […]
Emergency contraception: the back-up plan
As reliable as contraception is, there are times when birth control doesn’t work. Like every once in a while when we use a method incorrectly. Or on a rare occasion when a condom breaks. And sometimes—especially when partying—we forget to use anything at all. All of these times scream out: Emergency contraception NOW! Listen to […]
Alexandria, 21, the ring
Alexandria moved from the pill to the ring and has good things to say about the switch. She’s got shorter periods now and prefers dealing with birth control once a month instead of once a day. For the most part, once the ring is in, it’s in. A couple of times, though, it’s come out […]
Nicole, 21, diaphragm
Nicole sums up the perks of her diaphragm like this: it’s easy to use, undetectable, and reliable. She likes that it’s there when she needs it, but there’s no long-term commitment. Even though the diaphragm is easy to hide once it’s in—and it’s important to Nicole that her choice of birth control stays private—at some […]
Norelle, 22, not right now
Norelle used to have sex. Lots of it, in fact. But after being diagnosed with a UTI, a yeast infection, and a STI—all at once—she decided to make a change and not be so “out there with the guys.” Rather than trying to find the right person, though, Norelle decided to be the right person. […]
Alesondrje, 21, sponge
Alesondrje and her boyfriend used condoms when they first got together. But eventually they decided to move the relationship “to a deeper level” by getting tested for STIs and trading condoms for the sponge , a method her mom used back in the day and highly recommended. Alesondrje likes to use the sponge along with […]
Anastasia, 21, internal condom
The first time Anastasia used an internal condom , she and her boyfriend were on the beach, under the stars. (Sigh.) She had been given some samples at a clinic just a few days before and decided this was the time to try them out. Anastasia had to open a few packs before figuring out […]
Ramiyah, 23, condom
For Ramiyah, it’s all very logical: Sex is fun. Sex can lead to pregnancy. If you want to have sex and don’t want to have a pregnancy, birth control always needs to be part of the equation. Ramiyah prefers to use condoms as her method of birth control.What if the guy doesn’t have one? Not […]
