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A 16-year-old has been menstruating for 4 months. She is interested in using a birth control method with high reliability. Which method would be the best recommendation?

a) Condoms
b) Oral contraceptives
c) Rhythm method
d) Withdrawal method

User Jscul
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1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

Oral contraceptives, a form of hormonal contraception, are recommended for a 16-year-old seeking high-reliability birth control, due to their low failure rate with perfect and typical use compared to condoms, rhythm method, and withdrawal method. The correct option is B.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a 16-year-old interested in a highly reliable birth control method, oral contraceptives would be the best recommendation from the options provided. Oral contraceptives, also known as birth control pills, are a form of hormonal contraception that prevents ovulation when taken as directed.

These pills either contain both estrogen and progesterone or just progesterone, and they must be taken daily at the same time for optimal effectiveness. With perfect use, the failure rate is about one percent or less, but with typical use, it can be around ten percent.

Comparatively, other methods such as condoms (a barrier method), rhythm method or fertility awareness-based methods (natural family planning), and withdrawal method generally have higher failure rates with typical use.

For instance, the withdrawal method can be risky due to the possibility of pre-ejaculation fluid containing sperm. The rhythm method relies on predicting ovulation, which can be challenging and less reliable for many women, especially teenagers with irregular menstrual cycles.

However, while oral contraceptives are highly effective, it's important for the individual to consider personal health history, ease of compliance, and potential side effects when selecting a birth control method. Consulting with a healthcare provider is recommended to ensure the chosen method is safe and appropriate for the individual's needs.

User Ryan Grove
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