Welcome to Gaia! ::

I'm going to answer you a bit out of order.



Condoms are a form of birth control. They're very effective (about 96%) when used perfectly. The problem is that a lot of people don't use them perfectly. So if you really don't want to get pregnant at this point in your life, it would be best to use condoms in addition to another form of birth control.



You can buy condoms at the store. You can get hormonal methods of birth control (like the pill, the patch, the ring, etc.) from an ob-gyn. If you want to make sure your parents don't find out, visit an ob-gyn at a clinic such as Planned Parenthood or Family Planning.




In most places, yes. You can also get it at the clinic.



Plan B is not birth control. It is a form of emergency contraception. It's not meant to be taken every time you have sex. It's meant to be taken if you are raped, if your condom breaks, if you realize you missed a pill, etc. So it's good to have on hand, but in an ideal situation you'll never need it.



Different forms of birth control take different amounts of time to become effective. Condoms are good right away. The Depo shot takes 24 hours. The pill takes at least a week. If you take the pill when the doctor tells you to, it should be effective in a week, but some people recommend using a backup method such as condoms for the first month just to make sure. But those are just a few of your birth control options. The ob-gyn should discuss them all with you, help you pick the one that is right for you, and tell you exactly how to use it.




I started having sex when I was 16, so I am not going to tell you you are too young. I don't think age is what's important here. What's important is being prepared. It sounds like you do not have a good understanding of birth control just yet, so definitely wait until you do. Better to learn it all now rather than after it's too late! xp Once you know your options, are seeing an ob-gyn, and have at least form of birth control that you know how to use properly, then the choice is yours! 3nodding Make sure you ask your ob-gyn about anything you're unclear on. Talk to her about getting a pap. You can also read through the stickies here or keep asking questions so you have some background knowledge when you go in. Your partner should also get STDs tests just to be on the safe side.

Actually, I believe in the States you have to be 17 to get it without a prescription (according to the Washington Post, at least), and that's really new (the decision was in April).

That bothers me so much. Ugh.

Yeah. Depending on the place, you usually have to ask for it, but you don't need ID or a prescription for it.

Really, a prescription seems like a stupid idea for plan B. I mean, you're meant to take it as soon as possible after the fact. A prescription means waiting for the doctor, etc etc.

Just because it sort of hasn't been outlined. While you can take Plan B the day after, if this is the form of contraception you decide on (and like other people stated, this is not meant to be a form of birth control you take every time. That's what it's called an emergency contraception.) You can take Plan B as soon as you know you had unprotected sex. So you don't have to wait until the next day to take it.

But if condoms is your only option because you don't want your parents to know and can't get to a clinic, then pick up vaginal film as well. It's a Spermicide and you put it into you v****a and it lasts about 3 hours.. and it helps increase the effectiveness of condoms.

Also, 96% is the high end percentage. Some doctors will say condoms are only about 89%. Though I would also buy condoms with spermicide (which will also act as lubricant).