Teen pregnancies are at an all-time low in the U.S. Experts aren’t sure what’s caused the numbers to drop in recent years. But comprehensive sexual health education that touches on a wide variety of topics may play an important role.
The dip in teen births may be due to teens staying away from sex or because more teens now have more access to birth control when they’re sexually active than they did in previous years.
But not all sex ed programs taught across the U.S. are equally effective. They vary from school to school and differ based on where you live. Some programs focus on an abstinence-only approach and leave out key topics like birth control options. Research shows that it’s more effective to cover both in a comprehensive sex ed program.
Birth Control in Sex Ed
One large-scale study found that teen girls who had comprehensive sex education before they became sexually active were more likely to use some type of birth control the first time they had sex. They were also more likely to choose the more effective birth control methods, like the long-lasting IUD or an implant.
Nearly 1/3 of students had ever had sex and more than 20% were currently sexually active, according to the CDC’s 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The data, published in May 2022, came from surveys done from 2011 to 2021.
The proportion of high school students who engaged in sexual behaviors that increase their risks for HIV, STDs, and unintended pregnancy decreased from 2011 to 2021. Data also highlight decreases in condom use, STD testing, and HIV testing.
One-third of high school students who were currently sexually active used effective hormonal birth control (defined as birth control pills, an IUD or implant, a shot, a patch, or a birth control ring) the last time they had sex with an opposite-sex partner.
In 2021, 6% of high school students had already had sexual intercourse with four or more partners with male students being more likely than female students to have had multiple sexual partners. Asian students were less likely than students from nearly all other racial and ethnic groups to have sex with four or more partners during their life.
The percentage of sexually active students who used condoms decreased from 2011 to 2021. In 2021, 10% of currently sexually active high school students used dual forms of contraception the last time they had sex with an opposite-sex partner. Dual methods of protection include both a condom and effective hormonal birth control (defined as birth control pills, an IUD or implant, a shot, a patch, or a birth control ring).
Of note, the new CDC report divided sexual identity into two categories, students who identify as heterosexual and students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning, or another non-heterosexual identity (LGBQ+).
What Is Comprehensive Sex Ed?
It’s a form of sexual health education that covers a wide variety of topics that are:
- Medically accurate
- Evidence-based
- Age-appropriate
- Culturally relevant
The curriculum should include these things, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:
- Birth control (all available contraceptives, including long-lasting and reversible)
- Benefits of delaying sexual activity
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Reproductive development
- Consent
- Sexual expression, gender identity
- Healthy relationships
- Recognizing and preventing sexual violence
Besides giving information, the comprehensive curriculum also outlines that programs should put adolescents in touch with the right health services and a supportive environment at school. This can then help teens learn how to reduce risky sexual behaviors and prevent unintended pregnancies.
One study found that teaching about birth control options through sex ed did not raise the risk of sexual activity among teens. In fact, young adults who get comprehensive sex education are less likely to end up with unintended pregnancies than those in programs that choose to talk about an abstinence-only approach.
The State of Sex Education in the U.S.
Almost all states in the U.S. teach sex education. But less than half of U.S. public high schools (38%) and only about 14% of middle schools teach quality comprehensive sex education, according to a 2020 CDC report.
Comprehensive sexuality education includes scientifically accurate information about human development, anatomy, as well as reproductive health. It includes information about contraception, childbirth, and important topics such as HIV, STIs, or how to say no to sex.
In 38 states and Washington, DC, public schools are required to teach sex education and HIV information. But 36 states and Washington, DC, allow parents to have their children opt out of sex education.
The CDC reports that most teenagers received formal sex education before they were 18 (96% of female and 97% of male teenagers) but fewer than half were taught about birth control (47% female compared with 38% male).
Non-comprehensive sex education may also not cover skills required for birth control, like how to put on a condom each time you have sex. In 2016, only about 23% of the U.S. schools that provided sex education taught students how to correctly use a condom, the CDC reports.
Experts say just teaching abstinence isn’t effective enough. Research shows that comprehensive sex education that includes both abstinence and the use of birth control, along with other important topics on sex, may work well together. It can help teens delay sex longer, lead to healthier relationships, avoid STIs, and prevent unintended pregnancies.
More research is needed to get more up-to-date data to truly understand how sex education impacts birth control knowledge and the ability to avoid unintended pregnancies.
In the meantime, if you’re a student who’s unsure about anything regarding sexual health, including birth control options, ask your parents or doctor about it. They can guide you to options that may work best for your health. This can help reduce your chance of having an unintended pregnancy or an STI.
