Lively Women

How to Choose the Right Birth Control for You

by Kristen King on March 30th, 2007

Lately it seems like there are literally dozens if not hundreds of options when it comes to contraception.  There are injections, implants, patches, pills, surgical procedures… 

How do you know which is the right choice for you?

About.com’s guide to contraception, Dawn Stacey, M.Ed, LMHC, suggests eight important factors for you and your doctor to discuss as you pick the perfect birth control:

1. Effectiveness - Is avoiding pregnancy a preference, or a necessity? 
2. Failure rates - Real life failure rates versus failure rates in a controlled setting in which every patient uses the method exactly as instructed every single time are probably different.  For instance, if you’re really forgetful and keep an irregular schedule, popping a pill at the same time every day might be challening.  See #4.
3. Risks and side effects - Most hormonal contraceptives (rather than barrier methods like condoms) increase women’s risk of blood clots and stroke, and weight gain is pretty common.  Evaluate your risk factors (eg, smoking, obesity, family history of various health issues) to find the safest option.
4. Lifestyle compatibility - If you can’t swallow pills, an oral contraceptive might not be the right choice.  On the other hand, new chewable birth control pills may be perfect.  Or maybe you don’t want to think about your contraceptive all the time, so getting a shot (like Depo-Provera) every few months would be the way to go.  Talk with your doctor about your needs.
5. Life plans - Are you planning to have kids in the near future?  Do you want to put it off indefinitely but still have the option?  Are you in a stable relationship, or playing the field?  These factors and other elements of your life plan will play a big role in determining your best birth control option.
6. Your comfort level - Would you rather just swallow a pill or slap on a patch, or are you cool with inserting a diaphragm or sponge every time, even in the heat of the moment?  Know what you’re really going to stick with.
7. Your sexual behavior - Ladies with multiple partners may have different needs from those in long-term monogamous relationships.  Be straight with your gyno about your relationships and sexual activity.
8. STI/STD protection - If you’re married, sexually transmitted diseases/infections may not be as big a concern for you as for someone who’s sexually active outside of a monogamous relationship.  Condoms are helpful in protecting against the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, but other contraceptives offer little, if any, protection against STDs — and nothing is fool proof.

Talk to your OB/GYN about what’s going to work best for your needs — and be completely honest.  This is your life we’re talking about here, so it’s no time to be bashful. 

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POSTED IN: Birth control, Hormones, Medicines/medications, Parenting, Pregnancy, Prevention, Women's Issues