Articles
Birth control options: Things to consider
Content
What birth control options are available?
How do the different birth control options work?
What is the method's effectiveness?
Is it reversible?
Is it compatible with your religious beliefs or cultural practices?
Is it convenient and affordable?
What are the side effects?
Does it protect against sexually transmitted infections?
Does it offer other benefits?
Is it acceptable to your sexual partner?
What's the bottom line?
What's the bottom line?
The best method of birth control for you is one that is safe, that you are comfortable using, and that you are able to use consistently and correctly. Your preferred method of birth control may change over your lifetime and is influenced by many different factors, including:
- Your age and health history
- Your reproductive goals, such as the number of children you want and how soon you want to get pregnant
- Relationship factors, including marital status, number of sexual partners, how often you have sex and partner preferences
- Religious beliefs
- Differences between birth control methods, including how effective they are at preventing pregnancy, side effects, cost and whether they prevent sexually transmitted infections
Knowing your options is definitely part of the decision process — but an honest assessment of yourself and your relationships is just as important when deciding which type of birth control is right for you.
