Choosing a birth control method is an important
decision. Some of the things you might want to consider when choosing
a method are:
The best birth control method is the one that
fits with your goals, values, preferences, and lifestyle. What
matters most to a person when considering a birth control method will naturally
change over time.
If you are considering using a birth control
method, take a minute and ask yourself the following questions:
- Have I had problems or become pregnant
using this method before?
- Will I have trouble remembering to use
this method?
- Am I opposed to using this method because
of any religious or moral beliefs?
- Is my partner opposed to this method?
- If I use this method, am I at risk of being
exposed to HIV (the AIDS virus) or other sexually transmitted diseases?
- Will using this method embarrass me?
- Will this method embarrass my partner?
- Will I have trouble using this method correctly?
- If this method interrupts love making,
will I avoid using it?
- Am I taking this method without my
partner's knowledge?
- Am I afraid of using this method?
- Do I still have unanswered questions
about this method?
Most people will answer "yes" to
a few of these questions but in general, if you had a lot of "yes"
answers you may be less likely to use this method correctly every time you
have sex. Talk to a health care provider to help you decide whether
to use this method or how to use it so that it will be effective for you.
Because no birth control method (except abstinence)
is 100% effective, there are other questions you might want to explore:
- How would I cope with an
unwanted pregnancy?
- What are my feelings and
beliefs about being a parent? Does my partner agree?
- What are my feelings and
beliefs about abortion? Does my partner agree?
- What are my feelings and
beliefs about adoption? Does my partner agree?
- How would my partner cope
with an unwanted pregnancy?
| Effectiveness:
"Will It Work?" |
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In considering a method of birth control,
most people want to know how well the method works to prevent pregnancy.
It's important to know that ALL of the methods available to you at a family
planning clinic, when used correctly every time you have sex, are very effective
in preventing pregnancy.
When you're looking at information about a
method, you may notice that effectiveness is sometimes listed two different
ways: "perfect use" and "typical use."
The effectiveness rates you see after the
words "perfect use" are for a couple which uses the method correctly
every time the couple has sexual intercourse.
The effectiveness rates you see after the
words "typical use" are for the average couple which does not
use the method every time or uses it incorrectly.
Safety:
Will it Hurt Me?"
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In general, all birth control methods are
very safe. When choosing a method, a man or woman might be concerned about
major health risks, protecting their ability to have children in the future,
and side effects. To protect your health:
- Read all of the patient information
provided with the method you're interested in
- Talk to your health care
provider to get the most current information about the risks and benefits
of the method. Make sure to tell your provider about any information
you've heard or read that worries you.
Cost:
"How much will I have to pay?"
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The cost of a birth control method is an important
consideration for many people. Private insurance companies vary a great
deal in their coverage of birth control methods although almost all will
pay for surgical sterilization (vasectomy or tubal ligation). Public Health
Family Planning Clinics offer low or no-cost services. Call the clinic
nearest you if you have a question about cost.
Benefits:
"What's good about the method?"
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Preventing pregnancy is an obvious benefit
of using birth control but many methods have other benefits you might not
know about. These benefits might not be the main reason you decide
on a method, but they might help you decide between two or more suitable
methods.
