Which Contraceptive is best for me?
When the question is about birth control, nobody is willing to take a risk. Hence, the most viable and safest option has to be chosen from a plethora of methods available, ranging from basic condoms to IUDs.
However, the luxury of choosing from a wide range of methods can be a little overwhelming sometimes. You’ve got over a dozen options to pick from — each with its pros and cons. When it comes right down to it, the best birth control is the method you’re most likely to use. But here are some other things to consider as you decide.
Here are some questions to consider when selecting a birth control method:
- How well does the method prevent pregnancy? To tell how well a method works, look at the number of pregnancies in 100 women using that method over a period of 1 year.
- What are your feelings about getting pregnant? Would an unplanned pregnancy create hardship or distress to a woman or her partner? Or would a pregnancy be welcomed if it occurred earlier than planned?
- How much does a method of birth control cost? Does your insurance plan pay for it?
- What are the health risks? Talk about these risks with your health care provider before believing what you hear from others.
- Is your partner willing to accept and use a given method of birth control?
- Do you want a method that you only need to use when you have sex? Or do you want something that is in place and always working?
- Is preventing infections spread by sexual contact important? Many methods do not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms are the best choice for preventing STIs. They work best when combined with spermicides.
- Availability: Can the method be used without a prescription, a provider visit, or, in the case of minors, parental consent?
After looking into all the necessary factors, the best and most comfortable methods of birth control have to be chosen from the various options available. The birth control must not affect your health in such a manner that it may prove to be fatal.
Knowing your choices and options is like a decision process. A genuine assessment of you and your relationships is important while deciding the suitable contraceptive method for you.
Take into consideration your health, lifestyle, short as well as long-term reproductive purposes, and finally the financial means. Once you decide on all these factors, meet your doctor and discuss your options. Together you can pick the right birth control method for you.