Navigating Birth Control Choices: 6 Strategies for Selecting a Suitable Method for Your Needs
Finding the Right Birth Control: A Guide for You
Choosing the perfect birth control method can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be! Wondering if the pill, patch, or ring is your best bet? Or perhaps an IUD, implant, or injection sounds more appealing? Follow these tips to make an informed decision tailored to your body and life.
1. Be Truthful with Yourself
When exploring birth control options for the first time or considering a change, take a moment to ponder how the method fits into your lifestyle. Elizabeth Harrington, M.D., an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Family Planning Clinic at UWMC-Roosevelt in Seattle, suggests reflecting on whether you'll remember to take the pill at the same time daily or if you'd prefer a longer-acting solution that minimizes your attention.
Reflect on your preferences regarding monthly periods. Would you welcome a monthly cycle or find it more suitable to have one without it? Consider the possibility of a higher failure rate and if you're firm about wanting the ability to stop using a method whenever desired. Are you planning to conceive within the next few months? Are you in a sexual relationship that may expose you to sexually transmitted infections? These considerations are crucial when making a decision.
2. Know Your Risks and Benefits
Depending on your health history, your healthcare provider may recommend avoiding certain birth control methods. For example, estrogen-containing birth control is generally not suggested for women with estrogen-sensitive cancers, high blood pressure, specific genetic predispositions, migraines with aura, severe diabetes, a history of blood clots, stroke, heart disease, or for women over 35 who smoke.
Your healthcare provider will help you weigh the risks of pregnancy against the potential adverse events associated with each method. While most women tolerate birth control well, some may experience mood changes, weight gain, or a dip in libido. These side effects are not necessarily directly linked to birth control but can be challenging to isolate from other factors in your life.
For progestin-only methods, potential side effects include irregular spotting and unpredictable light bleeding. Competitive benefits of birth control include improved acne, reduced heavy bleeding, and alleviation of PMS symptoms for some individuals.
3. Evaluate Costs
Cost is an essential factor for many women, especially those with insurance that only partially covers contraception, no insurance or expensive copays. Long-acting reversible contraception, like IUDs and implants, tend to be more expensive out-of-pocket than other methods. Generically available birth control pills can cost as little as $4 per month, while brand-name options may reach up to $100 without insurance. Cost-effectiveness, or the price divided by the length of use, should also be considered.
4. Experiment and Communicate
Remember, you're not locked into one birth control method forever. It's acceptable to try different options and see what feels right for you. If you have concerns about your current method, don't hesitate to discuss them with your doctor. Different bodies react differently to various methods, so there's a reason multiple options exist.
Enrichment Data:
Take these factors into account when discussing birth control choices with your healthcare provider:
- Future Pregnancy Plans:
- Do you plan to become pregnant in the near future?
- Are you looking for a reversible or permanent method?
- Convenience and Frequency of Use:
- How often are you willing to take or use the method (e.g., daily, monthly, annually)?
- Are you comfortable with the procedure or insertion required for some methods, like IUDs?
- Effectiveness:
- What level of effectiveness do you need? Some methods are more effective than others.
- Side Effects and Non-Contraceptive Benefits:
- What potential side effects are you willing to accept?
- Are there non-contraceptive benefits you would like, such as lighter periods or reduced cramps?
- Medical Health Conditions and Medications:
- Do you have any medical conditions that might affect your choice of birth control?
- Are you taking any medications that could interact with certain birth control methods?
- Privacy and Discretion:
- How important is discretion to you? Some methods are more private than others.
- Protection Against STIs:
- Do you need protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? Not all methods provide this.
- Menstrual Changes:
- Are you comfortable with potential changes in your menstrual cycle?
- Lifestyle Considerations:
- Are you breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed? Some methods are safer during breastfeeding.
- Are you active and prefer a method that won’t interfere with your lifestyle?
- If you are especially concerned about your health and wellness, you may want to explore birth control options that cater to women's health, such as hormone-free or low-estrogen methods.
- In the context of broader health and wellness, being informed about the science behind various birth control methods can empower you to make the best decision for your body and lifestyle.
