Choosing Contraception That's Right for You

If you are considering using birth control or making a change to your current contraception method, there are numerous options available. You may find that one method of birth control suits your needs better than others at different stages in your life. Factors to consider include:

Effectiveness
Permanency
Convenience
Cost
Side effects
Noncontraceptive benefits
Protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Compatibility with religious preferences or cultural practices

Periodic review of available options will help ensure you choose a method to best meet your current lifestyle.

This guide is designed to give you an overview of the available birth control options so that you can have an in-depth discussion with your midwife about choosing the method that matches your physical, emotional, and lifestyle needs. We encourage you to discuss the benefits and risks of each birth control method with your midwife.

This page was last reviewed Friday, November 19, 2010