Choosing a Method - Sexual Health Peer Resource Center

Choosing a method of contraception is a very personal and individual decision for both females and couples in general. Because there are so many methods and types of contraception available today, ideally there will be one or more that meets the needs of every woman and every situation that exists. The important thing to remember when choosing a method of contraception or when counseling someone else through their decision-making process is that communication, between the woman and her partner and the woman and her clinician or doctor, is absolutely essential. In order to make the right choices and the safest choices, this is a decision that requires information from the woman, from the couple, and in some cases from a doctor or clinician.

Basic considerations and questions to address:

Effectivity: How well does this method work?
STD protection: Does this method protect against pregnancy and STDs, or just pregnancy? Do I need STD protection?
Health risks or family history: Some methods of contraception require information about blood clots or heart problems, as well as family histories of cancers such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and colon cancer.
Allergies: Many people have either drug allergies or allergies to latex and other materials used as contraception.
Health considerations and affect on lifestyle: Many methods of contraception may have adverse effects when paired with smoking; in addition some methods that do not protect against STDs should not be used if a woman has multiple partners and is at risk for STD transmission.
Side effects: Issues such as weight gain, weight loss, acne increase or decrease, and nausea are common with many types of contraception
Cost: As students, this is always an issue and it definitely varies from method to method.
Responsibility: Who is “in charge” of making sure contraceptives are taken or used correctly? If the outcome is possibly pregnancy, the woman may want to have greater control because a pregnancy would more directly affect her.
Ease of use: Is forgetfulness a problem? Can you remember to take a pill every day or have a shot once every three months?
Does it affect spontaneity? Many couples complain about having to interrupt foreplay to insert or put on various methods of contraception.
Will it affect your future fertility? Any type of contraception that involves hormones or invasion into the cervix or uterus has a small potential of effecting fertility down the road.
Prescription vs non-prescription: How accessable is this method? Does a woman need a pelvic examination to get her prescription? Can you just walk up in a grocery store and buy what you need?
Does it condradict any beliefs or values? Many people have religious or moral beliefs that may dictate what is appropriate for methods of contraception.
Would it be embarrassing to use? Do you feel awkward or uncomfortable with this method?
Timing: How long is this method effective for? Does it need to be employed before intercourse or foreplay?
What type of sexual relationship is it? Monogamous? Open? Communicative?


	SHPRC	About SHPRC Sexual Beings Working Yesterday STDs Making Babies Not Babies
	Choosing a Method Non-Methods Barrier Methods Hormonal Methods Chemical Methods Combination Methods Intrauterine Device Natural Family Planning Emergency Contraceptive Pill Fertility Charting Abstinence Sterilization	Choosing a Method Choosing a method of contraception is a very personal and individual decision for both females and couples in general. Because there are so many methods and types of contraception available today, ideally there will be one or more that meets the needs of every woman and every situation that exists. The important thing to remember when choosing a method of contraception or when counseling someone else through their decision-making process is that communication, between the woman and her partner and the woman and her clinician or doctor, is absolutely essential. In order to make the right choices and the safest choices, this is a decision that requires information from the woman, from the couple, and in some cases from a doctor or clinician. Basic considerations and questions to address: Effectivity: How well does this method work? STD protection: Does this method protect against pregnancy and STDs, or just pregnancy? Do I need STD protection? Health risks or family history: Some methods of contraception require information about blood clots or heart problems, as well as family histories of cancers such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and colon cancer. Allergies: Many people have either drug allergies or allergies to latex and other materials used as contraception. Health considerations and affect on lifestyle: Many methods of contraception may have adverse effects when paired with smoking; in addition some methods that do not protect against STDs should not be used if a woman has multiple partners and is at risk for STD transmission. Side effects: Issues such as weight gain, weight loss, acne increase or decrease, and nausea are common with many types of contraception Cost: As students, this is always an issue and it definitely varies from method to method. Responsibility: Who is “in charge” of making sure contraceptives are taken or used correctly? If the outcome is possibly pregnancy, the woman may want to have greater control because a pregnancy would more directly affect her. Ease of use: Is forgetfulness a problem? Can you remember to take a pill every day or have a shot once every three months? Does it affect spontaneity? Many couples complain about having to interrupt foreplay to insert or put on various methods of contraception. Will it affect your future fertility? Any type of contraception that involves hormones or invasion into the cervix or uterus has a small potential of effecting fertility down the road. Prescription vs non-prescription: How accessable is this method? Does a woman need a pelvic examination to get her prescription? Can you just walk up in a grocery store and buy what you need? Does it condradict any beliefs or values? Many people have religious or moral beliefs that may dictate what is appropriate for methods of contraception. Would it be embarrassing to use? Do you feel awkward or uncomfortable with this method? Timing: How long is this method effective for? Does it need to be employed before intercourse or foreplay? What type of sexual relationship is it? Monogamous? Open? Communicative?