Which form of birth control you choose depends on a number of different factors, including your health, how often you have sex, and whether or not you want children.
Here are some factors to consider when selecting a birth control method:
Effectiveness -- how well does the method prevent pregnancy? Look at the number of pregnancies in 100 women using that method over a period of one year. If an unplanned pregnancy would be viewed as potentially devastating to the individual or couple, a highly effective method should be chosen. In contrast, if a couple is simply trying to postpone pregnancy, but feels that a pregnancy could be welcomed if it occurred earlier than planned, a less effective method may be a reasonable choice.
Cost -- is the method affordable?
Health risk -- learn any potential health risks. For example, birth control pills are usually not recommended for women over age 35 who also smoke.
Partner involvement -- The willingness of a partner to accept and support a given method may affect your choice of birth control. However, you also may want to re-consider a sexual relationship with a partner unwilling to take an active and supportive role.
Permanence -- do you want a temporary (and generally less effective) method, or a long-term or even permanent (and more effective) method?
Preventing HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) -- many methods offer no protection against STDs. In general, condoms are the best choice for preventing STDs, especially combined with spermicides.
Availability -- Can the method be used without a prescription, provider visit, or, in the case of minors, parental consent?
Opiate withdrawal(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Opiate withdrawal is caused by stopping, or dramatically reducing, opiate use after heavy and prolonged use (several weeks or more. Opiates include heroin, morphine, codeine, Oxycontin, Dilaudid, methadone, and others. Reviewer: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/17/2006
Nicotine withdrawal (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Nicotine withdrawal involves irritability, headache, and craving. These symptoms happen with the sudden stopping or reduction of smoking (or other tobacco use) by a nicotine-dependent individual. See smoking - tips on how to quit and smoking hazards. Reviewer: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy. Previously reviewed by Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/17/2006).Date: 04/03/2007
Alcohol withdrawal(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Alcohol withdrawal refers to symptoms that may occur when a person who has been drinking too much alcohol every day suddenly stops drinking alcohol. Reviewer: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/18/2007
Cocaine withdrawal (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Cocaine withdrawal occurs when a heavy cocaine user cuts down or quits taking the drug. Reviewer: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/17/2006
Cancer
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells. Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/11/2006
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