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?
Sexual problems overview (2 images)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Sexual problems are defined as difficulty during any stage of the sexual act (which includes desire, arousal, orgasm, and resolution) that prevents the individual or couple from enjoying sexual activity. Reviewer: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/25/2006
Emergency contraception (4 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Emergency contraception is a method of birth control that can be used within 3 days of sexual intercourse. Reviewer: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/19/2006
Abortion (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
An abortion is a procedure to end a pregnancy by removing the fetus and placenta from the mother's womb. There are many forms of abortion - sometimes an abortion occurs on its own (spontaneously), and other times a woman chooses (elects) to end the pregnancy. See also: Elective abortion; Incomplete abortion; Infected abortion; Threatened abortion. Reviewer: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 03/29/2007
Condoms (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A condom is a type of birth control (contraceptive. Condoms are worn during intercourse to prevent pregnancy and the spread of some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Other than a vasectomy, the condom is the only available method of birth control for men. Reviewer: Charlotte Grayson, MD, Private Practice specializing in Internal Medicine, Smyrna, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/24/2006
Female condoms (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information) Reviewer: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare NetworkDate: 05/15/2006
Sexual intercourse - painful (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
For both men and women, pain can occur in the pelvic area during or soon after sexual intercourse. It can happen at any time during sex - for example, at the time of penetration, erection, or ejaculation. Eventually, if pain from intercourse is ongoing, you could lose interest in any sexual activity. The medical term for this is dyspareunia. Reviewer: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/17/2007
Female sexual dysfunction (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Sexual dysfunction in women may involve a reduction in sex drive, a strong dislike of sexual activity, difficulty becoming aroused, inability to achieve orgasm, or pain with sexual activity or intercourse. Reviewer: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare NetworkDate: 05/23/2006
Erection problems (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
An erection problem is the inability to get or maintain an erection that is firm enough for a man to have intercourse. You may be unable to get an erection at all, or you may lose the erection during intercourse before you are ready. If the condition persists, the medical term is erectile dysfunction. Reviewer: Marc Greenstein, DO, Urologist, North Jersey Center for Urologic Care, Denville, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/23/2007
Aging changes in the male reproductive system (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Aging changes in the male reproductive system may include changes in testicular tissue, sperm production, and erectile function. These changes usually occur gradually. Reviewer: David R. Knowles, M.D., Advanced Urologic Surgeons, Mt. Vernon, IL. Reviewprovided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/26/2006
Aging changes in the female reproductive system (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
As a woman ages, a number of changes take place in the female reproductive system. For women, the cessation of menses (menopause) is an obvious sign of aging. But, it is by no means the only change. A transition period, called the climacteric, lasts for many years before and after a woman's last menstrual period. See also: Menopause Reviewer: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/19/2006
Puberty and adolescence (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Puberty is the time in which sexual and physical characteristics mature. It occurs due to hormone changes. The changes allow you to become capable of reproduction. Adolescence is the period between puberty and adulthood. Reviewer: Ian Marshall, MD, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ. Date: 12/27/2006
Developmental disorders of the female reproductive tract(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Developmental disorders of the female reproductive tract are problems in a baby girl's reproductive organs that occur while she is growing in her mother's body. Female reproductive organs include the vagina, ovaries, uterus, and cervix. Reviewer: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMedHealthcare Network.Date: 05/07/2007
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