What Should You Do if You Can’t Decide on a Method of Birth Control?

There are 15 types of birth control methods available. Our personal opinion is: the more options, the better. But we get it – sometimes the more choices you have, the harder it is to make a choice. So, what do you do if you want to start using contraception, but more than one method is calling your name?

First: collect information. We suggest you check out our method explorer, which has lots of facts about every type of contraception, how effective they are, and their potential side effects. For those doing other more extensive online research about all the methods and how they work, just be sure that the sources you look at are trustworthy – here’s a quick guide on how to do that. But don't forget, you can also visit your nearest The Right Time health center and have a provider give you the rundown on each individual method.

For others, this might mean asking friends what they’re using, and what they like and don’t like about the methods they are using. But remember you’re just gathering the facts here. Don’t make any decisions about your health by Googling and asking your friends. If a few methods pique your interest more than the others, that’s okay.

Second: try and figure out what you want from your birth control by making a list. Do you want it to prevent pregnancy or protect you from STIs? Both? Do you want it to reduce or eliminate painful periods? Do you want it to reduce your risk of cervical cancer, or help with migraines? You can also consider which methods will be the easiest to incorporate into your life. Will you remember to take a pill every day or change your patch after three weeks, or do you want a method like an IUD or an implant that requires zero effort from you?

Third: take everything you know about the methods and everything you know you want from your method and talk to a medical provider at your nearest The Right Time health center. They will be able to clear up any questions or concerns you might have (like, is it really safe to not have a period?). Their role as the provider is not to choose a method for you, but rather to act as a resource and help you make the choice that’s right for you.