How to Find the Birth Control Option That’s Right for You

Navigating the world of birth control can be overwhelming, especially given the sheer variety of options available today. From hormonal methods like the pill and patch to long-term solutions like IUDs, as well as barrier methods and natural alternatives, the choices can feel endless. Each option comes with its own benefits, potential side effects, and requirements, making it essential to find one that aligns with your health needs, lifestyle, and reproductive goals. Choosing the right birth control is a highly personal decision and often requires balancing factors such as convenience, effectiveness, or even additional health concerns such as heavy menstrual bleeding or acne. While online information can offer a helpful starting point, there’s no substitute for a conversation with your healthcare provider, who can help guide you based on your medical history and individual circumstances.

To help guide you before your appointment, we break down the most common types of birth control and the questions you should ask yourself before making a choice. Whether you’re exploring birth control for the first time or considering switching methods, understanding your options (and knowing when to seek professional advice) can empower you to make informed, confident decisions.

Hormonal vs. non-hormonal options

Birth control options include hormonal methods like pills, patches, rings, and injections, as well as non-hormonal options like IUDs and condoms. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods like IUDs and implants offer long-term protection and can be a good option when a patient has a true contraindication to a hormonal option, according to Dr. Maria Sophocles, an OB/GYN based in New Jersey. She adds, “Hormonal options are safe for nearly every woman; non-hormonal options such as a non-hormonal copper IUD are not necessarily more ‘natural.’ Some hormonal options contain estrogen and progesterone while others contain only progestogens (types of progesterone), which are used in women with clot risk or who smoke as they do not increase risk of clots.”

Common birth control methods

Pill – according to Planned Parenthood, if you use it perfectly, the pill is 99% effective. But people aren’t perfect and it’s easy to forget or miss pills — so in reality the pill is about 93% effective. That means about 7 out of 100 pill users get pregnant each year. There are two kinds of birth control pills— combination pills (the most common type of birth control pill) and progestin-only pills.

Patch – The transdermal contraceptive patch is a safe and convenient birth control method that works really well if you always use it correctly. You wear the patch (and change it weekly) on certain parts of your body, and it releases hormones through your skin that prevent pregnancy. If used perfectly, the patch is 99% effective, but it’s actually closer to 93% effective as it can be easy to make a mistake.

Vaginal ring – With the vaginal ring, you wear a small, flexible ring inside your vagina, and it prevents pregnancy 24/7 by releasing hormones into your body. You put it in and take it out once a month. About 7 out of 100 ring users get pregnant each year. The birth control ring may cause negative side effects for some people, such as nausea, headaches, and sore breasts, but they usually go away after a few months.

IUD – IUD stands for intrauterine device (basically, a device inside your uterus). It’s a small piece of flexible plastic shaped like a T. It’s long-term, reversible, and one of the most effective birth control methods, with it being more than 99% effective (fewer than 1 out of 100 people who use an IUD will get pregnant each year). IUDs are so effective because there’s no chance of making a mistake. You can’t forget to take it (like the pill), or use it incorrectly (like condoms). And you’re protected from pregnancy 24/7 for 3 to 12 years, depending on which kind you get. Once your IUD is in place, you can keep it in until it expires or decide that you’re ready to try and get pregnant. Once it’s removed, an IUD doesn’t prevent you from getting pregnant right away.

Birth control shot – The birth control shot is an injection you get once every three months from a healthcare provider. It contains the hormone progestin, which stops you from getting pregnant by preventing ovulation. When used perfectly, the birth control shot is more than 99% effective, meaning less than 1 out of every 100 people who use it will get pregnant each year. However, in real life, the shot is about 96% effective due to people sometimes forgetting to get their shots on time. The most common side effects are changes in your periods, especially during the first year. These include bleeding, spotting, or not getting your period.

Birth control implant – The birth control implant is a tiny, thin rod about the size of a matchstick. The implant releases hormones into your body that prevent you from getting pregnant. A nurse or doctor inserts the implant into your arm and you’re protected from pregnancy for up to 5 years. Similar to an IUD, the implant is so effective (more than 99%) because it’s in your arm, and therefore there’s no chance of using it incorrectly or forgetting to take it altogether. If you decide you want to get pregnant, a nurse or doctor can take it out and you can get pregnant right away.

Factors to consider

Dr. Sophocles notes that two of the main questions to ask yourself when trying to decide a birth control is what can I stick with? Do I have any contraindications? For example, if you are a smoker than an estrogen containing pill is not right for you. Similarly, if you have trouble remembering to take a daily pill, then that method is also not right for you. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance/convenient option then an IUD or implant might be best for you. Those methods are also highly effective (over 99%).

However, as mentioned above, some people use birth control not just to prevent pregnancy, but to also address additional health concerns. Some IUDs can be used to help treat heavy menstrual bleeding whereas hormonal options such as the pill, can help regulate your period, reduce PMS symptoms, improve skin complexion, and help manage conditions such as endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

Remember, the right choice is not about following trends or meeting others’ expectations; it’s about finding a method that reflects your unique needs and preferences, while ensuring your health and well-being come first. It’s best to talk to your healthcare provider as they are best equipped to help if you have questions or concerns.