5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Contraception
Jan 08, 2025
Whether you plan on using a particular contraceptive or you’re just starting to learn about your options, our Michigan Avenue Primary Care team can help.
We will explain the different methods, answer your questions, guide your decision, and provide the birth control that works for you and meets your family planning needs.
Here, we outline the top five factors to consider when choosing contraception.
We review your medical history and do a gynecological exam to be sure you don’t have health issues that might affect your contraceptive choices. Here are a few examples:
Contraceptives that use hormones are safe for most women because they’re available in varying doses and may contain estrogen, progestin, or both. But there are some exceptions.
You may not be a good candidate for hormones if you have health issues like breast cancer, heart disease, deep vein thrombosis, or liver disease.
Smoking cigarettes also increases your risk of side effects. If you smoke and you’re 35 or older, we may recommend that you choose a nonhormonal method.
IUDs are also safe for most women. However, four of the five IUD brands release hormones. The fifth type is made of copper, which is toxic to sperm.
You may not be a good candidate for an IUD if you have an active sexually transmitted infection (STI), have unexplained vaginal bleeding, or have a history of cervical or uterine cancer. You should also avoid the copper IUD if you’re allergic to copper.
When choosing birth control, it’s essential to be sure it fits your needs and lifestyle. Here are a few questions to consider:
Your answers will help guide your contraceptive choice.
Effectiveness is crucial when planning a family. However, the urgency of preventing a pregnancy differs for each person and may influence the effectiveness they’re willing to consider.
This list shows the overall effectiveness of contraceptives:
IUDs and the birth-control implant are highly effective because they don’t need daily, weekly, or monthly attention.
The other contraceptives on the list must be used properly to ensure optimal effectiveness. For example, birth control pills can be nearly 99% effective unless you forget to take a pill. (That’s why their real-world effectiveness is only 93%.)
The shot, ring, and patch can also be 99% effective until you don’t get the next shot, ring, or patch on time. They contain hormones that last a certain length of time; then, you need to replace them to keep preventing pregnancy.
IUDs and implants are called long-lasting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). After we insert an IUD or implant, they continuously prevent pregnancy for 3-10 years, depending on which one you use.
They’re just as effective as sterilization, but unlike sterilization, they’re easy to reverse. Though they last many years, we can remove them anytime in the office.
They’re highly effective because you don’t need to remember to take a pill, get a shot, or replace a patch or ring.
By comparison, other hormone-based methods are short-lived because you’re only protected until the hormones run out.
Medication side effects are usually harmful to your health. However, some contraceptives produce positive side effects. For example, hormonal contraceptives can shorten or regulate your periods and diminish the bleeding.
At the same time, some methods may cause irregular, heavy, or painful periods. Some hormones may cause mild side effects that go away in a few months. Others have the potential to cause severe complications.
We discuss the pros and cons of the birth control methods you’re considering and answer all your questions. You’ll have all the information you need to make the best decision.
Call Michigan Avenue Primary Care or request an appointment online to learn more about contraceptives and which one will work best for you.