Contraception and Family Planning

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Factors to consider when deciding on a form of contraception

• Availability -- Can the method be used without a prescription, provider visit, or, in the case of minors, parental consent
• Cost -- Is the method affordable for the individual or couple It may prove helpful to weigh the cost issue with the question of whether the individual or couple could afford an undesired pregnancy.
• Effectiveness -- How well does the method prevent pregnancy It is important to look at the "user" effectiveness rate (pearl index), rather than the theoretical effectiveness. This is reported as the number of pregnancies observed in 100 women using that method over a period of one year.
• Health risk -- The safety of particular methods of contraception should be considered for each user. Some methods of birth control may not be good options because of potential health risks (for example, oral contraceptives are usually not recommended for women over age 35 who also smoke).
• Unplanned pregnancy -- The significance of an unplanned pregnancy to the individual or couple should be considered when choosing a method of contraception. If the effect of an unplanned pregnancy is viewed as potentially devastating, 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.
• Partner involvement -- The willingness of a partner to accept, cooperate in, and be supportive of, a given method of contraception may affect options for birth control. However, one may want to reexamine the choice to start or continue a sexual relationship with a partner unwilling to take an active and supportive role in contraception.