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Which Method of Birth Control Should I Use? Part I

October 5, 2009 - 1:32pm 335 reads 1 comments

So you're sexually active and having vaginal intercourse and you're interested in preventing pregnancy. It's 2009 and that means there are a lot of methods of birth control to choose from. Depending on a range of factors, it's important to find a birth control that fits for you. You wouldn't just throw on a sweater at the store without trying it on, right? Why would you blindly choose a birth control method without knowing all the facts? In a two-part series, I've compiled the basic pros and cons of many birth control options that are available in the United States.

Note that I have focused on common birth control methods that are meant to prevent pregnancy for a consistent period of time (not emergency contraception, for example) and are methods for people who are having vaginal intercourse (not abstinence, for example).

Condoms:

The Deal: Used correctly, these plastic or latex covers for a penis help prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

The Pros: They prevent against STDs!

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Anonymous

great resources on choosing a birth control method here (from Association of Reproductive Health Professions/ARHP):

A Woman’s Guide to Understanding Today’s Birth Control Choices (Also available in Spanish) http://tinyurl.com/yasqgwv

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