Your Go-To Guide for Birth Control
Choosing the right birth control method is an important and personal decision. With the amount of options available, it’s essential to have a conversation with your healthcare provider to find the best fit for your lifestyle, health, and future plans. Here is what you can expect during a birth control counseling session—and how to prepare.
What Is Birth Control Counseling?
Birth control counseling is a one-on-one conversation between you and your healthcare provider. The goal is to help you understand your contraceptive options, assess your preferences and medical needs, and choose a method that aligns with your reproductive goals.
Shared Decision-Making: Your Voice Matters
Birth control counseling uses a shared decision-making approach. This means that your provider will guide you with up-to-date, evidence-based medical information, but the final choice is yours. Counseling should prioritize your values, lifestyle, and health conditions.
Topics that may be discussed:
Your reproductive goals (e.g., if and when you want to become pregnant)
Your medical history (certain conditions may affect your options)
Any side effects or health risks you are concerned about
Your preference for reversibility, hormonal vs. non-hormonal, frequency of use, and privacy
Birth Control Options: An Overview
Methods of contraception are typically grouped by effectiveness:
Tier 1: Most Effective
Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs): Hormonal and copper options
Implants: Subdermal hormonal implant (e.g., Nexplanon)
LARCs are safe for most people—including adolescents and those who have not had children—and can be removed at any time if pregnancy is desired.
Tier 2: Moderately Effective
Injectables (e.g., Depo-Provera)
Oral contraceptives (the pill)
Patches and vaginal rings
For these methods, it is important to discuss proper use and what to do if a dose is missed.
Tier 3: Less Effective (User-dependent)
Condoms (male and female)
Diaphragms and cervical caps
Spermicides
Fertility awareness methods
While less effective at preventing pregnancy, these methods may appeal to those seeking non-hormonal or natural approaches.
Permanent Methods
Tubal ligation or salpingectomy for women
Vasectomy for men
These are intended for individuals who are certain that they do not want future pregnancies.
Emergency Contraception
Your provider may also discuss emergency contraception options, which are available for use after unprotected sex. These include:
Pill options (e.g., levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate)
Copper IUD (most effective form of emergency contraception if placed within 5 days)
Addressing Myths and Misconceptions
Part of contraceptive counseling includes clearing up common myths, such as:
"IUDs cause infertility" → False: IUDs are safe and do not impact long-term fertility.
"You need to take a break from hormonal birth control" → False: There's no medical need to "take a break" from safe, well-tolerated methods.
Special Considerations
Adolescents: ACOG supports confidential contraceptive counseling and access to all methods, including LARC, for teens.
Postpartum: Many methods are safe to use immediately after childbirth.
Medical Conditions: Most people, including those with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or epilepsy, can use contraception safely—with some considerations.
Final Thoughts
Birth control is not one-size-fits-all. As your medical provider, our job is to empower you with knowledge and support, so that you can make choices that best suit your needs. Whether you are starting birth control for the first time or reevaluating your current method, an open and thorough conversation with your provider is the first step.
Ready to Talk About Your Options?
Book a birth control counseling appointment with one of our providers today. We’re here to listen, inform, and support your reproductive health goals.
Sources:
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Practice Bulletin: Long-Acting Reversible Contraception
ACOG Committee Opinion on Adolescent Contraception
U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (CDC)