Finding the Right Birth Control

A QUIZ

No matter if you’re sexually active, think you may be soon, just want to be prepared when the time comes, or are considering using birth control to help with period cramps or acne, you should consider which birth control method is best for you. Every method has its pros and cons. This quiz is designed to help narrow your options when choosing what type of birth control best fits your needs.

Maybe you have received advice from friends who have experience with birth control, but keep in mind that your experience with a method may be different! So let’s think about what YOU want!

Select the response that you agree with the most and keep track of your answers color bar. The number of color bars will determine your finla score. If you’re not sure about your preference, choose the one that you’re leaning towards.

All birth control methods help prevent pregnancy to some degree. How important is it to you that your method is excellent at preventing pregnancy?

Is this a serious question? VERY important.

I’m OK with using a method that isn’t highly effective.

Many birth control methods only prevent pregnancy if you are using the method correctly and consistently. Are you good about sticking to a routine or do you need something more mistake-proof?

I need to know that my method is really good at preventing pregnancy no matter what I do.

I can handle following a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule for maximum effectiveness.

I want birth control that only needs to be used during the sexual encounter—even if it’s more risky.

Different methods require different levels of interaction with your healthcare provider. Which level of interaction do you prefer?

One or two visits are all I want.

Regular interactions are cool with me.

I do not want any interaction with a healthcare provider.

How long do you want your method to work before it needs to be replaced?

Years

1-3 months

Just when I’m having sex.

When you’re about to have sex, is it important to you that your method allows you to stay in the moment, or does a method that requires you to remember to use it before having intercourse work for you?

I want to stay in the moment.

I don’t mind pausing to use a method.

Do you want your method to protect against STIs (sexually transmitted infections) while also helping to prevent pregnancy?

I don’t mind using more than one method during sex to also prevent STIs.

Yes, I definitely want a method that can do both.

How important is it to you that your method is “hidden” (no one can notice that you’re using birth control)?

Very important. I don’t want my partner or anyone else to see that I’m using birth control.

Kind of important. It would be nice to have a method that I can keep private, but it’s not what I care about most.

I’m cool with a method that requires me or my partner to take precautions like putting on a condom or using spermicide.

Do you want to use a method with or without hormones? Hormones can cause side effects, some may be desirable whereas others are not, and some pose health risks.

With hormones is fine by me.

No hormones for me! I don’t want to mess with my natural hormone balance.

Let’s talk about side effects. Most methods have some side effects. Although not everyone experiences each potential side effect, you may want to avoid the risk of side effects or you may think some side effects would actually be a good thing. So let’s find out which side effects you find tolerable or even desirable!

Would you prefer the flow of your period to be lighter than it is now?

YES!

No, I have no complaints.

Some methods make your periods more regular and predictable whereas others make them irregular (meaning you would bleed less often and not as long, but you may not always know when to expect your period). Which would you prefer?

I want fewer and shorter periods.

I want my periods to become more regular and predictable.

I do not want my periods to change.

Do you want a method that makes your periods less painful?

Yes, that would be AWESOME.

No, I don’t really have painful periods.

Do you want a method that may reduce your symptoms of PMS?

Yes, please!

No, it doesn’t matter for me.

Do you want a method that may decrease your sex drive?

Nope.

That would be fine.

Nope.

Do you want to avoid a method that could cause you to feel nauseous?

Yes, I’d like to avoid any methods that could make me nauseous.

I’m not too worried about the risk of getting nauseous.

Yes, I’d like to avoid any methods that could make me nauseous.

Do you want a method that may clear up your acne?

No, not necessary.

Oh yah!

No, not necessary.

Scoring

Each response corresponds to a color (two or three colors in some cases).
Check your answers and determine which color panel has the highest number.

What do my answers mean?

The color panels with the highest number of answers show that you are leaning towards a method that is most effective, moderately effective, or least effective at preventing pregnancy. But pregnancy prevention is not the only reason to use birth control!

YELLOW

If most of your answers were yellow, then you may prefer condoms, abstinence, withdrawal, the sponge, spermicide, or fertility-awareness methods. These methods are at the lowest level of effectiveness for preventing pregnancy, meaning that 12-24% of users become pregnant within a year of typical use. BUT these methods are also the cheapest, easiest to obtain (no need to see your healthcare provider), and they only have to be usedduring intercourse. They also have very few side effects, mostly related to skin irritation.

PINK

If most of your answers were pink, then you prefer a moderately effective method, such as the pill, shot, patch, ring, or diaphragm. Moderately effective methods, when used correctly and consistently, are 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, but considering typical use, their effectiveness levels range from 88-94%, meaning 6-12% of users accidentally become pregnant each year. Also keep in mind that hormonal methods come with the risk of side effects, which may or may not work for you. These methods require a monthly prescription from your provider (pill, patch, ring) or a visit to their office every three months for a Depo shot.

TURQUOISE

If most of your answers were turquoise, then you prefer a highly effective method, such as an intrauterine device (IUD) or implant. These methods prevent more than 99% of pregnancies. Highly effective methods must be inserted by a healthcare provider, but once that is done, you don’t have to think about it again until it’s time for a new one (3-10 years) or you want it out for any reason. These methods tend to have the highest satisfaction rates because they have fewer side effects and protect against pregnancy the best.

Some IMPORTANT Things to Remember

Only two methods, condoms and abstinence from all sexual activity (vaginal, anal, and oral), protect against STIs.
YOU decide when, where, why, with who, and how YOU want to have sex. Whether you are in a long-term relationship or having a fling, your sexual relationship should be healthy and based on equality, respect, honesty, and comfort.
If you are in an unhealthy relationship or situation—such as with a controlling, abusive, disrespectful, dishonest, overly needy, or hostile partner—get help immediately! Visit loveisrespect.org.

OK, but how do I find out which specific method is best for me?

Check out Bedsider.org to see a side-by-side comparison of methods. To get details about each specific method, including potential side effects and health risks, just click on a method to learn more.

Where to get birth control:

If you want one of the moderately effective or most effective methods, you need to see your healthcare provider. In Louisiana, parental consent is needed if you are under 18 (unless married), but you can get confidential care from Title X clinics or Planned Parenthood.

If you want one of the methods that are considered least effective, head to your nearest drugstore.

Dr. Melissa Goldin Evans

Dr. Melissa Goldin Evans is a postdoctoral fellow at the Mary Amelia Women’s Center within the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Born and raised in Gulfport, Mississippi, she moved to New Orleans in 2006 to help with Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts while earning her master’s degree. Dr. Goldin Evans received her PhD in Community Health Sciences from the School of Public Health at LSU Health Sciences Center.