The Pill Isn't Your Only Choice for Birth Control

Choosing whether to have a baby and when to have one are among the biggest decisions a woman makes. For most women, it's important to have some control over these choices, and that's why many women use contraceptives at various stages of their lives. If you are a sexually active young woman who is not ready to have children, it's important to use a contraceptive that works for you.

The problem with the pill

For many women, the most important factor in a contraceptive is effectiveness. The combination estrogen-progestin pill, which is the birth control pill most women use, is nearly 100 percent effective if taken daily as directed. But because many women do not take pills as directed, the pregnancy rate is two to nine pregnancies per 100 women each year, and it may be slightly less effective if you’re overweight.

Depending on the kind of pill you're on, even delaying a dose for an hour or two can increase your chance of getting pregnant. This is especially true with the progestin-only or mini-pill, but timing may also be important with other pills. If you fear that you might not always take your pill at the same time every day, there are other contraceptive options that you can look into.

Long-term options

A method that has become common, especially for women who are not good at routinely taking pills, is the intrauterine device, or IUD. Your health care provider can place what looks like a little T-shaped device inside your uterus, and it prevents pregnancy for up to 12 years, depending on what type you choose. It is more than 99 percent effective, and many women have no hassles or side effects using the IUD.