Which birth control method is most effective?

As a former sexuality health educator, many young people would ask me, "what method of birth control is most effective?" I had some nice, colorful handouts that listed each birth control method and the percentage of effectiveness. I would supplement the handout by telling the person the pros and cons of each method and I'd say something like, "when used correctly 1 (or however many) out 100 women using __________ method will become pregnant each year."

It is true: some contraceptive methods are more effective than others. However, in my opinion, the most effective birth control option is the one that a couple uses correctly and consistently. So how do young people decide which method is right for them?

The best way for someone to figure out what type of birth control to choose is by doing research and learning about the different methods. If a woman is considering a hormonal method, she should talk to a nurse or clinician about the methods that interest her to find out about the side effects and how it works. I'd also recommend that young women gather pamphlets, go to Planned Parenthood's website, and talk to friends about their experience.  

I recently found Bedsider, a website that shows videos of real women talking about their birth control. I think it is a great resource and can help women learn more about a particular method. Keep in mind though that most of the women in these videos are not talking about the cons of their method and everybody's body may react differently to a hormonal method of birth control.

Many young people also choose condoms, which may be easier for them to access. They lower one's risk of giving or receiving STIs. In addition, using a male or female condom with a hormonal method adds extra protection to preventing pregnancy.

It's also important to educate young people about Emergency Contraception (EC), what it is, how it works, and where they can get it. The answer to all of these questions can be found here. I recently read this blog post from Pregnant Pause about college students' knowledge about EC. As you can see, the majority of college students are having sex. About half of them reported that at one time they or their partner thought they were pregnant, but there were also a significant number of students that reported knowing "little or nothing" about Emergency Contraception.

Teens and young adults who are (or may become) sexually active and trying to avoid pregnancy should choose a birth control method that fits into their lifestyle, consider also using condoms, and be knowledgeable about Emergency Contraception and where to access it.