Sex raises a lot of questions: When should I start? Who is the right partner? What feels best?
Once you know you are ready to engage in sexual activity, it’s time to stat looking at the best contraceptive methods. Birth control (also called contraception) can help you prevent pregnancy when you don’t want to have a baby. Male and female condoms are types of birth control that can also help protect you and your sex partner from STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).
How do I choose the right birth control?
There isn’t one method of birth control that’s right for everyone. Each type of birth control has pros and cons.
Here are some things to think about when choosing a birth control method:
- Do you want to have children someday? How soon?
- Do you have any health conditions?
- How often do you have sex?
- How many sex partners do you have?
- Do you also need protection against HIV and other STDs?
- How well does the birth control method work?
- Are there any side effects?
- Will you be able to use it correctly every time?
How does birth control work?
It depends on the type of birth control you choose. Different methods of birth control work in different ways.
Once you’ve done your research, you can go to your GP or local contraceptive (or family planning) clinic to discuss your choices.
Remember, the only way to protect yourself against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is to use a condom every time you have sex. Other methods of contraception prevent pregnancy, but they don’t protect against STIs.