Your doctor will ask you a number of questions about your health, lifestyle and future plans before you make a choice about birth control.  Talking with your doctor or nurse is the best way to help you figure out what method is best for you. You can always try one method and if you do not like it, you can try another one.

Basically, birth control methods work in a number of different ways. These include:

1. Preventing sperm from getting to the eggs.
2. Keeping the ovaries from releasing eggs that could be fertilized.
3. Or Sterilization, which permanently prevents a woman from getting pregnant or a man from being able to get a woman pregnant.

Without a doubt, the most effective way to prevent pregnancy is abstinence.  However, couples who do have sex need to use birth control properly and every time to prevent pregnancy.  So if you are considering birth control, here are a few of your options:

•     Birth Control Patch
•     Birth Control Pill
•     Birth Control Ring
•     Birth Control Shot
•     Cervical Cap
•     Condom
•     Diaphragm
•     Emergency Contraception (Morning-After Pill)
•     Implantable Contraception
•     IUD, or an intrauterine device
•     Fertility Awareness
•     Spermicide
•     Withdrawal

When you are choosing a birth control method, you'll want to consider your lifestyle, goals and health status in order to help you make your decision.  Keep in mind the following questions in order to help you make the best decision for you. 

How easy or comfortable is this method to use?
How effective is this method of birth control?
Will other health conditions or medications interfere with its effectiveness?
Is it reversible?
How much does this birth control method cost? Can you afford it?
Will this birth control protect you from STDs?
Will this method alter your sexual experience?
Is this method acceptable to your sexual partner?
Are health risks involved when taking this birth control?
Are health benefits involved when taking this birth control?

Keep in mind that most birth control does NOT protect you from HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like gonorrhea, herpes, and chlamydia. Other than not having sex, the best protection against STDs and HIV is the male latex condom. The female condom may give some STD protection.

Birth control methods work best if used correctly. Be sure you know the correct way to use them. Talk with your doctor or nurse and don't feel embarrassed about talking with her again if you forget or don't understand.  Sometimes doctors do not explain how to use a method because they may think you already know how.  Using some types of birth control methods can take time and practice.  In the end, the more you know about the correct way to use birth control, the more control you will have over deciding if and when you want to become pregnant.