The capsule. IUDs. Vaginal rings. Contraceptive injections. Arm implants. Diaphragms. Condoms. With so many choices to select from, choosing out the correct contraception methodology for you may be… rather a lot.
Between 2017 and 2019, roughly 65 p.c of ladies aged 15 to 49 in the US used contraception—and but they nonetheless face quite a few challenges, from potential negative effects to managing the prices, notably for folks whose insurance coverage protection does not embrace contraception.
However, you do have some assist: Through the use of GoodRx’s free prescription financial savings platform, it can save you a mean of $43 on contraception drugs. You may also discover cost-effective options for a lot of totally different strategies of contraception, due to GoodRx’s producer partnerships.
However how are you aware which of these choices is best for you? Sophie Vergnaud, MD, senior medical director at GoodRx, is sharing three questions you’ll be able to ask your self to assist slim down your choices. And, for these on the lookout for extra details about contraception usually, a useful useful resource is GoodRx’s Girls’s Well being Hub, the place you could find intensive instructional sources about contraception choices and accessible financial savings.
1. Are you okay with making contraception a part of your every day routine?
All of us have that pal whose alarm goes off throughout each social gathering, reminding her to take her contraception. When you’re cool with becoming a member of her ranks, then the capsule—the commonest type of contraception—could also be a very good possibility for you. It has been round for many years and has two important varieties: Mixture drugs that comprise estrogen and progestin and mini drugs that comprise solely progestin (like the primary FDA-approved over-the-counter contraception capsule, Opill). The capsule is 99 p.c efficient—however provided that you’re taking it on the similar time daily and do not miss a dose, Dr. Vergnaud says. (Therefore the alarm.)
By checking GoodRx, you can save a mean of $43 on contraception medicines, and discover financial savings on widespread contraception drugs akin to Loestrin or Yaz. Nonetheless, there are nonetheless different inexpensive choices accessible to you if the every day reminder is not your factor. “In case your life-style makes this difficult otherwise you don’t wish to have to consider contraception daily, take into account an IUD or injection,” Dr. Vergnaud says.
A hoop is one other good set-it-and-forget it possibility. Attempt the month-to-month NuvaRing for as little as $48 a month through GoodRx, or the annual Annovera ring, which works out to $1 per day. No telephone alarms mandatory.
2. Are you apprehensive about negative effects?
You have most definitely heard tales from mates (or skilled some your self) in regards to the potential uncomfortable negative effects of contraception—ahem, complications, nausea, temper adjustments, and breast tenderness. When you’re delicate to these kind of negative effects, it’s possible you’ll wish to take into account a non-hormonal or low-dose contraception possibility, akin to Lo Loestrin Fe, which accommodates solely 10 micrograms of every day estrogen. “From vaginal rings, to patches, IUDs, implants, and injections—you have got many choices,” Dr. Vergnaud says. “You’ll discover one thing that works effectively for you.”
Discuss to your health-care skilled—whether or not that be a physician or a pharmacist (sure, in 34 states and Washington D.C., pharmacists are allowed to prescribe contraception)—about your choices.
3. Are you on the lookout for contraception that doubles as remedy?
Contraception can do greater than stop being pregnant. “Some types of contraception double up as remedy for an entire vary of situations—together with hormonal pimples, temper problems, fibroids, and endometriosis,” Dr. Vergnaud says. “Relying on what different well being issues you’re attempting to deal with, it could make sense to modify your contraception to maximise the advantages.”
The most typical instance of that is the capsule, which may be prescribed to deal with ache from intervals, PCOS, and endometriosis, in addition to to assist clear up pimples.
Backside line: You do not have to navigate the sophisticated world of contraception alone. Though figuring it out could not be an actual science, tapping GoodRx for information and financial savings—and dealing along with your health-care skilled—might help put you in charge of your well being care.
