The tablet. IUDs. Vaginal rings. Contraceptive injections. Arm implants. Diaphragms. Condoms. With so many choices to select from, selecting out the correct contraception technique for you may be… lots.
Between 2017 and 2019, roughly 65 p.c of girls aged 15 to 49 in america used contraception—and but they nonetheless face quite a few challenges, from potential unwanted side effects to managing the prices, notably for individuals whose insurance coverage protection would 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 can even discover cost-effective options for a lot of totally different strategies of contraception, because of 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 may ask your self to assist slim down your choices. And, for these in search of extra details about contraception usually, a useful useful resource is GoodRx’s Girls’s Well being Hub, the place yow will discover in depth academic assets about contraception choices and accessible financial savings.
1. Are you okay with making contraception a part of your each day routine?
All of us have that buddy whose alarm goes off throughout each social gathering, reminding her to take her contraception. For those who’re cool with becoming a member of her ranks, then the tablet—the most typical type of contraception—could also be a very good possibility for you. It has been round for many years and has two foremost sorts: Mixture drugs that include estrogen and progestin and mini drugs that include solely progestin (like the primary FDA-approved over-the-counter contraception tablet, Opill). The tablet is 99 p.c efficient—however provided that you are taking it on the similar time day by day and do not miss a dose, Dr. Vergnaud says. (Therefore the alarm.)
By checking GoodRx, you would save a mean of $43 on contraception medicines, and discover financial savings on frequent contraception drugs reminiscent of Loestrin or Yaz. Nonetheless, there are nonetheless different inexpensive choices accessible to you if the each day reminder is not your factor. “In case your life-style makes this difficult otherwise you don’t wish to have to consider contraception day by day, contemplate an IUD or injection,” Dr. Vergnaud says.
A hoop is one other good set-it-and-forget it possibility. Strive 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 crucial.
2. Are you anxious about unwanted side effects?
You have most certainly heard tales from associates (or skilled some your self) concerning the potential uncomfortable unwanted side effects of contraception—ahem, complications, nausea, temper adjustments, and breast tenderness. For those who’re delicate to these kinds of unwanted side effects, it’s possible you’ll wish to contemplate a non-hormonal or low-dose contraception possibility, reminiscent of Lo Loestrin Fe, which incorporates solely 10 micrograms of each day estrogen. “From vaginal rings, to patches, IUDs, implants, and injections—you’ve gotten many choices,” Dr. Vergnaud says. “You’ll discover one thing that works nicely for you.”
Speak 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 in search of contraception that doubles as remedy?
Contraception can do greater than stop being pregnant. “Some types of contraception double up as remedy for a complete vary of circumstances—together with hormonal pimples, temper problems, fibroids, and endometriosis,” Dr. Vergnaud says. “Relying on what different well being issues you’re making an attempt to handle, it could make sense to modify your contraception to maximise the advantages.”
The commonest instance of that is the tablet, 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 difficult 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.
