A patient’s choice of contraceptive method depends on several factors: efficacy, safety, cost, non-contraceptive benefits, and personal considerations.1 Communication tools can provide clients with a variety of ways to understand these issues and choose their best method, but different tools may be more effective than others, depending on the patient. The following tools explain contraceptive effectiveness and relative risks of pregnancy in a variety of ways, so you can pick the tool that works best for your particular patient:
- Comparing Effectiveness of Methods3 (PDF)
- Method Match an interactive tool to sort, compare, and filter birth control options
- Summary Table of Contraceptive Efficacy4 (PDF)
References
- Trussell J. The Essentials of Contraception: Efficacy, Safety, and Personal Considerations. In: Hatcher RA, Trussell J, Nelson AL, Cates W Jr., Stewart FH, Kowal D, editors. Contraceptive Technology. 19th ed. New York, NY: Ardent Media, Inc.; 2007.
- Association of Reproductive Health Professionals. A Woman’s Guide to Understanding Today’s Birth Control Choices. Available from: www.arhp.org.
- Adapted from: Comparing Typical Effectiveness of Contraceptive Methods. [Job Aid]. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2006.
- Trussell J. Contraceptive Efficacy. In: Hatcher RA, Trussell J, Nelson AL, Cates W Jr., Stewart FH, Kowal D, editors. Contraceptive Technology. 19th ed. New York, NY: Ardent Media, Inc.; 2007.
- Association of Reproductive Health Professionals. Which Contraceptive Is Right for You? Available from: www.arhp.org.
About Audrey Kelly, PharmD