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Step 1
Look at how often you will menstruate while on the contraceptive. Traditionally, birth control pills are taken every day, with several weeks of active pills (that have hormones) and then a week of in-active pills (that don’t). During the inactive week you will have your period. But now there are packs of pills that can cut you down to only four periods a year, with more active pills and less inactive ones. If you would prefer to have fewer menstruations a year, contraceptives like this might be an option.
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Step 2
Check to see the hormones they are made with. The doses of estrogen and progestin differ depending on the brand of birth control pill. Some women prefer to take pills with certain levels of hormones because they can do things that other pills can’t, like treat acne. But some pills can actually cause acne and affect hair growth. Make sure to look over the ingredients of the contraceptive pills you are considering taking and check how much of each hormone they are made with. If you have certain health conditions, you should ask your doctor if the hormone amounts in certain pills will have a negative effect on you, and then steer clear of any that might.
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Step 3
Ask your doctor what they would recommend. Because your doctor knows your medical history and is most likely aware of any health issues you have or medication you are taking, they may be able to recommend certain pills over others. They can also give you a rundown on the pros and cons for each brand of pill, and explain to you what it means that they have different hormone levels.
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Step 4
Go over the side effects. These can include acne, break-through bleeding (bleeding between periods), depression, moodiness and weight gain, just to name a few. Pills with different levels of the different hormones can help alleviate some of these normal side effects. Those with high estrogen and high progestin can cut out the break-through bleeding, while those with low progestin can keep you from becoming depressed or moody.
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Step 5
Find out the prices. The price of your contraceptives will depend on several factors, including whether or not you have insurance, if the brands are covered by your insurance, and where you get your prescription from. If you go to Planned Parenthood, they may be able to set you up with free or low-cost brands. If you go to a regular doctor, it might not be free, but they can prescribe you a preferred brand for your insurance or a generic brand if you have no insurance. If the price is a large factor in your choice, then you might not be able to pick the exact brand or level of hormones you will take.
