Survey helps women choose the best birth control method for them
August 25th, 2010 by Jennifer Walker-Journey
Choosing a method of birth control is an important decision for most women. There are several factors to consider from cost and convenience to side effects and safety. With so many different birth control pills and contraceptive devices available today, women are encouraged to research their options to find the best fit for their lifestyle.
Planned Parenthood is offering to help women decide what type of contraception is best suited to them. My Method is an online questionnaire developed because “birth control methods are not one-size-fits-all.” Take the survey here.
The brief questionnaire is written for women. Men are welcome to take the survey but they should answer the questions from their partners’ perspectives. The questions are simple and ask about your lifestyle, and likes and dislikes. There are no right or wrong answers.
One of the most popular forms of contraceptives is birth control pills. They are up to 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy, but they also carry serious risks. Planned Parenthood advises women who have had breast cancer or who think they may be pregnant not to take birth control pills. They are also contraindicated in women with blood-clotting problems; those who suffer from migraine headaches with aura; have blood clots or vein inflammation; have had heart attack, stroke or angina; or have serious diabetes.
But one pill has been singled out by Planned Parenthood, Yaz, also known as Yasmin, the country’s best-selling oral contraceptive. The warning says, “You should not take the birth control pill Yasmin or Yaz if you have ever had kidney, liver, or adrenal gland disease. Yasmin and Yaz contain a special progestin that may increase potassium levels and cause serious heart and other problems.”
To date, more than 2,000 lawsuits have been filed against the makers of Yasmin and Yaz by women who say there were seriously harmed by the pills.