Medical issues are not the only consideration when choosing your contraceptive. Here are some of the questions you need to ask yourself in order to find which contraceptive is right for you.

Partnership and sex life

Are you living in a committed relationship or do you have multiple sexual partners?

If you frequently sleep with different men (promiscuity) you should always use a condom to avoid contracting a sexually transmitted disease. According to the Double Dutch method you should always use a second contraceptive method in addition to the condom. The contraceptive effectiveness of condoms is not very high and you should never rely entirely on a partner you don't know well.

If you have a promiscuous sex life some methods are not so suitable for you. The intrauterine device (coil), for example, is not recommended for women with frequently changing sexual partners. These women are particularly prone to pelvic infections, a risk which is further enhanced by the coil.

If you are in a committed relationship and trust your partner you do not necessarily need to use a condom. In that case you and your partner should decide together which of the many available contraceptive methods you want to use.

Your sex life

How often do you have intercourse? Do you need contraceptive protection regularly or only now and again?

Some contraceptives are only used when needed, e.g. the condom, spermicides or the cervical cap.
If you decide on this type of contraception you have to plan in advance to make sure you are prepared if the need arises.

Other contraceptives have to be used regularly (e.g. taking the pill every day). They are more suitable for women who need contraceptive protection more often.

Family planning

Is your family planning completed or do you still want to have children?

If your family planning is completed male or female sterilization may be an option. This decision must be very carefully considered as refertilization (restoral of fertility) is not easy.

If you are thinking of having children in a few years time and want to keep your options open the intrauterine system (IUS) is a particularly good solution. It gives you 5 years protection against pregnancy. And once it has been removed you can become pregnant again.

But maybe you want to become pregnant in a year's time already? In that case a short-acting hormonal preparation (e.g. the pill) or non-hormonal methods of contraception are more suitable.

Your work situation

Are you still training or studying or are you already established in your career?

Thanks to modern contraceptives, every child can be a wanted child these days. If you have a demanding career that does not leave you the necessary time and energy to care for a child the effectiveness of a contraceptive method should be a major consideration.

Do you have to travel a lot and long distances in connection with your work? Do you work shifts or nights?

These things are also directly relevant for your choice of contraceptive. The temperature method is unsuitable for people who work shifts or nights, for example.

Your personality - your attitude

Some contraceptive methods require discipline. Failure to use the method properly is a frequent reason for unplanned pregnancies.

For example, can you be sure that you will take the pill reliably every day?

Women who find it too much trouble to take a pill every day can use long-acting hormone preparations.

Of course it is also legitimate for a woman to be against taking the pill or using hormones on principle, whether for medical or religious reasons. In such cases non-hormonal methods of contraception can be used (e.g. the cervical cap or spermicides).