Welcome to the Birth Control Group!

Questions about your birth control? Looking for the method that’s right for you? Look no further.

Here are some FAQs to get the Qs rolling; answers brought to you by Bedsider.

If I'm using another method of birth control, do I still have to use condoms?

Unless you're in a totally exclusive relationship and you and your partner have both been tested recently for every single sexually transmitted infection (STI), you should definitely use condoms with whatever other birth control method you choose. Using a condom with another form of birth control is called dual protection. It means you're being super-safe and protecting yourself against both pregnancy and STIs.

What if condoms are reducing my partner's sensitivity?

Not all condoms are created equal, so try a few different brands or types to see if that helps. You might want to check out the condoms marketed as "ultra-thin" or "ultra-sensitive."

The condom broke. What should I do?

If the condom breaks—or leaks or spills—use emergency contraception as soon as you can and up to five days after it happens. You may also want to get tested for STIs.

How effective is withdrawal at preventing pregnancy?

If your partner pulls out perfectly every single time, then withdrawal is about 96% effective. This is a hard method to get perfect, though, so it's more likely that withdrawal will be around 78% effective.

Of those women who use withdrawal exactly as directed, about 4 in 100 will experience an accidental pregnancy during the first year they use this method.

Of those women who do not use withdrawal exactly as directed, about 22 in 100 will experience an accidental pregnancy during the first year they use this method.

Will birth control make me gain weight?

Most methods will not cause weight gain. Many young women are starting birth control for the first time while their body is going through many other changes. Some women gain weight naturally when transitioning from their teens into their twenties. If that happens to be when a woman starts birth control, it’s easy to put the blame on the pill, patch, the implant, the hormonal IUD, or ring. The truth is each of these methods can be used without an expected weight gain.

A recent study showed about 1 in 4 women who use the shot will gain some weight. However, the majority of women (3 out of 4) don't gain much weight. So most women using the shot are able to keep their weight steady with healthy eating and regular exercise.

It seems like every birth control has side effects. Is it really worth it?

Any medicine has some side effects, but when people hear the negative stuff, it sticks in their brain like a cheesy old song you can’t stop humming. That’s just human nature, and it happens to all of us.

Remember that drug companies list every single scary thing you could possibly experience with a medication. Even if it’s super rare. They have to. It’s the law. So before you run for the hills, consider this: the potential side effects of something as harmless as aspirin that there's something for everyone.

What are the best methods to use if I don't want to have my period?

The Mirena IUD, the shot, and the implant have all been shown to reduce menstrual bleeding for most women. Continuous use of the pill or the ring can also cause you to go without your period.

Does birth control work the moment I get it?

No, most forms of birth control are not effective immediately, so you want to check with your doctor before having unprotected sex. Until then, use a condom for added protection.

More questions? Check out the Birth Control: The Scoop guide on your Me page or ask the Community!