Should You Go On the Pill This Summer?

The Pill.
These two little words can incite a lot of uncertainty, especially if you’re considering taking birth control for the first time. You’ve heard about the mood swings, nausea, breakthrough bleeding and other potential side effects that leave you wondering if the Pill is the best method of contraception for you.
Based on our consultation with experts and gynecologists, we’ve come up with a list of questions for you to consider to help you determine whether or not going on the Pill this summer is right for you!

“It’s cute…but probably not the best method of contraception!”

1. Are You Sexually Active?
Safe sex means everything from being conscious of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to avoiding unwanted pregnancies. If you have one consistent partner, Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a psychologist who has been on CNN and Dr. Oz, says that the Pill is an advisable method of avoiding unwanted pregnancies, as it is 98 percent effective when used correctly. If your sex life is inconsistent, a constant form of birth control such as the Pill will never hurt, but staying safe with methods of birth control such as a condom, which is 90-92 percent effective according to Durvasula, may suffice. Don’t forget that the Pill does not protect against STDs or HIV, and there’s no such thing as too much protection!

2. Are You Traveling This Summer?
If you’re traveling abroad this summer, starting the Pill, whether it’s for the first time or you’re switching to a new brand, might not be the best idea. The first month or two of a new prescription acts as a trial period to see how your body responds to a specific brand of the medication. Sometimes, symptoms like headaches or numbness can appear which require you to try a different brand — so if you’re going to be miles away from your doctor’s office, beginning the Pill this summer may pose problems. “Know that if you go on birth control…you’re in for a couple of months,” Durvasula says.
 
3. Will Insurance Cover Your Prescription?
Most prescriptions are covered by insurance and can cost anywhere from ten to fifty dollars a month. Keep in mind that you might be paying around 400 dollars a year! Call your insurance provider or talk to your doctor to see if your plan will cover the costs of birth control, and what to do if it doesn’t.