How to Compare Birth Control Brands

While any decision about birth-control options should be thoroughly discussed with your healthcare provider, women should play an active role in choosing between birth-control brands. Potential side effects, cost, your individual lifestyle, and the history of the birth-control manufacturers should be weighed as options when choosing a birth-control brand.

Side Effects

• Individual traits such as age and weight can influence the side effects of each birth-control brand. When comparing brands of birth control, a woman should factor in the known negative side effects, such as mood swings, increased menstrual flow, or weight gain. Positive side effects, such as a glowing complexion, are a benefit of other brands.

Prices

• Since not all insurance covers birth control for women, the range in price can be a prohibitive factor when choosing between birth-control brands. Generic brands can help curb costs and can be chosen with the help of your doctor or pharmacist.

Lifestyle

• If you have a hectic and active lifestyle, you may wish to choose a birth-control product that you do not have to take every day. If you do not have a constant need for birth-control protection, you may wish to choose a short-term product over a longer-term option.

Companies

• When choosing between birth-control brands, you'll want to closely examine the companies producing to the product to ensure the birth-control product is of high quality. These companies stand apart from their newer counterparts not only in the amount of time that they have been in business, but also in their consistency in producing products free of negative side effects.