Hey Dr Sue — Besides Abstinence, What’s the Best Method of Birth Control?

I have to start by saying that I don’t really think that abstinence is the best form of birth control, and if you want to know why feel free to submit a question asking that.

With that out of the way the really simple answer is:

whatever you’re going to use consistently and correctly.

A lot of people hate that answer. When people ask me this kind of question they really just want me to name a method, but it’s not that simple.

Let me explain why by talking to men about their options. Guys, unless you’re willing to get a vasectomy, you’re really limited in your contraceptive options. The external condom, commonly called the male condom, is one of the better options, but only if you us it consistently and correctly.

What do I mean by that? That you’re going to use one every time you have sex AND you’re going to use it correctly (this includes everything from condom storage, to how you open the package, to putting it on, to taking if off correctly).

Under perfect conditions, the male condom is 98% effective. Once we throw in user failure, that number drops to 87%.

87%. That’s why whatever method you use has to be one you’ll use all the time, and one you’ll use correctly.