How the matching works
We score each method against your priorities: pregnancy prevention strength, how often you want to think about it, near-term plans for kids, hormone tolerance, and what you want your periods to look like. The top three are usually a strong fit; the rest are still reasonable options worth knowing about.
What to bring to your doctor
The methods you're leaning toward, any history of blood clots, migraines with aura, breast cancer, or current medications. If you need emergency contraception in the meantime, see the Plan B window.
Frequently asked questions
How are 'typical use' and 'perfect use' different?
Perfect use is the effectiveness when you take/use a method exactly as directed every single time. Typical use accounts for missed pills, late patches, broken condoms - real life. We show typical use because it's what actually predicts pregnancy rates.
Hormonal vs non-hormonal - how do I decide?
Both work very well. Hormonal methods give you more period control and often relieve PMS/cramps/acne, but some people don't tolerate the mood, libido, or breast tenderness side effects. Non-hormonal methods (copper IUD, condoms, fertility awareness) avoid all of that but tend to be either lower effectiveness (condoms, FAM) or come with heavier periods (copper IUD).
Hormonal IUD vs copper IUD?
Hormonal IUDs typically make periods lighter or stop them entirely, last 5-8 years, and have local progestin (not systemic) so fewer hormone side effects than the pill. Copper IUDs are hormone-free, last up to 10 years, but often make periods heavier and crampier - especially in the first 3-6 months.
These calculators give estimates based on cycle averages and standard formulas. They are for general information only and are not medical advice. For anything concerning your health or pregnancy, talk to a qualified healthcare provider.