Your contraceptive needs may change throughout your life. To decide which method to use now, consider how well each one will work for you:

• How well will it fit into your lifestyle?
• How convenient will it be?
• How effective will it be?
• How safe will it be?
• How affordable will it be?
• How reversible will it be?
• Will it help prevent sexually transmitted infections?

Characteristics of contraceptive methods that can influence their acceptability include:

• Whether they are used by the male or female partner
• Whether they are hormonal or non-hormonal
• Whether they can be used without the knowledge of the sexual partner or whether they have to be an agreed method that requires a joint decision
• Whether they require seeing a health professional or a surgical procedure
• The costs and time involved

Factors affecting the acceptability of different methods of contraception can be thought of as a series of concentric circles that interact with each other, from the individual in the centre, to the couple, the health-care system, the community and the world in general.  

At the individual level, a person’s knowledge, attitudes, habits, perceptions, awareness of his or her needs and other internalized factors are important in determining the most appropriate method.