Medical Questions » Contraception Questions » Question No. 226
| Question: | I am allergic to the birth control pill—I get headaches and pimples, and gain weight. My doctor won' t give me an IUD because he says that at 17, I am too young, and all the other birth control methods are messy and yucky. What can I do? |
| Answer: | Every contraceptive differs in its effectiveness, risks, side-effects and acceptability to the couple. I doubt that you are truly ' allergic' to the pill, as headaches, acne and weight gain are side effects which you may be able to avoid by changing the type of pill you are taking.
Most doctors are reluctant to use an IUD with a young patient who has never borne a child, but may wish to do so in the future.
The barrier methods (condoms and diaphragms) and spermicidal creams have few adverse side effects, and some positive benefits such as partial protection against venereal diseases, but are not as effective in preventing pregnancy. You should visit your doctor and make your choice of contraception with all the information available to you. Your partner may wish to be involved in this discussion also.
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