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Once I’ve decided on a certain type and brand of birth control, how easy is it to switch if I end up not liking the one I chose?

It’s not hard to switch at all! But it’s important to keep using your first method of birth control until you talk with a doctor or nurse to figure out what to switch to. That way you won’t spend any time without protection from pregnancy in between switching.

Sometimes there are special instructions for switching, depending on what kind of birth control you use and what kind you’re switching to. Some switches might require you to visit a health center, like switching from the pill to an IUD, for instance. Switching between kinds of pills may not require a health center visit (maybe just a phone call with your doctor), but you may still need to use a condom or avoid having sex for a short period of time after you switch. Your doctor will let you know how to make the switch.

-Emily at Planned Parenthood

Tags: IUD, birth control, birth control pills

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