Long Acting Reversible Contraception: LARCS

Are you like most women and have forgotten to take your birth control pill? Or were too busy living your life to pick up a new Ring, Patch or Pack of Pills at the pharmacy?

You’re not alone! Virtually everyone forgets from time to time. Thank goodness for Emergency Contraception, right?

Well, now we have lots of other birth control options that don’t require you to remember to do something all the time. These are even more effective methods than the Pill, Patch and Ring because there’s very little chance that they won’t be used correctly.

All of these methods can be removed with an immediate return to fertility, that means you don’t have to wait to try to get pregnant.

Remember these are birth control options and don’t protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). For that kind of protection, Condoms are a Girls Best Friend.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t have to worry about birth control?

Intra Uterine Devices IUD

These are very small, flexible devices that are easily inserted into the uterus in an office setting. The entire procedure takes less than 3 minutes. Most women will want to take a Tylenol or Aleve prior to the procedure, but can drive themselves to and from and continue with their day afterwards.

Expect some bleeding and spotting for a few days after the procedure. And, as the body gets used to the method, it’s normal to have some spotting for a few weeks afterwards.

Copper Containing IUD

Paraguard –
Lasts for 10 years
Over 99% effective
Contains copper
Does not contain any hormones
Can increase bleeding and cramping
Safe while breastfeeding, for women with migraines and for women who smoke or who have a history of blood clots
Can be used as emergency contraception if inserted within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.

Progesterone Containing IUDs

Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena IUDs –
Lasts for 5 years
Over 99% effective
Contains Progesterone
Reduces menstrual bleeding and cramping
Many women will not have any periods
Safe to use while breastfeeding, for women who smoke or women who have migraines with aura

Skyla IUD
Lasts for 3 years
May be easier to insert due to smaller size
Over 99% effective
Contains Progesterone
Reduces menstrual bleeding and cramping
Many women will not have any periodsSafe to use while breastfeeding, for women who smoke or women who have migraines with aura

Implant

Nexplanon
This is one small flexible rod that can be implanted into the soft tissue of the upper arm. The procedure takes less than 2 minutes and numbing medicine is used to reduce discomfort. The implant It can be felt through the skin. Most women will have some light spotting and bleeding for several weeks after insertion that may last for 3 months.
Lasts for 3 years
Over 99.9% effective
Contains Progesterone
Reduces menstrual bleeding and cramping
Many women will not have any periods
Safe to use while breastfeeding, for women who smoke or women who have migraines with aura

For more information, visit Planned Parenthood

For more on IUDs visit HealthyWomen.org

For more on Implants visit WebMD