Patient education: Long-acting methods of birth control (The Basics)

What are long-acting methods of birth control? — Long-acting methods of birth control are devices or treatments that prevent pregnancy for months to years. They are the best choice for many people who want birth control, including teens. That's because they work so well to prevent pregnancy. People who use them also like not having to think about their birth control every day, or every time they have sex.

What are the different long-acting methods of birth control? — Long-acting birth control methods include:

●IUDs – "IUD" stands for "intrauterine device." This is a small, T-shaped device made of flexible plastic. If you get an IUD, a doctor or nurse will put it into your uterus through the vagina and cervix. There are 2 types of IUD:

•Copper-containing IUD – This device (brand name: Paragard) can stay in your uterus and keep working for up to 10 years.

•Progestin-releasing IUD – There are several of these (brand names: Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena, Skyla). They all release levonorgestrel, which is a type of hormone called a progestin. They can stay in place and keep working for 3 to 8 years, depending on the device.

●Birth control implant – This is a flexible plastic rod. It is 1.5 inches long (about the size of a match). A doctor or nurse inserts the implant under the skin on the inside of your upper arm. It contains the hormone etonogestrel, a progestin, which is slowly released into your body. The implant (brand name: Nexplanon) can stay in for up to 3 years.

How well do long-acting methods of birth control work? — Of all birth control options, long-acting methods work the best to prevent pregnancy. Fewer than 1 in 100 people who have an IUD or birth control implant get pregnant during the first year of use.

What are the benefits and downsides of long-acting methods of birth control? — The main benefit is that you do not have to remember to do anything or take any medicines on a regular basis.

The main downside of these methods is that unlike condoms, they do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. These are infections that you can catch during sex.

Getting an IUD or implant put in can be expensive. Because of this, they are best for people who do not want to become pregnant for at least 1 year. A doctor or nurse needs to remove the IUD or implant when you don't want to use it anymore.

What if I change my mind and want to get pregnant? — If you have an IUD or birth control implant, you can choose to have a doctor or nurse remove the device at any time. Once it is out, you can start trying to get pregnant right away.

More on this topic

Patient education: Choosing birth control (The Basics)
Patient education: Emergency contraception (The Basics)
Patient education: Permanent birth control for women (The Basics)
Patient education: Hormonal birth control (The Basics)
Patient education: Intrauterine devices (IUD) (The Basics)
Patient education: Barrier methods of birth control (The Basics)

Patient education: Long-acting methods of birth control (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Birth control; which method is right for me? (Beyond the Basics)