Your Guide To Long-Acting Reversible Contraception
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Today, there are dozens of forms of birth control to choose from: hormonal to non-normal, to daily pills to semi-annual injections. MADAMENOIRE broke down the main categories. One type that deserves special attention is long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). Unlike one-time-use forms of birth control like condoms or spermicide, this type of birth control provides extended protection against unwanted pregnancy.
However, it also requires a bigger commitment and can impact your body in ways that more temporary forms do not. LARC isn’t for everyone, but for some women and couples, it can be the best solution to preventing pregnancy for now, or forever. Here’s everything you need to know about long-acting reversible contraception.
The Different Types Of LARC
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The main idea behind each type of LARC is that it’s a very set-it-and-forget-it type of birth control. You don’t need to remember to take something every day, like with the pill, or remember to pack something, like a condom. There are different forms of LARC that are administered or implemented in different ways, and that are effective for varying lengths of time. We break these down into long-term LARC (effective for years) and short-term LARC (effective for weeks or months).
Who Should Use Long-Term LARC?
Long-term forms of LARC that can prevent pregnancy for years are ideal for women and couples who have decided that they do not want to have children for a long time. For example, a couple who wants kids someday, but knows they want to put it off for at least five years, might like a long-term form of LARC. They know they won’t change their mind about parenthood within that time frame, so a long-term form of LARC lets them simply not worry about pregnancy prevention for a while.
Who Should Use Short-Term LARC?
Short-term LARC is best for those who might want to have children in the near future. Some forms are self-administered, so a trip to the doctor’s office is not even necessary to regain the ability to become pregnant. If you know you’ll want children in the near future, or are not sure how long you’d like to wait, short-term LARC could be best for you.
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Long-Term LARC
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Copper IUD
Effective for: up to 10 years
Effectiveness rate: 99 percent
A copper IUD is a tiny item that your doctor implants in your uterus. Implantation takes only a few minutes. Once in, the IUD triggers a foreign body response in the uterus, which essentially makes the body attack anything that enters the area – such as sperm. One perk of this IUD is that it works right away.
If you do decide that you’d like to have children, your ability to become pregnant should return to whatever is normal for your body immediately after the removal of a copper IUD.
Hormonal IUD
Effective for: 3 to 7 years
Effectiveness rate: 99 percent
A hormonal IUD will also need to be put in by a doctor. It does what the copper one does (i.e. make the uterus attack foreign objects like sperm) as well as release hormones that keep you from getting pregnant. Unlike a copper IUD, it does not work right away – you must wait seven days to see its full effectiveness.
Like the copper IUD, once the hormonal IUD is removed, your ability to become pregnant should resume rather quickly.
Implant
Effective for: up to 3 years
Effectiveness rate: 99 percent
An implant – more specifically an etonogestrel implant – is a tiny object a doctor inserts under the skin of the upper arm. It releases hormones that prevent the release of eggs and the thickening of the cervical mucus – two processes required for pregnancy.
Implants take seven days to become fully effective. One’s ability to conceive returns shortly after the implant is removed (which must also be done by a doctor).
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Short-Term LARC
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Injection
Effective for: up to 3 months
Effectiveness rate: 94 percent
The injection (known by its brand name Depo-Provera) is administered either in the upper arm or buttocks. It is effective for three months and, as a hormonal form of birth control, also prevents pregnancy by stopping the release of an egg, as well as thickening mucus around the cervix.
Because the shot provides three months of protection, those who want to become pregnant will need to wait at least three months following their last injection to try to conceive.
Ring
Effective for: up to 21 days
Effectiveness rate: 91 percent
This is a small, soft and flexible ring that a woman inserts into her vagina. She must get a prescription from a doctor. The ring releases hormones that prevent pregnancy. It works on the same cycle as hormonal pills – it’s active for three weeks, and on the fourth week, you remove it and get your period.
Women can remove the ring any time they want, and becoming pregnant should be possible shortly after.
Patch
Effective for: up to 7 days
Effectiveness rate: 91 percent
The patch is a small, sticker-like item placed on the upper back, upper arm, stomach, chest, or butt cheek. It is a prescription item. Women must replace it once a week on the same day. Like with the hormonal pill or ring, there is one off-week, during which time you do not wear the patch, and get your period. It also works by releasing hormones that prevent pregnancy.
When a woman wants to become pregnant, she can remove her patch and her normal ability to conceive should resume shortly after.
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