Blanchard Valley Obstetrics & Gynecology
There are several types of contraception available to women. These vary in efficacy, side effects and satisfaction rates. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is the most effective birth control and includes intrauterine devices (IUD) and subdermal implants. The major advantage of LARCs compared with other contraception is that they do not require taking a pill every day or doing something each time before having sex. By removing the element of human error, these devices are over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. LARCs are reversible, which means after the device is removed, fertility can return rapidly.
There are currently five IUDs on the market in the United States. Four of these IUDs contain hormones (a type of progesterone) and differ in the amount of hormone and length of use (3-6 years). Though the amount of hormone that reaches the bloodstream is low, rarely do women experience side effects such as headaches, breast tende