• Single matchstick-sized rod containing progestin (a hormone) that is placed underneath the skin in your upper arm by a health care provider. A small amount of progestin is slowly and continuously released.

• Prevents the release of the egg from the ovary. Pregnancy cannot occur if there is no egg to join with sperm.
• Thickens the cervical mucus making it more difficult for sperm to reach the egg.

• More than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
• Prevents pregnancy for 3 years.

• Long-term contraception does not provide protection against STIs. You will still need to use a condom to reduce your risk of contracting STIs.

• A health care provider will insert your Implanon® under the skin on the inner side of your upper arm during a clinic visit.
• A local anesthetic will be used in your arm to give you a numbing sensation. You may feel your clinician touching your skin, but you should not feel pain during the insertion.

Implanon® could be a good option for you, if:

• You are sensitive to or cannot use estrogen-containing hormonal methods
• You do not desire a pregnancy for an extended period of time
• You want the convenience of not having to think about contraception on an ongoing basis.

For more information about Implanon®, please read the article “The Single-Rod Contraceptive Implant”.

• A T-shaped device inserted into the uterus by a health care provider. The IUS is similar to an IUD, but also contains a very small dose of the hormone progestin.
• Progestin (a hormone) is slowly released over time and affects the lining of the uterus only. It does not circulate in the rest of the body.

• Interferes with the movement of the sperm inside the uterus.
• Prevents some women from releasing an egg at all, due to the progestin. Pregnancy cannot occur if there is no egg to join with sperm.

• More than 99.5% effective at preventing pregnancy.
• Prevents pregnancy for 5 years.

• Long-term contraception does not provide protection against STIs. You will still need to use a condom to reduce your risk of contracting STIs.

• A health care provider will insert your Mirena® IUS in the proper position in the uterus during a clinic visit.
• You may experience cramping and pinching sensations during the insertion. Although there may be some discomfort, the procedure will only take a few minutes.

The Mirena® IUS could be a good option for you, if:

• You want to decrease menstrual bleeding and cramping;
• You do not desire a pregnancy for an extended period of time; and
• You want the convenience of not having to think about contraception on an ongoing basis.

For more information about the Mirena® IUS, please read the articles "Dispelling Common Myths about Intrauterine Contraception" and "A Woman's Guide to Understanding IUDs"

• A T-shaped copper-releasing device inserted into the uterus by a health care provider.

• Interferes with the movement of the sperm inside the uterus.
• Sperm die within the uterus before they can fertilize the egg. Pregnancy cannot occur if there is no sperm to join with an egg.

• More than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
• Prevents pregnancy for 10 or more years.

• Long-term contraception does not provide protection against STIs. You will still need to use a condom to reduce your risk of contracting STIs.

• A health care provider will insert your Paragard® IUD in the proper position in the uterus during a clinic visit.
• You may experience cramping and pinching sensations during the insertion. Although there may be some discomfort, the procedure will only take few minutes.

The Paragard® IUD could be a good option for you, if:

• You do not want to use a hormonal contraceptive;
• You do not desire a pregnancy for an extended period of time; and
• You want the convenience of not having to think about contraception on an ongoing basis.

For more information about the Paragard® IUD, please read the articles "Dispelling Common Myths about Intrauterine Contraception" and "A Woman's Guide to Understanding IUDs".