What is long-term contraception?
"Take the hassle away, and think about a long-term method."
Have you ever worried about getting pregnant? Now you don’t have to.
Long-term contraceptives are effective, nonpermanent methods for preventing pregnancy that do not have to be thought about on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis. These methods are implanted under the skin of the upper arm or inserted into the uterus by a health care provider.
The three types of long-term contraception currently available include:
- Implanon® subdermal implant;
- Mirena® intrauterine system (IUS); and,
- Paragard® intrauterine device (IUD).
Long-term contraception is private, reversible, affordable and simple.
It’s Private
One of the many benefits of long-term contraception is that it is a private form of birth control. Only you and your health care provider will know that you are using it. Implanon® is a single matchstick-size rod that is inserted under the skin of the upper arm. Most people cannot see the Implanon® after it has been inserted, but you will be able to feel where Implanon® is by gently pressing on your skin. The Mirena® IUS and the Paragard® IUD are inserted into the uterus and cannot be seen by others. You will know that the IUD or IUS are in place by checking the strings attached to it.
It’s Reversible
Depending on the type of method, long-term contraception is effective between three to ten years. If and when you decide to discontinue the use of a long-term contraceptive, there is no evidence of a delay in your ability to become pregnant. Long-term contraception is not sterilization — it only provides contraception while you are using it. Therefore, implants, IUDs, and the IUS are described as reversible methods.
It’s Affordable
Women’s Health is making sure that long-term contraception is an affordable option for all women and teens. Thanks to generous private funding, Women’s Health may be able to provide you with long-term contraception at low-cost or no-cost.
It’s Simple
Long-term contraception is convenient. Unlike other methods of birth control that require you to use it every time you have sex or remember to take a pill every day, long-term contraception is “forgettable.” Once long-term contraception is inserted it requires little or none of your time and attention.