What is a LARC? It is long-acting reversible birth control. There are several different methods of birth control that are long acting. These include, intrauterine devices (IUDs) or an implant that goes in your arm.
Why are LARC so trendy? The great thing is that your provider puts in the birth control for you, and then you don’t have to do anything else for 3-10 years depending on which method you chose. Because you don’t have to remember to do anything, they are better at preventing pregnancy. The good news is that there are lots of options.
Which LARC is right for me?
SKYLA – This IUD lasts for 3 years and has progesterone in it. It is a little bit smaller for women who haven’t had kids yet. You will most likely have monthly periods but they may be lighter than normal.
http://www.skyla-us.com/index.php
MIRENA – This IUD lasts for 5 years and had progesterone in it. You may not have periods. 30% of women have no periods, 30% of women have lighter periods, and 30% of women will have some irregular spotting.
http://www.mirena-us.com/index.php
PARAGUARD – This IUD has NO hormones and lasts for 10 years. You will continue to have regular monthly periods and they might be a little bit heavier and crampier.
NEXPLANON –This implant goes under your skin in your upper arm. It is the size of a match stick and you cannot see it during normal activities. It releases progesterone slowly over 3 years.
http://www.nexplanon.com/en/consumer/
Give us a call to make an appointment and we would be happy to go over all of these options with you. We can help you figure out what will work best for you.
Don’t just take our word for it see what the American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologists has to say about LARCs.
http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Long-Acting-Reversible-Contraception-LARC-IUD-and-Implant