Long-Term Methods

There are three types of long-term pregnancy prevention methods, all of which work for several years or more. One kind is the implant; this method can be used for three years.

The second kind is called an intrauterine device (IUD), and can be used for five years or more, depending on the type. Both the IUD and the implant are very good methods for teens who do not want to become pregnant for a while. However, if a teen gets one of these methods and decides she doesn’t want to keep using it, she can have the method removed at any time.

The third type is sterilization. Sterilization is considered a permanent method because it is difficult to reverse. Sterilization is used by people who do not want any children or who have already had all the children that they want.

Long-term methods work very well to prevent pregnancy, but do not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. If you are having sex with someone who might give you a sexually transmitted disease, use condoms.

Birth Control Implant

What is the Birth Control Implant?

The implant is a very small plastic device that is made with progestin. It works like birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. The implant is inserted in the inner part of the upper arm, where it can stay in place for up to 3 years. The insertion only takes a couple of minutes and doesn’t hurt.

TOP

Effectiveness

Perfect user: A person who uses their method of pregnancy prevention correctly all of the time.

With perfect use, the implant is 99%+ effective.

This mean that if 100 women use the implant, it is inserted correctly by the clinician, and it is working perfectly for her, only 1 woman (probably no women) out of that group will get pregnant in 1 year.

TOP

Advantages

  • The implant is easy to use.
  • The implant is very good at preventing pregnancy.
  • The implant does not interrupt having sex.
  • The implant does not cause serious health problems in most women.
  • The implant can be used by women who cannot take pregnancy prevention methods that have estrogen in them.

TOP

Possible Side Effects

  • Irregular bleeding
  • Weight gain
  • Slight headache
  • Acne
  • Mood changes
  • Complications in the arm from the insertion of the implant

Important: Some women have the implant removed when they have any of these side effects. The side effects won't hurt you or stop you from having a baby in the future. They usually go away in 1 to 3 months. If they bother you or don't go away, go back to your clinician so that you can talk about other methods of pregnancy prevention.

TOP

Possible Warning Signs

Some signs of possible serious side effects are:

  • Dizziness
  • Numbness in arms or legs
  • Abdominal pain that is severe
  • Chest pain
  • Bad headache
  • Eye problems
  • Bad leg pain, swelling, or redness

Having any of these warning signs of a serious health problem from using the implant is very unusual. However, if you should have one or more of them, go to your clinician or an emergency room right away.

TOP

To Learn More

To learn more about implants, go to:

TOP

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

What is the IUD?

An IUD (intrauterine device) is a very small device made out of a type of plastic and is shaped like a "T." The main way that it works is by changing the lining of the uterus so that sperm can't live and travel well to get to the egg. A clinician places it inside a woman's uterus to prevent pregnancy. It stays there and works for 5 to 10 years, depending on which kind of IUD is used.

Two small strings are attached to the IUD. These strings hang down through the cervix (the opening of the uterus). The strings help the woman know that her IUD is in place. They also help the clinician take the IUD out when the time comes.

The strings can't be felt by the woman when she goes about her normal day. They also can't be felt by her or her partner during intercourse because the strings are very thin and soft. A clinician can remove the IUD whenever the woman decides she no longer wants to use it as her method of pregnancy prevention or has decided to become pregnant.

There are two types of IUDs being used in the United States:

  • The Paragard IUD (also called the Copper T) is partly wrapped in a fine copper wire. It works for up to 10 years.
  • The Mirena IUD has the hormone progestin in it. Mirena works for up to 5 years.

The IUD does not protect against HIV and STDs. If you have sex with someone you think could give you an STD, be sure to use condoms.

TOP

Effectiveness

Paragard is at least 99.2% effective.

That means that if 100 women use Paragard, only 1 woman (and probably no women) out of that group will get pregnant.

Mirena is 99.9% effective.

That means that if 100 women use Mirena, only 1 woman (and probably no women) out of that group will get pregnant in a year.

TOP

Advantages

  • IUDs don't interrupt sex.
  • IUDs work very well to prevent pregnancy.
  • IUDs are easy to use.
  • IUDs last a long time.
  • IUDs can cause lighter periods, and the Mirena may cause you to have no period at all.

TOP

Possible Side Effects

Both IUDs have these possible side effects:

  • Cramping when the IUD is put in or taken out.
  • Spotting between periods, especially right after it is put in.

Paragard may also have these side effects:

  • Heavier or longer periods each month. Over time, this can lead to anemia (too little iron in the blood).
  • Painful cramps with your period.

Mirena may have these side effects:

  • Very light periods or no periods.
  • Headaches, dizziness, nausea, sore breasts, or acne. These usually get better after the first 3 to 6 months.

TOP

Possible Warning Signs

  • Very heavy bleeding
  • Unusual pain in the lower belly, shoulder, or lower back
  • Fever
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge

If you experience one or more of these warning signs, it could mean you have a pelvic infection or the IUD is out of place. Go to your clinician or to an emergency room as soon as possible.

TOP

Sterilization Methods

What are Sterilization Methods?

Sterilization procedures are considered permanent and are chosen by people who do not want any children or any more children. The name for the sterilization procedure for women is tubal sterilization. The name for the sterilization procedure for men is vasectomy. Once a women has a tubal sterilization or a man has a vasectomy, the chances of reversing these procedures to allow the woman and man to have more children is very, very small.

For Women: Tubal Sterilization

What is Tubal Sterilization?

Tubal sterilization is a very safe procedure that stops the egg and sperm from meeting. The fallopian tubes are the place where this happens, so if they are changed in a special way, the sperm cannot reach the egg. There are different types of tubal sterilization, such as cutting the tubes or blocking the inside of them.

Because sterilization procedures are considered permanent methods of pregnancy prevention, they are not considered good choices for teenagers. In fact, there are federal and state government regulations that prevent physicians from performing these procedures on teenagers.

Tubal sterilization works very well to prevent pregnancy, but does not help protect against HIV and other STDs. If you are having sex with someone who might give you a sexually transmitted infection, use condoms.

Effectiveness

Tubal sterilization is 99.5 % effective.

That means that if 100 women are sterilized, only 1 woman (and probably no women) out of that group would get pregnant in a year.

Special note: If the woman is sterilized by putting a tiny coil in her tubes, she must use another form of birth control for 3 months if she doesn't want to become pregnant.

Advantages

  • No other method of birth control is ever needed once your clinician has made sure it really worked.
  • Tubal sterilization is safe. It does not take long to heal.
  • Tubal sterilization has no long-term side effects.
  • Tubal sterilization does not change your feelings or your ability to have sex.
  • Tubal sterilization does not interrupt sex.
  • Over time, it costs less than other birth control methods.

TOP

For Men: Vasectomy

What is a Vasectomy?

Vasectomy is a safe and simple procedure that works very well to prevent pregnancy. It doesn't protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. If you are having sex with someone who might give you a sexually transmitted infection, use condoms.

Effectiveness

Vasectomy is about 99.9% effective.

This means that if 100 men have vasectomies, maybe 1 of those men, and probably none of them, will get a woman pregnant in a year, especially if they follow the clinician's directions.

Special note: Men should use condoms or some other birth control method for the first 3 months and get a check-up to be sure that the surgery worked before they have sex without another method.

Advantages

  • No other method of birth control is ever needed; once your clinician has made sure it really worked.
  • Vasectomy does not change your feelings or your ability to have sex.
  • Vasectomy does not interrupt sex.
  • The surgery is safe. It does not take long to heal. It is safer and easier than female sterilization surgery.

TOP