IUDs

ParaGard Pros:

• May be safely left in place up to 12 years.
• It is 99.2-99.4% effective at preventing pregnancy.
• Very private and hidden. Neither you nor your partner can feel it.
• Works better than birth control pills, the patch, the ring or the shot.
• Provides a hormone-free birth control option.
• It is really effective as Emergency Contraception, can be used up to 5 days after unprotected sex and you can leave it in for 12 years.
• After ParaGard insertion, you don’t have to think about birth control again for 12 years.
• ParaGard, like all forms of FDA approved methods of birth control, should be covered by insurance without a co-pay. ParaGard is covered by Family PACT and MediCal. 

ParaGard Cons:

• Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases or HIV.
• ParaGard  may cause occasional cramps and heavier periods for some people, although for many users' periods return to normal after 6 months.
• Not all providers will stock or know how to place ParaGard. Ask your provider whether they carry it and what your options are if they don't.

Mirena  Pros:

• May be safely left in place up to 8 years.
• It is 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy.
• Very private and hidden. Neither you nor your partner can feel it.
• Works better than birth control pills, the patch, the ring or the shot.
• Can provide relief for people who experience heavy periods, bad cramps and PMS.
• After Mirena insertion, you don’t have to think about birth control again for 8 years.
• Users have a 20% chance of their period going away after one year. 
• Mirena, like all forms of FDA approved methods of birth control, should be covered by insurance without a co-pay. Mirena is covered by Family PACT and MediCal. 

Mirena Cons:

• Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases or HIV.
• Not all providers will stock or know how to place Mirena. Ask your provider whether they carry it and what your options are if they don't.

Skyla Pros:

• Often referred to as Mirena's little sister due to it's smaller size, lower dose of hormones, and that it may be safely left in place up to 3 years instead of 8.
• It is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
• Very private and hidden. Neither you nor your partner can feel it.
• Works better than birth control pills, the patch, the ring or the shot.
• Works to lighten menstrual periods without stopping them altogether.
• After Skyla insertion, you don’t have to think about birth control again for 3 years.
• Users have a 6% chance of their period going away after one year.
• Skyla, like all forms of FDA approved methods of birth control, should be covered by insurance without a co-pay. Skyla is covered by Family PACT and MediCal. 

Skyla Cons:

• Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases or HIV.
• Not all providers will stock or know how to place Skyla. Ask your provider whether they carry it and what your options are if they don't.

LILETTA Pros:

• LILETTA is very similar to Mirena- same dose of hormones, same lighter or nonexistent periods.
• May be safely left in place up to 8 years.
• It is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
• Very private and hidden. Neither you nor your partner can feel it.
• Works better than birth control pills, the patch, the ring or the shot.
• Works to lighten menstrual periods; one in five women stop having a period after a year of use. 
• After LILETTA insertion, you don’t have to think about birth control again for 8 years.
• LILETTA, like all forms of FDA approved methods of birth control, should be covered by insurance without a co-pay. LILETTA is covered by Family PACT and MediCal. 

LILETTA Cons:

• Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases or HIV.
• Not all providers will stock or know how to place Liletta. Ask your provider whether they carry it and what your options are if they don't.

Kyleena Pros:

• Kyleena is the middle sister of the family if Skyla is the baby.
• Kyleena is the same size as Skyla but releases more hormones than Skyla, but less than Mirena and LILETTA. 
• May be safely left in place up to 5 years.
• It is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
• Very private and hidden. Neither you nor your partner can feel it.
• Works better than birth control pills, the patch, the ring or the shot.
• Works to lighten menstrual periods. 
• After Kyleena insertion, you don’t have to think about birth control again for 5 years.
• Users have a 12% chance of their period going away after one year.
• Kyleena, like all forms of FDA approved methods of birth control, should be covered by insurance without a co-pay. Kyleena is covered by Family PACT and MediCal. 

Kyleena Cons:

• Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases or HIV.
• Not all providers will stock or know how to place Liletta. Ask your provider whether they carry it and what your options are if they don't.

Who uses the IUD?

People who want long-acting, low-maintenance pregnancy prevention and who don’t want to have to remember to take their birth control for several years.

How do you use the IUD?

The IUD is inserted by a clinician into the uterus.  It is a simple procedure that takes about 15 minutes. 

Where do you get the IUD?

To get an IUD, go to a nearby clinic. A clinician will fit you for the IUD, and insert it. The cost of the IUD varies but at most clinics in California it may be available for free. All four of the above IUDs are FDA approved methods of birth control and should be covered by insurance without a co-pay. Since the IUD keeps working for 3 to 12 years, it is a great investment.

How effective is the IUD?

The IUD is more than 99% effective, and is the most effective reversible birth control method currently available.

Does the IUD offer STI protection?

NO. For STD protection use condoms with this method.