Abigail, 19, implant
Abigail used to be on the pill, but as her life got busier, it got more difficult to remember to take it at the same time every day. That’s when she decided to go for the implant —a method that’s extremely effective and lasts for up to 5 years. The implant is making it possible […]
Combined hormonal versus progestin-only birth control
Three of the most common forms of birth control—the pill, the ring, and the patch—all work the same way. They’re all considered “combined” hormonal methods, meaning they contain two kinds of hormones: estrogen and progestin. Other hormonal methods—the shot, the implant, hormonal IUDs, and the progestin-only pill (a.k.a. minipill)—contain only one kind of hormone—a progestin. […]
A tale of two birth control implants
UPDATE: Since this article was published, research has shown the implant to be effective for up to four years. Choosing to get my first birth control implant was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I was entering my second year of college and came to find that the pill didn’t really fit […]
Is it safe to lose blood by spotting a lot?
Spotting, which can happen with a bunch of different methods, doesn’t make you lose that much blood, even though it might seem like it. We have a Provider Perspective article about it if you want to learn more. Still not working? You may have more luck on a pill with a slightly higher dose of […]
What are the best methods to use if I don’t want to have my period?
The Mirena IUD, the shot, and the implant have all been shown to reduce menstrual bleeding for most women. You can also use the pill or the ring continuously to intentionally skip your period. original post
Is it safe to use birth control right after giving birth?
Not every method of birth control is safe to use right after giving birth, but many of them are. Breastfeeding consistently can be its own form of birth control , or there are a bunch of other methods you can use , including super-effective methods like the IUD and the implant. If you feel like […]
Which birth control method will help reduce my cramps?
Most women who use hormonal birth control–the pill, the ring, the shot, the patch, the implant, or a hormonal IUD–will have less painful periods than those who don’t. This is because these methods of birth control make the lining of the uterus thinner. There’s less tissue in the uterus to shed, so periods are lighter. […]
Love your implant? Keep it for up to five years
Good news for people who love long-acting birth control… Research shows that the implant keeps working for up to two years longer than its FDA-approved length of use. The implant works for five years Right now, the label of the implant (a.k.a. Nexplanon, previously known as Implanon) says it can be used for three years. […]
Go easy: More women choosing low-maintenance birth control
UPDATE: President Biden has opened the enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act health insurance plans for 2022. You can now enroll in one of these plans until January 15, 2022, at healthcare.gov . Some states have their own open enrollment periods and websites for signing up. Check to see if your state does . […]
Gaining weight: Is it the birth control?
It’s a very common story. A woman starts using hormonal birth control, finds herself gaining weight, and assumes the birth control is to blame. The tricky thing is that lots of research about hormonal birth control shows that, with one important exception, it’s probably not the birth control. A note on personal experiences vs. the […]
