Which Long-Acting Contraceptive Is Right For Me?

This interactive tool can be used to review relevant research and practice tips with residents and other learners who will be counseling patients on contraceptive options. For general information on Long-Acting Contraception, see RHEDI’s Long-Acting Contraceptive Information sheet.

Copper IUD
Progestin IUD
Progestin Implant

Copper IUD

Brand Names

Paragard®

How do I start using?

After putting a speculum in your vagina, a health care provider inserts the IUD into your uterus. Many providers give medicine like ibuprofen first.

When does my contraceptive start working?

The copper IUD starts working right away.

How can I use it?

Paragard® works for 10–12 years. Your health care provider can remove your IUD at any time. You may also be able to remove it yourself.

Does it contain hormones?

No.

Side effects *These may be bothersome but are not unsafe

There may be cramping during or immediately after the procedure, heavier or longer periods, or stronger cramps with your period.

Benefits

Can be used as emergency contraception: Prevents pregnancy when inserted up to 5 days after unprotected sex.

Progestin IUD

Brand Names

Mirena®, Kyleena®, Skyla®, Liletta®, and others

How do I start using?

After putting a speculum in your vagina, a health care provider inserts the IUD into your uterus. Many providers give medicine like ibuprofen first.

When does my contraceptive start working?

The progestin IUD starts working 7 days after it is inserted.

How can I use it?

Mirena® works for 6–7 years, Kyleena® works for 5 years, Liletta® works for 5–6 years, and Skyla® works for 3 years. Your health care provider can remove your IUD at any time. You may also be able to remove it yourself.

Does it contain hormones?

Yes. There is a low dose of progestin but no estrogen.

Side effects *These may be bothersome but are not unsafe

There may be cramping during or immediately after the procedure, spotting, lighter periods, or no periods after a few months.

Benefits

Can decrease heavy periods, cramps, PMS.

Progestin Implant

Brand Names

Nexplanon®

How do I start using?

After numbing your skin with a topical medicine, a health care provider inserts the implant under the skin of your upper arm.

When does my contraceptive start working?

The implant starts working 7 days after it is inserted.

How can I use it?

The implant works for 3–5 years. Your health care provider can remove your implant at any time.

Does it contain hormones?

Yes. There is a low dose of progestin but no estrogen.

Side effects *These may be bothersome but are not unsafe

There may be changes to your period (lighter or heavier) or spotting. Less commonly, there may be bloating, nausea, headaches, or breast pain.

Benefits

Does not require a vaginal exam. Mostly invisible to others, although it can be felt under the skin.

	Copper IUD	Progestin IUD	Progestin Implant
Contraceptive	Copper IUD	Progestin IUD	Progestin Implant
Brand Names	Copper IUD Paragard®	Progestin IUD Mirena®, Kyleena®, Skyla®, Liletta®, and others	Progestin Implant Nexplanon®
How do I start using?	Copper IUD After putting a speculum in your vagina, a health care provider inserts the IUD into your uterus. Many providers give medicine like ibuprofen first.	Progestin IUD After putting a speculum in your vagina, a health care provider inserts the IUD into your uterus. Many providers give medicine like ibuprofen first.	Progestin Implant After numbing your skin with a topical medicine, a health care provider inserts the implant under the skin of your upper arm.
When does my contraceptive start working?	Copper IUD The copper IUDstarts working right away.	Progestin IUD The progestin IUD starts working 7 days after it is inserted.	Progestin Implant The implant starts working 7 days after it is inserted.
How can I use it?	Copper IUD Paragard® works for10–12years. Your health care provider can remove your IUD at any time. You may also be able toremove it yourself.	Progestin IUD Mirena® works for6–7 years, Kyleena® works for 5 years, Liletta® works for5–6 years,and Skyla® works for 3 years. Your health care provider can remove your IUD at any time. You may also be able to remove it yourself.	Progestin Implant The implant works for3–5 years.Your health care provider can remove your implant at any time.
Does it contain hormones?	Copper IUD No.	Progestin IUD Yes. There is a low dose of progestin but no estrogen.	Progestin Implant Yes. There is a low dose of progestin but no estrogen.
Side effects* *These may be bothersome but are not unsafe	Copper IUD There may be cramping during or immediately after the procedure, heavier or longer periods, or stronger cramps with your period.	Progestin IUD There may be cramping during or immediately after the procedure, spotting, lighter periods, or no periods after a few months.	Progestin Implant There may be changes to your period (lighter or heavier) or spotting. Less commonly, there may be bloating, nausea, headaches, or breast pain.
Benefits	Copper IUD Can be used as emergency contraception: Prevents pregnancy when inserted up to 5 days after unprotected sex.	Progestin IUD Can decrease heavy periods, cramps, PMS.	Progestin Implant Does not require a vaginal exam. Mostly invisible to others, although it can be felt under the skin.

Which Long-Acting Contraceptive Is Right For Me?

Download:

Share:

Evaluate:

Resource Tags:

Back to Top