Ah, the New Year! You know what that means. Time to shake off last year’s bad habits and start figuring out those resolutions. Here’s one suggestion to get you started: Ever heard of a LARC? That stands for Long Acting Reversible Contraception. What’s so great about these so-called LARCs? Well for starters, once it’s in, you no longer have to worry about it. No pills to take once a day; not even any patches to switch once a week! Consider one of these new birth control options as a way to start of the New Year by taking control of your body and your health!
First, you have the implant:
- A tiny plastic rod inserted into your upper arm.
- Can be left in for up to 3 years.
- May not sound like much, but this little rod is actually 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Then there’s the IUD:
- A “t” shaped plastic device that gets inserted into the uterus.
- Can be left in from 5 to 12 years.
- And if you weren’t already impressed with the implant, the IUD is 99.2-99.4% effective at preventing pregnancy!
I know these methods of contraception may sound a little frightening or intimidating to some. The idea of inserting something into your arm or your uterus, or leaving it there for years can seem like a little too much at first thought. But going into a clinic and talking to a provider will calm your worries and further inform you about both possible methods of birth control. You will realize that there is nothing to worry about!
Still, it’s important to remember that neither of these options protect against STDs. That’s why it’s best to always use condoms in addition to birth control. Luckily, TeenSource offers FREE condoms through our Condom Access Project!
So what’s stopping you? Start the New Year off right with a LARC!