Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)
It’s not possible to understand present-day reproductive coercion, or its lasting impact on marginalized communities, without understanding the United States’ long history of sterilization abuse.
In college, getting a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) was in vogue. It seemed like everywhere I went, women were talking about how their IUD had changed their life for the better.
“Bayer has recently announced they will remove Essure from the market, but my doctor has just recommended Essure as permanent birth control since it will be available until the end of the year… what should I know?”
Both birth control implants and IUDs are LARCs, or Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives, meaning these methods last for an extended period of time, are highly effective, and work without user action, but cannot be controlled or terminated by the user.
The copper IUD has become a growing choice for women due to its long-term protection and low maintenance.
There has been increased attention and funding in recent years for long-acting reversible contraceptive methods (LARCs). While LARCs are part of a well-balanced mix of contraceptive options, there are concerning practices when it comes to who is targeted for long-acting methods and the way in which counseling is provided.
Question: I’m experiencing some negative side effects from my IUD, but my doctor doesn’t want to remove it. What should I do? Answer: An intrauterine device (IUD) is a great birth control option for some women. IUDs are inserted by…
Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are highly effective methods for preventing pregnancy, but pregnancy prevention may not be an individual woman’s most important consideration in choosing a contraceptive.
Aggressive promotion of LARCs—or of any method—infringes on reproductive autonomy. Learn about LARCs – how they work, how they’ve been prescribed, and other important info here.