Your body Is Your Temple.

Here’s a list of websites to check out: 

Resources for accessible birth control (USA)

The Pill Club

SimpleHealth

Nurx

Alpha Medical

PRJKT RUBY

Hey Doctor

Hers

Lemonaid Health

Planned Parenthood

Here’s a list of websites to check out: 

Resources for accessible birth control (USA)

The Pill Club

SimpleHealth

Nurx

Alpha Medical

PRJKT RUBY

Hey Doctor

Hers

Lemonaid Health

Planned Parenthood

Here’s a list of websites to check out: 

Resources for accessible birth control (USA)

The Pill Club

SimpleHealth

Nurx

Alpha Medical

PRJKT RUBY

Hey Doctor

Hers

Lemonaid Health

Planned Parenthood

I recently got the ParaGard IUD and IT’S THE BEST. Why? Because it’s a “set it and forget it” birth control method — no remembering to take a pill or change a patch, no room for error. And those little T-shaped miracle workers can prevent pregnancy for up to 12 years.  (Of course, you can have it taken out whenever if you decide it’s go-time for a family or want to switch to a different method.)

Here’s how my IUD and me came to be:

1. I made an appointment with my gyno to talk about whether ParaGard was right for me. While I was there, my doc did a vaginal swab to test me for gonorrhea and chlamydia. 

2. When I decided 100% that I wanted that little copper sperm blocker, I called my insurance company to see what was covered and how much I would have to pay out of pocket (spoiler alert: $0 — thanks Obamacare!).

3. When I got my period, I called my gyno and scheduled my appointment for the next day. (Some docs want you to have your period when they put it in because the cervix is dilated more when you’re menstruating).

4. The night before my procedure, I vaginally inserted a prescription cervix-dilating pill before hitting the hay.

5. When I arrived at my gyno’s office, I took a quick pregnancy test. It was negative, so operation IUD was officially on. 

6. Time to get down to business: First, my doctor measured my uterus. Anytime anything goes past your cervix, you’re going to feel a cramp. Not gonna lie, it was intense. But I breathed through it, preoccupied by the knowledge that my uterus is 7cm long (fun fact).

7. My doctor inserted the ParaGard, cut the strings, and BAM. My uterus is a no-fly zone.  The whole insertion took less than five minutes. I did have some cramping throughout the rest of the day, but I was good to go the next morning.

Since getting the ParaGard, I’ve noticed that my periods are heavier with more cramping than I’m used to. My periods also last maybe a day or two longer, but this is totally normal. My doc said that after about three months, my period should return to normal. And let’s be real — a few crampy periods are a great trade off for 12 years of worry-free living. My uterus couldn’t be happier with this brand spanking new toy.

In a few weeks I’ll go back in for a follow up appointment to make sure the ParaGard is still there and in the right place. After that, they’ll check it at my yearly gyno exam.

If you want to get an IUD and you’re worried about cost, fear not! Obamacare means you get free preventive care that includes birth control through your insurance. My $950 IUD+my $40 copay = totally free.

Word of advice? Don’t forget the condoms! Yeah IUDs are 99% effective against pregnancy, but they’re 0% effective at preventing STDs.  So condoms + my IUD = healthy me.

Want to get your own IUD? Get more info here, and then contact your local Planned Parenthood health center to set up an appointment. 

Someone asked us:

So I’m getting the nexplanon implant and I have one concern. The website itself says it’s for up to 3 years whereas someone I spoke to from PP informed me it was 5. Which is it?

Lots of people have been asking similar questions about their implants and IUDs here on Tumblr and at Planned Parenthood health centers across the country. Why does a birth control method suddenly work for longer than originally thought? And why do different sources have different information? And is it safe to keep it in?

Here’s the deal: When Nexplanon was initially approved by the FDA, research studies proved that the implant works to prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years. However, scientists have continued to research the implant, and new studies show that it continues to work and is safe to use even longer — up to 5 years. These are the same kind of reliable medical studies that resulted in the implant’s approval for use in the first place. That’s why health care providers like Planned Parenthood are telling their patients that it’s effective for up to 5 years.

But hold up – why does Nexplanon’s label, its website, and all its other marketing materials still say it only works for 3 years, then? That’s because changing the labels for certain medicines, like birth control, can be a very long, expensive process. When a medicine is proven to be safer or longer lasting than originally thought, it’s often not considered urgent to update the label and other materials. This is called “off-label use,” and doctors do it all the time for all kinds of medicines.

There are other birth control methods that last longer than what their labels currently say. Mirena and Liletta — two hormonal IUDs — have been proven to now work for up to 7 years.

Doctors and nurses who keep up with the latest and most reliable research on birth control know what’s up. So if you plan to get (or already have) the Nexplanon implant or the Mirena or Liletta IUD, you can use it safely for longer than the label and the website say. If you don’t want to, remember that it’s up to you if you want it taken out sooner. You’re the boss.

Here’s a list of websites to check out: 

Resources for accessible birth control (USA)

The Pill Club

SimpleHealth

Nurx

Alpha Medical

PRJKT RUBY

Hey Doctor

Hers

Lemonaid Health

Planned Parenthood

Not the church, not the state, we must decide our fates.

Here’s a list of websites to check out: 

Resources for accessible birth control (USA)

The Pill Club

SimpleHealth

Nurx

Alpha Medical

PRJKT RUBY

Hey Doctor

Hers

Lemonaid Health

Planned Parenthood