What Are My Options

Choosing Your Long-Acting Birth Control

While LARCs are extremely effective at preventing pregnancy, no IUD or implant prevents STIs or HIV, so be sure to use a condom for protection against them.

ParaGard

Type: Intrauterine contraceptive (IUC)

How it works: ParaGard is a hormone-free IUC made of plastic and copper. It releases a tiny amount of copper that acts as spermicide to prevent pregnancy.

Effectiveness at preventing pregnancy: 99.2–99.4%.

Lasts for up to: 12 years.

Cost: Free with private insurance. Available for free or at a very low cost at many providers.

Mirena

Type: IUC

How it works: Mirena is a plastic IUD that releases a small amount of the synthetic hormone progestin to prevent sperm from reaching the cervix.

Effectiveness at preventing pregnancy: > 99%

Lasts for up to: 5 years.

Cost: Free with private insurance. Available for free or at a very low cost at many providers.

Liletta

Type: IUC

How it works: Liletta is a plastic IUD that releases a small amount of progestin to prevent sperm from reaching the cervix.

Effectiveness at preventing pregnancy: > 99%.

Lasts for up to: 3 years.

Cost: Free with private insurance. Available for free or at a very low cost at many providers.

Skyla

Type: IUC

How it works: Skyla is the smallest plastic IUC available. It releases a small amount of progestin to help keep sperm from reaching your cervix.

Effectiveness at preventing pregnancy: > 99%.

Lasts for up to: 3 years.

Cost: Free with private insurance. Available for free or at a very low cost at many providers.

Nexplanon

Type: Implant.

How it works: Nexplanon is a tiny plastic rod about the size of a matchstick that releases hormones to prevent pregnancy. It’s inserted into the inner part of the upper arm by a clinician.

Effectiveness at preventing pregnancy: > 99%.

Lasts for up to: 3 years.

Cost: Free with private insurance. Available for free or at a very low cost at many providers.