Larc information leaflet

Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) Information Leaflet – Old Farm Surgery
All the methods of contraception listed below are effective. However, no method is absolutely 100% reliable. The reliability for each method is given in percentages. For example, the contraceptive injection is more than 99% effective. This means that less than 1 woman in 100 will become pregnant each year using this method of contraception. When no contraception is used, more than 80 in 100 sexually active women become pregnant within one year. Choosing a method of contraception involves a balance between: if you have a medical condition that needs to be considered You can get more information by speaking to our friendly Practice Nurses, or checking out our website and looking under “Woman’s Health” or clicking on the Red Apple on the homepage and typing “Contraception” – you’ll see a list of Contraceptive Leaflets containing lots more detail. Contraceptive injections (eg Depo-provera® and Noristerat®)
Contain a progestogen hormone which slowly releases into the body. More than 99% effective. Works by preventing
ovulation and also has similar actions as the POP. An injection is needed every 8-12 weeks.
Some advantages - Very effective. Do not have to remember to take pills. Some disadvantages - Periods may become irregular (but often lighter or stop all together). Some women have side-effects. Normal fertility after stopping may be delayed by several months. Cannot undo the injection, so if side-effects occur they may persist for longer than 8-12 weeks. Contraceptive implants (eg Nexplanon®) (If you choose this option you will need to get a prescription
from the surgery and bring the Nexplanon with you to your appointment)
An implant is a small device placed under the skin. Contains a progestogen hormone which slowly releases into the
body. Is more than 99% effective. Works in a similar way to the contraceptive injection. Involves a small minor
operation using local anaesthetic. Each one lasts three years.
Some advantages - Very effective. Do not have to remember to take pills. Some disadvantages - Periods may become irregular (but often lighter or stop all together). Some women develop side-effects but these tend to settle after the first few months. Intrauterine device (IUD)
A plastic and copper device is put into the uterus. Lasts five or more years. It works mainly by stopping the egg and
sperm from meeting. It may also prevent the fertilised egg from attaching to the lining of the uterus. The copper
also has a spermicidal effect (kills sperm).
Some advantages - Very effective. Do not have to remember to take pills. Some disadvantages - Periods may get heavier or more painful. Small risk of serious problems. Hormone releasing intrauterine system (IUS) – also called the “Mirena®” Coil
A plastic device that contains a progestogen hormone is put into the uterus. The progestogen is released at a slow
but constant rate. Lasts 5years. More than 99% effective. Works by making the lining of your uterus thinner so it is
less likely to accept a fertilised egg. Also thickens the mucus from your cervix. Is also used to treat heavy periods
(menorrhagia).
Some advantages - Very effective. Do not have to remember to take pills. Periods become light or stop altogether. Some disadvantages - Side-effects may occur as with other progestogen methods such as the POP, implant and injection. However, they are much less likely as the hormone is mainly confined to the uterus (little gets into the bloodstream). Old Farm Surgery September 2011 – Long Acting Reversible Contraception Leaflet

Source: http://www.oldfarmsurgery.co.uk/pdfs/Long%20Acting%20Reversible%20Contraception%20Oct%202011.pdf