Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)

Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) offers the most reliable protection against pregnancy, and you don't have to think about them every day or each time that you have sex. LARC methods are the injection, implant, IUS and IUD.

In Oxfordshire LARC's are available from c&sh clincs (sometimes known as family planning) and from GP Practices, contact them to find out what options are available for you.

The contraceptive implant

Is a small, flexible tube containing progestogen, it is a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) method. The implant is inserted under the skin of your upper arm and it lasts for three years. You can have the implant removed at any time, and your natural fertility will return very quickly. This means that once the implant is removed, you could get pregnant as easily as if you'd never had the implant.

The implant stops the release of an egg from the ovary by slowly releasing progestogen into your body. If implanted correctly, it's more than 99 per cent effective. Less than one woman in 100 will get pregnant in one year.

The contraceptive injection

The injection contains progestogen. Progestogen thickens the mucus in the cervix, which stops sperm reaching an egg. It also thins the lining of the womb so that an egg can't implant itself there. In some women, the injection stops ovulation (the release of an egg).

The contraceptive injection is more than 99 per cent effective. This means that less than one woman in 100 who uses the injection will become pregnant in a year.

Intrauterine system (IUS)

An intrauterine system, is a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC), it is inserted into your womb. An IUS it is a small, T-shaped plastic device that contains progestogen. Once it's in place, it works for five years, so you don't have to think about contraception every day or each time you have sex.

The IUS releases a progestogen hormone into the womb, which:

  • thickens the womb lining so that it's less likely to accept a fertilised egg
  • thickens the mucus from your cervix, so it's difficult for sperm to move through and reach an egg
  • can stop ovulation in some women.

It's more than 99 per cent effective. This means that fewer than one in every 100 women who use the IUS will get pregnant in a year.

Intrauterine device (IUD)

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small T-shaped plastic and copper device that's inserted into your womb, it is a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) method. There are various types and sizes available. Depending on the type, an IUD can last from three to 10 years. It used to be called a coil.

The IUD works by preventing sperm from surviving in the cervix, womb or fallopian tubes. It may also prevent a fertilised egg from implanting in the womb. The IUD works by preventing sperm from surviving in the cervix, womb or fallopian tubes. It may also prevent a fertilised egg from implanting in the womb.

IUDs are more than 99 per cent effective. This means that less than one in every 100 women who use one of the new IUDs will become pregnant in one year.

NHS Choices has more information about all the different choices of contraception.
www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Contraception/Pages/Contraception-hub.aspx

There is also a quick online tool to help you decide the best contraceptive choice for you.
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Contraception/Pages/Whichmethodsuitsme.aspx

To find out about contraceptive services near you go to: Family Planning - NHS Oxfordshire