Fabulous question! We recommend Mirena for those who have heavy periods. Because Mirena contains the hormone progesterone,  it can make the period lighter. Some females who use Mirena don’t get a period at all! Others may experience spotting (small amounts of irregular bleeding) instead. Mirena is a five-year hormonal IUD that is more than 99% effective.

Paragard, on the other hand, can increase cramping and period flow. We recommend Paragard for females who experience light, easy periods, and who would like to menstruate on their regular cycle. Paragard is an IUD that prevents pregnancy using copper. It contains no hormones, is more than 99% effective, and lasts for ten years!

It’s a great idea to talk to a healthcare provider about your medical health history before deciding on an IUD.  Teen Clinic offers free consultations, so make an appointment today!

Intrauterine devices may reduce the risk of cervical cancer by 45%, states a recent New York Times article.  The new information comes out of a review of studies conducted in Asia, South America, and Europe between 1985 and 2007. Researchers believe that inserting an IUD may create an immune response that helps the body fight off HPV.

Check out the whole article here, or learn more about IUDs here.

This is a fabulous question. The answer is yes—and here’s why.

First, no hormonal birth control is 100% effective.  Even the most effective methods on the market—like IUDs and Implanon—prevent pregnancy only 99.9% of the time.  In very rare cases, someone becomes pregnant even though they are using a method correctly.

Second, sometimes people make mistakes with their birth control.  They forget to take a pill, put their next patch on late, or leave the NuvaRing out for more than 2 hours at a time.  While all hormonal birth control methods can be up to 99.9% effective, most are about 92% effective with typical use (97% for the Depo shot).

So why bother at all? Hormonal methods are still the most effective, reversible way to be sexually active without pregnancy. When used correctly, the risk of pregnancy is very small. And there are a few things you can do to help your method be the most effective possible.

First, use a condom every time you have sex. Not only do condoms prevent sexually transmitted infections, they’ll also act as a pregnancy prevention backup.

Second, choose a method that fits your lifestyle. Many females are great at using The Pill—but plenty aren’t! If you have trouble remembering to take a pill at the same time every day or change a patch once a week, consider using longer-term methods like Implanon or IUDs. Once these methods are inserted, they prevent pregnancy for 3-10 years—and you don’t have to remember a thing!

Third, talk to your partner about birth control. When both of you are focused on preventing pregnancy, it’s more likely to happen!

Teen Clinic offers free birth control and consultations. If you’d like to talk to a provider about changing your method, give us a call soon.  Thanks for keeping yourself safe and healthy!

Works Like A Charm is an online contest celebrating Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) and the awesome women and couples who use it.  Participation is open to young women ages 18-24 in the U.S. and their partners.

So–what’s a LARC again?

A LARC is a long-acting reversible contraceptive. These methods aren’t permanent, but they are highly reliable. They require less upkeep, which means there’s less opportunity for human error. The Patch, The Ring, The Shot, Contraceptive Implants and IUDs are all considered LARCs!

If you use one of these methods (and love it!) you could win up to $2,000 or an iPad for sharing your experience.

Visit the Works Like A Charm site for more details!

Spotting is considered a normal side effect of Mirena. While it tends to decrease over time, everyone’s body is different! Take a peek at the handout you received at the insertion; this should provide more detailed information about what to expect.  With more questions about Mirena, call Teen Clinic to talk to a provider: 303-442-5160.

At Teen Clinic, all services are free to those under 20! If you don’t think your birth control method is working out for you, make an appointment to talk to one of our practitioners. They can help you be sure that removal is the best option. They can also help you choose a different birth control method; remember, pregnancy is possible as soon as an IUD is removed.

If you’ve turned 20 since you got the IUD, you’re welcome to use our adult clinic for your removal. (Visit www.boulderwomenshealth.org for hours and other details.)  At Women’s Health, services are charged on a sliding scale. That means you’ll pay for the removal based on what you make. For some people, services are cheap or even free at Women’s Health. Call 303-442-5160 to have a clinic assistant estimate the cost of your removal.

Nothing! At Teen Clinic, we are able to waive the fees for all services.   This means anyone under 20 can get an IUD–or any other birth control method–for free!  Normally, IUDs cost between $175 and $750.  To schedule an IUD consultation, call Teen Clinic at 303-442-5160.

…If I made an appointment, could I go in and have it removed free, no questions asked? I would rather have the Nuvaring I decided

Teen Clinic does remove IUDs. As with all our services, IUD removals are free & confidential. To schedule an IUD removal, call us at 303.442.5160. It sounds like you’ve been extremely responsible with your birth control decisions – kudos! It’s great that you’ve taken the time to try the IUD and to research your other options. If you do come to Teen Clinic for a removal, we can get your started on the Nuva Ring or any other method you choose right then! The health care providers at Teen Clinic are non-judgmental, so don’t be worried that you might be persuaded into a decision different from your own. It’s your health. You get to decide what method works with your body, habits and behaviors. We provide you with accessible services so you can make the choices that are right for you.

After a surgical abortion procedure, patients can begin any birth control method immediately – including an IUD. In fact, it’s healthy to insert the IUD right after the procedure. If someone has a medical abortion, it’s healthy to wait two weeks before getting an IUD. Women who go through an abortion procedure are able to become pregnant if they are having unprotected sex. Speak with your doctor or visit Teen Clinic to explore what birth control option is best for you.

A medical provider must remove an IUD. Even though IUDs can last for up to 5 or 10 years, they can be removed from the uterus at any time by medical provider. If you are unhappy with your IUD, call your doctor or come to the clinic to find out if there is a solution to your discomfort or to schedule an IUD removal.