\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n \tRelated story \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tHow to Choose the Birth Control Option That’s Right for You\t\t<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n \t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n \t \n\tTalking about bi\u200brth control isn\u2019t just about pregnancy prevention\u2014it\u2019s also about understanding the range of contraceptive options available, how they work, and when it might make sense to consider each one.<\/p>\n \n\tStarting these conversations early helps ensure you already have the information you need when the time feels right. That preparation can make you feel more confident and less pressured when making future decisions.<\/p>\n \n\tIf you want an effective birth control method that doesn\u2019t require a daily or monthly administration schedule, you may want to consider LARC and talk to your doctor. LARC is highly effective at preventing pregnancy, lasts for several years (depending on the option), is reversible, and can be removed by a trained healthcare provider if plans change, offering women an option during busy school schedules, changing routines, and evolving life plans.<\/p>\n \n\tThe two main types of LARC are:<\/p>\n \n\tToday, many teens and young women encounter bi\u200brth control information through social media, where misinformation is common. Karen Tang, MD, a board-certified Ob-Gyn at Thrive Gynecology and Organon health partner, explains that misinformation online can discourage people from exploring options that may actually be a good option for them.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThere\u2019s an enormous amount of misinformation about bi\u200brth control online, with a particular emphasis on scaring women, because intense responses\u00a0like fear and anger get clicks and engagement on social media,\u201d Dr. Tang says. \u201cNuanced, evidence-based, objective discussions of the\u00a0plusses and minuses of different options is obviously not as attention-grabbing\u2014but that\u2019s what we all deserve when we\u2019re making these big decisions about our health.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tDr. Tang emphasizes the importance of clear, balanced conversations between young women, parents, and a healthcare provider, grounded in evidence and individual needs, so families can make decisions based on facts.<\/p>\n \n\tWhether preparing for high school, college, or another major transition, discussions with your healthcare provider can help you understand which bi\u200brth control options align best with your needs.<\/p>\n \n\tDr. Tang notes that LARC is often appealing for people who don\u2019t plan to get pregnant in the next several years and want an effective option that you don\u2019t have to take every day.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cAs with most aspects of healthcare, contraception is deeply personal, and there is rarely one \u2018right\u2019 option,\u201d Dr. Tang says. \u201cTalk to your doctor to determine which may be the best option for you that fits your life, your goals, your routine, and what you can realistically maintain over time.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tOne option you may want to ask your provider about is NEXPLANON\u00ae<\/sup> (etonogestrel implant) 68 mg Radiopaque, the only FDA-approved arm implant. NEXPLANON<\/a> is\u00a0a long-acting prescription bi\u200brth control\u00a0for\u00a0the prevention of pregnancy in\u00a0women of reproductive potential\u00a0for\u00a0up to 5 years*\u00a0and is over 99%\u00a0effective.\u2020\u00a0<\/sup> \n\tDon\u2019t use NEXPLANON if you\u2019re pregnant or may be pregnant; have or had blood clots or certain cancers; or have liver disease, liver tumor, or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Immediately after the implant is placed, you and your healthcare provider should feel for it. If at any time you can\u2019t feel the implant, contact your healthcare provider right away and use a non-hormonal bi\u200brth control method (such as condoms). Removal of the implant may be difficult or impossible if it isn\u2019t where it should be. While uncommon, ectopic pregnancy (occurring outside the womb) can occur, which can cause serious internal bleeding, infertility, and even death. You\u2019re likely to experience changes to your period. NEXPLANON may raise the chance of serious blood clots, which can cause heart attack, stroke, or death, especially if you smoke or have other risk factors. For more information, please see more Important Safety Information below, and click here<\/a>\u00a0to read the Prescribing Information<\/a> including the Boxed Warning, and the Patient Information<\/a>, and talk to your healthcare professional. \n\tYour healthcare professional will place and remove the NEXPLANON implant using a minor surgical procedure in their office. Your healthcare provider will numb a small area on your inner, non-dominant, upper arm with local anesthetic (spray or lidocaine) and will insert the implant, which is soft, flexible, and about the size of a matchstick (\u22481.6 in\/4 cm). In clinical studies, 5.2% of patients experienced insertion-site pain. Important Safety Information Continued Below.<\/p>\n \n\tTo get ready for a conversation about bi\u200brth control, you just need a willingness to listen, ask questions, and engage openly with a healthcare provider. Going into an appointment with a sense of what matters most, such as effectiveness, duration, side effects, or how an option may fit your needs, may help make the conversation more productive and empowering.<\/p>\n \n\tIn the middle of a busy back-to-school season, you may want to take time for a thoughtful conversation about bi\u200brth control.<\/p>\n \n\tImportant Safety Information Continued<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tYou should not use NEXPLANON if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant; have or have had blood clots; have liver disease or a liver tumor; have unexplained vaginal bleeding; have breast cancer or any other cancer that is sensitive to progestin (a female hormone), now or in the past; or are allergic to anything in NEXPLANON.<\/p>\n \n\tTalk to your healthcare professional about using NEXPLANON if you have diabetes, high cholesterol or triglycerides, headaches, gallbladder or kidney problems, history of depressed mood, high blood pressure, or allergy to numbing medicines (anesthetics) or medicines used to clean your skin (antiseptics). These medicines will be used when the implant is placed into or removed from your arm.<\/p>\n \n\tImmediately after the NEXPLANON implant has been placed, you and your healthcare<\/strong> professional should check that the implant is in your arm by feeling for it. If at any<\/strong> time you cannot feel the NEXPLANON implant, contact your healthcare professional<\/strong> immediately and use a non-hormonal bi\u200br\u200bth control method (such as condoms) until<\/strong> your healthcare professional confirms that the implant is in place. <\/strong>You may need special tests to check that the implant is in place or to help find the implant when it is time to take it out. <\/p>\n \n\tThe implant may not be actually in your arm due to failed insertion. If this happens, you may become pregnant. Removal of the implant may be very difficult or impossible if the implant is not where it should be. Special procedures, including surgery in the hospital, may be needed to remove the implant. If the implant is not removed, then the effects of NEXPLANON will continue for a longer period of time. Other problems related to insertion and removal may also occur, including vasovagal reactions (such as a drop in blood pressure, dizziness, or fainting), pain, irritation, swelling, bruising, numbness and tingling, scarring, infection, injury to the nerves or blood vessels, and breaking of the implant. Additionally, the implant may come out by itself. You may become pregnant if the implant comes out by itself. Use a back-up bi\u200br\u200bth control method and call your healthcare professional right away if the implant comes out.<\/p>\n \n\tThe most common side effect of NEXPLANON is a change in your normal menstrual bleeding pattern. In studies, 1 out of 10 women stopped using the implant because of an unfavorable change in their bleeding pattern. You may experience longer or shorter bleeding during your periods or have no bleeding at all. The time between periods may vary, and you may also have spotting in between periods.<\/p>\n \n\tIf you become pregnant while using NEXPLANON, you have a slightly higher chance that the pregnancy will be ectopic (occurring outside the womb) than do women who do not use bi\u200br\u200bth control. Ectopic pregnancies can cause serious internal bleeding, infertility, and even death. Call your healthcare professional right away if you think you are pregnant or have unexplained lower stomach (abdominal) pain.<\/p>\n \n\tThe use of NEXPLANON may also increase your chance of serious blood clots, especially if you have other risk factors, such as smoking. If you smoke and want to use NEXPLANON, you should quit. Serious blood clots can occur within blood vessels of different parts of the body, including legs (deep vein thrombosis), lungs (pulmonary embolism), brain (stroke), heart (heart attack), and eyes (total or partial blindness). It is possible to die from a problem caused by a blood clot, such as a heart attack or stroke. Tell your healthcare professional at least 4 weeks before if you are going to have surgery or will need to be on bed rest, because you have an increased chance of getting blood clots during surgery or bed rest. <\/p>\n \n\tCysts may develop on the ovaries and usually go away without treatment, but sometimes surgery is needed to remove them.<\/p>\n \n\tBesides changes in menstrual bleeding patterns, other common side effects reported in women using NEXPLANON include headaches; vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina); weight gain; acne; breast pain; viral infection such as sore throats or flu-like symptoms; stomach pain; painful periods; mood swings, nervousness, or depressed mood; back pain; nausea; dizziness; pain; and pain at the site of insertion. Implants have been reported to be found in a blood vessel, including a blood vessel in the lung. <\/p>\n \n\tCall your healthcare professional right away if you have pain in your lower leg that does not go away; severe chest pain or heaviness in the chest; sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, or coughing blood; symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swollen face, tongue, or throat and trouble breathing or swallowing; sudden severe headaches unlike your usual headaches; weakness or numbness in your arm or leg or trouble speaking; sudden partial or complete blindness; yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes, especially with fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark-colored urine, or light-colored bowel movements; severe pain, swelling, or tenderness in the lower stomach (abdomen); lump in your breast; problems sleeping, lack of energy, tiredness, or feeling very sad; or heavy menstrual bleeding or if you feel that the implant may have broken or bent while in your arm.<\/p>\n \n\tNEXPLANON does not protect against HIV or other STDs.<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tYou are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http:\/\/www.fda.gov\/medwatch<\/a> or call 1-800-FDA-1088.<\/p>\n \n\tPlease read the <\/strong>Patient Information<\/strong><\/a> for NEXPLANON and discuss it with your healthcare professional. The physician <\/strong>Prescribing Information<\/strong><\/a>, including the Boxed Warning, also is available.<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tStart the conversation with your doctor to determine what bi\u200b\u200brth control option may fit into your current story.<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\tIf you\u2019re interested in exploring NEXPLANON or any LARC, talk with your healthcare provider to help determine what\u2019s right for you and your health. Learn more about NEXPLANON at\u00a0www.NEXPLANON.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n \n\t\u00a9 2026 Organon group of companies. All rights reserved. ORGANON and the ORGANON Logo are trademarks of the Organon group of companies. US-XPL-118232 06\/26<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.sheknows.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-sheknows-2020\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/section>\n<\/p>\n\n\t\tUnderstanding Bi\u200br\u200bth Control Options Early\t<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\t\tWhy Accurate Information Matters\t<\/h2>\n
\n\t\tChoosing the Right Option For You\t<\/h2>\n
\u00a0
*NEXPLANON must be removed by the end of the fifth year.
\u2020 <\/sup>Less than 1 pregnancy per 100 women who used NEXPLANON for one year.
\u00a0
Important Safety Information<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00a0
Important Safety Information Continued Below<\/strong>
\u00a0
NEXPLANON works by releasing a steady, low dose of the progestin hormone etonogestrel to prevent pregnancy by:<\/p>\n\n
\n\t\tPreparing for the Conversation\t<\/h2>\n