Preventing Unintended Pregnancies: A Review of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception

With increasing uncertainty surrounding female reproductive rights, patient education about contraceptive options is of paramount importance. Although traditional oral contraceptive pills (OCP) are often used to prevent pregnancy, they require precise, daily effort and have continual monetary maintenance costs for patients. Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) - intrauterine devices and the contraceptive implant - are effective and reliable alternatives to OCPs that are gaining popularity in the U.S. These contraceptive options do not require continual patient maintenance and are overall cost-effective. Physicians should be well versed in what contraceptive options are available for their patients and comfortable providing education and recommendations. This analysis will cover what LARCs are on the U.S. market, risks and benefits of each, as well as the CDC's medical eligibility criteria.