Like many innovations, rigorous testing and development now offer a new and improved model. Decades ago, the Dalkon Shield (IUD) and the Norplant (5-rod Implant) were poorly designed products causing significant harm. With serious complications and after innumerable lawsuits, these devices are now obsolete; yet their aftermath contributes to the misconceptions and non-facts about LARCs. With frequency, my patients still ask about the dangers of IUDs and Implants causing cancer, infertility, and weight gain. Of course, none of this is true. In fact, scholars and researchers have written clinical recommendations and guidelines for safe use among women across their lifespan, including youth/young adults. Furthermore, IUDs are
the most preferred method of birth
control among ob/gyn physicians and
so well loved that even Etsy has a
category of merchandise under “I
heart my IUD”.
At the end of the day, birth
control is a personal choice that
should not be a well-kept
secret of the privileged, but
it’s hard to make a choice
when you don’t know all
your options.
For accessing no cost IUD
and Implants in Chicagoland,
including free Lyft rides to/
from the visit, see
Juno4me.org . For more
information on birth control, visit
(International).