All About LARCs: 5 Key Benefits of Set-It-And-Forget-It Birth Control 

About 10.3% of women living in the United States use long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and subdermal implants, as their primary form of birth control. 

Once inserted, these methods can prevent pregnancy for months or even years, making them a convenient option for family planning and allowing women to set it and forget it. 

At Beverly Hills Medical Institute, our women’s health doctor, Shaghayegh “Sherri” Tavassoli, DO, regularly prescribes LARCs. Since many women have questions about how these methods differ from birth control pills and other short-acting methods, we want to explain the five most common benefits. 

Once you’re finished reading, you’ll have a better grasp on whether this contraceptive approach is right for you. 

Why LARCs are a game-changer for birth control

LARCs offer many benefits over oral contraceptives. Here are the top five:

They’re highly effective

LARCs, such as IUDs and Nexplanon, boast a 99% efficacy rate, meaning you’re less likely to get pregnant by surprise. Compare that to condoms and birth control pills, which have an efficacy rate of 87% and 91% for typical use.

Those numbers are still pretty good, but condoms and birth control pills require daily or per-use action. If you forget to take your birth control or the condom breaks, pregnancy is more likely, whereas LARCs offer more peace of mind.

Long-lasting protection

Many women who take oral birth control pills have to set timers or calendar notifications at least once a day to ensure they take their contraception. That may be fine when you’re younger, but as you take on more responsibility in your life and career, it’s easy to forget this daily ritual. 

LARCs are different in that they offer lasting protection once they’re inserted. IUDs can last 3-12 years, depending on the type, while implants can last up to three years. 

They typically don’t need maintenance, aside from routine checkups, so you can free up your schedule to focus on more pressing issues.

Low maintenance

Taking a daily birth control pill is mentally taxing, especially if you lead a busy lifestyle or frequently travel. LARCs prevent any hassle because they literally let you set it and forget it. Once we’ve implanted the IUD or Nexplanon, it works on its own, with no monitoring or maintenance required. You can live your life and have sex without constantly worrying.

Reversible and flexible

LARCs aren’t a permanent commitment. If you decide that an IUD or implant isn’t right for you, we can remove it any time, and you can try a different type of birth control. The same applies if you decide you want to start a family. Once we remove your LARC, your fertility returns quickly. 

This flexibility makes LARCs a good choice for women who want to have children in the future but aren’t ready to do so in the present.

Additional health benefits

There are several types of LARCs, including hormonal and non-hormonal options. 

Beyond preventing pregnancy, hormonal options can reduce menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding, and acne in some women. If your periods are intense and affect your quality of life, a hormonal LARC may be able to ease these side effects so you can live more comfortably.

Some women even use LARCs to help manage symptoms of other conditions, such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids.

Learn more about the benefits of LARCs

If you’re sexually active and are tired of taking daily oral contraceptives, LARCs offer an easier, more effective alternative. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits. Call our office in Beverly Hills, California, serving the greater Los Angeles area, or book your appointment online. We also offer telehealth appointments.