Mythbusters: The Arm Implant Nexplanon

Welcome to another edition of MythBusters, and this time we are talking about the birth control arm implant Nexplanon. The implant is one of the long-acting, reversible contraception (LARC) methods that A Step Ahead Tri-Cities offers for free. The matchstick-size birth control method, commonly called Nexplanon, has become a popular birth control method because it allows for convenience and privacy. However, as is the case with all forms of birth control, there are many misconceptions about the birth control implant. Let’s debunk some common birth control implant myths and show the reality behind each. 

Myth #1- Getting the implant will hurt

Fact: During the insertion of the implant, you will receive numbing medication around the insertion site. It should feel like a pinch when injected and a slight burning sensation a few seconds after. After, you should not feel the implant being placed during the procedure. There are no stitches required and should have no noticeable scarring. Your arm may be sore or bruised a day or two afterwards. If you still feel discomfort a few days later, definitely talk to a healthcare professional.

Myth #2- The implant will get lost inside of me 

Fact: You should be able to feel the implant immediately after insertion. In most cases, the implant will stay in place, and you should feel the implant the entire time it is inserted. The implant may shift, but it would move less than an inch from where it was originally inserted.  If you cannot feel the implant or if the implant starts to come out of the skin, it could be a possible infection or improper insertion. You should return to the clinic to remove and replace the implant and use a back-up birth control method in the meantime. 

Myth #3- The implant will cause birth defects and/or interrupt an existing pregnancy

Fact: The implant works in several ways to prevent pregnancy. It can thicken mucus on your cervix to block sperm from entering the uterus, thin the lining of the uterus to prevent a fertilized egg from implanting, and prevent your eggs from being released from your ovaries (ovulation). These processes will not affect pregnancy or harm a fetus if a pregnancy is already present. 

Myth #4-The implant causes infertility 

Fact: Once the implant is removed, your fertility returns to its baseline. This means your fertility returns to what it was before the implant. Studies have shown that people who used the implant have similar rates of pregnancy when compared to people who used other birth control methods.3 Most people can become pregnant within the first year after having the implant removed. 

Myth #5- The implant will make you gain weight

Fact: The birth control implant uses one hormone called progestin, which has no direct link to weight gain. That being said, everybody is different and will experience varying side effects on birth control. Many people typically start using birth control during a time when natural weight gain occurs, so it can be easy to blame it on birth control. If you think the implant is causing weight and it bothers you, talk to a healthcare professional to find another type of birth control that works for you. 

Interested in birth control but are concerned about cost, transportation, or provider choice? call/text us at 423-415-0277 or visit us at ASAFTC for more information. 

Source:

1.IPPF. (2019, March 19). Myths and facts about implants. IPPF-International Planned Parenthood Federation. Retrieved July 21, 2022, from https://www.ippf.org/blogs/myths-and-facts-about-implants 

2. Darney P, Patel A, Rosen K, Shapiro LS, Kaunitz AM. Safety and efficacy of a single-rod etonogestrel implant (Implanon): results from 11 international clinical trials. Fertil Steril. 2009 May;91(5):1646-53. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.02.140. Epub 2008 Apr 18. PMID: 18423453.

3. Glasier A. Implantable contraceptives for women: effectiveness, discontinuation rates, return of fertility, and outcome of pregnancies. Contraception. 2002;65(1):29-37.

Mythbusters: IUD Edition

Welcome to MythBusters: IUD edition! The intrauterine device (IUD) is one of the LARC (long-acting, reversible contraception) methods A Step Ahead Tri-Cities offer. This small T-shaped device has become a birth control method preferred by many due to its effectiveness and convenience. However, as is the case with many forms of birth control, there are many misconceptions about IUDs. Let’s debunk some common IUDS myths!

Myth #1- IUDs cannot be used in people who are young or have never been pregnant before

Fact: IUDs are a safe and appropriate birth control method for a wide variety of people. Since IUDs are a LARC method, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Academy of Family Physicians, AND American Association Pediatricians recommend this method as a first choice of contraception. Also, there are different sizes of IUDs, so talk to your healthcare professional to find the best option for you. 

Myth #2- The IUD prevents pregnancy by causing abortions. 

Fact: The IUD can prevent pregnancy in three ways. The non-hormonal IUD uses copper to create a toxic environment for sperm, so it either kills/impairs sperm to prevent fertilization. The hormonal IUD can thicken mucus on your cervix to block sperm from entering the uterus and prevent your eggs from being released from your ovaries (a process called ovulation). Thus, the mechanisms of the IUDs occur prior to fertilization. 

Myth #3- IUDs can cause infertility

Fact: Once the IUD is removed, your fertility returns to its baseline. This means your fertility returns to what it was before the IUD. Studies show that the pregnancy rates of hormonal IUD users are similar to those who used no method or stopped using barrier methods like condoms.3 Most people can become pregnant within the first year after having the IUD removed. 

Myth #4- IUDs can cause pelvic infection (PID: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) 

Fact: IUD users are at no increased risk of infections compared to non-IUD users. Proper insertion technique reduces the risk of infection by following prevention procedures. However, IUDs can worsen the effects of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) if the infection was present before IUD insertion. Therefore, it is important to test for infections before insertion. Another way to prevent infection is to use condoms because IUDs do not protects from STIs. 

Myth #5-IUD insertion is painful

Fact: Everyone has a different level of pain intolerance. Discomfort can be common in IUD insertions, but many have reported that IUD insertion is similar to a heavy period cramp. The entire procedure is 5 minutes total, and afterward you get 3-10 years of effective birth control. If concerned, taking over-the-counter pain medication may help with cramping due to insertion. 

Myth #6- IUD strings are noticeable 

Fact: The IUD strings hang slightly below your cervix. The strings tend to soften and curl over time, but you should be able to feel the strings to check if your IUD is present. Most partners will not be able to feel the IUD strings. If they do, there should not be discomfort. If the strings are bothering you or your partner, you can ask your doctor to cut them shorter. However, may result in you not being able to feel your strings to check your IUD, and could potentially make IUD removal more difficult. Talk to your doctor about this one for sure!

Interested in birth control but are concerned about cost, transportation, or provider choice? call/text us at 423-415-0277 or visit us at ASAFTC for more information. 

Source:

1. Moore, A. A., Kaunitz, A. M., & Yates, J. (2018, August 28). 5 IUD myths dispelled. MDedge ObGyn. Retrieved July 8, 2022, from https://www.mdedge.com/obgyn/article/77424/contraception/5-iud-myths-dispelled 

2. IPPF. (2022, April 19). Myths and facts about the intra-uterine device (IUD). IPPF. Retrieved July 8, 2022, from https://www.ippf.org/blogs/myths-and-facts-about-intra-uterine-devices 

3. Mansour D, Gemzell-Danielsson K, Inki P, Jensen JT. Fertility after discontinuation of contraception: a comprehensive review of the literature. Contraception. 2011;84(5):465-77.

What to expect as an A Step Ahead client!

Welcome to A Step Ahead Foundation Tri-Cities (ASAFTC). We are a non-profit organization working to empower our community through access and knowledge. We aspire to help build a community where all people can reach their goals, maximize their potential, and realize their dreams. We serve our community by removing barriers to Long-Acting, Reversible Contraception (LARC) to give each individual a step ahead in life. Comprehensive contraception care is an integral component for overall health, and reproductive and sexual health. Individuals and communities are healthier when access to these integral resources are unrestricted. Since everyone’s health journey is unique, A Step Ahead ensures a personalized client experience to choose the contraceptive method that is right for you. 

If you are interested in our services, I would like to describe the overview of the client process at A Step Ahead. Maybe this is the first time you are considering birth control. Maybe you want to discuss a new birth control after trying several different methods. Maybe you are interested in a method you used to use, or continuing with your current method. All reasons are accepted at A Step Ahead. Your first phone call to A Step Ahead begins with an assessment to better fit you with one of our partner clinics and arrange transportation via a gas card, rideshare app, or cab. At the appointment, you are introduced to your healthcare team who will work with you to coordinate care. During this appointment, you will receive one-on-one consulting to help decide what birth control method is best for you. You may also discuss a wellness exam, which can include a STI test, a pregnancy test, and a pelvic exam, to ensure your health and the effectiveness of your preferred birth control method. We strive for same-visit contraception as a patient - centered best practice. We wish for all patients to receive the best care possible while minimizing all barriers. 

A Step Ahead covers the cost of your contraceptive consultation, regardless of birth control decision. If you choose a LARC method, A Step Ahead will also cover the cost of the insertion visit and device costs, a follow up visit, and removal at any time. Our goal is to ensure equitable accessibility and availability to contraception by removing barriers that can disproportionately affect healthcare access. We hope our services help individuals and their families achieve personal success and strengthen our collective community. 

Interested in birth control but are concerned about cost, transportation, or provider choice? call/text us at 423-415-0277 or visit us at ASAFTC for more information. 

Pride Month!

Happy Pride Month, y’all! June is the official start of summer and time to celebrate Pride Month, and I cannot think of a better combo. I want to use this post to express joy, share love, and celebrate community. No matter what your gender expression, gender identity, sex, and/or sexual orientation, ASAFTC welcomes you here. We recognize that pride should be celebrated all year long, so we take action by providing LGBTQIA+ healthcare and LGBTQIA+ inclusive sex education. We want to celebrate all kinds of love and personal expression by publicly showing support to all of our LGBQIA+ friends and family.

Here are three ways to uplift your LGBTQIA+ community during Pride month. 

1. Learn the history of Pride

Do you know why we celebrate pride? Some may think Pride started with marriage equality because of the Supreme Court ruling on June 26, 2016. However, the origins of Pride Month started with trailblazers in the 50s. Pride month has such a rich, radical history, so let’s celebrate by acknowledging the roots. Let’s honor those who came before us for their hard work and sacrifice for LGBTQIA+ rights. Googling Stonewall Uprising and Marsha P. Johnson for a good place to start!

1. Attend a Pride Event 

There are many great ways to celebrate Pride Month, but one popular choice is Pride Parades, especially in cities with a strong LGBTQIA+ community and history. However, there are plenty of other opportunities that offer a fun learning experience like picnics, film festivals, runs, etc. The LGBTQIA+ community is so diverse, so there are a variety of events to suit different interests and niches. While there is still an ongoing fight of equal rights to the LGBTQIA+ community, we can still celebrate everything accomplished so far. TriPride is August 27th in Bristol, TN - we’ll have an informational booth, come stop by and say hi!

1. Donate to LGBTQiA+ organizations

The LGBTQIA+ community is a remarkably strong and resilient community; thus, it is important to give back to help fight for the advancement of LGBTQIA+ rights. Activism is the heart and soul of the LGBTQIA+ community, so let’s get involved. Choose an organization that advocates for issues that interest you. You can donate money, time, network, and even knowledge to show your support. May we recommend our friend and neighbor The Pride Community Center of Johnson City?!

Interested in birth control but are concerned about cost, transportation, or provider choice? call/text us at 423-415-0277 or visit us at ASAFTC for more information.

Women’s Health Month

In May, we observe National Women’s Health Week to encourage all women and girls to take control of their health and wellness.  The social responsibilities and roles women and girls have in society can often overshadow their personal growth and development. Even with the chaos of life, you are allowed to put yourself first. However, this change requires support from others, so it can help to start with women empowering women in our local communities. Women’s health is unique and personal, so it is important to celebrate each individual approach to health.

Life as we know it has changed since the Covid-19 pandemic. From this, one important lesson I’ve learned is not to take my health for granted. Jada Pinkett Smith once said “ Do something today that communicates to your body that you desire to care for it.”1 So I encourage all women and girls to take advantage of National Women’s Health Week to start prioritizing your physical and mental health. 

Here are some fun habits to incorporate into your life to prioritize and protect your health!

• Try Something New

  Incorporate a new activity into the week to bring excitement back into your life. Life gets automated doing the same daily routine, so let’s challenge ourselves to become more open. Some ideas include trying a new restaurant, recipe, fitness class, hobby, or start a bucket list for an extra challenge 

• De-stress

  Being constantly stressed is common in this busy world, but it does not have to rule your life. Learning how to deal with unhealthy stress will not only positively impact your mental health but improve your physical health too. While most people use coping strategies that are less than healthy, it’s important to take a break and embrace self-care before continuing on. 

• Treat Yo’ Self 

  On the topic of self-care, you deserve to live a life where you can enjoy yourself. If you don’t love yourself, who else will? Do something for yourself each week just because it feels good. It can be things that cost money like shopping or going on a solo-date, or things that are relatively inexpensive like breakfast in bed or an at-home pamper session. 

• Grab a friend

  One dimension of wellness that often gets overlooked is social health. Managing healthy relationships helps you build social skills like communication, trust, and boundary setting.Taking time to nurture your quality, mutually beneficial relationships allows you to have a strong support system. While you are trying something new or practicing self care this week, try to invite a friend if you can.

• Get a wellness visit

  The doctor’s office can make you feel anxious, but it is important to be proactive about your health. It creates the foundation for your health care and allows you to take part in decision-making for relevant preventative health services. Regular wellness exams include preventative screenings which can detect health issues early and could be easier to treat. As women age, there are new health milestones with each decade of life, so it’s beneficial to be aware and familiar with your overall health. 

Interested in birth control but are concerned about cost, transportation, or provider choice? call/text us at 423-415-0277 or visit us at ASAFTC for more information. 

Sources

• Jada Pinkett Smith. (2013, July 16). Don’t take your health for granted. Don’t take your body for granted. [Status Update] Facebook. https://m.facebook.com/jada/photos/dont-take-your-health-for-granted-dont-take-your-body-for-granted-do-something-t/10151798322211320/#:~:text=Jada%20Pinkett%20Smith-,Don't%20take%20your%20health%20for%20granted.,Tomorrow%20is%20not%20promised.

• OASH. (2022). Ideas for celebrating NWHW. Ideas for celebrating NWHW | Office on Women's Health. Retrieved May 17, 2022, from https://www.womenshealth.gov/nwhw/tools/ideas-for-celebrating#:~:text=Organize%20a%20virtual%20healthy%20cooking,heart%20health%2C%20healthy%20eating%20vs

Welcome to: Not Your Mom’s IUD

By Sephora N’sapo, ASAFTC Health Educator

In honor of National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, I wanted to use this opportunity to share information to help teens make informed, healthy decisions when it comes to sex, which includes options related to preventing pregancy. In the US, teen birth rates continue to decline; however, progress remains uneven due to health disparities amongst different populations.1 Also, about 75% of teen pregnancies are unplanned or unintended.2 This alone indicates the need for accurate, comprehensive sex eduation and access to reproductive health resources. Furthermore, the changing landscape of reproductive health and rights makes it crucial to make an active decision to protect your reproductive anatomy and autonomy. You deserve the right to make informed decisions pertaining to your own reproductive health. 

At A Step Ahead Tri-Cities, we believe the most effective way to prevent unintended pregnancy is to provide free birth control and comprehensive reproductive and sexual health education. Tennessee is among the top 10 states with high teen birth and pregnancy rates, so our goal to prevent unplanned pregnancies amongst this population is to provide free long-acting, reversible contraception (LARC) along with education. With this goal, our hope is to improve educational and economic outcomes, and increase health and happiness for families in our community.

Everyone has different values and comfort levels, so not everyone is comfortable engaging in sexual intercourse. Abstinence is a healthy choice for anyone to make. This decision helps you avoid the stress of potential pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STI) and allow you to focus on your future. However, most people will transition out of abstinence, so let’s talk about the most effective forms of pregnancy prevention: LARC. These methods are the IUDs (intrauterine device), the arm implant, and the birth control (Depo-Provera) shot. LARCs are 99% effective at pregnancy prevention, comfortable, convenient, and can be removed at any time. 

Interested in birth control but are concerned about cost, transportation, or provider choice? call/text us at 423-415-0277 or visit us at ASAFTC for more information. 

Source: 

1.) powertodecide.org/what-we-do/information/national-state-data/national

2.) Finer LB, Zolna MR. Declines in Unintended Pregnancy in the United States, 2008-2011. N Engl J Med. 2016 Mar 3;374(9):843-52. doi: 10.1056/NEJMsa1506575. PMID: 26962904; PMCID: PMC4861155.