Planned Parenthood

Someone asked us:

I just got an IUD inserted, and I forgot to ask my doctor if I can just stop taking my birth control. Do I need to phase it out somehow?

When you switch from one birth control method to another, there are some cases in which you need to continue with your old method for a short period of time so that you’re covered until your new method starts working.

With IUDs, it all depends what kind of IUD you’ve chosen. Here’s the breakdown:

• If you got the copper IUD (ParaGard), you can stop using your old method right away. Super easy.

With a hormonal IUD (Mirena, Liletta, or Skyla), it depends on where you are in your menstrual cycle when you get the IUD inserted:

• If it’s been fewer than 7 days since the start of your last period, you’re good to go — you can stop your old method.
  
• If it’s been more than 7 days since the start of your last period, keep using your old method for the first week with the IUD. After that week, you can stop using your old method.
  

Remember that IUDs don’t protect you from STDs, so it’s a good idea to throw a condom in the mix for safer sex.

-Emily at Planned Parenthood