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Waiting Time
- How soon can I get the procedure?
- How soon will it work?
- How soon can I have sex?
- How long before I need to replace it?
How soon can I get the procedure?
Depending on your insurance, you may have to wait:
Tubal Sterilization Surgery |
Medicaid requires a 30-day wait after signing a consent form. The goal is to be sure people understand this surgery is not easily reversible and no one is forced to have it. |
Vasectomy |
Medicaid requires a 30-day wait after signing a consent form. |
Hormonal IUD |
No wait; just schedule a clinic visit |
Non-hormonal IUD |
No wait; just schedule a clinic visit |
Arm Implant |
No wait; just schedule a clinic visit |
How soon will the method work?
Tubal Sterilization Surgery |
Starts working as soon as the procedure is done |
Vasectomy |
Use a backup method until your partner has a test showing no sperm in their semen. This usually takes about 3 months. In the meantime, keep using other types of birth control. For example, stay on your normal birth control pills or use condoms |
Hormonal IUD |
Starts working as soon as placed |
Non-hormonal IUD |
Starts working as soon as placed |
Arm Implant |
Use backup method for 7 days after placement. Condoms can be used as a backup method |
How soon can I have sex?
Tubal Sterilization Surgery |
As soon as you feel ready. Most people have pain for at least a week. |
Vasectomy |
As soon as you feel ready. Most people have pain for at least a week. |
Hormonal IUD |
As soon as you feel ready. |
Non-hormonal IUD |
As soon as you feel ready. |
Arm Implant |
As soon as you feel ready. |
How long before I need to replace it?
Method |
Recommendation |
Tubal sterilization |
Usually never, but sometimes a second surgery is needed |
Vasectomy |
Usually never, but you need follow-up testing to confirm that sperm is gone from the semen. If not, another procedure may be needed. |
Arm implant |
Nexplanon can be used for up to 5 years and then can be replaced |
Hormonal IUD |
Mirena and Liletta can be used for up to 8 years and then can be replaced |
Non-Hormonal IUD |
Paragard, the copper IUD, can be used for at least 12 years and then can be replaced |