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Side Effects
Common Questions
- Will my periods change with this birth control method?
- What about my mood?
- What about my sex drive?
- What about weight gain?
- What about acne?
- Will I have a scar?
Will my periods change with this birth control method?
Tubal Sterilization Surgery |
Usually no change, but periods may become irregular. Your periods may get heaver if you used hormonal birth control before surgery and then, you stopped |
Hormonal IUD |
Periods become lighter and may be irregular. Some people have no periods. Some people have spotting. |
Non-hormonal IUD |
Periods stay as regular as they were before IUD placement. Some people's periods become heavier or more crampy |
Arm Implant |
Periods become lighter and may be irregular |
Vasectomy |
No change. If you used hormonal birth control before your partner's surgery and then stop, your periods may get heavier. |
What about my mood?
Research has not found that these methods affect depression or anxiety, but every person’s experience is unique.
Tubal Sterilization Surgery |
No hormones, so mood should not change |
Arm Implant |
It stops hormone cycles. This may help with monthly mood changes. |
Hormonal IUD |
Very low hormone levels, so mood should not change |
Non-hormonal IUD |
No hormone changes, so mood should not change |
Vasectomy |
No hormone changes, so mood should not change |
What about my sex drive?
Tubal Sterilization Surgery |
Usually no effect on sex drive |
Arm Implant |
May lower sex drive |
Hormonal IUD |
Usually no effect on sex drive |
Non-hormonal IUD |
Usually no effect on sex drive |
Vasectomy |
No change in ability to have an erection or orgasm. May increase sex drive |
What about weight gain?
Most people do not gain weight with any of these types of birth control.
Tubal Sterilization Surgery |
No weight gain expected |
Arm Implant |
No weight gain expected |
Hormonal IUD |
No weight gain expected |
Non-hormonal IUD |
No weight gain expected |
Vasectomy |
No weight gain expected |
What about my skin?
Tubal Sterilization Surgery |
Usually no effect on skin |
Arm Implant |
May decrease acne |
Hormonal IUD |
Usually no effect on skin |
Non-hormonal IUD |
Usually no effect on skin |
Vasectomy |
Usually no effect on skin |
Will I have a scar?
Tubal Sterilization Surgery |
Scars on the abdomen depend on the procedure you have. Ask your doctor what to expect. |
Arm Implant |
1 small scar (about the size of a pen tip) when it is placed in the upper inner arm. 1 other small scar (pen tip) when it is taken out |
Hormonal IUD |
No scarring |
Non-hormonal IUD |
No scarring |
Vasectomy |
1 small scar about the size of a pen tip |