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Side Effects
Common Questions
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 weight gain?
Most people do not gain weight with any of these types of birth control.
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Tubal Sterilization Surgery | No weight gain expected |
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Arm Implant | No weight gain expected |
Hormonal IUD | No weight gain expected |
Non-hormonal IUD | No weight gain expected |
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Vasectomy | No weight gain expected |
What about my skin?
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Tubal Sterilization Surgery | Usually no effect on skin |
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Arm Implant | May decrease acne |
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Hormonal IUD | Usually no effect on skin |
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Non-hormonal IUD | Usually no effect on skin |
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Vasectomy | Usually no effect on skin |
What about my mood?
Research has not found that these methods affect depression or anxiety, but every person’s experience is unique.
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Tubal Sterilization Surgery | No hormones, so mood should not change |
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Arm Implant | It stops hormone cycles. This may help with monthly mood changes. |
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Hormonal IUD | Very low hormone levels, so mood should not change |
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Non-hormonal IUD | No hormone changes, so mood should not change |
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Vasectomy | No hormone changes, so mood should not change |
What about my sex drive?
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Tubal Sterilization Surgery | Usually no effect on sex drive |
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Arm Implant | May lower sex drive |
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Hormonal IUD | Usually no effect on sex drive |
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Non-hormonal IUD | Usually no effect on sex drive |
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Vasectomy | No change in ability to have an erection or orgasm. May increase sex drive |
Will I have a scar?
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Tubal Sterilization Surgery | Scars on the abdomen depend on the procedure you have. Ask your doctor what to expect. |
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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 |
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Hormonal IUD | No scarring |
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Non-hormonal IUD | No scarring |
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Vasectomy | 1 small scar about the size of a pen tip |