FAQ
Hormonal & Non-Hormonal IUD
In general, users report mild discomfort to SUPER painful, but the worst pain usually only lasts for a few minutes. Every person is different. Some say it feels like the strongest cramps you may get during your period, others say they barely felt anything. Taking ibuprofen (over the counter) can usually help the discomfort. Some women take over the counter medications (the same ones you usually take during your periods) a few hours before the appointment to help minimize the discomfort. Review the CHECKLIST to be ready for your appointment. And remember, if you are on your period for your appointment, this is perfectly fine. Some believe it may even help with the insertion, but there’s no hard science on this, so don’t bother trying to schedule your insertion around your period.
Also, after your insertion for any IUD, you can expect menstrual like cramps. The length and severity varies- from day of insertion to several weeks afterwards. It will get better, it just takes some time for your uterus to adjust to this new friend. Be sure you review and understand the expected bleeding side effects too.
If you get a hormonal IUD, you will not have monthly periods and you can expect unpredictable, irregular bleeding. This can vary from spotting that comes and goes, spotting for several days, to barely bleeding at all. This is an expected and very normal side effect. Some may keep getting a monthly period, but it should be much lighter than before getting a hormonal IUD. Some may notice this in the first few weeks, some may notice this irregularity for a few months. Many will only have very lite spotting if any bleeding at all after several months of use; this is all considered normal due to the progestin hormone. It may seem odd to not have your period, but because of the small amount of hormone in your uterus, there is no reason to have your period as nothing is building up in your uterine lining. Therefore, some women love their IUDs (because they don’t have to deal with monthly periods). Yup, this is all part of the design. Some people who don’t even need birth control use the hormonal IUD to help with heavy or painful periods. The five year hormonal IUD is actually FDA approved for treatment of heavy bleeding.
If you get a non-hormonal IUD (aka copper IUD), you will likely have monthly bleeding and your bleeding may be slightly heavier and you may have more cramps than usual. This is an expected side effect, but the potential heavier bleeding and cramps may lessen after the first year. Your periods should continue as before you got the non-hormonal IUD. For many women, taking over the counter meds that you usually take for your periods can help with this expected side effect. The first few periods you should keep ibuprofen handy and take the dose recommended by your health care provider as soon as your period starts and as long as you need it. And remember, if you don't like your method, Juno4Me provides no cost removals too.
The strings are outside of your cervix (neck of your uterus) and DO NOT hang outside of your vagina. The small strings allow your healthcare provider to remove the IUD when you are ready to consider pregnancy. The strings are also a way you can check to see that your IUD is in place (yes, you can feel the strings with your finger, your cervix feels like the tip of your nose). With time, the strings usually soften and may curl up in your cervix- this is very normal. You and your partner will likely never notice the strings, but if they bother you or your partner, please see your healthcare provider who can help.
Yes, there’s a small chance an IUD can fall out but there’s no way to tell if you are at risk of having it fall out. And if it does fall out (aka expelled out), it’s usually in the first few days or weeks after insertion. Just contact your healthcare provider and they will give you instructions. You can try another IUD or try another method. Just remember once the IUD is out, you are no longer protected from pregnancy. If you ever notice something hard and pokey when you are checking for the IUD strings or if your partner says they can feel something hard and pokey in your vagina, you should see your health care provider as soon as possible and use a back up method to prevent pregnancy until you confirm the IUD is still placed correctly.
Hormonal Implant
No, your periods will not be monthly. You can expect irregular bleeding and spotting, especially in the first few months. This is a normal and expected side effect. Some people may not get any bleeding after 6 months or so (yes, this is perfectly fine and often welcomed), but it’s impossible to predict your bleeding profile. The implant has a bit of the hormone progestin and this is why you have irregular bleeding and spotting, especially the first few months. The women who are happiest with the implant are those who want to know they have the most effective form of birth control available to prevent pregnancy and don’t mind having some irregular spotting and wearing a pantiliner more than usual. Remember if the bleeding side effects persists, you can change methods. Juno4Me covers no cost removals-always.
No, no one should be able to see the implant since it is the size of a matchstick and it’s placed underneath your skin. You can feel the implant by gently pushing down where it was inserted but it’s not obvious like a tattoo or a raised scar. But in the first 1-2 days after insertion, you will have a pressure bandage on your arm to minimize bruising and to allow the small insertion incision to heal. You will have bruising on the inside of your arm that will be obvious if your arms are uncovered for a couple of weeks. And you may have a regular band-aid over the insertion site for up to one week. Most report no pain with the implant insertion. You will feel a small stick to numb your skin at the insertion site, but otherwise minimal discomfort.
You don’t have to do anything you are not comfortable with. And it is true that with an implant insertion, you don’t need to undress below the waist as the implant is placed on the underside of your upper arm. Depending on the conversation between you and our healthcare provider, they may recommend STI/STD screening (via self- collected vaginal swab) and/or a pregnancy test (via urine sample you provide).
Pills/Patch/Ring
The combined pills, weekly patch, or the monthly ring are all great ways to help with regulating your monthly period. You use for 3 weeks straight and the 4th week you don't use anything and that's when you have your "period". With pills, some people call the 4th week, the "placebo" week.
Research and large studies show that the pills, patch, or ring do NOT cause weight gain. But remember, without watching your calories and getting exercise, almost every person will gain weight year after year regardless of what birth control method you use.
Large studies and research show that fertility returns to baseline once you stop any of these hormonal methods. For some people, fertility returns almost immediately (within days or weeks), for others it could be several months. Unfortunately, fertility problems can happen to anyone or any couple (some have known causes but many more are unknown causes), so that's why it's common to make the assumption that one's infertility was caused by hormonal birth control. And one of the most common causes of infertility is untreated or longstanding STIs such as chlamydia or gonorrhea- so get tested and use a condom for STI protection.
Sure, there are many reasons why someone may use hormonal birth control and a lot of these reasons may have nothing to do with preventing pregnancy. Many people may seek the pills/patch/ring to help with premenstrual symptoms (PMS), some use it to help with painful periods, some use it to help with heavy or long periods. There is solid research to show that using hormonal birth controls for several years can decrease the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer. Wow.
If you are over 21, a cervical cancer screen (aka Pap Smear) is recommended but it is not required to get birth control. Also, as long as you are healthy, you do not need a pelvic exam (some people may say a "gyne" exam) to start or continue on birth control. And depending on your conversation with your healthcare provider, they may recommend the following tests: screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea (can be tested from your urine), HIV (fingerstick), and pregnancy (via urine); but none of these tests are ALWAYS required to start the pill, patch, or ring.
Aside from not having sex (aka abstinence), internal or external condoms are the ONLY way to decrease the chance of transmitting or getting sexually transmitted infections/diseases (STI or STD, it’s the same thing). So, if you are not sure of your partner(s) STI/STD status or if you or your partner have more than one partner in the last 3 months, you should still use a male or female condom (just one at a time – not both at once!). The most common STI/STD screenings are chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis and hepatitis. Many people may not show symptoms early on, thus it's smart to get screened even if you feel fine.
Juno4Me believes that the best birth control is the birth control that works best for you and your lifestyle. So, if you don’t like how you feel with a certain method, you shouldn’t get it. However, it's normal to have some changes in how you feel, especially the first few days to weeks. This is how you know the hormones are active. Some people report very little changes, other people have a lot more side effects. Again, it's impossible to predict how you will feel, but know that initial side effects may be very normal and the majority of users feel fine after staying on a method for a few months.
Most people who use birth control regularly are pretty satisfied with how it makes them feel. Remember, some people like how it helps control their moods (especially associated with PMS). However, it's impossible to say how you will respond. Just keep in mind that life has ups and downs and everyone has periods of sadness. However, if your sad mood sticks around a lot longer, you should talk to your healthcare provider.
Yes, there are probably more than 100 brands of birth control pills and they are really not THAT different. There are various types of estrogen, various generations of progestins, and they come in varying doses (all safe and pretty low compared to when pills were first invented). The truth is that most pills do the same thing (prevent ovulation and help with bleeding), but advertisers are really good at trying to convince us otherwise. Like sneakers, there are tons of brands and styles, but they all essentially do the same thing. For a very small percentage of people (maybe less than 5%), switching pill brands could make a difference.
Sure, after speaking to a provider, this may be a safe option for you. Some people do this for medical reasons, others do it for personal preference of not wanting to have their period (aka withdrawal bleed). Some do it for a few cycles due to life events, other people do this for years. Continuous use can be done with the monthly ring, the weekly patch and the daily pill. Talk to your provider about this.
Logistics
Yeah, healthcare insurance is super confusing. That’s why Juno4Me is here to help you find providers who can help figure this out. If your insurance doesn’t cover birth control or requires a co-pay, deductible, blah, blah, blah….no worries: Juno4Me will take care of this. If you don’t have insurance, Juno4Me providers will see if you qualify for any other funds that help cover the cost of birth control. Remember, some of these funds may require paperwork and certain protocols of that clinic. We ask you to be patient as we are trying to do our best to make sure everyone gets what they want without cost. And we are trying to make sure you get your birth control in one single visit …. again, no worries if you don’t qualify for these other funds, Juno4Me will take care of the contraceptive visit registered through Juno4Me.
Of course, you can change your mind at any time. If you have time, please call the provider’s office and cancel so someone else can take your appointment slot. If you change your mind once you talk more with your provider, talk to them about preconception health or learn about other ways to take care of yourself Juno4Me believes the best birth control is the birth control that you want.
You should pick the method that works best for you. Learn all your methods, know the facts, and make a decision that works for you and your life. Some other options include the depo shot which is used every 3 months and could be self injected (availability varies). Barrier methods like the cervical cap, sponge, or diaphragm is also ideal for someone that is comfortable people something into their vagina (to cover the cervix). And if you are very aware of your body's cycle, you could try natural family planning (there's an app for this too).
Juno4Me understands your life is busy and our skilled providers will provide or remove your IUD or Implant on a single visit. This is the gold standard for quality family planning.
However, some providers may offer a follow up appointment for reassurance. This is optional, but of course if you have any clinical problems/questions, you should call them first.
Only if you need a Lyft ride for a subsequent visit, please register again via Juno4me website; use the same email as your first registration and the same rules apply- see the transportation section.
Transportation
All our preferred providers are near public transportation or you can use Lyft for a free ride within Chicagoland. At this time, the ride credit is valid for up to $35 each way or $70 round trip and is programmed so it can only go to/from the skilled Juno4me provider offices. Juno4Me has no mechanism to reimburse you if you use another method. If for some reason the lyft code doesn't show up in your text or inbox 24 hours prior to your appointment, call us: 1-847-666-JUNO
Yes at this time, this is the only way to redeem the free ride code. Also, the code is only good for the classic ride which means the single regular vehicle (sorry, no fancy limos to pick you up, but you don't have to share your ride) and it's programmed only to go to and from the offices of the Juno4Me providers. If you don't follow these rules, the ride code won't work and we don't want you to have to pay this out of pocket. From your Lyft App, add the promo code under "promos" (left side where you find options). You will received the promo code about 24 to 48 hours BEFORE your scheduled appointment. Usually via email but could be via text as well (based on phone carriers).
If you are needing a Lyft, you will receive the free ride code via email or tex 1 -2 days before your scheduled appointment. So be sure the email/number you provide Juno4Me is accurate. Also, the code is only good to /from the preferred provider address from your location within Chicagoland. Sorry. To add the code, go to the left side of your Lyft app where you should see a list of options (ride history, settings, etc...). Enter the free code under "promos". Any cost above the set amount will be billed to your credit card on file. At this time the max amount is $35 each way or $70 round trip.