This patient fact sheet compares the different birth control options in a colorful and easy-to-read chart. The fact sheet includes essential information about each birth control method, how to use it, its impact on bleeding/menstruation, and common side effects. Along with updated language, new features include: symbols to quickly determine if a method requires a prescription, protects from STIs/HIVs, or has hormones, a QR code to scan to easily pull up the resource on a smartphone, and hyperlinks attached to each method picture to seamlessly find our method-specific user guides for more in-depth information.
On February 23, 2026, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a new REMS certification requirement for all clinicians who offer the contraceptive implant Nexplanon. The Nexplanon, or implant, is a safe and commonly used form of long-acting contraception.1 It is a rod-shaped progestin-only contraception that is inserted subdermally into the upper arm. It contains 68 mg of etonogestrel, which is slowly released over time and is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Written by Jessica Mitter Pardo, DO, M.Sc. Anemia is a common condition among people seeking abortion care and can influence clinical decision-making, monitoring, and management strategies. While neither procedural nor medication abortion has an absolute contraindication based solely on anemia, understanding how hemoglobin levels intersect with bleeding risk and recovery is essential for high-quality care…
Written by Mariela Cabrera, MD Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), considered to be one of the oldest forms of modern contraception, received FDA approval in 1992.1 It has proven to be a safe, reliable, and convenient method of contraception for many people. It is a progestin-only form of contraception that is administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously.4 Because…
Written by Carolina I. Burgos-Pagan, MD Post-abortion follow-up care is an important component of high-quality abortion services; however, routine in-person follow-up is not medically required for most patients after uncomplicated medication or procedural abortion. Guidance from ACOG, AAFP, WHO, the National Abortion Federation (NAF), and the Society of Family Planning (SFP) emphasizes that follow-up should…
Written by Marielle Jamgochian, MD Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are one of the most common birth control methods used today.1 There are dozens of formulations of COCs, all of which contain an estrogen and a progestin. For pregnancy prevention, COC efficacy is similar across all formulations. Thus, choice of pill can be guided by the…
A yoga flow for abortion providers created by yoga instructor Ashley Flowers and Regional Clinical Network Leader Maya Bass. This sequence can offer abortion providers a moment of respite to work on their physical and mental health. Read this blog post to learn more about the creators of this resource and the creation process. …
Written by Alissa Akselrod PharmD Candidate 2025 and Regina Ginzburg Pharm.D., CDCES, BC-ADM In September 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the potential link between the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and the development of autism.1 However, the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of…
Written by Catherine Casado-Pabon, MD Body image and perception of weight gain influence both patients’ and clinicians’ contraception decision-making and counseling. Nearly half of women* using contraception will switch or discontinue their selected contraceptive method within the first year of use.1 While there are many reasons people discontinue or change their contraceptive method as needs…
