Birth Control

New York City's health department launched the "Maybe the IUD" campaign this week, aimed at increasing awareness about the IUD as a highly effective and low-maintenance option for birth control.

Ladies, New York City Wants You To Consider An IUD

5:40pm October 05, 2015

by Lynne Shallcross

Bet you never thought you'd see IUDs promoted on cheery subway posters. New York City's health department wants women to realize that the long-term birth control is a good choice for many.

FDA Advisers Call For More Safety Data On Essure Sterilization Device

10:08am September 25, 2015

by Rob Stein

The Food and Drug Administration approved Essure for sale in 2002. But with health complaints on the rise from women using the device, the agency's expert panel now urges more study on complications.

The Essure contraceptive device is placed in the fallopian tubes, where it causes scarring that blocks sperm from reaching eggs.

FDA Revisits Safety Of Essure Contraceptive Device

10:23am September 21, 2015

by Rob Stein

It's the only available, nonsurgical permanent birth control option that's FDA-approved. But thousands of women have complained of serious side effects like severe pain, heavy bleeding and depression.

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Amanda Dykeman, 33, of Coal Valley, Ill., had Essure devices removed after having multiple health problems.

FDA To Take Another Look At Essure Contraceptive Device After Health Complaints

12:37pm July 15, 2015

by Tara Haelle

Thousands of women say they've been harmed by the permanent contraceptive. But it's unclear whether the problems were caused by the device. The Food and Drug Administration is taking a closer look.

Birth control used to be a big part of young women's out-of-pocket health costs.

Women Are Saving Money Thanks To Expanded Birth Control Coverage

7:13am July 09, 2015

by Julie Rovner

The average user of birth control pills saved $255 in the first year after an Affordable Care Act requirement that insurers cover contraceptives without copays went into effect, a study finds.

When health care providers have the latest information on various birth control methods, research suggests, more of their patients who use birth control choose a long-acting reversible method, like the IUD.

Updated Training Of Birth Control Counselors Boosts Use Of IUDs

9:35pm June 16, 2015

by Lisa Aliferis

And when the use of intrauterine devices and hormonal implants by young women goes up, the number of unplanned pregnancies sharply drops, researchers find.

Will the health plan pay for the contraceptives the doctor prescribes?

Health & Safety

Study: Insurers Fail To Cover All Prescribed Contraceptives

1:38pm April 16, 2015

by Anders Kelto

An analysis of health plans in five states found limited or no coverage for some forms of contraception. Insurers sometimes imposed copays or required women to pay the full cost of the contraceptives.

University of Notre Dame contends that the act of signing a form opting out of the Affordable Care Act's birth control mandate makes the school complicit in providing coverage.

Supreme Court Sends Birth Control Case Back To Appeals Court

5:48pm March 09, 2015

by Nina Totenberg

The court has ordered a federal appeals court to take a second look at Univeristy of Notre Dame's challenge to the birth control mandate in Obamacare, including opt-out rules for religious groups.

Pope Francis waves to the crowd in Manila, capital of the Philippines, before boarding his flight back to Rome on Monday.

Pope Francis Says Catholics Don't Need To Breed 'Like Rabbits'

2:31pm January 20, 2015

by Jasmine Garsd

On his return from a weeklong trip to Asia, Pope Francis emphasized the church's ban on artificial means of birth control and said Catholics should practice "responsible parenthood."

Worshippers stream through downtown Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, toward Bole Medhane Alem (Savior of the World) Cathedral, the largest Orthodox church in Africa.

Ethiopians Seeking Birth Control: Caught Between Church And State

2:16pm December 31, 2014

The Orthodox church may not like it, but the powerful government is pushing family planning.