Increasing the use of long-acting contraception in primary care

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) are cost-effective methods of controlling fertility allowing many women to achieve the sex lives that they want free from the risk of pregnancy.¹ They also have many non-contraceptive benefits in controlling heavy, painful periods and as part of hormone replacement therapy during the perimenopause.

Primary care nurses are invaluable in increasing the uptake of long-acting reversible methods of contraception. Investing in training and developing skills for contraceptive care and LARC delivery is money well spent not only because all LARCs are cost effective at one year of use, but also the reduction in routine follow-up consultation time especially with the newer self-delivery methods of injectable methods.²