Our birth control is available to any woman in Shelby County, Tennessee.
We will pay the full cost for any of our clients who want to receive a free IUD or implant.
Our partner health center will bill your private insurance first, but we will pay any co-pay and/or deductibles for Shelby County residents. There will be no out of pocket costs to any of our patients.
With any appointment for free birth control, we provide a free woman's health screening including a pregnancy test and STD test. If you are over 21, you will also receive a free pap test.
No worries, we provide free transportation to and from appointments. This is set up through our call center when you make an appointment.
Sorry, we only pay for IUDs and Implants. Since they are more effective and hassle-free, we recommend talking to your doctor or nurse about whether an implant or IUD could be right for you!
Check our listing of affiliate locations under "contact", or email Amy Mulroy, amy@astepaheadfoundation.org, for information on starting an ASAF affiliate in your area.
An IUD is a small, t-shaped piece of plastic that keeps you from getting pregnant.
A doctor or nurse puts the IUD in the uterus, which is inside a woman’s body above the vagina. IUD stands for “Intrauterine Device,” which means it is inside the uterus
The ParaGard lasts for 10 years. The Mirena lasts for 8 years. Both can be taken out by a doctor or nurse at any time.
Once a doctor or nurse puts in the IUD, you don't have to do anything! You are protected from pregnancy until you choose to have it removed, or up to 5 years with the Mirena and 10 years with the Paragard.
The IUD works really, really well. It is one of the best forms of birth control that exists. If 100 women use the IUD, on average less than 1 will become pregnant within a year.
Our health centers have two types of IUDs available: The Mirena, which lasts for 8 years, and the ParaGard, which lasts for 10 years. The ParaGard has no hormones. The Mirena has some hormones, which can make periods lighter for some women.
Both IUDs work by preventing the sperm from reaching the egg. This happens because the IUDs make it difficult for sperm to move. In some women, the hormones in the Mirena may also prevent ovulation (when the egg leaves the ovaries).
Nope, absolutely not. So definitely use a condom every time you have sex so that you are protected from pregnancy AND sexually transmitted infections.
You can always set up an appointment with one of our doctors or nurses to talk about the IUD or implant, or you head over to our blog and ask one of us!
The best form of birth control is the one that fits your life. Learn about methods outside of LARC at bedsider.org/methods
"You are a strong woman with a strong mind. You have the power to take control of your life and your choices. Think about what you want and what you need, to be healthy and happy."