When it comes to contraception, many people are familiar with pills, IUDs, and condoms. But there’s one method that often goes unnoticed unless you’ve personally used it or know someone who has—the birth control stick. If you’ve ever seen one and wondered what it is, you’re not alone. Let’s dive deep into this discreet yet highly effective form of birth control.
What Is the Birth Control Stick?
The birth control stick, also known as the contraceptive implant, is a small, flexible rod inserted under the skin of a woman’s upper arm. This tiny device releases hormones to prevent pregnancy for several years, making it one of the most convenient long-term birth control options available.
Unlike birth control pills that require daily intake or patches that need to be changed weekly, the implant offers a hassle-free solution. It’s a “set it and forget it” kind of birth control—ideal for those who don’t want to worry about contraception on a daily basis.
How Does It Work?
The implant slowly releases a hormone called progestin into the bloodstream. This hormone primarily works in three ways to prevent pregnancy:
- Stopping Ovulation – If an egg isn’t released from the ovaries, sperm has nothing to fertilize.
- Thickening Cervical Mucus – This makes it difficult for sperm to swim through the cervix and reach an egg.
- Thinning the Uterine Lining – Even if an egg were to be fertilized, a thinner uterine lining makes implantation highly unlikely.
Because it operates on multiple levels, the birth control stick is one of the most effective contraceptive methods available, with a success rate of over 99%.
The Process of Getting It Inserted
Many people feel uneasy about the idea of having something placed under their skin, but the insertion process is quick and relatively painless. Here’s what to expect:
- A healthcare provider numbs a small area on your upper arm.
- A tiny incision is made, and the flexible rod is inserted just under the skin.
- The entire process takes just a few minutes and requires no stitches—just a small bandage.
Most people experience little to no discomfort after the procedure, and the implant starts working almost immediately if inserted at the right time in the menstrual cycle.
Who Should Consider the Birth Control Stick?
This form of birth control is ideal for those who:
- Want long-term protection against pregnancy without daily maintenance
- Cannot use estrogen-based contraception (like some birth control pills)
- Prefer a highly effective, reversible option
- Have busy lifestyles and don’t want to worry about forgetting to take a pill
However, it’s not for everyone. Some women may experience side effects, such as irregular bleeding, headaches, or changes in mood. It’s important to discuss with a healthcare provider whether this method is right for you.
Common Misconceptions About the Birth Control Stick
Because the implant isn’t as well-known as other birth control methods, several myths surround its use. Let’s debunk some of the most common ones:
- “It’s painful to get inserted.”
The insertion process is quick, and most people only feel a slight pinch when the numbing agent is applied. - “It can travel through your body.”
The implant stays in place under the skin. It does not move around your body or get lost. - “It makes you infertile.”
Fertility typically returns quickly after the implant is removed. Many women are able to conceive within a few months. - “It’s visible under the skin.”
While you may feel the implant if you press on the area, it is not visibly noticeable.
How Long Does It Last?
One of the biggest benefits of the birth control stick is its longevity. Depending on the brand, it can last anywhere from three to five years before needing replacement. If at any point you decide you want to conceive, it can be removed, and fertility usually returns within weeks or months.
The Removal Process
Just like insertion, removal is a straightforward procedure. A small incision is made in the same area, and the implant is gently taken out. Some women may experience a bit of bruising or tenderness, but recovery is usually quick.
Final Thoughts: Is the Birth Control Stick Right for You?
The birth control stick is a game-changer for many women who want a low-maintenance, highly effective contraceptive. If you’re tired of remembering to take a pill every day or dealing with other short-term birth control methods, this might be the perfect option.
Of course, every person’s body reacts differently to hormonal contraception, so it’s always best to consult a healthcare provider before making a decision. But if you’re looking for convenience, effectiveness, and long-term peace of mind, the birth control stick might just be the best-kept secret in contraception.
My husband created a new schedule to ‘improve my role as a wife’ — I taught him a lesson in return
I was stunned when my husband, Jake, handed me a schedule to help me “become a better wife.” But instead of blowing up, I played along.Little did Jake know, I was about to teach him a lesson that would make him rethink his newfound approach to marriage.
I’ve always prided myself on being the level-headed one in our marriage. Jake, bless his heart, could get swept up in things pretty easily, whether it was a new hobby, or some random YouTube video that promised to change his life in three easy steps.
But we were solid until Jake met Steve. Steve was the type of guy who thought being loudly opinionated made him right, the type that talks right over you when you try to correct him.
He was also a perpetually single guy (who could have guessed?), who graciously dispensed relationship advice to all his married colleagues, Jake included. Jake should’ve known better, but my darling husband was positively smitten with Steve’s confidence.
I didn’t think much of it until Jake started making some noxious comments.
“Steve says relationships work best when the wife takes charge of the household,” he’d say. Or “Steve thinks it’s important for women to look good for their husbands, no matter how long they’ve been married.”
I’d roll my eyes and reply with some sarcastic remark, but it was getting under my skin. Jake was changing. He’d arch his eyebrows if I ordered takeout instead of cooking, and sigh when I let the laundry pile up because, God forbid, I had my own full-time job.
And then it happened. One night, he came home with The List.
He sat me down at the kitchen table, unfolded a piece of paper, and slid it across to me.
“I’ve been thinking,” he started, his voice dripping with a condescending tone I hadn’t heard from him before. “You’re a great wife, Lisa. But there’s room for improvement.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Oh really?”
He nodded, oblivious to the danger zone he was entering. “Yeah. Steve helped me realize that our marriage could be even better if you, you know, stepped up a bit.”
I stared at the paper in front of me. It was a schedule… and he’d written “Lisa’s Weekly Routine for Becoming a Better Wife” at the top in bold.
This guy had actually sat down and mapped out my entire week based on what Steve — a single guy with zero relationship experience — thought I should do to “improve” myself as a wife.
I was supposed to wake up at 5 a.m. every day to make Jake a gourmet breakfast. Then I’d hit the gym for an hour to “stay in shape.”
After that? A delightful lineup of chores: cleaning, laundry, ironing. And that was all before I left for work. I was supposed to cook a meal from scratch every evening and make fancy snacks for Jake and his friends when they came over to hang out at our place.
The whole thing was sexist and insulting on so many levels I didn’t even know where to start. I ended up staring at him, wondering if my husband had lost his mind.
“This will be great for you, and us,” he continued, oblivious.
“Steve says it’s important to maintain structure, and I think you could benefit from —”
“I could benefit from what?” I interrupted, my voice dangerously calm. Jake blinked, caught off guard by the interruption, but he recovered quickly.
“Well, you know, from having some guidance and a schedule.”
I wanted to throw that paper in his face and ask him if he’d developed a death wish. Instead, I did something that surprised even me: I smiled.
“You’re right, Jake,” I said sweetly. “I’m so lucky that you made me this schedule. I’ll start tomorrow.”
The relief on his face was instant. I almost felt sorry for him as I got up and stuck the list on the fridge. Almost. He had no idea what was coming.
The next day, I couldn’t help but smirk as I studied the ridiculous schedule again. If Jake thought he could hand me a list of “improvements,” then he was about to find out just how much structure our life could really handle.
I pulled out my laptop, opened up a fresh document, and titled it, “Jake’s Plan for Becoming the Best Husband Ever.” He wanted a perfect wife? Fine. But there was a cost to perfection.
I began by listing all the things he had suggested for me, starting with the gym membership he was so keen on. It was laughable, really.
“$1,200 for a personal trainer.” I typed, barely containing my giggle.
Next came the food. If Jake wanted to eat like a king, that wasn’t happening on our current grocery budget. Organic, non-GMO, free-range everything? That stuff didn’t come cheap.
“$700 per month for groceries,” I wrote. He’d probably need to chip in for a cooking class too. Those were pricey, but hey, perfection wasn’t free.
I leaned back in my chair, laughing to myself as I imagined Jake’s face when he saw this. But I wasn’t done. Oh no, the pièce de résistance was still to come.
See, there was no way I could juggle all these expectations while holding down my job. If Jake wanted me to dedicate myself full-time to his absurd routine, then he’d have to compensate for the loss of my income.
I pulled up a calculator, estimating the value of my salary. Then, I added it to the list, complete with a little note: “$75,000 per year to replace Lisa’s salary since she will now be your full-time personal assistant, maid, and chef.”
My stomach hurt from laughing at this point.
And just for good measure, I threw in a suggestion about him needing to expand the house. After all, if he was going to have his friends over regularly, they’d need a dedicated space that wouldn’t intrude on my newly organized, impossibly structured life.
“$50,000 to build a separate ‘man cave’ so Jake and his friends don’t disrupt Lisa’s schedule.”
By the time I was done, the list was a masterpiece. A financial and logistical nightmare, sure, but a masterpiece nonetheless. It wasn’t just a counterattack — it was a wake-up call.
I printed it out, set it neatly on the kitchen counter, and waited for Jake to come home. When he finally walked through the door that evening, he was in a good mood.
“Hey, babe,” he called out, dropping his keys on the counter. He spotted the paper almost immediately. “What’s this?”
I kept my face neutral, fighting the urge to laugh as I watched him pick it up. “Oh, it’s just a little list I put together for you,” I said sweetly, “to help you become the best husband ever.”
Jake chuckled, thinking I was playing along with his little game. But as he scanned the first few lines, the grin started to fade. I could see the wheels turning in his head, the slow realization that this wasn’t the lighthearted joke he thought it was.
“Wait… what is all this?” He squinted at the numbers, his eyes widening as he saw the total costs. “$1,200 for a personal trainer? $700 a month for groceries? What the hell, Lisa?”
I leaned against the kitchen island, crossing my arms.
“Well, you want me to wake up at 5 a.m., hit the gym, make gourmet breakfasts, clean the house, cook dinner, and host your friends. I figured we should budget for all of that, don’t you think?”
His face turned pale as he flipped through the pages. “$75,000 a year? You’re quitting your job?!”
I shrugged. “How else am I supposed to follow your plan? I can’t work and be the perfect wife, right?”
He stared at the paper, dumbfounded.
The numbers, the absurdity of his own demands, it all hit him at once. His smugness evaporated, replaced by a dawning realization that he had seriously, seriously messed up.
“I… I didn’t mean…” Jake stammered, looking at me with wide eyes. “Lisa, I didn’t mean for it to be like this. I just thought —”
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