Helping women who want to delay or avoid pregnancy during the Zika virus outbreak is a primary strategy to reduce Zika-related adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, including microcephaly and severe fetal brain defects. 

The best way to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy is for sexually active women and their partners to correctly and consistently use effective birth control. 

Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), specifically IUDs and implants, is the most effective type of reversible birth control. LARC can be inserted or implanted in a woman and remains highly effective at preventing pregnancy for many years. 

LARC is safe for most women to use, including female adolescents. To increase access to and availability of LARC, state and jurisdictional level-strategies can be implemented by state, local, and territorial agencies, health systems, and healthcare providers. 

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