Medically reviewed by Mary Jane Minkin, M.D.
Girls at present have extra choices than ever in the case of contraception. One in every of these choices is the intrauterine machine, higher referred to as the IUD. However how are you aware if an IUD is best for you? Speak to your healthcare supplier (HCP) about your choices. Within the meantime, right here’s the inside track about IUDs.
What’s an IUD?
An IUD is a small T-shaped plastic machine that’s inserted into your uterus by your HCP. An IUD is taken into account long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), which suggests you don’t have to fret about contraception each day. But it surely received’t maintain you from getting pregnant as soon as it’s eliminated. IUDs don’t defend you from STIs/STDs, so you’ll have to use condoms for that safety.
There are two various kinds of IUDs:
- Hormonal IUDs launch a human-made model of hormone progesterone, which is named progestin. Progestin makes the mucus in your uterus thicker to cease sperm from fertilizing an egg and might cease you from ovulating (releasing an egg).
- Hormone-free IUDs have a copper wire coil wrapped round them. The copper causes an inflammatory response, which is poisonous to sperm and retains it from stepping into the uterus.
Who’re good candidates for IUDs?
Many premenopausal girls can safely use IUDs for contraception. Additionally, girls who’ve extreme menstrual bleeding and cramps or who’ve fibroid ache are typically prescribed hormonal IUDs as a result of progestin will help with these signs.
All the time focus on this together with your healthcare supplier, however basically, you need to not use a hormonal IUD when you have or had sure well being situations. These embody:
- Breast, uterine or cervical most cancers
- Liver illness
- Migraine illness
- A historical past of blood clots
- Pelvic infections or unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Coronary heart situations
- In case you have lately given start
- If you happen to’ve had an IUD earlier than and your physique expelled it
Folks with an allergy to copper mustn’t use the non-hormonal IUD.
Does getting an IUD harm?
The method of IUD insertion is fast, however it may be painful. How badly IUD insertion hurts can range from individual to individual. Usually, individuals getting an IUD are informed to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or aspirin forward of time to stop cramping or afterward to ease ache. However native anesthetics or topical freezing may assist with ache throughout insertion. Don’t be afraid to ask your HCP what your choices are earlier than the process and demand on getting assist in case you suppose you’ll need one thing for the ache.
Can you’ve gotten intercourse with an IUD?
Sure, and one benefit of getting an IUD is that intercourse doesn’t must be interrupted for contraception.
There’s a 24-hour beneficial ready interval after your IUD is inserted to stop an infection. It’s because the IUD process entails your healthcare supplier utilizing surgical devices because it passes the IUD via your vagina and cervix, and into your uterus. The process can irritate the liner of your reproductive system quickly. In case you have intercourse too quickly, you may develop pelvic inflammatory illness. After that ready interval, you may have intercourse anytime.
Are you able to get pregnant when you have an IUD?Â
Getting pregnant with IUD is uncommon, however can occur — IUDs are greater than 99% efficient.
How lengthy do IUDs keep in?
A hormonal IUD can keep in place for as much as eight years, relying on the model. A hormone-free IUD can keep in place as much as 10 years.
Do IUDs cease intervals?
Typically. A hormonal IUD can gradual your interval bleeding a number of months after insertion, or make your intervals irregular. Round 1 in 5 of girls cease getting their intervals after getting a hormonal IUD. Non-hormonal IUDs usually don’t have an effect on your interval.
Are there any negative effects of IUDs?
There might be. For hormonal IUDs, negative effects can embody:
- Complications
- Grownup zits
- Breast tenderness
- Temper shifts
- Cramps or ache round your pelvis
Unwanted effects of hormone-free IUDs can embody:
- Bleeding between intervals
- Ache
- Heavy intervals
How a lot do IUDs value and are they coated by insurance coverage?Â
IUDs can value greater than $1,300 out of pocket. Nevertheless, many insurance policy cowl IUDs at low or no value. Verify your protection, and communicate to your (HCP) for extra data.
This useful resource was created with help from Organon and Co. and Sebela Girls’s Well being, Inc.
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