When it comes to birth control, women have a lot more choices to pick from than they realize. Most women begin with taking oral contraceptives, or the pill, because it is easy to take. However, not all oral contraceptives agree with every woman’s body or hectic schedules. Because of this, more women in today’s society are choosing to use an Intrauterine Device (IUD) for their birth control. IUDs have wonderful benefits, but there are inherent risks involved as well.
An IUD is literally a T-shaped device that is placed in a woman’s uterus. Depending on the type of IUD, it will block an egg from attaching to the uterine wall or it will use hormones to prevent a woman from ovulating. Surprisingly, IUDs have been available to women just as long as oral contraceptives. But in the 1970s, IUDs became discouraged because one type was made with an “ill designed removal string that funneled bacteria into the uterus”. After some serious developing, IUDs were back on the market by 1988 and are completely safe to use as birth control today.
Dr. Margaret Dufreney in New Jersey has explained that there are several reasons why IUDs are an appealing choice for birth control. She first explained that once the device is inserted, you’re good to go. There is no remembering to take a pill every day, changing a patch every week, or getting an injection every three months. The device immediately begins to work once it is placed in the uterus. This is very appealing for teenagers and women who have crazy work schedules or travel for work often.
Second, she wrote that IUDs can help with painful periods by stopping them together. Some IUDs use synthetic hormones to help regulate your own hormones. If you have a medical condition such as endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), an IUD can help stop your periods or at least alleviate you from so much pain.
Third, she noted that IUDs are reversible and should not affect your chances of becoming pregnant in the future. Even if you’ve have an IUD for several years, as soon as it is removed you should begin to ovulate again. It is similar to not taking birth control pills anymore.
Then, Dr. Dufreney wrote about the risks involved with IUDs. To start, you cannot place an IUD by yourself. It has to be done by a medical professional such as an OBGYN or certified Midwife. Most women experience cramping during and after the procedure, but it is similar to a period. Next, there is a small chance that the device could “become dislodged”. If this happens, your chances of becoming pregnant increase dramatically. Lastly, IUDs do not protect against STDs or STIs, so you will still need extra protection such as a condom or spermicide.
Remember that is is most important to consult with a medical professional about starting or changing your form of birth control. IUDs are generally covered by most health insurance plans, but you will want to make sure if only certain brands are covered under your plan before moving forward.
Sources: ReproductiveAccess, CentralJersey