![]() If you’d prefer not to use hormonal therapy, the copper-wrapped IUD contains no hormones but is just as effective as the other IUDs. Some IUDs contain slow-release hormones that prevent ovulation. Also, contact your doctor if you notice other changes, such as chills, heavy bleeding or unusual vaginal discharge. Unlike other methods, you don’t have to remember to take a pill or carry anything with you, other than a condom.Īlthough most women have no reaction to IUDs, if you experience pain, cramping, or spotting, contact your OB/GYN specialist right away. An IUD may also be the best type of birth control for a teenage girl who is, or may become, sexually active. You regularly check your IUD’s placement by feeling for the short strings that hang into your vagina.īecause the IUD stays in place for years at a time without requiring any kind of maintenance, it’s a perfect choice for busy women. The copper-wrapped IUD can stay in place and offer continuous protection for up to 12 years.Īlthough it doesn’t happen often, IUDs can “get lost” in your uterus or slip into your vagina partially or completely. Hormone-releasing IUDs should be removed and replaced every 3-10 years, depending on the brand. Your IUD offers reliable contraception for years at a time. Having an IUD means that as long as you’re practicing safer sex, you can be spontaneous without worrying about pregnancy. Condoms lower, but don’t eliminate, the risk for STDs, so ask your OB/GYN about other safer-sex practices, too. ![]() If you or your partner is at risk for STDs, always use a condom in addition to your IUD. If you have sex with someone who is infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), you could get infected, too. ![]() However, the IUD doesn’t block semen and sperm from passing into your vagina and uterus during ejaculation. Depending on the type of IUD, your uterine lining thins, your cervical mucus thickens, or you stop ovulating. The IUD works by creating an environment in your uterus that’s inhospitable to sperm and conception. (Even dry rubs can sometimes lead to “accidents.”) However, an IUD has a 99% efficacy rate, so your risk of getting pregnant is extremely low. The only way to 100% guarantee that you won’t get pregnant is to abstain from all sexual activity. If you have continued pain, have your OB/GYN specialist remove the IUD so you can choose another method of birth control. Regular over-the-counter painkillers should be sufficient to offer you relief. You may experience some cramping right after insertion. In that regard, the procedure is similar to a getting a Pap smear. You need your OB/GYN specialist to put it in place, although it takes only a few minutes. You can’t just buy an IUD at the drugstore. You check the strings every so often to be sure your IUD remains in position.Ĭon: Your OB/GYN specialist must insert it The IUD has two tiny strings that hang through your cervix into your vagina. Your doctor removes the IUD whenever you’re ready to start a family. Your OB/GYN specialist inserts the IUD into your uterus, where it remains for 3-12 years, depending on the type of IUD you have. The caring OB/GYN professionals here at The Association for Women's Health Care in Chicago and Northbrook, Illinois, encourage you to learn about the pros and cons of IUDs so you can decide if they’re a match for you.Īn IUD is a flexible, T-shaped appliance that’s only about an inch long. Knowing what you want from birth control - and what you don’t want - helps you make the right decision. With so many different types of birth control out there, you’re not even sure how you’re going to choose the right one. You’ve heard great things about today’s intrauterine devices (IUDs), but you don’t know much about them.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |