The acronym “IUD” refers for “intrauterine device.” An IUD goes into your uterus. It is shaped like a “T” and is little larger than a quarter. By preventing sperm from accessing and fertilizing eggs, it inhibits pregnancy.
In the US, there are five different kinds.
Your body absorbs little quantities of the hormone progestin (levonorgestrel) from four women: Liletta, Kyleena, Mirena, and Skyla. The hormone is the same as that found in many birth control tablets. If you have heavy periods, these IUDs may be an excellent alternative since they tend to make your period lighter.
The copper T IUD, often known as ParaGard, is the sixth. It is devoid of hormones. Your immune system is stimulated by copper to avoid conception. Your periods can get heavier as a result, particularly at initially. But compared to hormonal IUDs, ParaGard lasts longer.
How Successful Are IUDs?
IUDs are regarded as a long-acting reversible contraceptive, and they work best when combined with hormonal implants to prevent conception. Your likelihood of becoming pregnant while using an IUD is less than 1%. Free long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), such as the IUD or implants, increased LARC usage and decreased the number of abortions in the community, according to a research conducted in Finland.
What Advantages Do IUDs Offer?
They have a lengthy lifespan.
They are easy to use. Once you’ve had one put in, neither you nor your partner need to worry about it.
One price is paid up ahead.
If you’re nursing, you can use them safely.
Basics of IUDs
An intrauterine device (IUD) has a pregnancy prevention rate of over 99%. See the several varieties you have to pick from and how it feels to add or remove one.
Who May Utilize Them?
Most individuals who are healthy can use an IUD. They are particularly helpful for those who only have one relationship and have a reduced chance of developing an STD. IUDs do not provide STD protection. Use one sparingly if:
- You recently had a pelvic infection or have an STD.
- You are expecting.
- You have cervical or uterine cancer.
- You’re experiencing irregular vaginal bleeding.
- If you are allergic to copper or have Wilson’s disease, which makes your body retain an excessive amount of copper, you cannot use the copper IUD.
- Unless you have liver illness, breast cancer, or are at a high risk for breast cancer, hormonal IUDs are regarded as safe.
- In a few rare instances, it could be difficult to implant an IUD due to your uterus’ size or shape. Watch a film on the IUDs’ safety and the facts about them.
How IUDs are placed?
During a visit to the doctor’s office, the IUD will be implanted. Your feet will be in stirrups while you lay on an examination table. A speculum will be softly inserted into your vagina by the doctor to keep it open.
The physician will:
- Examine the dimensions and placement of your uterus.
- Use an antibacterial liquid to clean your vagina and cervix.
- Check your uterus for any issues.
- Set your uterus and cervix in alignment.
- The IUD will be folded, put into an applicator tube by the doctor, and the tube will be inserted into your uterus via your cervix. The “arms” of the IUD will loosen after it is in place, and the doctor will then take away the applicator.
- The bottom of IUDs has a thread that hangs into your vagina and cervix. Only an inch or two of this thread will dangle into your vagina when the doctor trims it.
How to Get Ready to Insert an IUD
Most IUDs may be implanted at any point throughout your menstrual cycle. But having one placed when you’re on your period can be more pleasant. Your cervix is most open during this time. Learn more about the IUD implantation procedure.
Eat a small lunch or snack before seeing the doctor to prevent vertigo. Moreover, sip some water. To ensure that you are not pregnant, your doctor will require a sample of your urine.
Before your consultation, find out from your doctor whether you should take an analgesic like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. By doing this, cramps during the surgery could be avoided.
How Long Does it Take to Insert an IUD?
It takes 5 to 15 minutes to install an IUD. After the procedure, you may wish to spend a little while in the doctor’s office to make sure everything went well.
Does IUD Insertion Hurt?
It could be unpleasant for most individuals, but it shouldn’t hurt too much. When the doctor installs your IUD, you can experience some cramping. Afterward, when some individuals attempt to get up, they become lightheaded or faint. Lay down until you are comfortable enough to stand, then carefully rise up.
Though uncommon, severe pain is possible. But it’s difficult to foresee who may have severe discomfort. As a result, it’s a good idea to make plans for pain management prior to getting an IUD.
You could try:
Painkillers. This could comprise:
- Inside your vagina, use lidocaine gel or spray.
- A tranquilizer that your doctor injects close to your cervix
- Naproxen (Anaprox DS, Flanax, Mediproxen) and tramadol (ConZip, Ultram) are examples of common medications.
- Medicine to treat anxiety. Some individuals experience anxiety before their operation. To help you relax, your doctor could advise taking a drug like lorazepam (Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol).
- Anesthesia. While having the surgery, this medicine makes you sleepy. If you often experience discomfort during a pelvic exam, your doctor may advise it. Additionally, it can be beneficial if you’ve had a difficult time getting IUDs inserted, suffer from endometriosis or persistent pelvic discomfort.
What Should I Expect Following IUD Implantation?
After your surgery, it’s typical to have some minor uterine cramping (you might experience these cramps for up to 3 months). To reduce any discomfort, use an over-the-counter painkiller, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. You might also lay a hot water bottle or heating pad on your stomach. Call your doctor straight away if you are experiencing excruciating cramping.
For the first several months, spotting or irregular bleeding is typical. Some individuals experience it for up to 6 months after their treatment. It should get better with time. Call your doctor, however, if there is a lot of bleeding or if the condition is not improving.
Once a month for the first three months after getting an IUD, be sure you can still feel the string coming out of your cervix. Wash your hands, then put a finger inside your vagina to look for it. Your cervix is the upper, hard region. 1-2 inches of the string should protrude from your cervix.
Your IUD may have shifted if the string seems shorter or longer than normal. To avoid pregnancy, call your doctor and use a condom or another kind of backup birth control.
What to Avoid Following IUD Insertion?
You’re free to go on with your regular everyday activities. But wait at least 24 hours following the surgery before inserting anything, including a tampon or menstrual cup, or engaging in vaginal intercourse. Also, swimming and taking baths should be avoided.
How Soon After an IUD insertion Can I Have Sex?
You may resume vaginal sex once a full day has elapsed. Ask your doctor for their advice; some physicians advise waiting longer.
How Soon Do IUDs Begin to Function?
Once implanted, the non-hormonal ParaGard starts working.
When hormonal IUDs are implanted during your period, they immediately begin to function. If not, it might take this kind up to 7 days to take effect. During such time, use a backup birth control technique, such as condoms.
How Long Is an IUD Effective?
Depending on the kind of IUD you choose.
For Skyla, three years
For Kyleena, five years
For Liletta and Mirena, eight years
For 10 years, ParaGard
My Period: Will It Change?
Many individuals who use hormonal IUDs report less cramping. Most people who take them will eventually have brief or no periods. IUDs seldom cause pregnancies, but if not having a period causes you to worry about being pregnant all the time, you may want to think about getting a copper IUD instead.
Your cramps and period weight may increase as a result of taking the copper ParaGard. After a few months, this can go. Learn more about how to stop your menstruation with birth control.
Is My Partner Able to Feel It?
If your spouse does feel something, there should only be little pressure on the IUD’s strings. Your partner shouldn’t be able to feel anything. There should be no pain as a result. The strings may be cut shorter and become softer the longer you use the IUD.
Exist Any Negative Effects?
The IUD is secure. Although most are minor, certain adverse effects may happen. Serious issues are uncommon.
While using an IUD, becoming pregnant is very uncommon. However, if it does, your risk of miscarriage, infection, and early labor and delivery increases. You run the chance of developing an ectopic pregnancy as well, which occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of your uterus. If you have stomach discomfort or vaginal bleeding, or if you believe you could be pregnant, let your doctor know.
Ovarian cysts will develop in around 1 in 10 persons during the first year after getting an IUD. Usually harmless, they disappear on their own after three months. However, some might result in lower abdomen discomfort, bloating, or edema. A cyst rupture will result in excruciating agony. If you have these symptoms, see a doctor.
You have a slightly increased risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries, if you use an IUD. Symptoms include:
- Belly ache
- Sexual discomfort
- Unpleasant vaginal discharge
- A lot of blood
- Chills
- Fever
Inform your doctor of these symptoms as soon as possible. PID should be treated as soon as possible to avoid more severe issues.
Rarely, but an IUD may pierce your uterus’s wall while your doctor inserts it. It is known as perforation. Your doctor will have to remove the gadget if it occurs. Learn more about the IUD’s negative effects.
My IUD: Can It Fall Out?
During your routine medical appointments, your gadget will be examined. Although your cervix should keep the IUD in place, it may sometimes come completely or partially out.
This is more probable if
You are not a parent.
You’re a young adult.
After giving birth or having an abortion during the second trimester, you had the IUD implanted.
Your uterus contains fibroids.
The size or form of your uterus is uncommon.
During your period, IUDs are more likely to come out. The gadget could be seen on a pad or tampon. Make sure you can feel the strings occasionally by checking. It could have shifted if they seem shorter or longer or if you can feel the IUD pressing up on your cervix. Get in touch with your doctor if this occurs.
Are IUDs Linked to Abortions?
No. Some individuals erroneously think that an IUD is an abortifacient, a procedure that ends a pregnancy. An IUD, on the other hand, functions as a contraceptive, which means that it avoids conception altogether.
After having intercourse, you might use a copper IUD as an emergency contraceptive. Nevertheless, despite how it works, which prevents sperm from fertilizing the egg, it is not an abortifacient.
As abortion laws become more restrictive, some individuals have been worried that IUDs may be outlawed. IUDs are designed to prevent pregnancy rather than terminate it, therefore experts anticipate that they will stay lawful.
How Much Are IUDs?
You most likely won’t have to pay for an IUD if you have Medicaid, insurance via your work, a private health plan you purchased, or insurance through another program. You won’t have to pay any copays or other out-of-pocket expenses as a result. Not only the IUD itself, but also your medical appointments and the insertion or removal of the device, are covered by this.
Medicaid is a joint federal-state public insurance scheme for the underprivileged. Almost all states provide free access to copper and hormonal IUDs.
IUDs normally cost a little over $1,000 for the device alone if you don’t have insurance. You may acquire the IUD for free via prescription programs offered by certain manufacturers. Depending on your circumstances, certain health institutions run by Planned Parenthood and municipal and state governments also provide IUD insertion and removal for free or at a reduced cost.
What if I Want to Have Children Someday?
Having an IUD shouldn’t prevent you from having children in the future. Ask your doctor to remove your IUD if you wish to get pregnant. Once the IUD is removed, your period should resume as usual. Learn more about IUDs and pregnancy.
How IUDs Are Taken Out?
The IUD will be removed by your doctor in their office. It ought should simply take a little while. The doctor will use forceps to carefully remove the IUD out while you’re seated with your feet in stirrups. The cramps and bleeding you may experience should stop after 1-2 days. Find out more about the removal of an IUD.