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IUD
Intrauterine Device
What is an IUD?
IUDs, which stands for intrauterine devices, are small, "T-shaped" devices that are made of flexible plastic. The IUD is inserted by a health care provider into the woman's uterus to prevent pregnancy. Currently in the United States, there is a non-hormonal, copper IUD (ParaGard) and a hormonal IUD (Mirena).
How does an IUD work?
Both ParaGard and Mirena IUDs affect the way sperm move, and prevents the sperm from joining with an egg—fertilization. If sperm cannot join with an egg, pregnancy cannot happen.
Mirena contains progestin, a hormone that works by keeping a woman's ovaries from releasing eggs—ovulation. Progestin also prevents pregnancy by thickening a woman's cervical mucus, which blocks sperm and keeps it from joining with an egg.
How effective is this method?
- Both the ParaGard and Mirena IUDs are 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. Less than one woman out of 100 will get pregnant each year when using the ParaGard or the Mirena IUD.
- The ParaGard IUD may be placed and remain effective for 12 years.
- The Mirena IUD may be placed and remain effective for five years.
What are the advantages of using this method?
- They are easy to use—no medications to take daily.
- There is nothing to put in place before intercourse to prevent pregnancy, and some women report that they can be more spontaneous.
- The ParaGard does not change a woman's hormone levels.
- It's okay to breastfeed while using an IUD.
What are the disadvantages of using this method?
- The IUD can affect the menstrual cycle and may cause spotting between periods or may cause them to stop completely. Nausea, back pain and cramps may be intensified for some women in the first six months of having the IUD placed.
- Your clinician will discuss medically-recognized benefits and risks.
- IUDs do not prevent against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
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Implanon
