Home > Health Guides by Topic > Sexuality & Sexual Health > Contraception/Birth Control > Intra-Uterine Devices (IUDs)Intra-Uterine Devices (IUDs)
| Copper IUDs (Intrauterine Devices) and Levonorgestrel IUSs (Intrauterine Systems (Mirena)): | |
| Out of 100 Women Using this Method | |
| Typical Use: Less than 1 Woman Becomes Pregnant |  |
| Perfect Use: Less than 1 Woman Becomes Pregnant | |
What are intra-uterine devices (IUD's)?
An intra-uterine device is a special device that fits inside of the uterus. There is more than one type of IUD. One type contains the hormone levonorgestrel. The hormone is continuously released into the uterus. Another type of IUD is covered by copper. The copper IUD has copper wire coiled around the stem and arms of the device. Both are about 1 1/4 inches tall. Each IUD has a string attached to the end, so the woman can check that the IUD is in place and so it is easier for your health care provider to remove it. The IUD is inserted into your uterus through your vagina and protects against pregnancy.
The IUD is a good form of contraception if you are not at risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease. It is best for women who have already had children and are in a steady relationship with one partner.
Where can I get the IUD?
Your health care provider is the person that inserts the IUD. He/she will insert it at the time of one of your menstrual periods. It costs between $100-$300 for the IUD, but you also need to pay for insertion of the IUD, the exam, and for lab tests that you will need before insertion. Once the IUD has been inserted, it stays in your uterus and protects against pregnancy until your health care provider removes it.
How does my health care provider insert the IUD?
Insertion of an IUD takes only about 5 to 10 minutes. Your health
care provider will first do a pelvic exam to measure the size, shape,
and position of your uterus and other reproductive organs. Your
health care provider will then put antiseptic solution onto your
cervix. The IUD will be inserted up through the opening of your
cervix into your uterus. It is put inside using a special applicator
that keeps the IUD flat and closed until it is at the top of your
uterus. You may feel cramping, but it usually is not much. After
the IUD has been inserted, your health care provider will cut the
string at the end of the IUD so that it is short enough where it
won't bother you or partner. It will be long enough so you can check
to make sure that the IUD is in place. Your health care provider
will then talk with you about what you need to do about checking
the string.
Do I need to do anything after the IUD has been inserted?
Yes. At the end of each monthly menstrual period and any time you feel strange cramping during your period, you should check for the string inside of your vagina. Do this by inserting a clean finger in your vagina all the way to your cervix. Your health care provider will explain to you how to check for the string when you get the IUD inserted. He/she will show you with a mirror what it looks like. The IUD's string feels like a lightweight plastic thread or a fishing line. It should hang about 2 inches down from your cervix into your vagina. If you can't feel the string or if you feel the IUD itself, the IUD is probably not in the right place. If you ever think the IUD might not be in the right place, you need to use a backup method if you have sexual intercourse and call your health care provider for instructions or an exam. You should probably have a check-up about a month after the IUD has been inserted. During this appointment, your health care provider will make sure the IUD is in the right place and he/she will make sure you have no pelvic infection. After this exam, you should get regular check-ups every year.
How does an IUD prevent pregnancy?
An IUD prevents pregnancy by stopping sperm from reaching an egg that your ovaries have released. It does this by not letting sperm go into the egg. An IUD also changes the lining of the uterus so an egg does not implant in the lining if it has been fertilized. Therefore, the egg has no place to grow.
When does the IUD start protecting against pregnancy?
The IUD starts protecting against pregnancy right after your health care provider inserts it.
How effective is the IUD against pregnancy?
IUDs are the most effective form of nonpermanent birth control. They are more than 99% effective. This means that if 100 women use the copper IUD or the levonorgestrel IUS, less than 1 woman will become pregnant in a year.
Does the IUD protect against sexually transmitted diseases?
The IUD does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. The IUD should only be used by women who are in a steady relationship with one partner and who will not get a sexually transmitted disease. All other women should use another method of birth control that protects against sexually transmitted diseases, such as a condom.
Can I feel the IUD?
No. Neither you nor your partner can feel the IUD! (If you do, call your health care provider because the IUD is out of place.) But you will be able to feel the string attached to the end of the IUD when you check for it monthly. During sexual intercourse, your partner may feel the string.
Can I do normal activities after the IUD has been inserted?
Yes. After the IUD is in place in your uterus, you can swim, exercise, use tampons, and have sex as soon as you want to.
Are there side effects of the IUD?
There are some side effects of the IUD, but not many. You may have uterine cramps (like menstrual cramps) or low backache when the IUD is inserted, and maybe for a few weeks after insertion. With the levonorgestrel IUS you will likely have much lighter periods or none at all. With the copper IUD, you may have increased menstrual flow and cramps, but this usually lessens after the first few months, as your uterus gets used to the IUD. You can relieve any discomfort by over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and Nuprin), or naproxen sodium (Aleve). Some women have spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods with the IUD.
There is a slightly increased risk of infection, called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) during the first 6 weeks after the IUD is inserted. After that, the risk for PID is very low. Very rarely, the uterus can be injured when the IUD is inserted.
Can any young woman use the IUD?
The IUD is best for a women who is in a steady relationship with one sexual partner who is also faithful and does not have any sexually transmitted diseases.
You should not use an IUD if you:
When should I get the IUD removed?
It depends on the kind you have. The newest IUD, the levonorgestrel IUS, can stay in your body for up to 5 years. Copper IUDs can stay in your body for up to 10 years. You can get either kind of IUD removed at any time if you want. A new IUD can be inserted at the time of the removal. Your health care provider is the person that will remove the IUD. You can't do it by yourself. As soon as the IUD is removed, you can get pregnant. So you need to use another form of contraception right away to protect against pregnancy.
What if I have problems with the IUD?
If you have any problems with the IUD, call your health care provider. You definitely need to get in touch with your health care provider if you:
What if I get pregnant when the IUD is inside of me?
Your risk for getting pregnant after the IUD has been inserted is very low. However, there is always a slight chance that you can get pregnant, since the IUD is not 100% effective. If you do get pregnant when the IUD is in place, you need to get the IUD removed. You should also see your health care provider to make sure that your pregnancy is not outside of the uterus (ectopic pregnancy).
Updated 5/12/2005
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