WHAT IS IUD BIRTH CONTROL? Many women feel like not to get pregnant early. Instead of using contraceptive pill for birth control you can go for IUD birth control. An IUD could be the best option if you’re planning to delay pregnancy, and without the side effects of pills. It is one of the most effective birth control methods. IUD stands for Intra Uterine Device. It is a T-shaped small piece of flexible plastic device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It sometimes also termed as IUC- Intrauterine contraceptive device. An IUD can be of two types: • •
Copper IUDs (ParaGard) Hormonal IUDs (Liletta, Mirena, Skyla, and Kyleena)
These IUDs are available in five different brands they are ParaGard, Liletta, Mirena, Skyla, and kyleena. Copper IUDs are wrapped around the stem with a tiny bit of a copper wire that protects to prevent pregnancy for about 12 years. Hormonal IUDs use the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy. It works for about 3 to 5 years. Both these types of IUDs prevent pregnancy by changing the pathway for the sperm, making it difficult to fertilize an egg. If the sperm is unable to reach the egg, then pregnancy does not happen. Copper IUDs prevent pregnancy as copper is toxic to sperms. It discharges a fluid from the uterus and fallopian tube that may kill the sperms and that make pregnancy impossible. Hormonal IUDs prevent pregnancy in two ways- by blocking the sperm that thickens the cervical mucus, making it difficult for them to reach the fallopian tubes and by making difficult to discharge an egg which in turns makes fertilization impossible. Can IUD be inserted any time? Yes, it could be, but make sure to confirm that you are not pregnant already. It may be inserted during or just after a menstrual cycle, six weeks after the baby is born or at the time of surgical abortion. IUDs is inserted into the uterus by the doctors, the insertion procedure takes only a few minutes. After the insertion, doctor may ask you to follow-up for 4 to 6 weeks in order to make that it is placed correctly or not. Once in a year, the doctor may recommend you for checkups.
An IUD may be the best choice for the women who have: •
History of ectopic pregnancy
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History of endometriosis
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Are breastfeeding
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History of irregular menstrual bleeding and pain
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Diabetes
The advantages of having an IUD: •
Long acting
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Highly effective
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Does not affect breastfeeding
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Reversible
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Does not affect sexual intercourse
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Can be easily removed
Be aware of an early warning signs. If you experience late periods, abnormal bleeding, abdominal pain, infection, not feeling well, fever and if the strings are missing, then must consult your doctor. UIDs can be easily removed if the women wish to get pregnant or just when you don’t want to have an IUD anymore.