Birth control is widely used amongst the female population, for obvious reasons of course. But is the birth control you’re using right for you?
IUD is a fairly new kind of birth control that has been slowly climbing to the top as the better and safer form of contraceptive. That being said, not many women actually know about this form of birth control. Here are the basics behind IUD’s:
There are two different kinds of IUD’s, Copper (called ParaGuard) and progestin (Mirena and Skyla). The copper form of IUS prevents sperm from fertilizing an egg without using hormones, while the progestin version prevents fertilization (and sometimes ovulation). Both of these options are 99 percent effective against preventing pregnancy.
IUD’s are placed inside your uterus in a 10-minute procedure that can be performed at your ob-gyn. There’s no anesthesia required, but the insertion can be “fairly uncomfortable”. It’s common to feel discomfort during the procedure and some cramping up to 24 hours after, but there is typically little to no pain involved with an IUD.
A copper IUS can last up to ten years and is effective immediately after it’s placed. Progestin IUD’s last up to five years (skyla lasts only three) and has a lower hormone dose. Progestin IUD’s also take seven days to reach full effectiveness.
Copper IUDs can give you heavier periods and more cramps, while progestin IUD users may have lighter periods or lose their periods all together. Skyla is more common in causing women to lose their periods all together, which is usually an incentive to get the implant in the first place.
The downsides of IUD: bloating and depression, and that your ob-gyn can perforate your uterus during insertion. Don’t be fearful, these risks are extremely rare.
Will you ask your doctor about IUD during your next appointment?
Ally | Elite.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
