By Tracy Hansen, APRN, FNP
IUD means an intrauterine device. This little T shaped gem is placed into the uterus keep the baby machine switched off! The devise is an effective, long-lasting, low-maintenance, and reversible way to prevent pregnancy. Here are my top 7 reasons to LOVE the IUD! 1. SO EFFECTIVE. If not being pregnant is super important to you, then this is one of your best bets. The IUD is over 99.6% effective at preventing pregnancy……. take that oral contraceptive pills with your 7% failure rate… YIKES! 2. Low-maintenance This is what we call forgettable birth control. No need to remember to take a pill every day, insert something into your vagina every 3 weeks, or return for an injection every 3 months. Nope... not this one! After insertion, you are good for FIVE YEARS!! Let’s say that again… FIVE YEARS!! 3. Less hormone IUD’s contain considerably LESS hormone then many other types. Additionally, they contain only progestin and no estrogen. Estrogen (the hormone in most oral birth control pills) may not be suitable for some women to take with the following conditions: certain types of migraines, increased blood clot risk, and women who smoke. IUD’s do not contain estrogen and so are a great option for women who can’t take estrogen. 4. Less frequent or NO PERIODS I don’t know about you, but no periods is pretty awesome in my book! (Hello, white pants anytime!!). Approximately 50% of women will not get a period while using an IUD, the remainder of women will have considerable lighter periods at longer intervals. 5. Insertion takes ONE MINUTE The good news: insertion takes about 1 minute. The bad: It does require a vaginal exam and it is slightly painful. Most women experience bad period-like cramps during the insertion, but a few ibuprofen tabs before hand can help immensely. 6. Safe for mostly all women! IUD’s can be inserted into most all women, including those who have not had a baby before. We do have slightly smaller devises to fit a woman’s uterus that has not been pregnant. 7. Baby time… no problem! The device can be removed anytime, even before 5 years and fertility returns to normal within a month. If you are interested in discussing your options for birth control, please call the clinic for an appointment with myself, Tracy Hansen, FNP. For more information on IUD’s and other types of birth control options visit https://www.bedsider.org/methods/iud