IUD
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All you need to know about IUD

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small contraceptive device that is inserted into the uterus.

It is a long-term reversible type of contraception and is considered one of the most effective reversible birth control on the market.
There are two types of IUDs, a copper IUD, and a hormonal IUD.

Pros

  • Very good at preventing pregnancy
  • Can be used for years at a time
  • Can be used directly after giving birth, while breastfeeding, or after having an abortion
  • You can immediately get pregnant once the IUD is removed
  • Hormonal IUD can decrease periods
  • Both types of IUD reduce the risk of ectopic pregnancy, while the hormonal IUD protects against iron-deficiency anemia and reduces menstrual cramps

Cons

  • Can sometimes slip out of the uterus (expulsion) or, in rare cases, puncture the uterus (perforation)
  • It doesn’t protect against STDs
  • Risk of getting the pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) if insertion is done in the presence of sexually transmitted infection, within three weeks after insertion
  • Needs to be placed by a doctor
  • Hormonal IUD can be expensive
  • If you do get pregnant with an IUD, there is a higher risk of miscarriage and complications which would require immediate medical help

Are IUDs safe?

For the first few months, it’s normal to have some side effects.

If you still have side effects after six months, you should see your healthcare provider check if everything is normal.

One of the complications that can arise is expulsion. That means that the IUD partially or fully slips out of the womb. If that happens, you can get pregnant.

Another very rare complication is that the IUD pushes through the wall of your uterus. It happens during placement and can be immediately corrected. If it’s not, the IUD can damage your internal organs. This is why an IUD should only be placed by a medical professional.

Where do I get an IUD?

You need to see a healthcare provider to get the  IUD. The placement of the IUD should also be done by an experienced provider.

Related: What happens if I get pregnant when on IUD?

How is an IUD inserted?

Make an appointment with a qualified healthcare provider to have a hormonal IUD placed. The procedure can be a bit painful so ask them if you can take a mild painkiller an hour beforehand.

They will do an internal examination to figure out what size you will need and generally test you for STDs before they place it. Your vagina is opened with a speculum, and the IUD is placed inside the uterus using a thin tube.
It shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes. There may be some spotting and cramping afterward.

Most providers will want a follow-up appointment 3-6 weeks after the IUD is placed to check that everything is okay and that the IUD has stayed in place.

The hormonal IUD can be inserted at any time of the month as long as a provider can be certain you are not pregnant.

You can have sex again as soon as everything feels normal after the placement. This may take a few days given cramping and some bleeding.

How can I tell if something is not right with my IUD?

You need to see your health service provider if you have any of the ‘PAINS’ signs:

P: Pregnancy is suspected, or spotting lasting longer than the first two weeks
A: Abdominal pain, pain with intercourse
I: Infection or STD exposure, abnormal vaginal discharge
N: Not feeling well, fever, chills
S: String missing, shorter or longer

What can stop the IUD from working properly?

If the IUD doesn’t sit correctly in the uterus, it can be less effective and cause more side effects.

The strings hang out of the uterus and make the removal of the IUD easier.

The best way to check if the IUD is in place is by squatting and inserting two fingers deep into the vagina. Feel around and do not pull on anything because you might displace it. You should feel the wires coming out of your cervix.

If you feel a hard piece of plastic and wires then you know for sure that is out of place.

If you do not feel the wires, see your health service provider immediately. It is recommended to check a few times in the first month to make sure it was placed properly, after that it is less of a concern.

Copper IUDs

The copper-T IUD, which is often sold under the name ‘Multiload’, is a non-hormonal birth control device that sits in your uterus or womb. It’s a T-shaped piece of plastic wrapped with a coil of copper wire. That’s why some people call it the ‘coil’. Two little strings are attached at the end. This makes it easy for a doctor to remove it or check it’s in the right position. It can be placed for up to 10–12 years.

There are other copper IUDs as well, but the Copper T 380A is the most effective and the most common. However, check with your doctor which copper-T IUD is best for you and ask about its specific characteristics.

The copper-T IUD  is a reversible form of contraception. Once you take it out you can aim to get pregnant.

Failure rate:
Typical use: 0.8 percent
Perfect use: 0.6 percent

The copper in the IUD works as a natural spermicide – it kills the sperm that comes into the vagina. That way, eggs in the fallopian tubes won’t get fertilized and you can’t get pregnant.

What happens to my period if I use a copper-T IUD?

When using the copper-T IUD, many women have heavier periods and more cramps than they did before. This is usually not a problem unless you were anemic even before starting to use the copper-T IUD.

For many women, their periods go back to the way they were within three to six months. Other women will always have heavier periods while on an IUD.

Period changes are normal, but if you are worried, talk to your healthcare provider about it.

What are the side effects of a copper-T IUD?

  • Spotting in the first few weeks after insertion
  • Heavier periods
  • menstrual cramps

Who shouldn’t use a copper-T IUD?

  • Women with severe anemia
  • Pregnant women
  • Women are at high risk of STIs unless they also use condoms with all sex partners
  • Women with undiagnosed, abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • Women with uterine or cervical cancer
  • Women with copper allergies
  • Most women with HIV/AIDS and ovarian cancer can use an IUD but need to check with a doctor first.

Does the copper-T IUD work as emergency contraception?

Yes. In fact, the copper-T IUD is the most effective form of emergency contraception. It works even better than emergency pills. Even if it’s inserted five days after intercourse, it’s still 99.9% effective.

Hormonal IUDs

The hormonal IUD is a T-shaped plastic device that has a reservoir that contains and releases hormones. It is about as long as a matchstick that is put inside the uterus or womb. It’s put in place by a doctor and can stay in the body for up to five years. It works by giving off a steady low dose of the hormone progestogen (levonorgestrel). Hormonal IUDs are sold under the brand name Mirena.

The hormonal IUD makes the mucus around your cervix thicker so the sperm can’t get through and it can also stop your ovaries from producing an egg. 

Also, the hormone makes it harder for sperm to travel up towards the egg. And finally, it thins and suppresses the lining of the uterus, so that in the rare case an egg does get fertilized, it can’t be implanted.

Failure rate:
Typical use: 0.5 percent
Perfect use: 0.1 percent

What happens to my period with a hormonal IUD?

Any problems you may have with your periods may be relieved if you use a hormonal IUD. It’s normal that after a few months of use you will stop having heavy periods. Or your periods may stop altogether.
The hormonal IUD may also stop cramps and/or pain before your period.

After one year of use, only about half the women with a hormonal IUD still have their periods. And even if you still have your period, there is up to 70 percent less blood loss in women with a hormonal IUD compared to those who don’t use birth control.

Some women find it difficult to accept that this is normal. In fact, not having their periods is the number one reason for women to stop using the hormonal IUD.

So it is a good idea to think about this before having it placed, and talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns you have regarding your period before having the IUD placed.

What are the side effects?

  • Headaches
  • Acne
  • Weight gain
  • Mood changes
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Breast tenderness
  • Spotting

Who shouldn’t use a hormonal IUD?

  • Women with an untreated pelvic infection
  • Women with breast, cervical, or uterine cancer
  • Women with undiagnosed and abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • Women with liver tumors
  • Women are at high risk of STIs unless they use condoms with all their sex partners
  • HIV-positive women on Antiretrovirals (ART) with advanced HIV should not use an IUD.
  • Women who have a blood clot in the deep veins of the legs or in the lungs are missing from this list

Want to discuss birth control with your doctor? Visit Marie Stopes clinic near you. Click here to locate a clinic near you. 

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Recent Comments (22)

  1. For how long does it take 4…
    For how long does it take 4 a woman to conceive after removing IUD hormonal?

    1. Hi Peter, It should not take…
      Hi Peter, It should not take long but if you have been trying for longer than six months it may be time to see a specialist for advice. All the best.

  2. What is d side effects of IUD
    What is d side effects of IUD

    1. There are two types of IUDs,…
      Hi Hilda, There are two types of IUDs, a copper IUD and hormonal IUD.
      Thesse are the side effects of the Copper IUD;- Spotting, frequent bleeding, heavier periods, and resulting from that: anaemia, cramps, Vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina), Vaginal discharge

      And these are those that are related to the Hormonal IUD;- Headaches, acne, weight gain, mood changes, ovarian cysts, breast tenderness, spotting

  3. This is very nice post. It’s…
    This is very nice post. It’s also very helpful for every person. i have been searching this types of post. some days ago i read an article about relationship, but this post is better then post.

  4. Hello Sisir, keep reading…
    Hello Sisir, keep reading for more of these articles.

  5. Is the process of inserting …
    Is the process of inserting IUD painful?

  6. How much does it cost to get…
    How much does it cost to get the IUD inserted and for how long should it remain inside me before having it removed. Lastly, will it take long to get pregnant after I remove it?

    1. Hi Bella, the cost of…

      Hi Bella, the cost of inserting an IUD will depend on where you have it done. It is important to check with your preferred health provider to find out what the charges are. On the other hand, the IUDs can be in place for 10 to 12 years.Doctors recommend to have it in place atleast for 5 years. Check out the article above.

  7. Can you get a child after…
    Can you get a child after having the IUD for such a long period?

  8. Can you become pregnant when…
    Can you become pregnant when you already have an IUD inserted?

    1. Hi Jamila, Yes, you can get…

      Hi Jamila, Yes, you can get pregnant while using an IUD but this is rare. IUDs are more than 99 percent effective. This means that less than 1 out of every 100 people who have an IUD will become pregnant. If one does get pregnant with an IUD, there is a higher risk of a miscarriage and complications in which case one should seek immediate medical help.

  9. I got an IUD inserted a…
    I got an IUD inserted a month ago hoping for no complications at all.This is good information I wish I found it before.

    1. Hey Jedidah, we do hope that…

      Hey Jedidah, we do hope that you will not have any complication. We are glad that you found this article and we hope you found it useful. 

  10. Should my partner feel the…
    Should my partner feel the IUD?if so is there any harm?

  11. Hello Maggie, thank you for…

    Hello Maggie, thank you for getting in touch with us and asking a great question. When it comes to being able to feel the IUD, there’s good feels and bad ones. IUD stands for intra-uterine device because the tiny T-shaped device sits inside of the uterus, not in the vagina. Once the IUD is inserted, you shouldn’t be able to feel the T at all. What you should be able to feel is the strings, which is how IUDs operate and is totally normal. The IUD has strings that come through the cervix to ensure that your health care provider can remove it safely when the time comes.

    It’s totally normal to be able to feel the strings if you reach your fingers toward the top of your vagina—in fact, the strings can help you or your provider tell that your IUD is in place. It’s less common, but still normal, for your partner to feel the strings when you’re getting it on. For some people and their partners, the strings are more noticeable if the IUD has just been inserted and become softer and less noticeable as time goes on.

    IUD complications like expulsion or perforation are rare, but they can happen. If you’re having serious, ongoing pain, or you can feel more than just the strings with your fingers, talk with your provider asap about what you’re experiencing.

    Here is a list of health institutions that should be of help
    https://lovemattersafrica.com/get-help/clinics 

  12. How safe is it to have the…
    How safe is it to have the IUD inserted if you had C-section?

    1. Hi Lily, 

      It is very safe…

      Hi Lily, 

      It is very safe to have an IUD inserted as long as it is done by a qualified medical professional. The IUD will still be effective. 

  13. My wife used this method…
    My wife used this method. But the problem is that she has no appetite for sex at all.
    Second. She does not want me to go deeper while having sex. Are this normal?

    1. Hi Edwin, 

      Interestingly,…

      Hi Edwin, 

      Interestingly, the IUD has been associated with increased sexual desire in many women. Well, we cannot refute that it has not the opposite effect on your partner. First, you can talk to your partner to find out why she is no longer interested in sex or even deeper penetration. It could be that there are other things that are causing this change. Have an open and honest conversation with her and if possible, come up with a solution. Also, if you suspect that the root of this issue is the IUD, you can talk to your partner about getting another form of birth control. 

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