Intrauterine devices

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) just got a big seal of approval, this time from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recently endorsed them as an excellent method to prevent teenage pregnancy. Add to that the fact that it's also the most commonly used birth control among doctors themselves, and these little devices are sounding pretty great!

While there’s a wealth of common knowledge surrounding birth control options like the Pill and condoms, IUDs are a little more mysterious. “IUDs are a great birth control alternative for many women, from teenagers to those in their 50s,” says Julie Strickland, M.D., M.P.H., professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University of Missouri-Kansas City. Here’s why:

They’re Totally Safe

Since IUDs are internal, there’s some stigma surrounding their safety. Not necessary, according to Strickland. Early IUDs were associated with complications like fertility problems and pelvic infections, but those have been off the market since the 1960s. When IUDs were reintroduced, there were some stipulations about who was eligible for them, but those have since been lifted. “In the 1980s and beyond, the World Health Organization has loosened those restrictions because we understand IUDs much better. We screen patients very closely to decrease the risk of pelvic infections caused by IUDs, and we know they don’t affect fertility after you have them removed,” says Strickland.

There’s More Than One Option

The ParaGard, also known as the copper IUD, is hormone-free. It protects women from pregnancy for a whopping ten years. Mirena releases low doses of the hormone progesterone, and lasts for five years. The newest IUD on the market is Skyla, which is also hormonal. It offers an even lower dose or hormones, is good for three years, and is smaller, which is a plus for women who feel uncomfortable with a larger IUD. “The different kinds of IUDs make it easier to find something that is really the best option for the patient,” says Strickland.

Insertion Might Hurt a Little, But It’s Manageable

Although insertion is quick, it’s still technically a minor surgical procedure. The doctor uses a speculum to find your cervix, then dilates it and passes the IUD through the cervical canal, placing it inside the uterus. Most women will experience some cramping, akin to the ones during their periods, when the IUD is placed. “We usually ask women to take something like ibuprofen beforehand. In rare cases, we can give anesthesia similar to what you get if you go to the dentist, but in general we don’t need to. It really is a doable procedure,” says Strickland. There are also meds the doctor can prescribe that will soften your cervix and ideally make it easier to dilate, but studies are mixed on whether they’re effective.

You Can Get One Even If You Haven’t Had Kids

Remember those commercials who said IUDs were perfect for moms? Yeah, they're not the only ones it's perfect for. “There’s no IUD restriction based on age or on whether you’ve had children,” says Strickland. That said, it may be an easier procedure for women who have had kids because their cervical canal has stretched before during childbirth, making it more used to the dilation required to place an IUD. “However, my specialty is adolescents and we do administer IUDs to teenagers. In most of them, if they can tolerate the vaginal exam, they can tolerate the IUD just fine,” says Strickland. Plus, that's where the smaller new IUD comes in.


They’re Completely Reversible

“The IUD is only effective when it’s inside your body,” says Strickland. The IUD is shaped like a flexible T, which helps it conform to the shape of the uterus comfortably. When necessary, those wings can collapse for quick, easy removal. As soon as it’s out, your regular hormonal cycle begins to kick in again. If you have a non-hormonal IUD, you’ll return to normal fertility in about a month.