Non-Hormonal
There is one IUD that doesn’t contain hormones and that is called the Paragard. It’s made of plastic and a tiny amount of copper!
Hormonal
There are 4 hormonal IUDs: Mirena, Skyla, LILETTA, and Kyleena
IUD
The Intrauterine Device (IUD) comes in both hormonal and non-hormonal options.
It’s a little, t-shaped piece of plastic that gets put in the uterus and mess with the way sperm can move which prevents fertilization (sperm and egg meeting).
Perfect and Typical Use: 99%
IF YOU WANT TO GET AN IUD,
the first thing you’ll need to do is talk with your doctor. They will ask you a bunch of questions about your medical history and your lifestyle, then give you an exam to make sure the IUD is right for you.
You can get the IUD inserted any time of the month. Some doctors like to insert it during your period, but any time is fine as long as you can be sure you’re not pregnant.
It’s pretty common to feel some cramps when the IUD is inserted, but they’ll go away with rest or pain medication. Some people might feel dizzy, too. Once the IUD is in, you’ll notice a little string that hangs down into your vagina by inserting one to two clean fingers into the vagina. That’s there so that the IUD can be removed later. (The strings don’t hang out of the vagina like a tampon, though.)
After it’s in, there’s really not much you have to do other than check the string ends from time to time to make sure it’s in place. Here’s how:
Wash your hands, then sit or squat down.
Put your finger in your vagina until you touch your cervix, which will feel firm and rubbery like the tip of your nose.
Feel for the strings. If you find them, congrats! Your IUD is good to go. But if you feel the hard part of the IUD against your cervix, you may need to have it adjusted or replaced by your doctor.
Don’t tug on the strings! If you do, the IUD could move out of place.
If you don’t feel comfortable checking for the strings, you can let your doctor do that the month after insertion, and then yearly after that.
There are positive and negative things to say about each and every method. And everyone’s different—so what you experience may not be the same as what your friend experiences.
THE POSITIVE
Positive “side effects”? You bet. There are actually lots of things about birth control that are good for your body as well as your sex life.
Easy to use
Doesn’t interrupt the heat of the moment
Super long-lasting protection without much effort – and you can decide how long lasting it can be
The ParaGard brand of IUD doesn’t change your hormone levels
The LILETTA and Mirena brand of IUD may reduce cramps and make your period much, much lighter. Some people will experience a stop in their period completely.
THE NEGATIVE
Everyone worries about negative side effects, but for many people, they’re not a problem. Most people adjust to having an IUD pretty quickly, so give yourself time. If things do not improve be sure to talk to your healthcare provider.
THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINTS:
Spotting between periods (especially during the first few months after you get an IUD)
Increased period flow (for users of the ParaGard brand)
Cramps and backaches
IUD slipping out
Infection
OTHER STUFF TO WATCH OUT FOR:
If you still feel uncomfortable after three months, switch methods and stay protected. You’re worth it.
*For a very small number of people there are risks of serious side effects.
Getting the IUD requires going to a clinic, seeing a doctor, and getting a prescription for insertion and removal!
GET IT AND FORGET IT
If you’re a busy person who doesn’t want to worry about remembering birth control, the IUD just may be for you. Once it’s in, you’re good to go for years, but remember, it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
HANDS FREE
No packages or prescriptions to pick up at the pharmacy, so there’s nothing that could get lost or forgotten.
TOTAL PRIVACY
No one can tell when you have an IUD. (Some partners say they can feel the string, but that can be adjusted.) There’s no tell-tale packaging, and nothing you need to do just before you have sex.
SAFE AND SOUND
Most experts agree, if you’re healthy, you’re probably a good candidate for the IUD. That’s true even if you’re young, haven’t ever been pregnant, or haven’t had kids yet.
THE PREGNANCY QUESTION
You should return to fertility (fancy way of saying you should go back to being able to get pregnant) very quickly after you have the IUD removed. Which is great if you want to have a baby. But if you’re not ready to get pregnant as soon as you have an IUD taken out, be sure to protect yourself with an alternate method.