These details are “for Information only”
Caution: consult
your health professional for suitable contraceptive method for you
IUD
(Intrauterine Device)
IUD's
are a highly effective form of contraception although not as effective as the
Pill (combined oral contraceptive). The IUD appears to work:
- by thickening the
mucus round the neck of your womb (cervix) making it difficult for sperm
to fertilize an egg
- by interfering with
the passage and implantation of an egg into the womb which helps stop
conception
- disrupting the
normal structure of the uterine lining with infection fighting white blood
cells which gather in the lining of the uterus
Modern
IUD's mostly look like a matchstick with a bar across the top, in a letter 'T'
shape, whereas the early models were coil or loop shaped. The IUD must be
inserted by a doctor trained in family planning and a medical examination is
needed before insertion of the IUD (intrauterine device) to check the uterus.
The IUD, is a small device, about 11/2 inches/4cm long, made of metal (usually
copper) and plastic and placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy.
How
to Use
- The doctor examines
the vagina and then inserts a speculum to hold the vagina open
- The IUD comes
compressed in a thin tube, which is slid through the cervical canal at the
top of the vagina into the uterus and then withdrawn, leaving the IUD to
spring into shape
- Thin threads hang
from the IUD about 3cm/1 inch into the vagina, and these can be felt with
the fingers to make sure that the device is still in place
- The IUD string
should be checked monthly to make sure it is still in place
- To remove an IUD the
doctor pulls the string of the IUD with a specially designed instrument
Insertion
can be slightly painful and unpleasant. The amount of pain you feel generally
depends on:
- if you are relaxed
- the skill of the
doctor
- the shape of your
womb
- whether you have had
children as insertion is usually easy if you have had a baby or abortion
- size of IUS or IUD
as insertion of an IUS and larger IUDs can be more painful than smaller
devices
Painkillers
can be taken before insertion if recommended by your doctor.
After
insertion of IUD:
- rest for at least
half an hour
- do not drive just in
case you feel faint
- have aspirin or
paracetamol on hand for cramps or pain over the next few hours
- you may lose a
little blood during the next few days
- you will be
protected against pregnancy immediately so sex can be resumed as soon as
you like
An
IUD coil should NOT be inserted in any woman who:
- has had an ectopic
pregnancy (in which the fetus starts to develop in the tubes)
- has had cancer of
the ovary or the womb
- has unexplained
bleeding or pelvic pain
- has multiple sexual
partners because of the danger of infection
- has a pelvic
infection or sexually transmitted disease
- has major structural
problems of the womb
- has had surgery on
the Fallopian Tubes
- has had serious
artery disease
- has an artificial
heart valve
- has a liver
condition called Wilson’s disease
- is allergic to
copper (should not have IUDs that contain copper)
- may be pregnant
Some
side effects include:
Pelvic
Inflammatory Disease. The risk of pelvic infection is increased with an IUD,
especially if you have more than one sexual partner. Symptoms include:
- discharge occurring
soon after insertion
- fever
- pelvic pain
IUD's
are usually fitted during the last few days of a period or just after and
insertion usually takes only about 10 minutes. An IUD can be fitted immediately
after a termination (abortion) but after having a baby an IUD is not usually
put in until about six weeks after childbirth. Very occasionally doctors are
unable to fit the IUD and have to suggest other methods of contraception.
If
you fall pregnant on an IUD (about 2 in 100), the pregnancy carries the risk of
being an ectopic pregnancy (fetus starts to develop outside the womb usually in
one of the Fallopian Tubes). Severe pain and bleeding may occur. Consult a
doctor immediately as this is a very serious condition.
IUD's
have a 96-99 % effectiveness rate. Depending on type, IUDs are usually replaced
about every 3 to 10 years:
Advantages
- In women who have had children or
an abortion the uterus is enlarged allowing more room for the IUD to fit
better
- Effective immediately
- Sex is not interrupted
- Easily reversed
Disadvantages
- May cause pelvic inflammatory
disease or worsen existing infection
- 1.5 times greater risk of getting
a pelvic infection than on another method of birth control
- Sterility due to scarring of the
fallopian tubes by pelvic infection
- More bleeding or cramping with
periods
- Discomfort and bleeding for a few
hours or days after the IUD is inserted can occur
- One in four women have it removed
because of acute pain and heavy bleeding.
- Sometimes an IUD may fall out and
this is more likely to happen during a period
- Medical risks sometimes include
infection or puncture of uterus, increased difficulty in getting pregnant
and problems with pregnancy
Call
your medical practitioner immediately should the following occur:
- abdominal or pelvic
pain
- bleeding between
periods
- chills
- fever
- IUD felt at cervical
opening
- lost string
- perforation
(occasionally, an IUD may perforate (go through) the womb usually at
insertion) is a serious matter because if the IUD gets inside your abdomen
it could cause you severe pain and an operation might be needed to remove
it
- severe cramping
- very heavy periods
Intrauterine System (IUS)
Some
of the latest coils slowly release hormones into the womb over a period of
anything up to 5 years. This type of device is called an intrauterine system
and is inserted in a similar way to a standard IUD. The IUS has a higher
effectiveness rate than the standard IUD because of the hormone it releases. It
thins the lining of your womb so that there is less bleeding and the womb is
less likely to be fertilized by an egg. It may also prevent ovulation (egg
release) in some women.
One
hormone used in IUS's is Levonorgestrel which is a progestogen (a synthetic
version of the natural hormone progesterone) Progestasert is another effective
IUS available but must be replaced yearly. Less than 1 in 100 will fall
pregnant on this IUS (about the same effectiveness rate as the Pill).
Advantages
- Progestasert IUS release
progesterone into the uterus
- Periods become much shorter and
lighter.
- Effective immediately
- Sex is not interrupted
- Easily reversed
- Progesterone has lower failure
rate than the Combined Pill because levonorgestrel adds to the
contraceptive effect
- Useful form of contraception if
you suffer from painful periods or heavy or prolonged blood loss, which
leads to anaemia
Disadvantages
- May cause pelvic inflammatory disease
or worsen existing infection
- 1.5 times greater risk of getting
a pelvic infection than on another method of birth control
- Sterility due to scarring of the
fallopian tubes by pelvic infection
- More bleeding or cramping with
periods
- Discomfort and bleeding for a few
hours or days after the IUD is inserted can occur
- Sometimes an IUS may fall out and
this is more likely to happen during a period
- Medical risks sometimes include
infection or puncture of uterus or problems with pregnancy
It
is possible that:
- period pain may be
reduced
- you may get
irregular bleeding during the first few months
- your periods might
stop altogether
- Progesterone has a
low risk of ectopic pregnancy
Side
effects include:
- backache
- lower abdominal pain
- those listed for
standard IUD
Possible
side effects of the hormone include:
- acne
- breast tenderness
- headaches
- ovarian cysts (no
connection with polycystic ovary syndrome)
- spots
- weight gain
As
Levonorgesterel, the hormone in Progesterone has been in widespread use for
only a short period of time, long term effects of the hormone are as yet
unknown.
Please Note
This article is for information
only. Dont take any medicines/ procedures without consulting the Doctor or
Specialist – We are not responsible for the effects
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