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How Does an IUD Work?
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a popular and effective birth control option. IUDs are 99% effective against unintended pregnancies and can last for years.
At Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic, our experienced physicians offer IUD placement services for women who aren’t ready to become pregnant. We can also remove the device during a simple, in-office procedure when you’re sure you want to start your family.
What to know about IUDs
An IUD is a small, t-shaped device that fits inside your uterus. There are two types of IUD we offer to prevent pregnancy — Mirena® and Paragard®.
Mirena IUD
Mirena IUD use hormones to prevent pregnancy. Once in place in your uterus, the device releases a steady stream of hormones to thicken mucus in your cervix, so sperm can’t reach eggs for fertilization. The hormones also partially suppress ovulation to lessen the likelihood that you’ll become pregnant.
Paragard IUD
Paragard IUDs are non hormonal devices that use copper to prevent pregnancy. Copper is toxic to sperm and also creates an inflammatory response in your uterus that makes fertilization more difficult.
What to expect during IUD placement
To use an IUD as a method of birth control, our physicians need to place it inside your uterus during a minimally invasive, in-office procedure.
During the placement process, you can expect to lie on an exam table just like you would during a pelvic exam. We insert a small tube with the IUD inside through your vagina to reach your uterus. When we remove the tube, the IUD stays in place and begins working.
When you decide you want to conceive, you schedule another visit so our team can remove the IUD. Many women are able to get pregnant soon after removing their IUD. We can work with you to get your body ready for a pregnancy and prepare you for childbirth.
The many benefits of IUDs
One of the biggest benefits of an IUD is its convenience. Once in place, the device begins protecting you from pregnancy and you don’t have to do anything extra before having sex.
However, it’s important to note that IUDs won’t protect you from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), so you’ll still need to use a condom if you have sex with a new partner and there’s a risk for spreading STDs.
Another benefit of IUDs is that you can still use them as a birth control method, even if you can’t tolerate hormones. The copper IUD offers reliable pregnancy prevention without the side effects hormones can cause in some women.
IUDs also offer long-lasting protection from pregnancy. If you use the Mirena hormonal IUD, you can use it for up to six years before needing a new device. The Paragard copper IUD can protect you from unwanted pregnancies for up to 10 years.
To find out if you’re a good candidate for an IUD for long-lasting pregnancy prevention, call Primary Care Walk-In Clinic today or book an appointment online. You can also visit the clinic nearest you as a walk-in.
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