Why the IUD May Be the Right Contraceptive Choice for You

Sex is a normal part of a healthy relationship, but that doesn’t mean you want to risk getting pregnant every time you do it. That’s where contraception comes in.

Contraception is available in many forms, from a pill, patch, ring, implant, condom, sponge, and an IUD (intrauterine device), among others. Which form you choose to go with is a matter of personal preference and lifestyle, but for many women, the IUD is the form of choice.

At Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic in Gilbert, Fountain Hills, Mesa, and Scottsdale, Arizona, our providers, Dr. Pankaj Chopra and Dr. Neha Maheshwari, offer the IUD as a popular contraceptive option for our female patients. It’s a small device shaped like a “T,” and it’s inserted directly into your uterus, where it stays for up to 10 years, depending on the model.

If you’re thinking about contraception, here’s why the IUD may be the right choice for you.

The IUD up close and personal

Unlike a birth control pill, which you have to take every day at the same time, IUDs are a low-maintenance birth control option, and they’re very effective. They come in two types: hormonal and copper. Both are placed in an in-office visit and have to be removed in an in-office visit, but other than that, you don’t have to think about them at all.

Hormonal IUDs

Hormonal IUDs contain the progestin levonorgestrel. Progestin thickens the cervical mucus and thins the uterine lining, preventing sperm from reaching the egg or implanting, respectively. In addition, the hormone can stop the ovaries from releasing eggs.

Once inserted, they can take up to a week before they prevent pregnancy. We offer the Mirena® brand of hormonal IUDs.

If you choose this option, you may have some side effects as your body adapts to the hormone:

• Headaches
• Acne
• Weight gain
• Breast tenderness
• Irregular bleeding, which can improve after six months
• Changes in your mood
• Cramping and pelvic pain

These generally diminish over time.

Copper IUDs

Copper IUDs are formed from copper and plastic. They don’t contain hormones, but they start working as soon as they’re implanted. Copper is a natural spermicide (something that kills sperm). In the body, the sperm encounter the IUD before they’re able to reach an egg and fertilize it. Copper also makes it more difficult for fertilized eggs to implant in your uterus.

Paragard® is the only copper IUD in the United States, and it’s the one we use at Primary Walk-In Medical Clinic.

Neither type of IUD is effective against sexually transmitted diseases, so you’ll need to wear a condom during intercourse to prevent one from taking hold.

Choosing your IUD

Mirena IUDs can prevent pregnancy for up to six years, while the Paragard works up to 10 years. With the copper IUD, you may see heavier bleeding, severe menstrual pain, and cramps, and perhaps some bleeding in between periods. Hormonal IUDs generally ease menstrual pain and heavy bleeding, and they can even stop ovulation and your period altogether.

Your goals factor into which IUD you choose. While avoiding pregnancy is the main factor for both, you might be more comfortable with a hormonal IUD if you’re looking to ease period pain or to lighten your periods, but copper is better if you want to keep the IUD in as long as possible.

Cost is important, too. A copper IUD costs slightly more than $1,200 without insurance, while hormonal IUDS are just over $1,500. If you have health insurance, most companies will pay for some or all of the costs.

And comfort plays a large role. Some women are more comfortable with hormones in their bodies than metal, while others are the exact opposite. Let us know your concerns, so we can advise you best.

And if you decide you’re ready to start a family, just make an appointment, and we can remove the device in the office. Your body will adjust quickly, and you’ll become fertile again in a short period.

If an IUD is your contraceptive choice, Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic can help. Walk in, call us at any of our locations, or book an appointment online.