Birth control puts you in charge of your reproduction. Today, you have more options for birth control than ever before. That’s great for your reproductive health and family planning needs! But, which form of birth control should you choose?
When it comes to birth control methods that last for years but can still be reversed at any time, intrauterine devices (IUDs) are popular for several reasons. If you’re interested in flexible, effective, long-acting birth control with very little in terms of ongoing hassle, you might want an IUD.
At Women’s Health Services of Arlington, Texas, our team provides a full range of contraceptive support services. If you’re interested in an IUD, let us know! We can help you determine if an IUD is right for you.
The first criteria you want to evaluate your birth control method on is probably going to be how effective it is. The good news is, IUDs are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Those numbers put IUDs at the top of the list in terms of birth control effectiveness. In fact, getting an IUD is as effective as getting a tubal ligation, also known as having your tubes tied, when it comes to preventing pregnancy.
Once your IUD is inserted, you can relax about unplanned pregnancy.
Lots of birth control methods involve daily or weekly hassle. If you don’t want to have to remember to take a pill every day or deal with a patch that can potentially irritate your skin, an IUD could be a great option for you.
IUDs are a form of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). That means that, after your IUD insertion, you receive protection from unwanted pregnancy that lasts for years. And, you can have the device easily taken out whenever you want, for any reason.
IUDs give you flexibility as well as lasting pregnancy prevention results. After insertion, an IUD can last for 3-10 years. Insertion and removal take place through your cervix and can both be done in-office.
You can get effective contraceptive results with either a hormonal or a non-hormonal IUD, putting the choice completely in your hands.
Non-hormonal IUDs are made of copper, a natural spermicide. The T-shaped device sits comfortably at the entrance of your uterus after insertion.
You can also opt for an IUD that uses hormones to prevent pregnancy. Hormonal birth control forms affect your ovulation and menstrual cycle. In a hormonal IUD, low doses of the hormone progestin are released from the device, thickening your cervical mucus to prevent conception from taking place.
In addition to pregnancy prevention, a hormonal IUD can result in your having lighter menstrual periods, or no period at all.
IUDs have a high satisfaction rate for all of the above reasons! If you think an IUD could work well with your lifestyle and reproductive planning, contact Women’s Health Services to learn more, and schedule an insertion. You can request an appointment online, or call now to book.
