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THE IUD (intrauterine
contraceptive device)
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| What
is "the IUD"? |
| The IUD is a
small, plastic device that is
inserted by a physician / practitioner
and left inside the uterus. Although
there have been several types
of IUDs, currently only two are
available in the United States.
Both are T-shaped and have a string
at the base of the T that will
extend trough the cervix and lie
in the vaginal canal. The copper
IUD releases a small amount of
copper into the uterus and may
remain in your body for up to
10 years. The hormonal IUD releases
a small amount of the hormone
progesterone into the uterus,
but must be replaced every year. |
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| How
does the copper IUD work? |
| It primarily
prevents pregnancy by interfering
with the movement of sperm thus
preventing fertilization of the
egg. The copper IUD prevents
fertilization as well as affecting
the lining of the uterus so implantation
will not occur. |
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| How
effective is the copper IUD? |
| The IUD is extremely
effective. During the first year of
use, 8 out of 1000 women will become
pregnant with the Copper T. |
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| Am
I a good candidate for the copper IUD? |
| The copper IUD is best
suited for women with families who want
convenient, effective, reversible contraception.
It is recommended for women who have
at least one child, are in a stable,
mutually faithful relationship (to minimize
chance of exposure to sexually transmitted
diseases that might cause pelvic inflammatory
disease) and have no history or suspicion
of pelvic infection. |
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| What
are the common side effects of
the copper IUD?
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irregular
bleeding. |
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Bleeding
problems constitute one
of the more common IUD complications.
Some women have cramping
and spotting during the
first few weeks after the
IUD is placed. These should
disappear within a month.
The IUD does cause slightly
crampier and longer menstrual
periods. These symptoms
can be treated with Motrin
or Advil. |
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pelvic
infection |
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The risk
of developing a pelvic infection
associated with the IUD
is attributable to insertion
of the device and exposure
to sexually transmitted
infection. The greatest
risk occurs during the first
few weeks following insertion.
Women who have more than
one sexual partner or whose
partner has other sexual
partners are at high risk
for acquiring a sexually
transmitted disease.· |
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expulsion |
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Between
2 and 10% of IUD users spontaneously
expel their IUD within the
first year. Expulsion,
though infrequent, is more
likely to occur during the
first 3 months of use.
An IUD expulsion can occur
without a woman knowing
it. Therefore, you should
check regularly to make
sure the "string"
is still present. |
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| What
are the benefits of the copper
IUD? |
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highly effective |
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easy to use
-- you don't have to remember
to insert it before sex or take
a pill every day |
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reversible
-- it can be easily removed in
the office if you decide to get
pregnant and you do not need to
wait before attempting pregnancy |
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can be
used by breastfeeding women
because there is no affect
on lactation |
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inexpensive
-- after the first year of use,
the annual cost for using the
IUD is less expensive per year |
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may be used by
women who cannot use hormonal
methods and causes no systemic
side effects (except in women
allergic to copper or have a condition
called Wilson's disease) |
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comfort -
you should not be aware of the
presence of the IUD. You and your
partner should not be able to
feel the IUD during intercourse
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| When
can the copper IUD be inserted? |
| First it must
be determined that you are a good
candidate for the IUD. Your doctor
will take a medical history, perform
a pelvic exam and obtain any appropriate
lab tests. The insertion can
then be scheduled within the first
5 days of your next menstrual
period; this insures that you
are not pregnant at the time of
insertion and the method is effective
immediately for birth control.
The IUD can also be placed after
giving birth, as soon as your
uterus has returned to its normal
pre-pregnancy state. It can be
determined whether you are ready
for IUD insertion at your postpartum
check. |
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| How
is the copper IUD inserted? |
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You may be given
some antibiotics to take prior
to insertion to protect from
infection. Also, taking 3-4
Motrin or Advil an hour prior
to insertion will minimize the
discomfort of the insertion.
Insertion of the IUD does not
require anesthesia. Immediately
before the IUD is inserted,
you will be asked to sign a
consent form making sure you
understand everything about
the insertion and a pregnancy
test will be checked. To insert
the IUD, the arms of the T-shaped
device are folded and the IUD
is placed in a long, slender,
plastic tube. The tube is then
inserted into the vagina and
guided through the cervix into
the uterus. The IUD is then
pushed out of the plastic tube
into the uterus and the tube
is withdrawn.
Each
IUD comes with a string or "tail"
made of a thin plastic thread.
After insertion the thread is
trimmed so that 1-2 inches hang
out of the cervix inside your
vagina. You will be able to
tell about the placement of
the IUD by the location of the
string. The string will not
bother you, but your partner
may feel it with his penis.
If he reports discomfort, the
string may be further trimmed.
It is important that you check
the string each month. To do
this, you must insert a finger
into your vagina and feel around
for the string. You can do
this at any time, but doing
it after your menstrual period
is easy to remember. If you
feel the string is shorter or
longer than it used to be-or
if you don't feel the string
at all-call your doctor. The
IUD may have slipped out of
place. Use another form of
birth control until your IUD
is checked
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