You feel that now isn’t the right time for you to build a family and you want to take steps to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. The good news is that you have a wide range of birth control options to choose from. However, this large selection can make it challenging to decide which contraceptive is best for your needs and goals.
More than 65% of reproductive-aged women in the United States use birth control, and one of the more popular options is the intrauterine device (IUD). Here, Dr. Jose F. De Leon and the team at Kinwest OBGYN explain some of the benefits and advantages of using an IUD for your birth control.
One of the first things you want in a birth control option is for it to work well, and IUDs certainly fit the bill. This T-shaped device that we insert into your uterus boasts a 99% efficacy rating.
There are two types of IUDs to choose from, and each approaches contraception slightly differently.
Hormonal IUDs slowly release hormones (progestin) that stop your ovaries from releasing eggs. The hormones also thicken the mucus around your cervix to prevent sperm from getting through.
The copper IUD doesn’t release hormones. Instead, the device is wrapped in copper wire, which is a sperm repellent.
So, if you don’t like the idea of using hormones for birth control, you have an alternative with the copper IUD version.
Many of our patients like IUDs because they require very little effort. Once we insert your IUD during a quick office visit, there’s nothing more you need to do on your end — your protection is in place.
Another great benefit of IUDs is that this form of birth control is long-lasting. Hormonal IUDs can last anywhere from 3 to 8 years, and copper IUDs can offer up to 12 years of protection.
If and when you decide that you want to get pregnant, all you need to do is to come into the office so we can remove your IUD — and it takes us only minutes to do so. Once we remove your IUD, your fertility should re-establish itself quickly so you can start your family building.
A little known benefit of the IUD is that we can insert one within 120 hours (five days) of unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. The Paraguard® copper IUD, as well as a couple hormonal options, work well as emergency contraception.
If you’d like to explore whether the IUD is right for you or whether another birth control option might work better for your circumstances, we’re happy to sit down with you to figure it all out. To get that ball rolling, please contact Kinwest OBGYN in Dallas or Irving, Texas, to schedule a consultation.
