Which IUD Is Best For You?

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs for short) offer the best chance for safe, reversible, long-term birth control. When choosing between the hormonal IUD and the non-hormonal IUD you should remember that while both have distinct advantages and disadvantages, neither will protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You should be responsible and always have condoms at home and take some with you; be prepared and you'll be safer. This article will help you to choose the best IUD for your body and health.

How Long Do You Want Birth Control?

Hormonal IUDs only last for 5 years while the non-hormonal ones last for up to 10. Both offer over 99% effective birth control and you can have either removed whenever you want up to the end of their effective life-span. Both types of IUDs have a 2-10% chance of being expelled from the uterus into the vagina within the first year. This is more common amongst women who haven't given birth before. It often happens unnoticed and as soon as it does you are no longer protected against unplanned pregnancy.

How Are Your Periods?

Hormonal IUDs have the effect of reducing menstrual bleeding both by volume and duration. Up to 20% of women report that their periods stop altogether but the most common side-effect is reduced bleeding. This alone is enough for hormonal IUDs to be used just to reduce the pain and discomfort for women who suffer from heavy periods.

If you haven't yet had an IUD fitted and already suffer in some way during your periods, you need to know that non-hormonal IUDs (the copper ones) have the common side-effect of increasing menstrual bleeding and cramping. While the hormonal IUDs reduce menstrual cramping and bleeding, the copper ones significantly increase menstruation problems for the majority of women. Some women even report spotting between periods.

Are You Happy With Your Weight?

It's hard enough to stay slim without starting birth control so the last thing you want is to jeopardize your dieting efforts. The hormonal IUDs don't cause weight-gain so that can be a deciding factor for many women when choosing between the two types of IUDs. Women who are concerned about the side-effects of having hormonal IUDs are thinking about the levels of progesterone the device is feeding into the cervix. It is important to balance these concerns with the advantage of the devices not leading to weight gain.

Are IUDs A Good Choice For You?

This article has focused on the benefits of IUDs because they are long-lasting, over 99% effective and completely reversible. To balance this, there are a range of considerations that you should think over. IUDs aren't a good choice for you if you aren't willing to use condoms to protect yourself against SDIs. Neither type of IUD is suitable if you have had an SDI in the past 3 months or if you have an infection or inflammation of your vagina, cervix or pelvis. Although IUDs take just 5 minutes for a Clinician to insert, you will be asked all of these relevant questions before being advised which method of birth control is most suitable.