IUD

What is the IUD?

IUD means intrauterine device, it is a small plastic or metal object with a small thread to allow its removal. It generally has a vertical part with horizontal branches in the shape of a T or anchor and conforms to the uterine cavity.

It has several mechanisms of action, hinders the passage of sperm to the ovum and produces changes inside the uterus that prevent implantation.

You must place it on gynecologist and although it can be placed at any time of the cycle, it is advisable to do it with menstruation. It can be removed by the doctor at any time by pulling the strings and fertility is immediately restored as ovulations have not been inhibited. The insurance within the Family Planning Program includes the IUD implantation techniques (including cost of conventional or standard IUD).

It is not advisable for women who have several sexual partners since it increases the risk of infection of the internal genitalia by altering the natural defenses of the reproductive system, and can then cause pelvic inflammatory disease.

The effectiveness of IUD it is high but between 1 and 3% of women who use it will become pregnant in one year. In that case you should try to withdraw it even though the abortion rate is then 50%. If this is not possible, it should be maintained, without causing an increase in the frequency of fetal malformations. The risk of ectopic pregnancy in IUD carriers is around 6%.

Side effects

In some women the expulsion of the IUD or its displacement may occur inadvertently, so it is very important to carry out the controls indicated by the doctor and check its normal location in the womb.

Some women may have increased menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhea, pain with menstruation, generally more important in the first cycles after placement. For women with hypermenorrhea, that is, very heavy periods, the IUD with progesterone may be more suitable.

IUD with progesterone:

The IUD with progesterone is made of plastic in the shape of a T, which in its vertical branch has a cylinder that contains levonorgestrel, that is, a type of progesterone. Its release occurs constantly and at low doses of 20 micrograms every 24 hours.

Its efficiency is greater than 99% and its effect contraceptive It is achieved by the effect of thickening the cervical mucus, hindering the passage of sperm, inhibiting the passage of sperm inside the uterus towards the tubes, decreasing the growth of the endometrium during the cycle and therefore inhibiting implantation. Its main advantages are its greater contraceptive effectiveness and the reduction of bleeding with the rules. Its disadvantages are the side effects that some women have, such as headache or breast tension and an alteration in the menstrual bleeding pattern, which in 50% of cases causes the period to disappear without the IUD having to be removed.