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Intrauterine Device – IUD – The Effectual Birth Control Coil – Part VI

admin — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:05:55 +0000

The Intrauterine device has been observed to have suited and worked well in case of those women with past pregnancy. Women without any prior pregnancy are observed to have a greater likelihood of the IUD being ejected or subsequent to insertion experience greater pain and cramps. However, they could still opt for IUD.

For many years there have been soaring concerns regarding PID or Pelvic Inflammatory disease being associated to IUD, though it is unknown that IUD on its own doesn’t lead to PID. Rather, if one is suffering from a genital tract infection and goes in for an IUD insertion, the infection could spread into the uterus and fallopian tubes. If one is at risk of getting an STD, the doctor would examine and suggest appropriate treatment prior to getting an IUD.

Intrauterine devices lower the risk of getting pregnant inclusive of ectopic or tubal pregnancy. However, in the case of pregnancy in the presence of an IUD, there is a greater possibility of it being ectopic. Ectopic pregnancies need medications or surgical intervention in order to terminate the pregnancy. At times the fallopian tube related to the particular side would need to be taken out.

IUD usage could be a safe contraception choice in the following situations:

Those women having a past of ectopic pregnancy for whom the duo choices of copper IUD and LNg IUD are apposite choices.
Those with a past of erratic bleeding during periods and pain. The LNg IUD might be suitable for such women and in those with a bleeding disorder or those that are taking blood thinning medications (anticoagulants).
Women with a risk of getting bacterial endocarditis. An antibiotics course would be administered during both the inserting and removal procedure.
Diabetic women.
Women that are breast feeding.
The LNg IUD is an ideal option for those women with a past of endometriosis.

IUD might not be the right option for you when:

Women that have never had a past pregnancy are more prone to having pain associated with IUD and have greater likelihood of the IUD being expelled following its insertion.
Women presently having any kind of sexually transmitted disease or STD or have had an instance in the last three months.
Women who are unwilling to use condoms in safeguarding themselves from STD’s.
Those with an actively occurring infection in the vagina or cervix.
Those having pelvic inflammatory disease or PID or with a lately occurred incidence of PID.
Women with a bleeding disorder or having blood thinning medicines (anticoagulants). Though, the copper IUD cannot be used in such cases, in its place the LNg IUD could be used.
Women with a problematic past with IUD.
Women having anomalies in the uterus.
Those women having uterine infection following delivery or a septic medical termination of pregnancy.
Those with uterine bleeding of unclear basis.
Those allergic to copper, hence the copper IUD would not be a feasible choice.

Those women that have one of the earlier plastic versions of IUDs like the Lippes Loop, must seek consultation regarding the replacement of the older IUD to a greatly effective copper or hormonal option.

Intrauterine Device – IUD – The Effectual Birth Control Coil – Part V

admin — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:40:45 +0000

The IUD has certain downsides that comprise the high pricing in inserting it, no safeguard against sexually transmitted diseases or STD’s and the requirement of a doctor for its removal.

Drawbacks of using LNg IUD

The LNg IUD could lead to non-cancerous or benign formations known as ovarian cysts that normally subside on their own.

The LNg IUD could be the reason behind hormone-related side effects much alike OC pills or oral contraceptives that include tenderness in the breasts, moodiness, recurrent headaches and pimples or acne eruptions. This is uncommon. However, when the side effects do occur, they normally fade away subsequent to the initial few months.

Pregnancy alongside inserted IUD

If pregnancy occurs when IUD is in place, then the doctor would suggest its removal. This is recommended as the IUD could lead to miscarriage or premature delivery though the IUD would not lead to any congenital anomalies.

IUD removal in the initial trimester of pregnancy aids in lowering the likelihood of miscarriage or premature delivery. However, even removing the IUD could also lead to miscarriage. As pregnancy advances, the likelihood of miscarriage is reduced on IUD removal rather than leaving it in place.

When to seek medical assistance

Those women that are using IUD must be vigilant regarding certain perilous signs that signal an underlying grave issue associated with the IUD that could include:

Periods being delayed after insertion of copper IUD or unusual spotting or quite heavy bleeding.
Stomach pain, severe cramps or pains in the abdomen associated with sexual contact.
Infected with or being exposed to a STD or sexually transmitted disease or signs of a vaginal infection like unnatural vaginal discharge.
Feeling unwell or fever that is 100.4°F or 38°C or more.
The IUD threads absent or are felt to be more long or short than usual. In such case, condoms must be used till the doctor has examined the IUD.
Having heavy or extended vaginal bleeding.
Skipped a menstrual cycle, except if one is having LNg IUD wherein it is usual to skip a period or menses coming to a halt and must not be a reason for worry. Those having an LNg IUD and have skipped a period with doubts of a pregnancy, then it is vital to meet up with the doctor. IUDs have high efficiency rates, but if one is apprehensive then a pregnancy test could be done.

Intrauterine Device – IUD – The Effectual Birth Control Coil – Part III

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:20:29 +0000

The copper IUD is recommended for usage till ten years while the LNg IUD is accepted for up to five years of use.

Reasons behind opting for IUD

One might be an appropriate entrant for an IUD if one:

Doesn’t have any signs of infection in the pelvis during the time of IUD insertion.
Keeping relations with one sex mate who is also monogamous and free of infection. This would mean that one is not at heightened risk of developing sexually transmitted diseases or STD’s or Pelvic Inflammatory diseases (PID), or when both partners are consensual regarding condom usage.
Those who desire for an effectual, long lasting contraception means that needs minimal effort and can be reversed without any difficulty.
Those women that for certain reasons cannot or don’t desire to take birth control pills or other hormonal contraceptive means.
Those who are breastfeeding.

The copper IUD is suggested as an emergency birth control means for those who in the recent past have engaged in unprotected sex, wanting to avert pregnancy and intend to prolong the usage of IUD in the future for birth control. The copper IUD is costlier than the emergency birth-control hormone pills when used as a short term form of emergency contraception.

The Effectiveness Quotient of IUD

The IUD is an immensely effectual birth control method.

In those who used the LNg IUD, only one from one thousand women had pregnancy during the initial year. During the five year spanning usage period, merely seven women from one thousand became pregnant.
In those who opted for copper IUD, nearly six per one thousand women became pregnant during the initial year. During the ten years spanning usage period, nearly twenty to thirty women from one thousand women became pregnant.
Majority of pregnancies that occurred alongside the use of IUD took place due to the IUD getting shoved out or ejected from the uterus unawares. IUD’s have a greater probability of being expelled within the initial few months following the use of IUD or after IUD insertion in those women that recently delivered or in those women that haven’t had a child.

The positive aspects of IUD’s comprise it being budget-friendly when taking time consideration it lasts for, effortless usage, lowered chances of getting ectopic pregnancy and no hindrance during foreplay or sexual act.

Intrauterine Device – IUD – The Effectual Birth Control Coil – Part I

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:30:36 +0000

The intrauterine device (IUD) is a long-standing birth control means that has high effectiveness and safety quotient. The currently available IUD’s are quite a contrast to those there were employed during the 1970’s.

An IUD is a miniature plastic device resembling the letter ‘T’, swathed in copper or could contain hormones. The insertion of the IUD is a procedure carried out by a doctor who inserts it into the uterus. The IUD has a plastic string that is attached to the IUD end that dangles down through the cervix into the vagina. The IUD could be checked for its correct placement by feeling for the presence of the string. This string is additionally employed by the doctor during the removal procedure of the IUD.

IUD Types

LNg or Levonorgestrel IUD – This type of IUD is additionally known by the name ‘Mirena’ that works by releasing levonorgestrel – a type of progestin. The effectiveness of LNg IUD has been noted to being slightly more than copper IUD in the prevention of pregnancy. It might lower the chances of developing pelvic inflammatory disease or PID which is an added benefit not noted in other IUD’s. The LNg IUD has been found to be effectual for a span of five years.
Copper IUD – The widely used IUD is the copper IUD (for e.g. Paragard). The T-shaped IUD has a copper wire wrapped around its stem portion. The copper IUD is known to stay in situ for a period of at least ten years and is quite an effective contraception means.

Working Principle

Both the kinds of IUD’s are known to hinder fertilization of the egg by having a marring effect on the sperm. The IUD additionally has an effect on the lining of the uterus which is the lodging and growing location for the fertilized egg.

LNg IUD – The LNg IUD operates by thickening the mucus in the cervix that acts like a barrier for the sperms attempting to make an entry into the uterus, thus impeding fertilization. LNg IUD also avoids the endometrial lining of the uterus from becoming quite thick that in turn makes the endometrial lining an unfavourable place for implantation and growth of the fertilized egg. The hormones present in the LNg IUD also cause a reduction in monthly periods flow and associated discomfort due to cramps.
Copper IUD – Copper has a lethal effect on the sperm. It causes the uterus and fallopian tubes to produce fluid rich in WBC or white blood cells, copper ions, enzymes and prostaglandins that have a fatal impact on the sperm.