An intrauterine device (IUD) is a form of birth control that offers reliable protection against unintended pregnancy. IUDs are one of the most popular contraceptive methods because they provide a range of benefits for women, especially those looking for convenient, long-term birth control options.
At Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic, we offer contraceptive counseling to help you make the most informed decisions about birth control.
If you’re interested in an IUD, our experienced physicians explain the available options and complete a health evaluation to ensure you’re a candidate.
An IUD is a T-shaped device that fits inside your uterus. We place an IUD during a simple, in-office procedure that requires no anesthesia or downtime.
There are two main types of IUDs available to meet the needs of women with different health backgrounds. These types include:
Hormonal IUDs like Mirena® protect against pregnancy by slowly releasing progestin hormones into your body. Progestin suppresses the release of eggs and also thickens cervical mucus, so sperm can’t travel to the egg for fertilization.
Nonhormonal IUDs like Paragard® are hormone-free and use copper to prevent pregnancy. Copper triggers a natural inflammatory response in your body to create an environment that’s toxic to sperm and eggs.
Both IUD methods offer benefits for women who want to plan for their future families and those who choose not to have children. Our physicians can determine which IUD is best for you based on your health and family planning goals.
Here’s an overview of the key benefits an IUD offers for women:
An IUD provides the longest-lasting pregnancy protection across all options of birth control.
Copper IUDs offer up to 10 years of pregnancy protection before the device needs to be replaced. Hormonal IUDs can last up to six years before you need a replacement.
An IUD is one of the most reliable forms of birth control and is 99% effective at preventing unintended pregnancy.
There is a small risk that an IUD can move out of place or fall out of the uterus. In the event this occurs, our team can replace it. We can also remove the device when you’re ready to conceive a child or if you choose a different form of birth control.
In many cases, a woman’s fertility returns quickly regardless of how long the IUD was in place.
If you’re looking for a convenient form of birth control, an IUD may be the solution. Once inserted, you need to do nothing to ensure you’re protected.
This ensures you can enjoy intimate moments without any hassle. You won’t have to remember to take a pill every day, and there’s no need to schedule frequent visits to our office like you would with injections or other forms of birth control.
In the first few months after IUD placement, you may have some irregular bleeding or spotting in between periods. These issues typically resolve quickly without medical intervention.
Women who can’t tolerate hormones and those who have existing health issues that make it unsafe to use hormonal birth control may be candidates for the copper IUD.
Call the Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic near you today to learn more about the benefits of an IUD. You can also book a consultation online or visit the clinic as a walk-in
