Question:
Can someone e-mail me and explain what an IUD is for birth control?
I havent had surgery yet but am waiting. i've been on the pill for about 1 1/2 years. I tried depo for about 9 mos before this and it made me crazy! I was already depressed but the depo put me over the edge! (I'm so glad my boyfriend is still with me :)) I am only 20 and definetly do not want kids yet. thank you to whoever wants to go into detail about this for me. [email protected] — LaKeAffy (posted on February 7, 2002)
February 7, 2002
IUD intra uterine device... in french we call this a sterilet i dont know
if its the same word in english
— carou1313
February 7, 2002
An IUD is an Intrauterine Device. It's a small piece of copper, often
shaped like a 7 that is inserted by your ob/gyn into your uterus. It has a
string hanging down so that it can be removed. I could never tell that it
was there. Anyway, it's VERY effective and has few side effects. Some
women have heavier bleeding with it. I never found that to be true. The
best thing about it is that you don't ever have to remember to do anything
to prevent pregnancy. You don't have to take a pill, get a shot or get up
to put in a diaghram. They do have to be replaced, but they can be left in
place for a number of years. Also, it didn't hurt to have it inserted nor
to have it removed.
— [Anonymous]
February 7, 2002
Just know that this is also a form of abortion. Meaning that when anything
(namely an egg) goes to makes its nice little nest in your uterus the IUD
will "scrape" so to speak it off. THe only reason why I am saying
this is beacause alot of people don't know how it works. Best of Luck.
— [Anonymous]
February 7, 2002
In one study, IUD users demonstrated no evidence of fertilization. The IUD
appears to operate in one of two ways:
By interfering with migration of sperm from the vagina to the fallopian
tube.
By accelerating egg transport through the fallopian tube, thus impeding
fertilization.
The IUD is an effective contraceptive for monogamous women with no history
of sexually transmitted diseases or pelvic inflammatory disease.
An Intrauterine Device (IUD) is a small object that is inserted through the
cervix and placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. A small string hangs
down from the IUD into the upper part of the vagina. The IUD is not
noticeable during intercourse. IUDs can last 1-10 years. They affect the
movements of eggs and sperm to prevent fertilization. They also change the
lining of the uterus and prevent implantation. IUDs are 98-99% effective as
birth control. They do not protect against reproductive tract infections,
including HIV/AIDS. The exact mechanisms of action of the IUD are not
completely understood. The IUD causes an inflammatory reaction in the
lining of the uterus that interferes with egg and sperm transport. Copper
enhances this inflammatory response. Studies indicate that this reaction
significantly decreases the rate of fertilization and lowers the chances of
survival for any embryo that may be formed, even before it reaches the
uterus. In addition, copper is toxic to sperm. The few sperm actually
reaching the egg are unlikely to be able to accomplish fertilization.
— [Anonymous]
February 7, 2002
The IUD is a fabulous method for birth control, and it is NOT a form of
abortion! That anonomous poster is an inflamatory ignoramous! I used them
for many years 20-30 years ago, had no problems whatsoever, and I was so
upset when they pulled all IUD's off the market because of problems with
one brand. As the previous posters said, it will not protect against
sexually transmitted diseases, but it is as effective as the pill in
preventing pregnancy. So, if you & your doctor think it's a viable
option for you, and you're in a monogamous relationship, I say give it a
try.
— Leslie F.
February 7, 2002
Please do alot of research on this, before you commit to it,,many years
ago, my mom had this thing,and it infected her female organs, she lost all
of them,including one of her kidneys. There was a large country wide
lawsuit that my mom didnt choose to be a part of,but the doctor said that
he felt that that was the cause.I believe they even stopped utilizing them,
for a while, figuring out how to make them better. Im sure they are better
now, just as our wls is, but be sure that youre informed.Ask your doctor
about the differneces in making them from the 70's and now.My worst
childhood memory is tripping over my moms drainage line from her kindey to
her pump.She is fine now, but she had a hysterectomy at the age of 36
becasue of it.
— [Anonymous]
February 7, 2002
Please do your research on an IUD before getting one. I tought they were
the best thing for me and the least maintenance so I got one. About 9
months later I found out I was preganant (9 wks) the IUD caused me to abort
the baby and I had to carry it stillborn for about 3 days till they could
remove the IUD and do an DNC. After this I bled constantly for the next 2
years and ended up having to have a hysterectomy at age 21. So please think
seriously about it. I know this is rare but it does happen.
— [Anonymous]
February 7, 2002
Well, whether or not this is a form of abortion depends upon your
interpretation of "life". Does it begin at fertilization?
implantation? (or on a grander scale...birth?) If you believe that life
begins with fertilization, then the iud prevents this life from implanting,
thus aborting it. If you believe that life doesn't begin until
implantation, then there is no problem with this type. (now the
birth-conception argument I'm not going there!!). I was always taught that
an iud was a form of "birth control" not
"contraceptive", because it does not prevent conception. Just do
your research and do what is best for your health and your conscience.
Shelley
— Shelley.
February 7, 2002
— lilmskitty
February 7, 2002
I got an IUD after my surgery, for some reason after my surgery when I went
back on the pill I was very ill. I was throwing up and one week could only
get about 300 calories in. I had the IUD implanted in the Dr.s office it
hurt worse than my surgery, but I have never had children and my cervix was
not dialating very well for the insertion. Now 7 months later I love it.
I have heavier periods and they last longer than when I was on the pill.
Mine is also the copper T. I recommend it if you want to save money on the
pill and it lasts for 10 years, plus my insurance covered it I only paid my
co-pay of 10.00. Read up on it on the internet, I did before my
implantation.
— Tawny F.
February 8, 2002
Usually a doctor won't insert it unless you have had a child, your uterus
is more "stretchy" and less likely to be damages should your body
reject it (very very rare!) I know, cause I tried to get it, couldn't find
anyone to do it. I now take Lunelle, it is awesome.
— [Anonymous]
February 8, 2002
Shelley very clearly covered the reason some people do not believe that an
IUD is an acceptable form of birth control. It all depends on when you
believe life begins. It's a matter of choice and belief.
<p> My sister had one of the newer copper IUDs and it failed her.
She did get pregnant and lost the baby at 11 weeks. She too had an
incomplete miscarriage resulting in a D&C that left her uteris scarred.
She has been unable to conceive since then. She thought it would be a
safe and convenient birth control method that would not mess up her
hormones until she decided she was ready for a baby. It hasn't worked out
well for her.<p> For the people that it does work for, it's fine but
please do ALL your research and realize that the complications are real.
<p>It's a hard decision to make...I hope you find the right answer!
— [Anonymous]
February 8, 2002
Please do your research and then decide for yourself. Yes, there are
people who don't do well with an IUD, but there are many, many more who
find it a safe, reliable method of birth control. It can be used by women
who have never had children. I know because I used one and I've never had
children.
— garw
February 8, 2002
OK, I have to add one more thing. The IUD that caused a major lawsuit
years ago was called the Dalkon Shield. It did cause big problems for many
women. However, it was taken off the market in the early 70s and hasn't
been used in the US since then. The ones used today are much better and
much less likely to cause problems.
— garw
February 8, 2002
I found the IUD to be a wonderful form of birth control. Having gotten
pregnant twice using condoms, getting permanent PMS from the pill, and
deciding that I'd rather not have sex at all if I had to use a
diaphram...it was the perfect solution. I got my first IUD (copper 7) in
1982, before I had any children. The doctor removed it 2 years later
because of all the controversy of women who've never had children using an
IUD...and I got pregnant 2 months later (we should have named her
"Trojan"). After my second child was born, I called all over
until I could find a doctor willing to give me another IUD (they got really
bad press for a while). For me, it was the only choice I considered. There
are some doctors who will not allow a woman to have one if she's never
given birth, as your risk for complications during the first year are
increased. As for the comment about them causing an abortion every
month...I once had a very religious Catholic GYN who refused to do tubal
ligations because they went against his beliefs...but he had no problem
with IUD's.
— Cyndie K.
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