IUD’s

Birth Control Without a Monthly Pill

An intrauterine device or IUD is a small plastic T-shaped insert that is placed in the uterine cavity to provide contraception.

IUD’s are 99.9% effective in providing contraception. An IUD can provide this benefit for 5-10 years depending on the type. There are basically 2 types of IUD’s; those that contain copper and those that contain the hormone progesterone. Some IUD’s can also alleviate heavy menses.

The insertion of an IUD is a quick, easy office procedure. IUD’s require no maintenance and are fully reversible by simply removing them in the office.

Women who use IUDs have a 2-8/1,000 chance to get pregnant, which is extremely effective relative to other contraceptive methods.

Why should you consider Mirena®?

Many couples, who believe that their financial or social status is not ready for another child, opt for Mirena. Additionally, families with just the right size often seek an effective way to prevent conception without having to undergo a permanent birth control procedure.

For these people, Mirena might just be the right choice.

Mirena also has the following benefits:

Highly effective – IUDs are extremely effective at contraception relative to all the other methods. Mirena is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

Low-maintenance – the primary advantage of using IUDs is the unnecessary monthly refills. In fact, IUDs may last for up to 10 years.

Reversible – unlike permanent birth control methods, you can remove your IUD whenever you want, which allows you to become pregnant.

Estrogen-free – the hormonal IUDs release a small amount of progesterone locally into your uterus to prevent pregnancies.

Relieves dysmenorrhea – Mirena is the only FDA-approved IUD to treat excessively heavy periods, especially in women who want an effective contraceptive method.

Note that Mirena does not provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, herpes, syphilis).

If you still have questions or concerns about Mirena, you can always contact your healthcare provider, who will give you tailored answers based on your medical history.

Important Safety Information

While Mirena is very safe, some medical conditions contraindicate the use of this device.

For instance, if you have recurrent pelvic infections or cancer of your reproductive system (e.g., uterus, cervix, vagina), Mirena might not be the best option for you.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) caused by recurrent infections with gonorrhea or chlamydia is a classic contraindication of Mirena.

If you notice that the Mirena device has come out, you may want to use a backup contraceptive method (e.g., the morning after pill) and contact your doctor.

In extremely rare cases, some women get pregnant while using Mirena, which can be life-threatening for you and the fetus.

To review whether you are a good candidate for Mirena or any other type of IUD, you can book an appointment by clicking on this link.