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IUD
(07/13/2004) by Unknown
WHAT IS THE LEVONORGESTREL IUD?
Mirena is as effective in preventing pregnancy as tubal ligation (better than 99 percent) and lasts at least for five years. This method has been available for 10 years in Europe and has been used by approximately 2 million women worldwide. In Europe 10-25% of women use an IUD compaired to 1% in the United States. Mirena is part of the reason for the popularity of the IUD in Europe.
An IUD is a small device which is placed inside the uterus. The vertical arm of this IUD contains levonorgestrel. This hormone is a progestin much like the progesterone a womans ovaries produce each monthly cycle. Each week the Levonorgestrel IUD gives off about the same amount of levonorgestrel as a woman gets when she takes one or two of the minipills called Ovrette. The levonorgestrel causes the cervical mucus to become thicker so sperm cannot reach the egg. Among typical couples who use this IUD, one in 1,000 will experience an accidental pregnancy in the first year.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?
It is the most effective reversible method ever developed!
It prevents ectopic pregnancies; it decreases menstrual cramping and dramatically decreases menstrual blood loss (a 97% reduction in menstrual blood loss in one study). Some women experience an absence of menstrual bleeding after one year (about 20%).
This IUD may be left in place for at least 5 years (probably effective for 8 or more years).
IUDs are safe, inexpensive over time, and provide extremely effective long-term contraception from a single decision.
One of the costs of any contraceptive is the cost to you should your contraceptive fail. Given the extremely low failure rate of Mirena, a person using this method is far less likely to have the emotional and financial expenses associated with an unintended pregnancy.
All you have to do is check for the strings each month.
May be used by postmenopausal women on estrogen therapy to protect the endometrium against endometrial cancer.
Once Mirena is removed, fertility returns rapidly. Approximately 8 out of every 10 women who want to become pregnant will become pregnant in the first year after Mirena is removed.
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES?
Use of an IUD often changes the menstrual cycle. There may be more bleeding days than normal for the first few months and less than normal after 6 to 8 months. If your bleeding pattern is bothersome, contact your clinician. There are medications which can help you have a better pattern of bleeding.
The IUD does not provide protection against sexually transmitted infections. Use condoms if there is any risk.
There is a high initial cost of insertion.
WHERE AND WHEN DO I GET A LEVONORGESTREL IUD?
Most clinics insert IUDs when a woman has her period or within 7 days of the start of the period. If the risk of pregnancy can be excluded it may be possible to insert an IUD at other times.
The above information is taken from http://www.managingcontraception.com/cmanager/publish/choices.shtml
This information is not copyrighted, and may be copied or adapted without asking permission. Lengthier descriptions may be found in the books Managing Contraception, Contraceptive Technology and LA Planification Familiar, which may be ordered from the above website or by calling (706) 265-7435.
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