When to Consider an IUD for Birth Control

Contraceptives put you in control of your reproductive health. Birth control allows you to choose if and when you want to have a baby, and these days, you have more options than ever before.

Oral pills have long been the most common method of birth control. Skin patches, implants, injections, and more are becoming more commonplace too. But one of the fastest-growing types of birth control is the intrauterine device (IUD). 

Nearly 4.5 million American women choose IUDs, and with all of the benefits it offers, it’s easy to see why.

Farly Sejour, MD, Natalie Gould, WHNP-BC, and our team at Solace Women's Care offer contraceptive care for women of all ages. If you’re looking for a better birth control solution, talk to our team to learn more about the benefits of IUDs and the other contraceptives available.

An IUD could be a good birth control option for you if:

You want long-lasting protection

At Solace Women’s Care, we offer two types of IUDs: Mirena® and Paragard®. These IUDs prevent unintended pregnancy in slightly different ways, but both are considered long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) because they’re safe to use for years, and you can have them removed at any time if you decide you want to get pregnant.

Mirena is a hormonal IUD that releases small amounts of the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy. It’s currently FDA-approved for up to seven years.

Paragard is a hormone-free IUD. Instead of hormones, it uses a copper coil, which repels sperm from reaching an egg. Paragard lasts longer than hormonal IUDs, and it’s FDA-approved for up to 10 years.

You want a simple birth control solution

Oral pills are still the most popular contraceptive in the United States. The pill has its drawbacks, however. Oral birth control has to be taken at the same time every day to be effective.

Even other convenient contraceptives, like skin patches or birth control shots, still need weekly or monthly maintenance to continue protecting against pregnancy.

IUDs, on the other hand, are 99% effective without any maintenance. If you choose an IUD, the insertion process takes just a few minutes. Once it’s in place, there’s nothing more you need to do to prevent pregnancy for years.

You want a lighter (or nonexistent) period

Hormonal IUDs like Mirena release small amounts of progestin into your uterus. The hormone reduces your chances of pregnancy by thickening cervical mucus and thinning your uterine lining. 

Along with preventing pregnancy, a hormonal IUD can make your menstrual periods lighter. A thin uterine lining means you’re more likely to have less menstrual bleeding and reduced menstrual cramps. Some women find that their periods and symptoms stop completely while they have IUDs.

Is an IUD right for you?

IUDs are a safe, flexible birth control solution for women who want the option of getting pregnant in the future. If you want long-acting birth control that doesn’t require any maintenance, ask our team if an IUD is a good option for you.

Getting an IUD takes just one appointment at our office. Insertion is completed in minutes, and no anesthesia is required. You’re free to go about your usual activities as soon as you leave the office, and the device begins working within about one week.

Schedule your IUD consultation to get started. Call our Conroe, Texas, office at 936-441-7100 or send us a message online now.