• image.alt
  • With Mayo Clinic women's health nurse practitioner

    Lois McGuire, R.N., M.S.N., W.H.N.P.

    read biography

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

  • Safe sex blog

  • June 25, 2009

    Blog: IUD — Safe birth control for all ages

    By Lois McGuire, R.N., M.S.N., W.H.N.P.

15 comments posted

The initials "IUD" stand for intrauterine device. An IUD is a small, flexible, plastic T-shaped device, which is placed in the uterus by a health care provider to prevent pregnancy. IUDs affect the way sperm move, preventing the sperm from joining with an egg.

An IUD provides continuous contraception as long as it's in place. You don't have to reinsert it when you want to have sex or remove it afterwards; it stays in your uterus for as long as you want to avoid pregnancy. Because inconsistent contraceptive use leads to many pregnancies, particularly in teens, this is a major benefit.

If an IUD sounds like a good contraceptive choice for you, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • IUDs do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Unless you're absolutely sure your partner has no STDs and is completely faithful, use condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
  • Mild to severe discomfort is common with IUD insertion. Cramping may last a few days.
  • With an IUD, your periods may be heavier than usual.
  • IUDs can get displaced or expelled from the uterus, and you may not know it's happened. Explusion occurs most often during your first period after the device is inserted. Soon after you've had that period, see your provider to make sure the IUD is still in place. Your provider will show you how to check your IUD so you can recheck it yourself after every period. If you're ever unsure, make an appointment with your provider, and use another form of contraception until you know your IUD is where it's supposed to be.
  • The risk of IUD expulsion is higher in younger women and women who have expelled IUDs in the past.
  • IUDs do not cause pelvic infections or infertility — STDs do. If you are interested in using an IUD, you'll be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea before the device is inserted.

Women should not consider an IUD if they are:

  • Currently pregnant
  • Currently infected
  • Bleeding for unknown reasons

They should also avoid IUD use if they have:

  • Cancer of the uterus
  • Birth defects of the uterus
  • Allergies to any component of the IUD

The IUD is a highly effective contraceptive, but American women have shied away from it because the Dalkon Shield, one of the first IUDs introduced in the United States, was linked to high rates of infection and subsequent complications. Today, several professional women's health groups wholeheartedly endorse the IUD for sexually active women of any age. The IUDs in use now are more sophisticated and better adapted to the reproductive tract than were the Dalkon Shield and its counterparts.

Many of the 750,000 teen pregnancies each year in the United States are due to inconsistent contraceptive use. Wider acceptance of the IUD — with its almost-unmatched simplicity — would greatly reduce that number.

15 comments posted

blog index

  • January 25, 2010 9:20 p.m.

    I had an IUD inserted 3 months after I gave birth to my son, the insertion process wasn't so bad. I did had cramps afterwards for a day or two but advil was enough. My first two periods after the IUD was inserted were heavier and the cramps were so bad but the Dr. said it was normal and that they would go away as my body adjusted to a foreign object, but by the fourth month my periods were even heavier and the cramps felt like if I was having contractions again, month after month. Another weird side effect I got due to the blotting was heavy diarrhea before, during and after my period, I was feeling week and tire all the time. I started to lose some weight and got anemia because of the heavy and prolong periods. My body reacted to this thing so badly, it was like torture. So after a year of putting with my misery and a Colonoscopy at 28 because my Dr didn't think the IUD could cause these symptoms I got it removed and like magic the cramps, the blotting and the diarrhea went away; now I'm trying NUVA Ring and it seems to work much better for me, even though I can feel it sometimes, but it beats all the side effects I had with the IUD. So if you are thinking about getting and IUD these are some symptoms my Dr. didn't warn me about, but there's always the chance of your body reacting to it, or not. Everybody is different so make sure you are aware of any changes in your body while using the IUD and talk to your doctor right away about any concerns you have.

    - Elaine

  • December 10, 2009 4:01 a.m.

    I have used the IUD as a method of birth control since I was 17 years old. I had one taken out for a while, had 2 kids (no problems with the pregnancies; normal vaginal deliveries), and now have had an IUD again for nearly 10 years. This is the only method of birth control I have ever used and it has definitely worked well for me.

    - Miriam

  • December 9, 2009 3:14 p.m.

    Most of my patients love their IUD. It is very effective and safe. Make sure you still consider a barrier like a condom to prevent STDs.

    - Lois McGuire

  • November 30, 2009 12:10 p.m.

    I'm 20 with a 2 year old child i want to get the IUD but im not sure if i should.

    - Angel

  • November 19, 2009 11:25 p.m.

    I had my IUD inserted in March of 2006 (at age 23), 3 months after the birth of our son. I heard all kinds of horror stories from other people but still felt it was the best option for me (our son is a birth control pill baby!). Insertion wasn't that painful - a little uncomfortable, but not too bad, and I didn't have much discomfort afterward. I do have heavier (but shorter) periods now, but overall I am very pleased with my IUD. My husband and I don't have to worry about getting pregnant, but at the same time it isn't permanent so when we are ready we can have another baby. The most important thing to remember is that you have to judge what is a good option for you. You can't only listen to other peoples bad experiences because everyone is different. You just have to do your research and make your own informed decision.

    - Michelle

  • November 5, 2009 11:57 p.m.

    I had my IUD inserted in June of 2009. It was VERY painful upon insertion, and uncomfortable for the first few weeks. I didn't spot for very long and actually just got my first period since insertion last week! (It's 11/5/2009) I've noticed that I've been extremely hungry, moody and tired and have put on 15 lbs since having it put in. I'm not sure if this is coincidence or not (I've been told by many that it is), but I haven't changed a thing w/regards to my eating habits. I'm 29 yrs old and have no children. I recently underwent surgery (In August) for endometriosis as well as ovarian cysts, but these were present before I had the IUD inserted, and the surgery did not affect it, and vice versa. At this point, I'm not certain if I'm exactly happy with it or not. I have cramps that come and go all the time, and as I'd said before, the irritability and weight gain are things I truly don't believe are coincidental, but I've been told by many these symptoms (excluding the cramps) are in my head. Not so sure what to think...any others experience any of the things I have that may have more insight or medical perspective? Thanks!

    - Fatima

  • October 21, 2009 5:53 p.m.

    I had the IUD inserted on Monday as I have heavy periods. I have had a baby and I had the baby without epidural or any pain control. Having this IUD inserted was the most painful experience. I am still having cramping. Is this normal? I also have been getting conflicting information regarding whether this will cause weight gain or not. Does this cause weight gain?

    - Elizabeth

  • September 21, 2009 3:45 p.m.

    I am 32 years old and I had my IUD put in 2 years ago and could not be happier! I love having it and not having to worry about taking a pill anymore. I do not have any children and was worried about having it put in. I thought it was intended for people who have already had children, which is incorrect. It was very uncomfortable having it put in and I had cramping for a day or so, but now I don't even realize it is there. I no longer get my period either, which is wonderful! I still go through the motions and have some cramping every once in a while, but all in all, I love it!

    - Adrienne

  • September 14, 2009 9:45 a.m.

    I had an IUD put in a year ago because I didn't like all the side effects from the Depo shot. I am 34 yrs old and never had a child. About a month and a half after it was surgicall put in, (my Dr. couldn't do it in the office as it was causing me too much pain.) it dislogged itself, but did not come out. My Dr. scheduled a "simple proceedure" to remove it and it wasn't supposed to take more than an hour or two. Well I woke up five hours later and the thing still wasn't out because they couldn't find it. It took about three months of MRI's and XRays to find this thing. Now I have to go back in so they can do another more invasive surgery to get it out since it has worked itself under the uterine lining. I was told by my Dr. that the more times they make incisions into my uterus the more my chances go down on being able to carry a baby if I want one somewhere down the line. I know that this device works well for alot of people, but I am hearing of alot more stories like mine lately. Please just be really sure that there is no other method you can use successfully before having something implanted in your body.

    - Kerri

  • September 1, 2009 1:37 a.m.

    I would have to say that I disagree with James. Not all young adults are the same, some understand this stuff and others dont. I had my IUD put in when I was 18. I am in college still and I still have it. You just have to make sure that you know what you are doing and that you read and understand the precautions. Dont judge an age group based onn stereotypes please.

    - Katie

  • August 3, 2009 9:03 a.m.

    Very Uncomfortable! I had an IUD inserted in June, 2009. It is now August, 2009 an I am still experiencing bleeding, itching, burning & the feeling that is falling out even thought it's still in place. I woke up in the middle of the night with a severe burning sensation. Is this discomfort usual? I am now experiencing right lower flank pain, it is not a bladder infection (I can pee with no pain), or gall stones (had those removed 13 years ago), and I'm not running a fever. At this point I no longer want this thing, I would much rather go back to my birth control pills.

    - Wendy

  • July 9, 2009 9:23 a.m.

    Yeganeh, Unless you have a reason for not using the IUD as listed in my blog, it is safe to use. We frequently use it in women that have not had a baby. A woman who has not had a baby may experience more cramping. I have my patients take Ibuprofen 600 mg two hours before insertion of the IUD. Ibuprofen relaxes the smooth muscle of the uterus so it reduces the cramps. Best wishes!

    - Lois McGuire

  • July 1, 2009 12:44 a.m.

    Dear Lois, I am really suffering from prevention pills. I recently married and do not want to have a baby for at least two years. Is it safe to use IUD? Some doctors in my region told me IUD for a woman not having her first baby is not recommended. What is your opinion?

    - Yeganeh

  • July 1, 2009 12:06 a.m.

    NOT ALL AGES!! Only be used for mature adults not young adults and teenagers. Young adults and teenagers don't know how to handle this stuff as well as mature adults. They have to wait til they are older and more mature and understand these stuff. Young adults and teenagers and kids are not ready for them stuff. It is wrong for High School , Colleges all over the U.S. and grade school to get pass out condoms to males in high school, juniour high, and colleges too. That is a bad move!

    - James

  • June 30, 2009 11:12 p.m.

    I used an IUD for seven years successfully; and when my husband and I were ready for a child, I had it removed and sure enough, we had a beautiful little girl.

    - marian

Post a comment

Text Size: smaller largerlarger