Quick Ode to the IUD
This cannot be repeated often enough:
Research in the past 20 years...has established that the IUD is an appropriate method for more women (other than [women who could not use hormonal contraceptives, women at low risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI) or monogamous multigravida women]). The IUD is safe, extremely effective and inexpensive. IUDs do not increase the risk of infertility and do not significantly increase risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease, even in populations with high prevalence of STIs. Upon removal of the IUD, fertility returns almost immediately. The IUD can be provided safely to nulliparous women (women who have never given birth) because its use does not increase the risk of tubal infertility. Regardless of whether a woman has had a child, the IUD is one of the safest methods of contraception, especially if a woman has no STI at the time of insertion. Because of its long-term effectiveness, the cost of the IUD to the health care system is lower than any other method including permanent sterilization.
Labels: Birth Control, IUD
posted by ema @ 6:53 PM
5 comments
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I agree 100%.
Recently, I've heard of doctors pushing the versions with hormone release. I understand why they're available, but any idea why docs would want to push these on women who may prefer a non-hormonal version?
Big Pharma is the answer to that question. The other thing is it makes periods lighter, which makes it an easier sell. They are five year items - which means reinsertion every five years. Copper lasts ten. Less insertions, less moeny, and possibly less kick backs.
Now, now kids, what's with the "docs pushing hormone release IUDs" (they're probably explaining to pts, and making sure they know, about the reduced blood loss benefit with Mirena) & "taking-kick-backs" (pft, an urban legend) talk? As we all know, Ob/Gyns are the bestest and beautifulest of them all.
Anyway, here's a more or less direct Mirena/ParaGard benefits comparison.
Bottom line: Reduced blood loss with Mirena vs. 10 yrs of use with ParaGard. Which one is "better" depends entirely on an individual patient's profile.
I have the merina (hormone IUD) and the reason I got mine was definatly a period reduction as I have painful periods if I'm not on a hormonal birth control. I have a friend who got a merina specifically for the flow reduction. She had periods 21 days out of the month and now has pretty much nothing! I love my IUD and wont be using another form of birthcontrol unless there is some unforscean circumstance.
I've always been apprehensive about getting a Mirena IUD. I find it uncomfortable having an object inserted my *. Also, horrible stories have been circulation about it. Your post is a mind opener. I do agree it's really cost efficient though.
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