It's Time To Rediscover The IUD, Women's Health Advocates Say

[fizzgig]

What will it take to make intrauterine devices sexy?

IUDs are highly effective forms of contraception, but fear of side effects, lack of training for doctors and costs can keep women away. Health organizations and private companies are trying to change that by breaking down misconceptions and broadening access.

The contraceptives are inserted into the uterus and can prevent pregnancy for years. And they're reversible. Shortly after they're taken out, a woman can become pregnant.

IUDs are more than 99 percent effective. The World Health Organization reports they are "the most widely used reversible contraceptive method globally." But few women in the U.S. use them; the percentage is only in the single digits, in part because IUDs have a checkered past. The Dalkon Shield IUD, marketed nationwide beginning in 1971, was found to raise the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease. Medical complications and deaths sparked lawsuits with thousands of claimants.

the rest from npr


i just had my second one inserted over the summer, this first one broke own to a total cost of 30 buck a year. this one was a grand, but thanks to the ACA, i only paid for the insertion. yes, i do get very painful cramping one a day a month, but this is a wonderful form of birth control for me.

[enlightenment]

1. Checkered past is putting it mildly.

We called them death on a string. The Dalkon Shield was a nightmare; the copper "7" was an invitation to a disaster . . .

I hope they have improved.

[fizzgig]

3. my mom was concerned when i first got mine

because she remembered the dalkon shield. i had my last one for ten years with no issues.

[Warpy]

2. They all raise the risk of PID

They need to be removed and reimplanted every five years, something they didn't know in the 70s.

However, if I had it to do all over again, I'd still get one, knowing about the week in the hospital eight years later. I couldn't take hormonal stuff and pregnancy would have burned out what's left of my kidneys. No thanks.

[fizzgig]

4. i pushed my copper t the full ten years

the monthly discomfort got really bad toward the end, so i may not push this one that far.

i started pumping bc hormones into my body at 16, at 22 i decided that was enough. i'm very thankful for this alternative.

[Freddie]

5. My daughter has Mirena

The fairly new hormonal IUD. The small dose of hormone (much less than the Pill) negates the painful monthly cramps that can happen with the regular IUD. After a few months she had no period at all just occasional very light spotting, plus no cramps. She is very happy with it.