Intrauterine methods of contraception
Intrauterine contraceptives became popular in the sixties. They are small devices that are made of plastic or cooper and can be of any shape (rings, loops, T-shaped). A doctor can put it inside your womb and can taken it off any time.
The process of the loops insertion is quite unpleasant, but once the device is inserted it is not perceived. However, thin threads can be felt in the vagina. They do not disturb the woman and make it possible to check whether the device is still in place.
Theoretically, an intrauterine contraceptive can lie in the womb for many years, but it is necessary to see the doctor every year.
The further information can surprise you a lot. Nobody knows for sure how intrauterine devices work. Here is a curious historical fact. Arabian Bedouins put a little stun into a camils womb if they did not want it to get pregnant. They do it even nowadays.
According to the theory a loop makes the womb produce an agent which prevents the fertilized egg from embedding itself in the womb lining. At first loop was considered to be panacea. But the 30 year experience revealed that intrauterine contraceptive devices often provoke side effects, sometimes very serious.
Many loops owners complain of a strong ache during the period and of more abundant bleeding. Some women have a backache and other minor troubles. Nowadays, the number of women using intrauterine methods of contraception neither increases nor decreases. The number of inserted loops is equal to the number of those removed or rejected by the organism.
If a woman does not feel any discomfort and the organism does not reject the device, than loops effectiveness is rather high up to 98 per cent.
IUDs can be used by:
Nursing mothers, who need contraception
Women after abortion, who do not have any signs of infection
Women who prefer not to use hormonal methods of contraception or those who cannot use them (for example smokers older than 35).
Women who are not likely to be infected by sexually transmitted infections.
IUDs advantages
High effectiveness 98 %
A woman does not have to be anxious about contraception.
A long-lasting effectiveness up to 10 years.
Immediate ability to have children after IUDs removal
It does not affect intercourse
It is not an expensive method
IUDs' disadvantages
The procedure of its insertion is to be done by a doctor
Is not suitable for women who have more than one sexual partner (as they are likely to get infected)
You have to cheek whether the loops threads are still in the vagina after each menstruation, because the device can fall out
Periods can be more painful and abundant during the first months of use
Is not recommended for nonporous.
You should be careful when using IUDs. There are some cases when you should see the doctor so as to avoid unwilling pregnancy or problems with your health:
If you cannot feel for the threads.
If you have found a plastic part of the device in your vagina.
If intercourse became painful for you. It can be a sign of abdominal pregnancy or it can mean that the device has perforated the uterus. It happens very rarely but you need to know about it.
Bleeding
Absence of periods (you might be pregnant)
Some eliminations from vagina (it is possible if you are infected).
Though there is no perfect method of contraception, which guarantees 100% effectiveness, it is not an excuse for not using any contraceptives at all. It is up to you what method to use. You have a big choice.