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This little t shaped item causes religious fervor in sex positive women all over my Facebook.
Picture from here.
I've heard lots of singing and praising of this little guy, but I've also heard horror stories. As a pseudo-scientist, I've decided to do some investigation.
There are a couple kinds of IUDs (Intrauterine device) but I'm going to talk about two kinds.
1. Copper
These IUDs are made out of copper. You put a piece of copper in your reproductive tract and VOILA, you are impregnable. Apparently copper disables sperm. They touch copper and they can't swim anymore. No more swimming, no more babies.
According the internet, copper increases levels of copper ions, prostaglandins, and while bloods cells within the uterine and tubal fluids and those disarm the sperm.
2. Hormonal
Maybe save a little money and stick a penny up your vagina before you have sex instead*.
According the internet, copper increases levels of copper ions, prostaglandins, and while bloods cells within the uterine and tubal fluids and those disarm the sperm.
2. Hormonal
Another kind of IUD also progestogen, which thickens the cervical mucus and can stop ovulation. The advantage of this method of hormonal BC vs pills is that you can get a much lower dose of progestogen and it mostly stays in your uterus, instead of traveling all over your body.
Advantages of IUD:
1. Very low failure rate
2. Very convenient (get the doctor to stick it in and forget about it)
3. No or low dose of hormones
Disadvantages of IUD:
1. Painful to get put in
2. May worsen bleeding and cramps (copper IUD)
3. Can stab you or your partner in the genitals
When my partner read disadvantage #3 he begged me never to think about IUDs ever again. LOL. I also have a friend who had a horrible time with one and have read horror stories that keep me disinterested. On the other hand I've had many many more people recommend IUD to me with absolute manic enthusiasm. It was the best thing that ever happened to them.
So, there are lots of options here in 2013. Look into them all. Talk to your healthcare provider. Go to Planned Parenthood's website and take a quiz to find out if a method you hadn't considered matches your goals and lifestyle. Ask your friends about their methods.
As for me, I'm going to do fertility awareness and barrier method (probably diaphragm and spermicide). I want to try to give my body a chance to start getting back to nature again and if I did get pregnant sooner than we are planning it wouldn't be a big deal at all. The method I'm choosing has a 90 - 95% success rate and that's honestly good enough for me for now. If I were not at all close to ready for kids I might be tempted by a copper IUD with it's staggering 99.99% success rate and lack of hormones. I'd have to find a way to convince Noah that his penis would be safe first though...
*Disclaimer regarding pennies in your pussy: that was a terrible joke and not actual medical advice. Sorry, I'm not good at jokes. Do not put currency in your crotch. Unless that's something you are into. No judgments.
Advantages of IUD:
1. Very low failure rate
2. Very convenient (get the doctor to stick it in and forget about it)
3. No or low dose of hormones
Disadvantages of IUD:
1. Painful to get put in
2. May worsen bleeding and cramps (copper IUD)
3. Can stab you or your partner in the genitals
When my partner read disadvantage #3 he begged me never to think about IUDs ever again. LOL. I also have a friend who had a horrible time with one and have read horror stories that keep me disinterested. On the other hand I've had many many more people recommend IUD to me with absolute manic enthusiasm. It was the best thing that ever happened to them.
So, there are lots of options here in 2013. Look into them all. Talk to your healthcare provider. Go to Planned Parenthood's website and take a quiz to find out if a method you hadn't considered matches your goals and lifestyle. Ask your friends about their methods.
As for me, I'm going to do fertility awareness and barrier method (probably diaphragm and spermicide). I want to try to give my body a chance to start getting back to nature again and if I did get pregnant sooner than we are planning it wouldn't be a big deal at all. The method I'm choosing has a 90 - 95% success rate and that's honestly good enough for me for now. If I were not at all close to ready for kids I might be tempted by a copper IUD with it's staggering 99.99% success rate and lack of hormones. I'd have to find a way to convince Noah that his penis would be safe first though...
*Disclaimer regarding pennies in your pussy: that was a terrible joke and not actual medical advice. Sorry, I'm not good at jokes. Do not put currency in your crotch. Unless that's something you are into. No judgments.
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