In the United States, there are more than 72 million females who are of reproductive age — between the ages of 15 and 49 — and nearly 65% of these women use some form of birth control.
The decision that each of these women had to make was which birth control to choose — and there are many options.
If you’re looking for the best solution for preventing an unplanned pregnancy, the team here at Capital Women’s Care wants to help. To that end, we’re going to take a quick dive into one popular birth control option — an intrauterine device, or IUD, which is a small, T-shaped device that we insert into your uterus.
Here, we look at some of the many advantages of the IUD..
The first thing you want to know about your birth control is how well it works, and IUDs excel in preventing unplanned pregnancy. While abstinence and a hysterectomy are the only ways to guarantee that you won’t get pregnant, IUDs come awfully close with a 99% efficacy rating.
There are two types of IUDs, and each approaches preventing pregnancy from a different angle.
First, there are hormonal IUDs that slowly release the hormone progestin. This hormone works in three ways to stop conception:
We also offer copper IUDs that don’t rely on hormones. Instead, these devices are wrapped in copper, which repels sperm.
If you’re looking for long-lasting birth control, IUDs check this box. Here are the lengths of protection you can expect from the major brands of hormonal IUDs:
And the copper IUD — Paragard® — offers an impressive 12 years of protection against pregnancy.
Once we place your IUD, there’s nothing more you need to do — it simply stays in your uterus until we remove it. So, unlike other birth control options that require more effort, such as taking daily pills or inserting a diaphragm, IUDs are a hassle-free option.
If at any point during your use of the IUD you change your mind and want to become pregnant, all you need to do is come see us and we can remove the device. Once the IUD is no longer in your uterus, your fertility is restored.
If you have more questions about IUDs or you’d like to schedule a visit to have one inserted, please contact one of our three conveniently located offices in Frederick and Mount Airy, Maryland.
