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Overview:
IntraUterine Device (IUD):
a small device placed in the
uterus by a physician or other healthcare professional
that is a long-acting, reversible method of contraception.
Learn more: What Is an IUD?
What
You Should Know
About IUDs
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What Is An IUD?
 IUD
is short for intrauterine device — a small device placed
in the uterus by a physician or other healthcare professional.
Today the IUD is made of soft, flexible plastic shaped like
a T, the same shape as your uterus, and are about 1 1/2
inches long with 2 strings attached. There are 2 types of IUDs
available in the United States. With one type of IUD, the
shaft and parts of the crosspiece are wrapped with copper;
the other type of IUD is filled with the hormone levonorgestrel.
 The
intrauterine device is among the most effective reversible
methods of contraception.
The effectiveness of an IUD is comparable to other long-acting
methods; an IUD is more than 99% effective. More than 90
million
women worldwide use the IUD for contraception, and the IUD
is the method of choice in some European countries. It is
recommended
for women who have had at least one child, who are in a stable,
mutually monogamous relationship and who have no history
of
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Your physician or other
healthcare professional can tell you if you are a suitable
candidate for an IUD.
An
IUD is inserted and can be removed by a physician or other
healthcare professional. Once inserted, it requires no daily
attention except for monthly string checks by the user. The
IUD with the hormone levonorgestrel needs to be replaced every
5 years. The Copper-T IUD is approved for continuous use for
up to 10 years, making this type of IUD the longest-acting
method of reversible contraception available.
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What You Should
Know about the Intrauterine Device
Use of
the IUD has been associated with an increased incidence
of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can necessitate
hysterectomy and can also lead to tubo-ovarian abscesses,
tubal occlusion and infertility, and tubal damage that
can predispose to ectopic pregnancy. Like other nonbarrier
methods of birth control, the IUD does not protect against
HIV (AIDS) or sexually transmitted diseases.
For complete information on contraindications, warnings
and adverse side effects, please talk to your physician or other healthcare professional.
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