| It is an effective and long-term birth control
method. The IUDs are made of plastic wound with copper wire, often in a
"T" shape. There are also other types made of plastic alone, copper alone,
or the newer hormone-releasing models. Different IUDs need to be changed at
different intervals of 2-8 years. It does
not require any preparation before intercourse and does not interfere with
love-making. The IUD will not be felt by the couple if properly inserted and woman
can check whether the IUD is in place by feeling for the device's thread in her vagina.
|
Usually a woman is advised to attend the clinic for
an insertion during the first five days of her menstrual period. Insertion of an IUD
must be performed by a trained professional. If she has recently given birth, she
can have an IUD inserted at 6-8 weeks during the post-natal check-up. The device can
be easily removed when pregnancy is desired. The woman should return to the clinic
regularly for examination and when the IUD is due for changing. In some cases, there may be vaginal spotting and abdominal cramps
after insertion. Besides, uterus may be perforated during insertion or the device
may occasionally be spontaneously expelled. Pelvic inflammatory disease, which may
effect subsequent fertility, occurs more frequently in IUD users.
For young women who have not had children before
and who have multiple sexual partners, IUD is not an ideal choice of contraception .
If a woman develops heavy bleeding, abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal discharge or fever,
she should consult a doctor. Pregnancy with an IUD in place may be associated with
complications such as miscarriage.
Up to now how exactly an IUD prevents pregnancy is
an unknown, but it is thought to work partly by prohibiting implantation of the fertilized
egg. |
