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IUDs: Birth Control Option for Teenagers
In new guidelines, ACOG says IUDs and contraceptive implants should be
considered "first-line" birth control options for teenagers.
According to reports, 80 percent of teen pregnancies are unintended, and
although most teens report having used some form of birth
control, they
adopt short-acting methods, like the birth control pill, patch, ring or shot.
All of these short-acting methods have higher failure rates than long-acting
methods, often due to incorrect use. Teens are also likely to stop using the
short-acting methods.
The IUD and
implants are safe and nearly 100 percent effective at preventing pregnancy, and
should be "first-line recommendations," the American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists said in updating its guidance for teens.
An IUD, or intrauterine device, is a small, T-shaped piece of plastic inserted
in the uterus that can prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years. An implant is a
matchstick-size plastic rod that releases hormones. It is placed under the skin
of the upper arm and usually lasts three years.
The new guidelines don't tell teens not to use other methods, but "if your goal
is to prevent a pregnancy, then using an implant or an IUD would be the best way
to do this," said Dr. Tina Raine-Bennett, head of the committee that wrote the
recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions by Teenagers
-
What is an IUD?
IUD or intrauterine device is a contraception implant that is inserted into the
uterus for long-term, say a period of 5-10 years. It is a T-shaped plastic
frame wrapped with copper wire coils that continuously release copper to bathe
the lining of the uterus. Its role is to prevent fertilization. The
copper-bearing IUDs interfere with fertilization and make the uterus a
“spermicidal environment.” The sperm are killed or impaired and cannot reach the
egg. IUDs that contain progestin cause thickening of the cervical mucus, which
stops sperm from entering the uterus.
-
How much does the IUD cost?
 IUDs are very low cost for teenage girls. The cost of the IUD is dependent
on country context and whether girl receives the method through the private
or public sector. However, generally, the cost of an IUD is roughly equal to
or less than the cost of pills or injectables after two years. Also, some
publicly funded health clinics offer birth control free or at a reduced
cost. The IUD costs $500 to $1,000 every 10 to 12 years, not including the
exam, the insertion, and a follow-up visit.
-
Am I the right candidate for IUD?
You can have an IUD inserted by a trained nurse or gynecologist anytime
during a normal menstrual
cycle if
you've been consistently using another birth control method or you haven't
had sex since your last period. If you're having irregular periods or
haven't been consistently using birth control, you may need to take a
pregnancy test before an IUD is inserted or have it inserted during a
period. The new guidelines go further in saying physicians should discuss
the two types of birth control with sexually active teens at every doctor
visit. IUDs can be used by nulliparous women.
-
How is it inserted?
A doctor or another health professional folds down the arms of the T-shaped
device and inserts it through your vagina and cervix, using a slender tube.
Once it's in your uterus, the arms spring open again. It may seem strange to
have a piece of plastic inside you, but you shouldn't be able to feel it at
all once it's in. It takes only a few minutes and shouldn't be painful,
although you might notice a little cramping afterward. Taking an
over-the-counter painkiller like aspirin or ibuprofen before the procedure
may lessen any discomfort. After the IUD is in place, you can exercise, use
tampons, or have sex as
soon as you want.
-
What are the Risks?
Risks from using an IUD include menstrual problems, noncancerous cysts,
perforation of the uterus in one out of 1,000 women and expulsion of the
device from the uterus to the vagina for about two to 10 out of 100 IUDs,
according to WebMD.
-
Can I gain weight from the IUD?
 IUD does not cause weight
gain.
Women who use an intrauterine device (IUD) as birth control may not have to
worry about gaining weight after the device is implanted, new research suggests.
Researchers compared the medical records of 223 women aged 15 to 44 who were
using two different types of IUDs, following them for up to two years later.
About half of the women had a non-hormonal IUD containing copper while
others used a hormonal IUD that released low levels of a progestin hormone
called levonorgestrel (LNG) every day. Women in both groups appeared to lose
about 1 percent of their body weight in the first and second years of having
an IUD.
-
Can I or my partner feel the IUD during sex?
Generally, no. Sometimes your partner can feel the string. If this bothers
him, cutting the strings shorter should solve the problem. The woman should
be told beforehand, however, that this will mean she will not be able to
feel the strings to check her IUD, and removing her IUD may be more
difficult. A man may feel discomfort during sex if the IUD has started to
come out through the cervix. If a woman suspects this, she should see a
doctor or nurse immediately.
ACOG says IUDs and implants are safe and almost 100 percent effective, compared
to about 91 percent efficacy for birth control pills.
Ref:
Dated 28 May 2015
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