Saturday, April 13, 2013

IUDs Becoming More Popular than Birth Control Pills


Intrauterine devices (IUDs) have been used by more women compared to birth control pills, according to a statistics. One of the popular brands of the IUD is Mirena, a small, T-shaped and flexible device which is inserted into the uterus. It is believed to be 99.9 percent effective in preventing pregnancies but it seems to be a controversial contraceptive which results to some lawsuits.

Studies reveal that IUD is 20 times more effective than other birth control methods like pills, patches and vaginal rings. Birth control pills, the method of choice for 28 percent of U.S. women, are the most commonly used form of reversible contraception, but their effectiveness depends on consistent daily use. Surveys have reported failure rates with the Pill similar to those seen in the current study. Patches and rings require less attentiveness than pills, but they still leave room for human error. The birth control patch needs to be changed weekly, while the vaginal ring needs to be changed once a month.

Women choose to use IUDs because of its long-term effectiveness in preventing pregnancy, plus it is fuss-free to use, unlike pills which you have to remember to take it everyday. A woman may use IUD as contraceptive for up to five years, but if you decide to get pregnant again, the IUD may be removed by the help of your doctor. The main advantage of IUD is that it works immediately; it requires no maintenance and is a one-time cost, allow you to have sex immediately.

However, these birth control methods are associated with various health complications. For instance, IUD is believed to cause infection and fertility problems. In one out of 1,000 women, the IUD may potentially get stuck in or puncture (perforate) the uterus. Although perforation cases are rare, it almost always occurs during insertion. The IUD may need to be removed if the uterus has been perforated because it may damage the uterus and its nearby organs.

If you are a woman who is interested in Mirena or is having problems with Mirena, you may refer to Mirena IUD Side Effects, which has more substantial information regarding this matter.


References:
  • abcnews.go.com/Health/iuds-effective-pill-study/story?id=16415959#.UWhYQqKmiAg
  • articles.latimes.com/2012/feb/28/health/la-he-contraception-insurance-20120228
  • foxnews.com/health/2012/08/02/more-us-women-choosing-iuds-for-birth-control/
  • answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100612122552AAhj6Fh