Methods of Birth Control – Consider Your Options before Making a Call
- Hormonal methods like pills, patches, vagina rings. There are progesterone-only pills and injections also.
- IUD or intrauterine devices (copper and hormonal) can also be inserted to offer protection from pregnancy for quite many years. In a lot of cases, there is a use of IUD for abortion as well.
- Barrier methods like condoms, diaphragms, spermicides, cervical caps are also known to be effective methods of birth control.
- Sterilization methods like tubal litigation and vasectomy are also used by couples who do not wish to have children anytime in the future.
- Some natural methods of birth control are also practiced that include abstinence, the fertility awareness method (FAM), withdrawal, and also the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM).
IUD: Most Common Myth’s: Breaking the Misconceptions
The following are the most common myths regarding IUDs
Myth 1: Having an IUD before having kids can put you at risk
This is far from the truth; instead, the opposite of this is true. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend an IUD as the first choice of birth control for sexually active adolescents, as they are very effective and safe. According to them any woman who has undergone puberty and has matured sexually can use an IUD.Myth 2: IUD insertion is very painful
Another common myth is that an IUD insertion can be very painful. Some women believe that placing an IUD can be the most painful event of their lives. However, the ability to tolerate pain is different for every woman. Hence, an IUD insertion may be painful for some but not a big deal for others. Though an IUD placement is indeed unpleasant, for the majority of the women, this pain remains for a short duration. The pain may feel like a few menstrual cramps ranging from mild to severe. If you have any such apprehension you should discuss with your physician your tolerance to pain before getting an IUD. Most women get them inserted without any kind of problem. Moreover, you should consider the fact that a couple of minutes of pain and discomfort can give you five or more years of efficient and worry-free contraception.Myth 3: The IUD may fall out
Another common myth that many women believe is that their bodies can expel or throw out the IUD from their uterus. This may happen; however, it is very unlikely. It occurs in about three to five percent of the females and if it happens it will most likely happen within two to three months of getting the device placed. The expulsion of an IUD increases your risk of having an unintended pregnancy. Due to this reason physicians recommend that females use another birth control method as a backup for the initial several weeks after they get the device. You must be aware of what happens when in case an IUD does fall out. Sometimes, you may have a severe cramp or pass a large blood clot and the device will also come out of the uterus with it. In case you think that your device is no longer in its place, ask your physician to teach you the method to check the string of the device (it is a thin thread made of nylon, which hangs out of your cervix in the vagina and makes the removal of the an IUD easy). You may also ask your doctor to check the IUD for you.Myth 4: An IUD can cause infertility and infection
There is a history behind this rumor. In the 60s and 70s, there was an IUD on the market that was bad. It led to infertility in women. Some women lost their wombs and others were left dead. Though this IUD was removed from the market, its nightmarish legacy continues to affect the modern-day IUD.
Myth 5: The physician has to induce a uterine contraction to place an IUD in the uterus
Though the term uterine contraction is related to labor, a cramp and uterine contraction are essentially similar or same - a squeezing sensation of your uterus, a sensation, which you must have experienced before. Women get cramping or uterine contractions during periods as their cervix opens slightly to expel the menstrual blood. When the doctor places an IUD, they open the cervix slightly, initially to take the measurement of your uterus and then place the device. Both these activities can stretch your cervix and cause a big cramp. However, no medication is given to produce a contraction or cramp that you feel.Myth 6: An IUD work by inducing abortions
Some people don’t like to use an IUD as a birth control method as they have the incorrect belief that it prevents conception by inducing abortions. This is not true. In the majority of the cases, an IUD works by preventing the fertilization of an egg. The copper-containing IUD acts as a spermicide and kills or impairs the sperms so that they are unable to fertilize the egg. Progestin containing IUD causes thickening of your cervical mucus, which prevents the sperms from entering your uterus. In very rare cases, an IUD may prevent implantation and this is also considered a birth control or contraceptive effect of the IUD.Myth 7: An IUD is not a very effective birth control method
Some women have the incorrect belief that an IUD is not a very effective birth control method or that its birth control effects are lost only after a couple of years from the time it is placed. On the contrary, an IUD is greater than 99 percent effective. Both the copper-containing and hormonal IUDs are very effective birth control methods. They are one of the most efficient reversible birth control methods. The hormonal IUD prevents pregnancy in about 998 females out of 1000 females who use it during the first year. Over five years of use, about five to eight females out of 1000 females may become pregnant. You can use this IUD for up to five years. The copper-containing IUD prevents pregnancy in about 994 females out of 1000 females who use it during the first year. During the 10 years of use, about two out of 100 females may become pregnant. This IUD remains effective for about 12 years.Myth 8: An IUD causes health risks and side effects
Some females desire not to use an IUD as they have the incorrect belief that an IUD may cause health risks including cancer, birth defects or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and/or side effects. On the contrary, an IUD is a very safe birth control method. An IUD never moves to the brain, heart or any other body part outside your abdomen. Proper technique of an IUD insertion can help in preventing many problems including perforation, infection, and expulsion. An IUD doesn’t cause cancer in a healthy female but cancer of reproductive organs contradicts the use of an IUD as it increases the risk of perforation, bleeding and infection. If you have breast cancer, then the use of a hormonal IUD is contraindicated (should not be used). An IUD doesn’t increase your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV. But, females who have a high risk of getting exposed to Chlamydia or Gonorrhea should not get it inserted. An IUD doesn’t increase your risk of having birth defects in the baby or having multiple pregnancies.Myth 9: An IUD can cause miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
Some women desire not to use an IUD as they have the incorrect belief that an IUD may cause a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. The fact is that your risk of having a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy is not increased after removing the IUD. On the contrary, the risk of getting an ectopic pregnancy in a female using an IUD is much less in comparison to the risk in a female not using any birth control method. An IUD doesn’t lead to miscarriage after its removal. If it is placed using the correct insertion technique, IUD use may not lead to difficulty of any sort in your future pregnancies.Myth 10: An IUD can cause a change in the menstrual pattern that can harm your overall health
Many women don’t desire to use an IUD as they have the incorrect belief that an IUD may either stop their monthly periods (cause amenorrhea) or cause painful, more frequent, or painful bleeding during periods and this can be harmful to the overall health. The fact is that the change in menstrual pattern is not harmful. You can experience menstrual pattern changes based on the kind of IUD you are using. If you are using copper-containing IUD you may experience:- Prolonged and heavy monthly bleeding.
- More pain and cramps during periods.
- Irregular bleeding.
- Predictable, lighter, and regular bleeding.
- Light, no, or infrequent monthly bleeding.
What Are the Benefits of the Nexplanon Contraceptive Implant?

- Does not interrupt sex
- Safe to use during breastfeeding
- May reduce heavy and painful periods
Is An IUD A Good Option For Me?
Her Smart Choice Women’s Health Center Educational Series Presents ‘Is An IUD A Good Option For Me?’
There are two types of IUDs and they are both the best birth control options available at this time. It's the #1 birth control method used in the world. About 23% of sexually active women in the world use this method. IUD can be used for most women including;
- Nulliparous Women: who never gave birth to a child.
- Adolescents with one or more kids.
- Women who are instantly suffering from postpartum or post-abortion.
- Women with almost all acute or chronic medical conditions.
- Women desiring emergency contraception are candidates for intrauterine contraception.
It is also a great option if you are suffering from;
- Heavy periods.
- Anemia from heavy periods.
- Painful periods.
- Endometriosis related pain.
- Pelvic inflammatory diseases.
- Abnormal cells in uterus.
It also Reduces the risk for; (Which was found in several medical studies.)
- Cervical Cancer.
- Uterine Cancer.
- Ovarian Cancer.
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How To Choose A Birth Control Method That’s Right For You
Considering A Birth Control Option?
Her Smart Choice Women's Health Center Educational Series Presents
'How To Choose A Birth Control Method For That's Right For You'
If you hope to start a family soon, you'll want a method that you can quickly stop when you're ready, such as birth control pills or condoms. On the other hand, if you're not thinking about having kids soon, long-lasting and reversible options, like an intrauterine device (IUD) implanted in your uterus or a birth control implant in your arm, may be more convenient.
These methods can last for several years before you have to replace them. If you're sure you don't want kids, you may decide on a permanent form of birth control; you can have a tubal ligation. You might hear this called GETTING YOUR TUBES TIED.
Birth control comes in many different forms. Pick a method that you are most likely to use correctly. You'll have to remember to take them every day simultaneously with birth control pills. The patch you'll need to change every week. With condoms, you've got to have them on hand and use them correctly. You have to place spermicide in your vagina no more than 1 hour before sex, and it has to stay there for as many as 8 hours after. You won't have to interact with other methods as much. They leave less room for user error. But they are longer-lasting and tend to require a doctor's office visit. Think about how each method suits your comfort level and lifestyle.
Birth control comes in many different forms. Pick a method that you are most likely to use correctly. You'll have to remember to take them every day simultaneously with birth control pills. The patch you'll need to change every week. With condoms, you've got to have them on hand and use them correctly. You have to place spermicide in your vagina no more than 1 hour before sex, and it has to stay there for as many as 8 hours after. You won't have to interact with other methods as much. They leave less room for user error. But they are longer-lasting and tend to require a doctor's office visit. Think about how each method suits your comfort level and lifestyle.
Protection Against STIs - Sexually Transmitted Infections Condoms are the only type of birth control that can protect against STIs. If this is a concern for you and your partner, you'll need to use a new one each time you have sex, whether or not you use another form of birth control.
Menstrual Periods & Side Effects and Safety Some types of birth control come with an added perk. They stop or significantly reduce menstrual flow. If this is an essential feature for you, ask your doctor which methods bring this benefit. Some types of birth control have side effects or put you at risk for certain health conditions. Some forms may not be safe for people who have a specific health condition or take a particular medication. Your doctor can explain which methods would be least likely to cause unwanted side effects and which would be safest for you, based on your health and any problems that run in your family.
For additional information, please visit www.HerSmartChoice.com or call 323-250-9360
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