IUD

Patient Education

Practice Hours

Monday through Thursday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Friday
8:00 am to 12:00 pm

Dahlonega Office
706-864-3400

Dawsonville Office
706-216-2345

Testimonials

Thank you for all your excellent support and prenatal care during my pregnancy and delivery of my baby. As a military family, we have experienced many different gynecological and OB treatments both at military and civilian services. Your practice is by far the best care we have ever experienced. It was a great surprise to find such excellent and compassionate staff for a high-risk pregnancy in such a small community. - Meriah P

IUD

INTRAUTERINE DEVICES (IUD) are inserted by a healthcare provider through the vagina and cervix, into the uterus. Most are made of molded plastic and include an attached string that projects through the cervix into the vagina. IUDs currently available in the United States do not increase a woman's risk of ectopic pregnancy, infertility, or infection.

Two IUDs are currently available:

Copper-containing IUD (Paragard®), which prevents pregnancy by preventing sperm from reaching the fallopian tubes. Copper-containing IUDs remain effective for at least 10 years; the pregnancy rate in women who use a copper-containing IUD is less than one percent in the first year of use. Some women who use a copper-containing IUD have heavier and longer menstrual periods; this effect is reversed when the IUD is removed.

Levonorgestrel-releasing IUD (Mirena®), which prevents pregnancy by thickening the cervical mucus and thinning the endometrium (the lining of the uterus). It also decreases menstrual bleeding by 40 to 90 percent and decreases pain associated with periods. It can be left in place for up to five years, and is highly effective in preventing pregnancy; the pregnancy rate in women who use a levonorgestrel-releasing IUD is less than one percent in the first year of use. Some women completely stop having menstrual periods while using a levonorgestrel-releasing IUD; this is not harmful and does not require treatment. Menstrual periods will return when the IUD is removed.

Benefits — An IUD is an ideal method for a woman who does not plan to become pregnant for at least one year (or longer) or who wants a method that is highly effective and does not require daily or weekly attention. IUDs are also appropriate for women who do not want or cannot use estrogen.

IUDs have relatively few side effects, and are reversible, meaning that a woman who decides she wants to become pregnant can do so by having the IUD removed. IUDs do not affect a woman's ability to become pregnant after the IUD is removed.

Risks — Women who use an IUD should check its placement once per month, after the menstrual period, by finding the strings inside the vagina. There is a small risk of expulsion of the IUD during this time. If it is not possible to feel the strings, another method of contraception (eg, condoms) should be used until a healthcare provider confirms the IUD placement. There is a small risk (1 in 1000 women) that the IUD will pass through the uterine wall when it is first placed (called perforation). This may not be discovered until the first follow-up visit; if the IUD strings are not visible at this visit, a pelvic ultrasound or x-ray is needed to confirm that the IUD is in the uterus (rather than outside the uterus, as a result of perforation). An IUD that is outside the uterus is usually removed during a day surgery procedure. A backup method of contraception is recommended after placement until the strings are felt or observed.

There is a small risk of uterine infection (9.6 in 1000 women) for up to 20 days after the insertion procedure; infection as a result of the IUD after this time is rare (1.4 in 1000 women). Testing for cervical or vaginal infections may be recommended before IUD insertion. There is a risk of developing ovarian cysts with an IUD. This is because the IUD does not change or inhibit your body's normal hormonal cycle, as does the birth control pill. Approximately 12 out of 100 women develop a cyst on the ovary. These cysts usually disappear on their own in a month or two. However, cysts can cause pain and sometimes cysts will need surgery.

Precautions — Since the IUD does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, women at increased risk for STDs (including having multiple partners or a partner with multiple partners) or a history of recently (within three months) treated gonorrhea or chlamydia should consider using a different method of contraception. However, women in nonmonogamous relationships can decrease their risk of STDs by using condoms in addition to their IUD.

IUDs should not be used in women who have:

Uterine or cervical abnormalities that severely distort the shape or size of the uterine cavity

A current or recent pelvic infection or undiagnosed uterine bleeding

If a woman with an IUD becomes pregnant, an ultrasound is needed to confirm that the pregnancy is inside the uterus, rather than in the fallopian tube (called an ectopic pregnancy). The IUD should be removed when the pregnancy is discovered.

Please note that your bleeding can be extremely irregular after IUD insertion. This could include constant bleeding, intermediate spotting, absence of menses (no periods) or anything in between. The irregularity of bleeding is expected for 3-6 months after insertion, but could remain throughout the IUD use.

Please contact Crown Mountain Womens Health if you have any of the following:

*Think you may be pregnant.

*Extreme pelvic pain.

*Think you may have a vaginal infection (signs include foul smelling discharge or fever).

*Heavy bleeding that is saturating one pad every hour.

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