IUDs or intrauterine devices are a safe and effective method of birth control and are especially popular among women who already have children.  Younger women who have never given birth are hesitant to try IUDs because of popular myths against IUD safety and effectiveness.  Here are a few myths and facts about IUDs that especially apply to younger women and women without children.

Myth: IUDs cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which is an infection of the female reproductive organs.

Fact: Recent research shows that there is no link between IUDs and PID in a woman who does not have a Sexually Transmitted Infection or STI like Chlamydia and gonorrhea.  Women under the age of 26 or with multiple partners have a higher chance of having an undiagnosed STI.  Most doctors require an STI test before placing the IUD.  There is a higher chance of contracting PID with an existing infection so you should refrain from getting an IUD until the infection has completely cleared.

Myth: IUDs cause infertility.

Fact: Fear of infertility stops many young women from considering an IUD instead of the birth control pill.   In fact, the converse is true.  You are likely to become pregnant sooner after removing an IUD than if you just stopped taking birth control pills.  After getting off the pill, it takes an average of 2-3 months before ovulation resumes and hormones normalize.  After an IUD is removed, a woman can get pregnant right away.

Myth: IUDs can slip out of the uterus, sabotaging birth control.

Fact: This myth is partly true.  In 2-10% of women, the IUD does get expelled during the first year after insertion.  IUD expulsion is common among women under the age of 20 and women who have never been pregnant.  Their uterus tends to be smaller than women who have experienced child birth and expulsion may result from that.  Expulsion also happens to women with heavy and painful menstrual cycles.  If you fit any of these categories, ask the doctor to use an ultra sound machine while placing the IUD.  The doctor will be able to better judge the size of your uterus and the IUD will be inserted in the correct position.

The safety and effectiveness of your birth control method are the last things you want to worry about.  Make sure to talk to your doctor like one from Abortion Care about the suitability of IUDs for your particular situation before making any decisions.

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