IUD 08

Naomie & Julia, Sandy & Stephanie

What does IUD mean?

IUD is the abbreviation for Intra Uterine Device, which is a birth control instrument inserted within the uterus, containing active elements, such as copper or hormones. It is a flexible T-shaped plastic device with a string attached to its end.

you could give here a more precise definition--Pierre.brawand 17 janvier 2009 à 20:22 (MET)

What are the roles of IUDs?

The role of an IUD is to avoid sperm cells encountering an ovum. The basic IUD modifies neither the uterine cycle nor the ovarian cycle. The menstruations are not induced by IUDs. If a woman has irregular cycles, the IUD won't regularize them, unlike the pill.

I would recommend that you either develop this topic or suppress it. You could possibly transfer some information from this topic to others (e.g. 'How IUDs work'). I am afraid that, as it is, it looks rather strange and out of context. - Julia 21 janvier 2009 à 20:26 (MET)

How does it work?

No one is completely sure about the exact way IUDs prevent pregnancy. However, it is commonly believed that it can have the three following effects:

• Affecting sperm movements and preventing its survival in the uterus by making the environment more hostile. This ensures that sperm cellls will not be able to go through to the egg and fertilize it.
• Changing the lining of the fallopian tubes, which prevents ovulation - hence, there is no egg to fertilize.
• Inhibiting the thickening of the endometrium and thus leaving no space where a fertilized egg could implant.

What types of IUDs are there?

The two exisiting IUD types are copper IUDs and hormonal IUDs. Hormonal IUDs are statistically slightly more efficient than copper IUDs.

Copper IUDs

A copper wire is wrapped around the stem of such devices. Copper particles released by such an IUD influence the uterus and fallopian tubes, making them produce a sperm-killing liquid containing white blood cells, copper ions, enzymes, and prostaglandins.
The most widely known copper IUD is called Paragard.

Hormonal IUDs

These devices usually contain progestin, a hormone with effects similar to those of progesterone. It prevents the endometrium from becoming too thick and makes the mucus in the cervix more sticky, so that the sperm cannot get through to the uterus.
The most frequently used hormonal IUD is the levonorgestrel (LNg) IUD, commonly known as Mirena; levonorgestrel is a form of progestin.
Julia 17 janvier 2009 à 11:09 (MET)

you should consider here showing a figure with an Annex. I'll show you how to proceed...--Pierre.brawand 17 janvier 2009 à 20:24 (MET)

Does an IUD protect from STDs (= sexually transmitted diseases)?

No, so condoms are highly recommended even while using an IUD. In fact, if girls, who use IUD methods, have many partners and don't use condoms, the risk of getting STDs is greater and these diseases can develop into a pelvic infection.

How is an IUD inserted and when?

Before inserting an IUD, a woman has to undergo a clinical check, where the position and the size of the uterus are checked, as well as the possible presence of an infection. The insertion itself seldom takes more than 20 minutes. The cervix is cleansed with an antiseptic and held in place by a tenaculum, then the IUD, folded inside a long insertion tube, is introduced into the uterus and slowly released from its container by withdrawing the latter. The IUD thus unfolds into its usual "T" shape. The string of the device protrudes from the cervix, allowing a verification of the IUD's presence, as well as its removal, if needed. An anaesthetic may be used during the operation to relieve possible pain.
Although an IUD can theoretically be inserted at any time during the menstrual cycle, it is recommended to install it during the phase of menstrual bleeding in order to be sure the woman is not pregnant and to make the insertion procedure more comfortable. If the IUD is inserted during a different phase, one should take a hormonal contraceptive (for example, the pill - information at Pill_08) until the next menstruation. An IUD can also be installed immediately after childbirth or after an abortion (cf Abortion_08) made during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Julia 17 janvier 2009 à 11:09 (MET)

When would a woman use an IUD as a contraceptive method?

IUDs are recommended to women who are in a stable monogamous relationship and want a long-term contraception without much effort. Polygamous relations on either the woman's or on her partner's side increase the risks of getting a STD, from which the IUD is unable to deliver a protection - that is why the relationship has to be stable. The IUD will be easier accepted by the organism of a parous woman (i.e. a woman who has already given birth). An IUD is frequently used by women who cannot use other means of birth control, for example, if they are allergic to estrogen or are breast-feeding. Smokers who are over 35 years old also ought to avoid hormonal means of birth control.
A copper IUD can also be used as a means of emergency contraception within a week after an unprotected intercourse (for more info Emergency_contraception_08).
It either stops the sperm cells from fertilizing the egg, or prevents the implantement of an egg that has already been fertilized. It is extremely effective: in fact, out of 1000 women who use a copper IUD for emergency contraception, only one will become pregnant - which means a 99.9% efficiency. This rate is considerably higher than that of an emergency contraceptive pill.
Julia 17 janvier 2009 à 11:14 (MET)

Good. Maybe explain why IUD is recommended for women with a stable relation,etc...--Pierre.brawand 17 janvier 2009 à 20:25 (MET)

What are the advantages of IUDs?

The IUDs prevent contraception for a quite long period of time, which varies in function of the type of IUD. The copper-containing IUD: - effective for ten years after insertion - the costs of IUDs are about $250, so if it is used for a long-term period, it becomes very cheap -

References

the links below might help... especially the first one in French...!--Pierre.brawand 17 janvier 2009 à 20:21 (MET)

1. http://www.snv.jussieu.fr/vie/dossiers/levoru486/images/modes_contraception.swf
2. http://www.fpa.org.uk/information/leaflets/documents_and_pdfs/detail.cfm?contentid=151
3. http://www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/band35/b35-2.html
4. http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,5541,00.html

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