Installation and removal of the IUD
About 100 million women around the world use an intrauterine device (IUD). This method is most often used by those to whom hormonal contraceptives are contraindicated, married women and women with many children. However, almost anyone can install an IUD, for this it is enough to consult a gynecologist.
If you experience symptoms of an illness, please consult a doctor.
What is an IUD?
The intrauterine spiral against pregnancy has a T-shaped shape. It is installed directly in the body of the uterus and prevents fertilization of the egg.
The main task of the IUD is to prevent the movement of sperm into the uterus. In addition, if, for some reason, the sperm managed to fertilize the egg, the substances secreted by the female spiral prevent the egg from attaching, thereby preventing pregnancy.
Types of IUDs (intrauterine spirals)
Modern gynecological practice uses several types of intrauterine spirals:
- IUD with copper (copper wire wound on the base of the spiral). Copper ions affect the movement of spermatozoa and their ability to fertilize, and also have an anti-inflammatory effect;
- hormonal spiral with levonorgestrel (hormonal spiral "Mirena").
In this case, the main active substance of the spiral is a capsule with a slowly releasing hormone. The hormone increases the viscosity of mucus, which becomes a natural barrier on the path of sperm, in addition, the hormone affects the endometrium of the uterus, making it unable to fix the egg.
The efficiency of female spirals is very high. The failure rate is 0.1-2% and is the lowest (0.1%) when using the Mirena hormonal spiral.
Advantages and disadvantages of intrauterine spirals
The main advantage of installing an IUD is reliability, it prevents pregnancy in 98% of cases and longevity (one spiral can be used for up to 5 years). However, using an IUD is better for women who are completely confident in their sexual partner, because it does not protect against infections and viruses. In addition, a strong argument in favor of this type of contraception is the lack of need for daily control, as is the case with birth control pills.
Another advantage of the gynecological spiral against pregnancy is the need for regular examinations by a gynecologist, although women may not consider this an advantage, but this circumstance forces them to undergo annual diagnostics, which means that there is an opportunity to detect any pathological conditions in the early stages.
Regarding the disadvantages of the intrauterine spiral. In rare cases, IUD can cause infertility and ectopic pregnancy, but it is not a decisive factor in the appearance of this pathology.
The gynecological IUD may shift or grow in over time, but these risks can be completely avoided by visiting your gynecologist regularly
In the first months after the installation of an intrauterine spiral, menstrual pain and bleeding may increase, but these symptoms will disappear over time.
Indications for IUD installation
Installation of an intrauterine spiral is recommended for women who have already given birth and have regular sexual partners (indecipherable sexual relations increase the risk of infection, and through the IUD, the infection gets even deeper into the woman's body). In addition, at the time of installation, the patient should not have any inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system. A hormonal spiral can be installed already 3 months after childbirth. The acceptability of the IUD as a means of contraception is determined in each case individually.
As a rule, the IUD is installed on day 3-4 of the menstrual cycle. During this period, it is easiest to install an IUD against pregnancy.
7 days after the installation of the intrauterine spiral, the patient should come for a routine examination. The next examination is necessary after the first menstruation, and then after three months.
The appearance of pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen, unusual discharge is a reason to make an appointment with a gynecologist.
The maximum period of stay of a female spiral in the body is 5 years (the term may be shorter, depending on the main components of the IUD), after which the contraceptive must be removed. Installation and removal of the IUD is performed only by a gynecologist.
As statistics show, after removing the intrauterine spiral, a woman can get pregnant in the shortest possible time.
Contraindications to the installation of an intrauterine spiral
An intrauterine spiral is a very specific method of contraception and is very individual, so the gynecologist will not recommend the installation of a spiral:
- women who have not yet given birth;
- women who do not have permanent sexual partners;
- women who have had an abortion in the past (a gynecological spiral increases the risk of uterine perforation and similar complications);
- women with heavy bleeding during menstruation, as the spiral often provokes their increase.
Whether this type of contraception is suitable for a woman is also decided on the basis of a gynecological examination. In addition, there are a number of objective contraindications:
- dysplasia and erosion of the cervix;
- infectious lesions of the genitourinary system;
- inflammatory processes of the genital organs;
- oncological diseases of genital organs;
- ectopic pregnancy in the past;
- cervical injuries during childbirth;
- violation of the blood coagulation process.
Where can I install a spiral in Lviv?
You can install or remove an IUD in Lviv at the LeoDerm clinic. Gynecologists will perform all the necessary medical manipulations without the need to go to a hospital. If this is the first installation of an IUD, doctors will choose the best option for you based on the tests obtained. You can make an appointment with a gynecologist using the contact numbers of the clinic. Trust the professionals. Come!