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Myths Surrounding the IUD

The unknown is what we all fear, but it is worse when it is an unknown thing that concerns our bodies and our health. There are so many questions about the intra uterine device, referred to commonly as the IUD, that this causes many women to be concerned about using it as a birth control method. Dispelling these rumors and answering the questions that surround its use would go a long way towards making women more comfortable considering this ninety eight percent effective method of contraceptive.

One fear is that IUDs affect a woman's prospect of having children when they are ready to. This is false. Using an IUD does not impinge on a women's fertility in later years. There are stories that say that a woman can die if she becomes pregnant while using an IUD. This too is false. Studies have shown that no woman has died from an IUD induced miscarriage in thirty years.

Many women fear that the IUD must be changed yearly. This is completely dependent on the type of IUD used. The Cooper-T only has to be changed once every ten years, though you do want your health care provider to check its placeman periodically. Some need changing every five years and there is one at least that should be changed yearly. You should discuss with you health car provider the advantages and disadvantages of each before deciding which to use.

Some women think that their lover will be able to feel the strings during intercourse and that it will take away from the sexual experience. This is unlikely. But, if he can, it only means a visit to your physician where they will adjust the length of the strings by snipping a little off. The myths also claim that it can get moved around during intercourse or even fall out. An IUD that has been put in correctly by our health care provider will stay in place. Although they have been known to come out on their own, very infrequently, in women who have not yet had children, it is very unusual and should not be a cause for concern. Some women think that if they use an IUD they will no longer be able to use tampons. The two should not interfere with each other.

One of the other big concerns when using this contraceptive device is sexually transmitted diseases, known as STDs. Using an IUD does not mean that it is more likely for a woman to contract an STD. Staying monogamous will take care of those concerns. The only method of contraception that can help with those concerns is the use of a condom. If you are having multiple partners an IUD may not be your best solution. If one of your partners has an STD and you catch it the infection can spread easier by travelling up the strings. This means that a woman who has multiple partners is better off using other methods of contraception and insisting her partners take precautions as well.