How Much Does Age Affect Fertility?
Many factors can influence your fertility, and age is one of the strongest ones. Here’s a look at how age can play a significant role in your family-building plans. Keep reading to learn more.
7 Benefits of an IUD for Birth Control
Life is busy, and you’re not ready to have children, so you’re researching your options for preventing an unplanned pregnancy. There are many options to review!
In the United States, nearly 65% of women (that’s more than 72 million women) between the ages of 15 and 49 use some form of birth control, and the intrauterine device (IUD) is one of the more popular choices.
There are many reasons why the IUD is such a popular contraceptive, and board-certified gynecologist Dr. Karen F. Brodman reviews them below. So, if you’re confused by the number of choices in birth control, let’s break them down, starting with the IUD.
1. IUDs offer superior protection
You’re using birth control for one goal — to prevent pregnancy — so you want to make sure your choice gets the job done. Well, IUDs have an impressive 99% efficacy rating, which means they’re an almost perfect option.
2. IUDs are easy to use
There’s a lot to appreciate about IUDs, and their ease of use certainly ranks high. An IUD is a small, T-shaped device that we insert into your uterus during a quick, in-office visit.
Once it’s in position, your IUD does the rest of the work, and there’s nothing more you need to do. That means no daily pills to remember or forgetting where you put your diaphragm.
3. You have choices in IUDs
Another great benefit of IUDs is that there are two types to choose from:
Hormonal
These IUDs slowly release hormones (progestin) that thin out the uterine lining and thicken the mucus around your cervix to prevent sperm from passing through. In addition to contraception, periods are often lighter and less painful.
Copper
If you don’t want hormones, we can insert an IUD that’s wrapped in copper wire, which repels sperm.
4. IUDs are long-lasting
Not only are IUDs hassle-free, but they also offer long-acting protection against pregnancy. Hormonal versions can protect against pregnancy for 3-8 years (depending upon the brand), and the copper IUD version can provide up to 12 years of protection.
5. IUDs are reversible
No matter how long you have had your IUD, when you decide to put pregnancy back on the table, all we need to do to re-establish your fertility is to remove the device. Just like insertion, removing an IUD is easy, and we can do it in minutes here at our office.
6. IUD insertion is quick and easy
Dr. Brodman can insert an IUD during an in-office visit in just minutes. She also uses local anesthesia during IUD insertion to reduce pain. If you need additional pain relief, we offer laughing gas for a small out-of-pocket fee.
7. IUDs can act as emergency contraception
Many women don’t know that IUDs can also be used as an emergency contraception up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex. During that window, if we insert an IUD, your chances of getting pregnant drop considerably.
As you can see, the IUD offers many benefits for busy women who aren’t ready for children. To figure out whether an IUD is right for you, we invite you to come in and sit down with Dr. Brodman to discuss the topic.
To get started, simply contact us at your convenience to schedule an appointment with Dr. Brodman at our New York City office, which is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
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