An intrauterine device is a type of birth control that your health care provider places inside your uterus. It is among the leading reliable and effective birth control methods. Depending on the kind you use, it can protect against pregnancy for up to ten years. Hormonal IUDs function for three to six years, while copper IUDs work for up to ten years. New York IUD placement procedure takes fifteen minutes at most. You may experience mild cramping during the process, but your doctor can give you pain relievers to reduce your discomfort. IUDs work by killing sperms to hinder them from fertilizing an egg or releasing progestin to prevent ovulation.
Preparation for IUD placement
Your specialist will recommend you eat a light meal or snack before the procedure to avoid dizziness. Ensure you drink some water. The specialist can ask you to provide a urine sample to confirm you are not pregnant. Sometimes, you may be given pain killers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to prevent discomfort during the process.
Procedure for IUD
Your doctor will recommend you lie on a unique treatment table with your legs up. The doctor inserts a speculum into your vagina to widen it. Using particular instruments, your specialist will check the size and position of your uterus and any issues with it. The specialist cleans your cervix and vagina with an antiseptic solution and finally lines up the cervix with the uterus.
An IUD is a little, T-formed gadget with an arm on either side. Your doctor folds down the arms, places the IUD into an applicator tube, and inserts it through your cervix into your uterus. Once the IUD is in your uterus, the arms will discharge from the applicator tube, and the doctor will remove the tube tool.
An IUD has a string at the bottom that hangs down into your cervix and vagina. The doctor trims this string to about one or two centimeters, so it only hangs into your vagina. The entire IUD placement process takes between five to fifteen minutes. After the procedure, you can stay at your doctor’s office for a short period to ensure you are okay.
During the procedure, expect to feel slight discomfort. You might experience cramping when your doctor inserts the IUD. You can also get dizzy or faint when standing up after the procedure. Ensure you relax until you feel well enough.
After the IUD procedure
After the IUD process, feeling mild cramping in your uterus is normal. For the first few months, you will experience irregular bleeding or spotting, which may extend up to six months. Over time the bleeding gets lighter. If your bleeding does not reduce, talk to your doctor right away. To ease your discomfort, you can take over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen. Placing a heating pad or a hot water bottle on your belly can help relieve pain. For people with copper IUD, bleeding may be heavier.
IUD is a safe and effective birth control method that prevents unplanned pregnancy for an extended period. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Inga Zilberstein, MD, PLLC, for IUD placement to avoid unintended pregnancies.