A Step Ahead Chattanooga

Add Your Heading Text

WHAT IS A HORMONAL IUD?

IUD is short for Intrauterine Device, and it’s a tiny plastic device that a trained healthcare provider puts in your uterus. The hormonal IUD is shaped like a T, and it slowly releases a hormone called Levonorgestrel (Progestin) into your body over time. This hormone is pretty similar to the one that our bodies make naturally, called progesterone. If you’re breastfeeding/chestfeeding, you don’t have to worry about your milk supply dropping because this type of IUD doesn’t have any estrogen.

Besides pregnancy prevention, the hormonal IUD can also be your buddy in the battle against painful and heavy periods.

WHAT KIND OF HORMONAL IUDS ARE THERE?

In the U.S., you’ve got four hormonal IUD options: Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, and Skyla. Here’s the lowdown – they all work in the same way, pumping out a steady dose of levonorgestrel (progestin). The main difference is the amount of hormones and how long they last for pregnancy prevention.

MIRENA AND LILETTA
Are like fraternal twins – same size and they last up to 8 years for preventing pregnancy, or 5 years for relief from painful periods and heavy bleeding.
KYLEENA
Is the middle sibling, a tad smaller and with a slightly lower hormone dose. It’s your buddy for up to 5 years. Since Kyleena has slightly less hormone than Mirena and Liletta, there is a lesser chance of having your periods stop altogether.
SKYLA
Takes the title of the youngest sis. It’s the same size as Kyleena but has even less hormone action. Skyla’s good for up to 3 years. Since Skyla has less hormone than the other hormonal IUDs, there is a lesser chance of having your periods stop altogether, but it can still help decrease bleeding.

And here’s the cool part: you’re not stuck with it for the maximum time. You can say “see ya” to your IUD whenever you’re ready, by having a healthcare provider that does IUD removals. After your IUD is removed your fertility should return to what’s normal for you pretty quickly.

HOW DO HORMONAL IUDS WORK?

THICKENING CERVICAL MUCUS
They use hormones to make the cervical mucus thick. This mucus barrier makes it really hard for sperm to swim up and meet an egg.
HALTING EGG RELEASE
Sometimes, they put the brakes on egg release (ovulation). This stops the eggs from leaving your ovaries. If there is no egg= no pregnancy.

HOW DO YOU USE A HORMONAL IUD?

If you are looking to get a hormonal IUD, the first thing you’ll need to do is schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider that does IUD insertions.

The hormonal IUD can be inserted any time of the month. The most comfortable time may be during your period because that’s when your cervix is open the most. Before your appointment, you can take a pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, to help with possible discomfort with insertion and cramps.

After it’s in, there’s really not much you have to do other than check the string ends occasionally to make sure it’s in place.

HERE’S HOW TO CHECK YOUR IUD STRINGS

Wash your hands with soap, then sit or squat down.
Put your finger in your vagina until you touch your cervix, which will feel firm and rubbery like the tip of your nose.
Feel for the strings. If you find them, congrats! Your IUD is good to go.
If you feel the hard part of the IUD against your cervix or can’t feel the strings, you may need to have it adjusted or replaced by your healthcare provider.

p.s. Don’t pull on the strings! If you do, the IUD could move out of place.

p.p.s. If you don’t feel comfortable checking for the strings, you can let your provider do that the month after insertion, and then yearly after that.

When it comes to birth control, there are pros and cons for each method, and remember, everyone’s body is unique, so what works for you might not be the same for your friends. Hormonal IUDs are usually pretty safe and well-tolerated, but it’s a good idea to chat with your healthcare provider. They’ll help you figure out if it’s right for you based on your needs, health, and what you prefer.

POSSIBLE BENEFITS OF A HORMONAL IUD

BYE-BYE CRAMPS
They can even help ease those pesky menstrual cramps.
GENTLE ON HORMONES
Hormonal IUDs keep their hormones localized to your uterus/cervix, reducing side effects to other parts of your body.
HEALTH BENEFITS
They come with a lower risk of certain conditions like endometrial cancer, which is pretty awesome.
LONG LASTING
You’re in it for the long haul. Hormonal IUDs can stick around for three to eight years with minimal worry.
NO ESTROGEN, NO PROBLEM
Perfect for those avoiding estrogen-based methods, including breastfeeding/chestfeeding parents.
PERIOD PERKS
A lot of folks on these notice lighter or even no periods – a potential monthly relief.
SECRET AND EASY
Privacy is key; they’re discreet and require no daily worry.
SUPER RELIABLE
Hormonal IUDs are very reliable contraceptives. They have a 99% success rate at preventing unintended pregnancy.
TOTALLY REVERSIBLE
Want to plan a baby in the future? No problem! When you get your hormonal IUD removed by a healthcare provider that does IUD removals, your fertility should return to what’s normal for you pretty quickly.

POSSIBLE DOWNSIDES OF A HORMONAL IUD

ALLERGIES OR SENSITIVITIES
Some people may have allergies or sensitivities to the materials used in the IUD, causing discomfort or allergic reactions.
EXPULSION RISK
In rare cases, the IUD can be expelled from the uterus. It’s important to check the IUD’s strings’ position every so often.
HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
Just like with any new medication, it may not be right for everyone, especially if you have specific health concerns. Always share your medical history with a healthcare professional.
HORMONAL EFFECTS
The hormonal IUD releases progestin, which can cause some hormonal side effects. Mood swings, tender breasts, and surprise acne might happen to some.
PERIOD CHANGES
You may see changes in your menstrual cycle like it becoming lighter or disappearing altogether. For a lot of people, this is a benefit, but some may not like that.
STARTING OUT SIDE EFFECTS
You might experience some initial side effects, like irregular bleeding, cramps, or spotting. These typically mellow out after a few months.

DO IUDS WORK FOR STI/STD PREVENTION?

IUDs are super effective and convenient for preventing pregnancy, but it’s important to remember that they don’t protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To reduce the risk of getting or spreading STIs, it’s a good idea to use condoms every time you have sex, even if you have an IUD. We offer condoms mailed directly to anyone who is 18+ and lives or goes to school in our service area. Click here to request free condoms.

HOW CAN I GET A FREE IUD?

If you live or go to school in our 18-county service area and are looking for a birth control method, you can give us a call at 423-265-7837 to schedule an appointment. If you want to speak with one of our Health Educators on the phone or if you’d like for us to call you back on a certain day to schedule an appointment for birth control, you can fill out the request form linked here, and we will call you back on your preferred date.