Intra-Uterine Device (IUD)

IUD is a plastic object that is inserted into the uterus. How the IUD works as a method of birth control remains a mystery. Probably the best explanation is that the foreign object in the uterus creates an adverse place for sperm to live or pregnancies to implant. In other words, the uterus reacts to having a foreign object by creating a low-grade infection or inflammation in the uterus. This can also bring a multitude of adverse effects to a healthy uterus. The greatest concern with the IUD is the potential for infection (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or PID). While manufacturers downplay the rate of PID, everyone admits that IUD users have a higher rate of PID than the general population.

Women's health activist fear that many IUD users may have undiagnosed infertility problems because of a low-grade infection that never advances to full-blown PID. The body produces more white blood cells as a result of having the IUD in place. The body's normal reaction to a low-grade inflammation is to produce scar tissue to protect the area from infection. This process can go on undetected by the woman. She may never feel pain or become ill, yet damage to the uterus, tubes or ovaries is being done.

It is impossible to predict how your body will react to the IUD or how the IUD will effect your reproductive health. While manufacturers claim that IUD users have a low risk of future infertility, we believe that women who want children in the future should seriously reconsider using the IUD.

Other side effects of the IUD are:

Increased pain and bleeding while on your period
Increased risk of having a tubal (ectopic) pregnancy (3-4% for IUD users, less than 1% for general population.
Increased vaginal discharge due to irritation

If you choose an IUD, make sure your physician or nurse has experience in inserting the IUD. There is a risk that the practitioner may perforate the uterus while inserting the IUD and this could go unnoticed. An error in the insertion could have the IUD imbedded in the wall of the uterus or be pushed through the uterus into the abdomen.

Because women usually have heavier periods with the IUD, the manufactures now market IUDs that contain steroids (progesterone). The claim is that having steroids released into the uterus lowers the risk of becoming pregnant. The real motivation for adding steroid is probably that these drugs lessen the heavy bleeding during the menstrual period (similar to the Pill) and thus makes the IUD more attractive for users.