IUD

If you are an active-duty member of the U.S. military, here’s some great news: you have access to a wide range of birth control methods covered under your TRICARE plan. The less great news: not all methods are offered at every military treatment facility (MTF), especially during deployment. That’s why even if you’re not sure you’ll need birth control, it’s a good idea to look into your options before you deploy—especially if you’re going overseas. We’ve laid out some tips and questions to think about so you can make an informed decision.

It can be complicated to tell exactly how hormonal birth control affects mood, but you’re the only one who truly knows how you feel. Everyone reacts to birth control differently, so if you feel your birth control might be contributing to depression, talk with your health care provider. Remember, there are a lot of birth control methods out there—you can find the right one for you!

Actually, it’s okay for teenagers to use an IUD, and it’s also okay for women who haven’t had kids yet. Most experts agree about this. If your healthcare provider will not insert the IUD for you, try going to another health center in your area.

This one is easy. If you’re ready to get pregnant, just have your IUD removed. The hormones in your body should go back to normal quickly and you can start trying right away.

The non-hormonal IUD is effective immediately after it’s inserted. The hormonal IUD is effective immediately if you get it inserted within 7 days of the start of your period. Otherwise it takes a little longer to become effective, so you should use a back-up method, such as condoms or internal condoms, for 7 days after insertion.

The strings of the IUD usually get softer over time, but if they’re really a problem for your partner, talk to your health care provider about adjusting them or cutting them shorter.

Most birth control methods will not cause weight gain. Everyone’s body responds to birth control differently, but research shows that the pill, patch, the hormonal IUD, the ring, and non-hormonal birth control methods like a copper IUD or condoms don’t cause weight gain (or loss). Studies do show that about 1 in 4 people who use the shot will gain some weight (around 5% of body weight).

Any medicine has some side effects, but when people hear the negative stuff, it sticks in their brain like a cheesy old song you can’t stop humming. That’s just human nature, and it happens to all of us.

Remember that drug companies list every single scary thing you could possibly experience with a medication. Even if it’s super rare. They have to. It’s the law. So before you run for the hills, consider this: the potential side effects of something as harmless as aspirin are pretty scary when you read them, too. Birth control is definitely worth it if you aren’t ready to have a baby. Trust us, pregnancy has more side effects than we can count. There are so many different birth control methods that there’s something for everyone.

Sometimes. Occasionally it can work its way out, down through the cervix. That’s called expulsion. Can be annoying, and means you don’t have birth control any more, but it’s not usually dangerous.

In rare cases, the IUD can work its way up, and into your abdomen. That’s called a perforation. That really doesn’t happen often, but if it does you would need a surgery to remove it. That’s why women are told to check for the strings: if you can feel the strings, everything’s probably okay.

If a woman has an undiagnosed sexually transmitted infection (STI) at the time an IUD is placed in the uterus, she is at a higher risk of getting pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is why health care providers often require that you take an STI test before getting one. This is especially likely if you are under age 26, have a new sexual partner, or have multiple partners—because all these groups are at higher risk of having an STI.

About 20 days after having an IUD inserted, a woman is past the danger zone for developing PID from an STI she didn’t know she had during the insertion. After that time, PID happens at the same rate for women using IUDs as for those using other methods of birth control (aside from condoms).

Yes. The hormone used in the Mirena IUD is used in other birth control methods. It’s been used by a lot of women, and it’s safe.

You may be a little bit sore immediately after insertion, but ultimately no. Some women actually enjoy sex more, because they are not worried about getting pregnant!