INTRAUTERINE DEVICES

MIRENA
This is a small T-shaped device containing the hormone Levonorgestrel. It is placed in the womb where it slowly releases the hormone to prevent pregnancy for up to 5 years.

It prevents pregnancy by thickening the mucus at the neck of the cervix, making it difficult for sperm to cross into the womb. It may also stop ovulation. Your doctor will have to check the position and size of your womb before Mirena can be inserted and also confirm that you are not pregnant or have infections. The procedure cab be a bit uncomfortable and a little painful. You may need to take a painkiller such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. It can also cause bleeding for a short while.

Mirena should be inserted within the first seven days of your cycle. If it is inserted at other times in your cycle, you will need to use extra protection such as Condoms for the first seven days after it is inserted. If you have had a baby, Mirena should not be inserted until 6 weeks after the birth.

Do not use Mirena if:

• you have breast cancer
• you have abnormalities of the womb
• you have cervical cancer
• you have uterine fibroids
• you have current or recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease
• you have ovarian cancer

SIDE EFFECTS
These are uncommon e.g mood swings, reduced sex drive, pelvic inflammatory disease, breast tenderness, fluid retention.

ADVANTAGES

• Periods usually get lighter, less painful and may even cease.
• Fertility returns as soon as it is removed.

DISADVANTAGES

• You may have irregular bleeding for the first few months which usually settles down.
• The Mirena may come out of your womb without you noticing it.
• Very rarely, there may be perforation to the wall of the womb.

IUD (INTRA-UTERINE DEVICE)
This is an intrauterine device made of plastic, which is wrapped in copper.

It works by preventing the fertilization of an egg by damaging or killing sperm. It encourages the production of fluid by the uterus and fallopian tubes. This fluid contains copper ions which are toxic to sperm.

The IUD should be inserted right after the menstrual cycle.

Do not use a copper IUD if:

• you are pregnant
• you have uterine cancer
• you have an STI
• you have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• you have some structural abnormality of the womb or cervix

SIDE EFFECTS

• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Cramps
• Heavier periods
• Painful periods
• Perforation to the wall of the womb
• Expulsion of the IUD

ADVANTAGES

• It can be used while breastfeeding
• Fertility returns quickly upon removal
• It works immediately after insertion
• It is long-lasting
• It does not require the daily maintenance like other contraceptives such as the pills.
• It is 98 percent effective.