The Benefits of IUDs

Intrauterine devices, or IUDs, provide long-lasting pregnancy protection without the need to try to remember to take a daily pill. IUD insertion takes place in the office of your gynecologist serving Houston in a quick procedure. IUDs are available in both hormonal and non-hormonal forms, so they are compatible with a variety of women’s health issues. Are you considering using an IUD for birth control? Here is a look at some of the benefits.

Flexible Birth Control

When your gynecologist completes the IUD insertion, you have immediate protection against pregnancy, unlike birth control pills, which you frequently need to take for a week or longer before they are effective. If you decide that you want to become pregnant, simply ask your gynecologist to remove the device, and you will be able to conceive. Women who are taking birth control pills, particularly if they have been taking them for long periods, may have a lag time between when they stop their pills and when they can become pregnant.

Safe for Most Women

Birth control pills are not ideal for all women. Health issues such as hypertension and a history of breast cancer, as well as habits such as smoking, can make it dangerous for you to take birth control pills. If your gynecologist has told you that birth control pills are not safe for you, an IUD could be an option. Non-hormonal IUDs don’t create the same risk factors as birth control pills can for women with certain medical conditions.

Constant Pregnancy Protection

While pills and barrier birth control methods such as condoms provide reliable pregnancy protection, their effectiveness is often compromised by human error. For instance, if you forget to take a pill or a condom breaks, you could be at risk for an unplanned pregnancy. With the IUD, your pregnancy protection is constant and doesn’t require any action from you.