Pregnancy is a long-awaited period for many women. However, there are situations when the birth of a child is postponed for a long time. This may be due to various reasons.
To prevent conception and to avoid such an unpleasant and ethically controversial procedure as abortion, many women use different means. Most women refuse to take oral medications, citing the fact that they are ineffective, and also negatively affect their figure and health. Therefore, many of them give their preference to the so-called intrauterine device.
General information
An intrauterine device is called a contraceptive, which is a small device made of plastic and copper. This device slows the progress of sperm into the uterus, and also significantly reduces the life of the egg.
It should be noted that the intrauterine device can interfere with the attachment of an already fertilized egg to the uterine wall. Thus, it is a kind of abortive method of contraception.
Variety of spirals
Speaking of intrauterine devices, one cannot but say that in addition to the usual devices, there are hormonal ones. What are they? Hormonal spirals are unique analogues of conventional intrauterine structures. Moreover, they have a special plastic cylinder that contains a hormone called levonorgestrel.
According to experts, hormonal spirals are very reliable. This is due to the fact that in addition to the “foreign body” effect in the uterus, they have a direct contraceptive effect, which is similar to birth control pills.
How do they act?
Hormonal spirals act on a simple principle. Levonorgestrel contained in them, every day and evenly stands out from the device, protecting the woman from unwanted pregnancy. At the same time, the hormone itself does not enter the systemic circulation. Therefore, hormonal spirals do not cause adverse reactions characteristic of conventional birth control pills (for example, nausea, weight gain, etc.).
Structure and Features
The hormonal coil for women is a reliable protection against unwanted conception. Such a device consists of:
- horizontal flexible coat hanger;
- hormone-containing cylinder;
- threads for extracting the spiral.
It should also be noted that, like ordinary spirals, hormonal structures are established only by a gynecologist. In this case, the specialist should immediately warn that it is possible to wear such a device for no more than five years.
Hormonal spirals: types
Today, there are two types of hormonal birth control:
- Mirena (German production);
- "Levonova" (French production).
What is remarkable about such devices? We will tell about it right now.
Mirena
What are hormonal spirals? Mirena is the most popular birth control intrauterine device. The release rate of its active substance is 20 μg / day.
Such a system not only releases levonorgestrel, but also has a local gestagenic effect. When using this spiral, morphological changes in the endometrium and thickening of the mucous membrane of the cervical canal are noted. Such effects help prevent sperm from entering the uterus. In addition, some representatives of the weaker sex even experience inhibition of ovulation.
The use of Mirena does not affect the childbearing function of a woman. In approximately 80% of people who want to have a baby, pregnancy occurs within a year after removal of the structure.
Spiral features
Hormonal spiral in endometriosis is used very often. Also, "Mirena" is successfully used to treat idiopathic menorrhagia, extragenital diseases, as well as conditions that are accompanied by severe hypocoagulation.
In the first months of using this device, the patient may have spotting spotting. This is due to inhibition of endometrial proliferation.
Indications
The Mirena spiral is used in the following cases:
- for reliable contraception;
- with idiopathic menorrhagia;
- for the prevention of endometrial hyperplasia during estrogen replacement treatment.
Contraindications
In case of chronic infections, the presence of serious diseases, malignant neoplasms, the use of the Mirena spiral must be agreed with a specialist.
Other contraindications to the use of this device include the following:
- pregnancy, as well as suspicions of it;
- hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the drug;
- diseases that occur with a high susceptibility to infections;
- postpartum endometritis;
- deep leg vein thrombosis (including past presence);
- malignant neoplasms in the cervix and uterus;
- previous breast cancer therapy;
- cervical dysplasia;
- diseases of the pelvic organs (inflammatory);
- urinary tract infections;
- abnormalities of the uterus (acquired or congenital);
- cervicitis;
- abortion (septic) within the last 3 months;
- uterine bleeding of unknown origin;
- acute liver diseases, including tumors.
Mode of application
The agent in question is used as follows:
- For contraception, women (in childbearing age) establish a spiral within a week from the onset of menstruation. At the same time, it can be replaced with a new intrauterine device on any day of the cycle. This device is also allowed to be installed immediately after an abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- In order to protect the endometrium during estrogen replacement therapy in patients with amenorrhea, a spiral can be inserted at any time. As for women with preserved menstruation, they are installed in the last days of menstrual bleeding.
- After childbirth, the spiral is introduced only after the involution of the uterus, but not earlier than 6 weeks. With prolonged subinvolution, postpartum endometritis should be excluded, and the decision to install the structure (until the involution is completed) should be postponed. With difficult introduction or very severe pain, bleeding before and after the procedure, it is necessary to conduct an ultrasound scan to exclude perforation.
Levonova
The Levonov intrauterine device contains 52 mg of levonorgestrel. This is a reliable contraceptive. Its active substance has a direct local effect on the endometrium, reducing its implantation function, as well as on the fallopian tubes and the viscosity of the mucus in the cervical canal. Such properties of the device increase the efficiency and duration of use of the spiral without suppressing the ovulation process.
This tool should be administered on the 4th-5th day of the menstrual cycle. If an artificial abortion was performed, then the spiral is installed immediately or after the next menstruation. In uncomplicated spontaneous births, it is advisable to use a hormone construct no earlier than six weeks later.
Hormonal spiral: contraindications and side effects
The Levonov spiral is contraindicated in:
- acute and subacute inflammatory processes of the external and internal genital organs;
- pregnancy
- metrorrhagia of unknown origin;
- malignant tumors of the body and cervix;
- chronic salpingo-ooparitis and endometritis;
- congenital malformations of the body and cervix;
- erosion;
- history of ectopic pregnancy.
The considered hormonal spiral with uterine myoma is also not used. In addition, it is not prescribed to nulliparous women.
In the first months of use, this drug can cause intermenstrual bleeding, nausea, irregularities in the menstrual cycle, mastalgia, fluid retention, headache and acne.
Special recommendations
The design of the intrauterine device "Levonova" provides the release of the hormone at a rate of 20 μg / day. The validity of this device is 5 years. After its removal, the woman's reproductive function is restored quickly and well.
This tool should not be used during breastfeeding. This is due to the fact that levonorgestrel is able to penetrate into breast milk. With persistent and prolonged intermenstrual bleeding, additional gynecological examination is required to clarify the diagnosis.
Pills or spiral?
Spiral or hormone pills - which of these contraceptives to choose? It is rather difficult to answer this question, since each of the presented methods has its advantages and disadvantages. However, most patients choose the first option. This is due to the following points:
- reliability and efficiency of the spiral is 99%;
- such a device does not require daily monitoring;
- the use of the spiral for a long time (about 5 years);
- after removal of the IUD, fertility is restored very quickly.
As for oral agents, most often they are not used because of a possible increase in weight and the development of health problems.