The issue of contraception today excites every woman who has sex. Modern medicine offers us many means to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
One of them is the intrauterine device (IUD). Reviews about their use are very contradictory, so we will try to find out what advantages and disadvantages this method has. We also consider the opinions of specialists on their account. We will study the possible difficulties that may arise during the use of this device.
What are the Navy?
Intrauterine devices are small T-shaped devices made of medical plastic that have a contraceptive effect.
Depending on the type, they may have elements of silver or copper. These components protect the uterus from inflammation and infection. Hormonal spirals contain the hormone levonorgestrel. The size of modern devices does not exceed 25-25 mm.
The contraceptive effect is based on the fact that a foreign object does not allow sperm to enter the uterus (due to a reduction in the period of ovulation) and does not allow the egg to attach to the walls of the female organ.
Only an obstetrician-gynecologist can help you choose a system, install and remove it. It is very difficult to make a choice among the variety of intrauterine devices. Testimonials from patients indicate that most often doctors recommend devices called Mirena, Nova-T, and Juno.
The reliability of this protection against unwanted pregnancy is about 75%. This indicator is due to the fact that the device may not be suitable for some women due to certain anatomical features.
Despite the proven safety of this method of contraception, the intrauterine device (reviews of which we will discuss below) are an intervention in the female body, therefore, of course, they have a number of disadvantages and contraindications.
The principle of operation of the Navy
The intrauterine system has existed for a long time and during this period has accumulated many positive and negative opinions. Skeptical consumers claim that its use is very harmful to women's health. Reviews of doctors about intrauterine devices are more loyal.
From a professional point of view, the benefits and effectiveness of this method of contraception exceed the risks and undesirable consequences. So how does the spiral work?
The contraceptive effect is achieved through the following processes:
- abortive action;
- aseptic inflammation;
- creating disturbances in the composition of enzymes;
- prevent sperm from entering the uterine cavity;
- due to the braking of the ovulatory process.
A foreign body in the uterine cavity provokes an increased release of leukocytes. This process prevents the implantation of an egg. The property of the spiral to change the composition of enzymes makes the onset of fertilization impossible.
If, for some reason, fertilization still occurs, then the increased tone of the muscles of the uterine cavity will not allow the egg to attach to its walls. Thus, the pregnancy is terminated at an early stage.
Types of Navy
Doctor's advice and feedback on intrauterine devices depends on the specific type of device. There is no universal view suitable for absolutely all women. Therefore, your choice must be agreed with your doctor.
Today, spirals are divided into 4 generations:
- inert type devices;
- spirals with copper inserts;
- hormonal systems;
- silver and gold plated products.
When choosing a specific type, it is necessary to consider in more detail the types of the intrauterine device and the reviews about each of them.
Inert varieties earned the maximum number of negative comments. Their users often complain of poor performance, displacement, and even prolapse. For this reason, today they are practically not used. Moreover, in many countries they are completely banned.
Products with copper inserts are the most popular today. Their differences are that the spiral case is entwined with a wire of the corresponding metal.
Copper creates a fairly acidic environment in the uterine cavity, due to which sperm activity is greatly reduced. The device is easy to install and remove, can be used for 3-5 years.
One of the representatives of this group is the popular intrauterine device Juno-Bio. Reviews of doctors characterize it as a fairly high-quality product with an acceptable price tag.
In order to extend the life of copper products, silver began to be added to the devices. The result is a product with a high disinfectant and antibacterial property. The inhibitory effect on sperm cells has increased several times. The service life of such varieties is 5-7 years.
Full compatibility with the female body and the absence of allergic reactions today shows the golden intrauterine device. Reviews of its use indicate a good reaction of the uterus to its installation. Such varieties have anti-inflammatory effects and do not adversely affect the reproductive system. The service life of such spirals is 10 years.
Hormonal devices include the most popular intrauterine device Mirena. Reviews of doctors characterize this option as the most reliable and safe method of contraception. Her work is based on the uniform release of the hormone in the uterine cavity. In this case, the active substance has an exclusively local effect.
The product suppresses ovulation, relieves inflammation, reduces the risk of ectopic pregnancy and copes with the regulation of the menstrual cycle. The term of its use is 5-7 years.
Advantages and disadvantages of the IUD
To determine the feasibility of using this method of contraception, it is enough to study its positive and negative sides. Based on consumer comments, we’ll analyze the benefits of an intrauterine device.
Reviews of women talk about such advantages as:
- ease of use;
- reasonable cost of all types;
- the ability to install and remove at any time;
- lack of need to use additional means of protection;
- the ability to install during breastfeeding;
- lack of negative effects on the body;
- quick recovery of reproductive functions after removal of the device;
- rapid onset of contraceptive effect after installation;
- lack of discomfort and discomfort;
- long term of operation.
Studies have shown that out of hundreds of women who have a spiral, pregnancy occurs in 1-2 patients. This suggests a high reliability of the method.
For completeness, the disadvantages of the systems should be studied. The doctors' comments about the intrauterine device indicate that the vast majority of their patients turned to them with the following complaints:
- menstruation has become longer and more plentiful;
- before and after the onset of "critical days" spotting spotting appears;
- pulling pains occur immediately after the installation of the spiral.
It should be noted that the spiral has contraindications. It can not be used by women with various gynecological diseases. The disadvantage is the fact that the device does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
All types of devices (except hormonal) do not exclude the occurrence of an ectopic pregnancy. And existing female diseases are much more complicated after the installation of the spiral.
It is also possible that the device spontaneously falls out of the uterine cavity. However, this is possible only in those cases when errors were made during its installation.
Installing the Navy: who is shown to and how
Reviews of the intrauterine device and the advice of doctors suggest that its installation must be approached very responsibly. In fact, this is the same operation, only on a small scale.
You can install intrauterine systems:
- women without inflammatory diseases;
- giving birth to patients who have had an abortion;
- women after 35 years of age (who already have children) who have contraindications for taking oral contraceptives;
- patients with minimal risk of infection through the genital tract (who have one regular partner).
Before installing the intrauterine system, it is necessary to cure all existing gynecological diseases and undergo a series of examinations. Most often, doctors are sent to:
- the delivery of a smear for cytology and microflora;
- intrauterine ultrasound;
- blood test for sexually transmitted diseases;
- smear on vaginal vagina and cervix.
Before installing the spiral, an inspection by a specialist is required. The gynecologist determines the size and position of the uterus, measures the distance between its corners.
The installation of the spiral is carried out on 3-4 days of menstruation. During this period, the cervix is ajar, which simplifies the task assigned to the doctor. In addition, blood significantly reduces the risk of injury to the walls of the uterus and is evidence that the patient is not pregnant.
Reviews of intrauterine devices indicate that in the first days after its installation, aching pains and smearing discharge can be observed. This is the norm. So the uterus reacts to a foreign body. After one to two weeks, a woman can return to sexual activity.
If the spiral was installed correctly, then neither the woman nor her partner should feel it. A month after installation, a routine examination is performed by a gynecologist. In the future, a specialist should be visited every 6 months.
IUD removal
Reviews of the intrauterine device and the advice of doctors unanimously suggest that the removal procedure should be approached no less responsibly than the installation.
Since sperm retain fertility for 7 days, intimacy should be abandoned a week before the removal of the spiral. Removal of the system can provoke premature ovulation, and this will certainly lead to pregnancy.
Removing the spiral, as well as its installation, is carried out on 3-4 days of menstruation. In this case, the pain of the procedure will be minimized.
First, the doctor examines the uterus, finds the antennae of the spiral and introduces an antiseptic into the organ cavity. Then the patient is recommended to take a slow and deep breath and exhale. After this, the gynecologist pulls the device out of the uterus.
Within 1-2 days after removing the system, women may experience pain. Soon they completely pass.
Many people care about the question: "How painful is it to remove the spiral?". Judging by the reviews, the installation of the device causes much more unpleasant sensations than its removal. The procedure is performed without the use of analgesics.
What is the best intrauterine system?
Since in pharmacies today you can find several varieties of intrauterine systems, the difficulties with their choice are understandable. The obstetrician-gynecologist can answer the question about which intrauterine device is better (reviews about which product are mostly positive). Also, when choosing, you can use the information from our article.
Let's look at the most popular options. These include:
- hormonal system "Mirena";
- all varieties of Juno spirals;
- Goldlily spiral.
As mentioned earlier, the most popular hormonal contraceptive is considered to be the Mirena intrauterine device. Reviews about this system characterize it solely on the positive side. In addition to its main task, Mirena has a good therapeutic effect.
The hormone levonorgestrel, which is part of the spiral, has a local inhibitory effect, as a result of which inhibition of ovulation occurs and sperm activity decreases. Under such conditions, the onset of pregnancy is almost impossible.
If you want to eliminate the risk of an ectopic pregnancy, give preference to this particular species. It will cost you about 7000-10000 rubles. By the way, this is the most expensive kind of spirals.
What is the difference between the intrauterine device "Juno"? Customer reviews characterize it as a cheaper kind of contraceptives. It is represented by several types of devices. Each of them differs in composition and possibility of use.
It should be noted that Juno systems can be used by nulliparous women. They are made of plastic and copper. More expensive options use gold. Such spirals are indicated for women with frequent allergic reactions. The principle of their action is based on the creation of an acidic environment that has a detrimental effect on sperm.
The cost of Juno spirals depends on the type of metal used. The minimum price tag is 250 rubles, and the maximum is 1000 rubles.
Goldliely spirals are made using gold. This component has a good anti-inflammatory effect. Instructions for its use indicate that the system can be used as emergency contraception. However, the effectiveness of such measures is difficult to assess.
Goldlily systems are reliable protection against unwanted pregnancy and do not cause allergies.
The therapeutic effect of Mirena spirals: what is its essence?
Reviews about the intrauterine device Mirena praise it as a powerful medicine. What is the essence of such an action?
The contraceptive effect is carried out at the level of the endometrium (the inner layer of the walls of the uterus). A reservoir with a hormone gradually doses the active substance into the cavity of the organ, due to which its inner layer is very thin.
This mechanism of action has a positive effect on the reduction of menstruation, their profusion and soreness. Inflammatory diseases do not progress (as with copper-containing systems), but subside.
Mirena can be used even with uterine myoma and endometriosis. Practice shows that when exposed to levonorgestrel, the foci of the disease gradually disappear and the myomatous nodes are significantly reduced. It follows from this that Mirena is a good intrauterine device. Reviews of her confirm this.
Women's reviews and doctors' recommendations for installing an IUD
The opinion of gynecologists about intrauterine devices is unambiguous. They believe that this is a fairly effective contraception for women giving birth. The device is easy to install and does not cause discomfort to sexual partners.
However, without exception, doctors recommend a complete examination before installing it. Otherwise, there may be irreversible consequences!
Women using IUDs believe that buying and installing a device can significantly reduce costs. After all, the acquisition of hormonal and barrier contraceptives is much more expensive.
Many note the appearance of a feeling of freedom and emancipation in bed. The spiral does not need to be monitored daily, and many are very pleased.
The positive effect of intrauterine devices is noted by those women who, according to indications, can not take hormonal contraceptives. While taking the pills, a sharp weight gain is often observed. This does not happen with a spiral.
Netizens also talk from cases when a spiral occurred pregnancy. However, these are isolated cases. Most often, an ectopic pregnancy.
Do not forget that every woman is individual. The same device can be absolutely comfortable for one person and deliver discomfort to another.
Finally
Summing up, I want to draw your attention to the fact that you need to be very careful about your health. Reviews of intrauterine devices cannot be the only argument in favor of their installation.
If you decide to use this type of protection, then first of all, discuss this issue with your doctor. Examination before installing the spiral will save you from many problems. So you can safely enjoy the feeling of security.