Should You Do the IUD Now Before Everything Shuts Down Again?
With the focus this year on COVID-19, it was easy to overlook routine medical care. For people who have a uterus but are not interested in getting pregnant, this includes getting their preferred method of birth control. Those on the pill can get a refill at the pharmacy or home delivery service , but things get a little more complicated for people who opt for an intrauterine device (IUD) .
If you are not familiar with an IUD , it is a (relatively) small T-shaped device inserted into the uterus as a form of birth control. And, unlike a vaginal ring, inserting an IUD is not a DIY job. Due to the fact that many non-emergency medical procedures were previously suspended during the COVID lockout, some people who wanted to obtain an IUD (or remove or replace an existing one) may not have been able to do so. But now we are in this period of uncertainty where the pandemic is still very serious (and worsening), but most doctors’ offices are reopened – at least for now. So now is the time to speak with your obstetrician / gynecologist about an IUD? To find out, we spoke with Dr. Jessica Shepherd , an obstetrician-gynecologist practicing in Dallas.
It’s time to make an appointment with an obstetrician-gynecologist?
Shepherd says that if you’ve been thinking about getting an IUD inserted, it’s safe to do so in most cases now. “We’ve moved to a time where a doctor’s office can be safe, secure and effective,” she tells Lifehacker. “Most offices require masks, no visitors, and some even have patients waiting in their cars for a room to open.”
And while doctors’ offices don’t necessarily run according to pre-pandemic schedules, Shepherd says birth control and gynecological procedures are still important visits. Although, if a person has a weakened immune system or has COVID-19, she says that “it is better either not to go to the doctor or think about transferring.”
In terms of scheduling your annual OB / GYN visit, Shepherd says that unless you have an urgent problem, don’t need much follow-up, or if you’re not “significantly late” for your appointment, you can probably wait now.
Is it time to install an IUD?
If you’ve been thinking about starting or changing birth control methods, Shepherd says the IUD is a great option in our current situation. “The IUD is a great form of contraception and is great for this time frame as it requires minimal maintenance and does not require a visit to the doctor after insertion,” she explains.
There are two types of IUDs. Hormonal IUDs (such as Mirena) contain hormones designed to keep the endometrium thin so bleeding is minimized, Shepherd explains. For those who don’t want to deal with hormones and / or their associated menstrual changes, there are non-hormonal copper medications (like ParaGard) that Shepherd says can last up to 10 years. “IUDs are a great option because they provide great coverage, [do not require much maintenance] and [have] the best effectiveness when it comes to preventing pregnancy,” she adds.