Are Intrauterine Devices Safe for Young Women?
A growing number of teenagers have opted to use contraceptives to enjoy sex without having to face consequence of pregnancy. Teen pregnancy is one of the prevalent problems our world is facing today, according to reports. Sexually-active teenagers are advised to choose their own form of birth controls to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Intrauterine device is considered as a popular birth control device, yet it has been reported to result in lawsuits due to serious health complications.
One of the most well-known brands for IUDs is the Mirena. It is a small, T-shaped, flexible device, which release a synthetic hormone known as progestin, and is inserted into the uterus. This hormone thickens the linings of the uterus and prevents the sperms from uniting with the egg. It works up to five years but in time if the woman to get pregnant again, the IUD may be removed by a trained healthcare professional. Its manufacturer, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, claimed that it is 99.9 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.
It has been widely known that IUDs are for women who have at least one child. In the past, younger women who use IUDs may have increased risk for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), fertility problems, and other side effects related to the placement of the IUD. Another worry about IUD use in women without children is the increased risk of PID. According to current research, higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), not IUD use, are to blame for the increased risk of PID in this group. Women who have not had children tend to be younger and generally have higher rates of STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea, which may lead to PID. One concern about the IUD is that sometimes it may slip partially out of the uterus, a process known as expulsion. If this happens, the IUD is no longer effective and a woman may become pregnant. Expulsion is more likely in women who have never had a pregnancy — even women who have had a miscarriage or abortion appear to have better IUD retention rates compared to those who have never been pregnant. The possible risk of expulsion is not a contraindication for Mirena in women who have not had children, but it is something to keep in mind and discuss with your health care provider. However, there are already studies which reveal that IUD is safe to use for teenagers and women with or without children.
If you are a woman among those who are interested in Mirena or having problems with it, you may refer to the site of Mirena IUD Complaints, which has more substantial information regarding this matter.
References:
- goaskalice.columbia.edu/mirena-it-safe-woman-without-children
- plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/who-can-use-iud-19274.htm
- articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-04-09/lifestyle/sns-rt-us-health-iud-teenagersbre938134-20130409_1_hormone-releasing-iud-paragard-mirena
- reuters.com/article/2013/04/09/us-health-iud-teenagers-idUSBRE93813420130409
- huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/iud-teens-safety_n_3039047.html
