How Do IUDs Work? 

being a woman seems to be extremely scary

IUDs are clearly the best option. They’re the best at stopping pregnancy, they don’t affect the quality of sex, you don’t have to remember them, you don’t have to worry about antibiotics, they don’t affect your body’s hormonal balance and they last for years

Haha who else is here because your girlfriend told you that she is getting one 😂

I have had the copper IUD for almost two years now, and I will never ever use another type of BC. My periods are heavier some months, but other months, it only lasts a few days. I'm so happy y'all are discussing this topic, there is so much misunderstanding about IUD's and how they work. Glob bless.

I have had a copper IUD for 3 years now and its amazing. Completely painless, effective, and hormone free so it doesnt mess with your body and brain chemistry. Best decision i ever made.

I *do* use an IUD. I had the 5 year progesteron releasing one inserted and it works great. The only downside is how painful the insertion process is but at least it doesn't take very long to do. The first month after having it, I did have painful cramps and felt like I could physically feel the IUD inside of me which was unpleasant. Since then it's been smooth sailing and it does give you lighter or no periods which is an awesome bonus.

they seem convenient but they freak me out

I love the copper IUD! how wonderful it is to have a hormone free option!

IUD, IED, FYI, DUI, DIY, i can't keep all these american acronyms apart.

I am having mine inserted tomorrow, wish me luck!!! :) :) :)

I'm so scared of being unlucky. Like I'll be that 1%... Knowing my luck

I finally got mine yesterday after years of fighting with multiple general physicians and OBGYNs. They refused to give me one because I have never been pregnant. Planned Parenthood recently started taking my insurance and just a week later, I happily went in for my appointment for the insertion. It did hurt, but it was no worse than some intense period cramps. I feel fine and the cramps are definitely better today. I am so thankful to Planned Parent hood for finally getting me my dream birth control!

When I was 19, i got the copper IUD (never been pregnant) and it was the worst decision ever. Insertion was horribly painful, the pain afterwards was just awful, like, I was continuously on the verge of fainting. I never stopped bleeding entirely, and pooping gave me cramps. I had to have it removed after 2 months (would have done it sooner, but i was scared, cause all the pain) now, at 24, i got the Skyla IUD, and it is amazing. Sex drive is back up to pre-birth control pill levels, it didn't hurt after the initial insertion AND IT IS THE BEST. Skyla only lasts for 3 years, so it's not as cost effective as mirena, but IT IS SO AWESOME. + my periods have stopped. It's pretty feakin' great.

I have Mirena and I love it. I don't have periods anymore and I never have acne or break outs and not to mention having to remember to take my birth control pills everyday

I got mine when I turned 20. Only because it was low maintenance,so I went into this blind.I've had it for over 2 years and have finally just looked up how it works.

When you think about it, our options really suck. You either get the IUD inserted and have a foreign object inside your uterus for years, or you take a pill/patch/shot/implant that pumps hormones in you and can cause side effects, such as weight gain, high blood pressure and even a change in your libido. 😔

I had the IUD fitted today, it wasn't the best experience of my life, rather uncomfortable but barely painful. Most of the discomfort came from the clamp the nurse used to fit it, the rest felt like a period pain. The main thing is to relax during insertion so that the nurse can fit it more easily. Personally I need contraception that does not release hormones as I struggle with depression and was not warned before having the contraceptive implant fitted that it should not be fitted in women with a history of depression. Also I like that it is carefree protection with regular periods and none of the other side effects I got with the implant and pill such as swollen belly, sore boobs and spots!

Although I do like the IUD you should include in this video that they are unpleasant to have inserted and removed.

I have the copper one and I SWEAR by it. Took it out years ago. Got pregnant 3 mths later and then popped another one back in there. I’ve had it now for 6 years. Highly recommend it!!!

Hey Savannah Swan! First, I absolutely understand how upsetting this stuff can be, but try not to stress out too much. Stressing/not sleeping can make you more vulnerable to stomach bugs and other illnesses that could explain your symptoms. Like you said, a lot of things can make you miss your period. Sometimes IUDs that contain hormones (like Mirena does) can make your periods change or even stop entirely. But definitely go back to PP or another gynecologist, explain the situation, and get checked out as soon as possible. And yeah, they might scold you a little for missing your checkups, but don't worry -- everyone understands being busy, and I'm sure they see stuff like this happen all the time. Hopefully they'll be cool and will help you figure out what's going on. In the meanwhile, take care of you! :) /Lauren, Your Friendly Neighborhood BrainStuff Staffer

I have an IUD. It was the best decision I ever made! I tried the pill and it didn't work for me. My IUD only cost $250 for 5yrs of protection! And the best part is that I don't get periods anymore!

Mirenas last 7 years now, according to my MD. Also, periods stopped INSTANTLY for me. I got my first Mirena 6 years ago, and can barely remember what a period is like, aside from how AWFUL it was.

I have copper iud, I have loved it.. I never even felt the Dr put it in.. my periods have not been heavier 1st all.. I'm on my regular monthly schedule and don't cramp or nothing.. The mirena, however lots of my friends for bacteria infections and not being gross had a really bad smell.. they had to be put on antibiotics.. not sure if the plastic gathers up and forms bacteria easy or what.. also with the hormone in the mirena, it made me sick.. felt like I was pregnant.. I've had the copper paragard for 5 yrs.. I don't even know it's there.. I give this 2 thumbs up!!

I was hesitant to get one because I had heard they were abortificants. but there was so much contradiction everywhere, I decided the only way to know was to try it myself. so I got the mirena, and for the next year, I took ovulation tests. I now know for sure that, at least for me, the mirena is NOT an abortificant, because I am not ovulating. my periods have stopped, I have no side affects, and no positive ovulation tests. Every now and then I also take a pregnancy test just to be safe, but those are negative too. I'm glad I didn't let fear stop me from investing this method for myself, because I love it!!

99% safety doesn't sound safe to me.

I like how she explained it in this video, I was so terrified of getting an IUD but I finally did it & I hope it's worth it, rather go through the pain than wonder if I'll get preggo or having to take an after pill.

I would use it If it wasnt for the fact that im a guy and cant get pregnant

More good news: Menstrual cramps and bleeding during the adjustment phase (the first few months) can be managed with ibuprophen. Over time with a copper IUD most women's bodies go back to the pattern they had before while the hormonal IUD causes menstrual bleeding and cramps to reduce by on average 90% over the course of the first year.

"Slowing and damaging eggs" ?! Explain this to me in more details......

I know this is a RU-vid comment, so take it with a grain of salt and look into for yourself. I got a copper IUDS put in four days ago. I was and still am on my period. The doctor recommended this because when you have your period, the cervix is open and it's easier to insert the device. I honestly think this is what makes the difference between and an awful insertion and a simply unpleasant one. It was painful, but not unbearably so, the experience was more upsetting than anything but not due to pain. This is in stark contrast to my coworker who said it was the worst pain she ever had, but she was not on her period. The second day was a bit rough. I was sore and my abdomens hurt, but the next day was fine. Ask about getting it inserted on your period, just my two cents

Thanks to these kinds of videos it helped me a lot in getting help to decide what form of birth control I was going to get. I decided the Copper IUD and I can honestly say it was the best decision i made in my entire life. I have had it for 2 years going to 3 years now.

Kind of disappointing that she didn't talk about the risk of it shifting or puncturing the uterus.

I have a hormone one! It's the BEST. I can now function like a human being all times of the month. Life changer. They are quite common in Sweden were I live. :)

I got the copper one inserted today. Yeah the process was uncomfortable but I had an amazing doctor from PP that got it in less crampful than the first doctor who tried but couldn't a couple months ago. I was honestly scared going back trying to get the IUD again but I needed this non-hormonal contraceptive. Overall, I'm happy I got it.

Just had mine done. Didn't hurt. Stressing only makes you tense. Relax, it's over fast and you barely feel a thing.

Great information, though some of it is a little old, and the news is even better over time. Hormonal IUD's are now thought to protect against pelvic infections because that same mucus plug that blocks the sperm also blocks pathogens. The only infection risk is during the first two weeks, if germs get introduced during the insertion.

Lots of information missed here including they also function to prevent a fertilised egg from implanting.

Glad to hear it went well Veronica. I could feel it when I walk too. It is a bit strange. I finally felt like myself today. Relax this weekend. Junk food definitely helps! 😊

I got Skyla (hormonal IUD) 4 months ago. The insertion itself was pretty painful. Then I had a 3.5 month long period. Mostly light but when it was heavy, it was really heavy and more painful than normal. But now that that's over, it's been nice not having to worry about birth control for the next couple years! Time will tell if I stop getting periods.

I'm a 47 year old male. Just getting around to inquiring what an IUD is ? Thank you so much. Excellent explanation . Do love the drum roll 1:45

Have it! Love it! I have a BS in Health and have done a ton of research and this video is absolutely SPOT ON. Well done! =)

If intrauterine devices are both popular and effective methods of birth control, why won't Americans use them?

I've had this for about 3 months now and my periods have went away completely

I'm getting one next week. Reading the available info on Mayo clinic made me nervous, but this video made me feel much more relaxed about it. Still not sure which to go for...

nice and simple illustration, thanks a lot

I had Kyleena inserted, and it was the best decision! There was light bleeding/spotting for about 3 weeks (which was annoying but whatever), my periods have been significantly lighter, and it's so convenient! Insertion was super quick (I was in the office for maybe 5 minutes), there was a pinch when it went past my cervix, and slight cramping that evening. I love my IUD

I loooove my iud I have the non hormonal one (paragard) and despite heavier periods it's amazing!! The insertion was painful, but not unbearable, and I've never had children. I recommend it for every woman who by no means wants children/ any more children for the time being

I had my IUD ( no hormone) inserted yesterday cuz I have a 7 month baby and to wait 2 years to have the second one. I was terrify after hearing the horror stories about it. But my period was due the next day so my cervix was opened, I thought she wouldn't be able to insert it because I had a c section on and my cervix will be too tight LoL. As she saw I was in fear she injected a local anaesthetic (a jelly tube) then inserted the IUD I did felt a tiny a very tiny discomfort but that was it. I didn't cry or scream. I will be due to a check up in 6 weeks :)

I was the 1%. Ectopic pregnancy resulting in emergency bilateral tubal ligation. My Fallopian tube ruptured and I was bleeding internally , loosing almost 2 liters of blood. The pain felt like labor. Looking back , I wish I had taken pregnancy test every month to verify I wasn’t -as I was irregular. I had plan to do this but , I stopped after the 8 month. I only had Mirena for a year. As a mother of 4 ,it was the worst experience of my life. I feared dying, and I suffered postpartum depression after the surgery and iud removal for a week - something that never happened after my deliveries. If you choose an iud just get pregnancy test done to make sure you catch an ectopic pregnancy quickly - it can save your life!

Great Video!! I am getting a copper IUD in about a month. Choosing this method after taking birth control for years and tired of the side effects of the hormones. I started taking BC since 16 due to almost blacking out every month when my period came around. However, since 18 I've never felt the same, all of my energy is gone. I've been tested for hypo/hyper thyroid and other problems like this, but truly believe BC is to blame. Not to mention weight loss then weight gain.

Can I use a tampon if I have the copper iud

The people saying that they don't want a foreign body placed in their cervix should think about all of the hormones that other types of contraception pump into their body! They are no doubt causing more havoc to your emotional and physical wellbeing.

got mine done yesterday, wiyh the stress plus the pain i fainted a fuw minutes after the insertion procedure... but today i barely have any cramping left !

I am SO glad I found this video. My gyno literally said to me that obviously hormonal bc isn't a fit for me and wanted to put an IUD in me. The whole reason why I went on bc was to lighten my periods! When the copper non hormonal version would make them heavier?! I'm so glad I made the right choice and stopped going to him.

Which form of IUD would be best for helping mental health and acne?

I would be afraid of forgetting to have it replaced after five or ten years...

When I tell you hands down the copper IUD is the best Decision I’ve ever made when it comes to contraception, I mean it is painful when they first slide it in your uterus but all it’ll feel like is just strong period cramps, however if you take strong painkillers before that should definitely help! After you get it done you’ll get on and off cramps for the next month but soon you’ll have no pain at all and the coil Actually made my periods less painful but more heavy, rate 10/10

Got the copper one inserted today, couldn't deal with the hormones. Its not bad at all cureently

wait, no one got the Hobby Lobby reference? o lord.

I just got mine earlier this week. I got the Liletta and so far I love it 😊 the insertion was SUPER painful though.

I had the cooper IUD put in and I am currently 25 weeks pregnant. In doing my pregnancy updates I've found that actually a lot of women get pregnant with the IUD. So I wonder exactly how accurate this 99% effective really is...

Copper IUD, I love him so much I'm often afraid to lose it ! If you put away the longer and heavier periods, it's the only way to be back to nature without any risk

I’m on my second IUD and love them.Ive had two children and didn’t want more. I also don’t get my period. I do have the occasional cramping. It’s worth it.

Only the copper version of the IUD can be used as emergency contraception

I just took mine out. How early can i get pregnant?

I have been using copper T for a about 4 years now, but I found out that I am not protected anymore, so I am switching to mirena. So far good experience with copper T, the only thing is heavier periods, and my doctor says that most copper T doesnt work for 10 years.

I have Skyla which is smaller for women who haven't had babies. I love mine. I have to say I had been wanting an IUD for someone who has a smaller uterus and/or hasn't had babies.

I'm getting the hormonal one tomorrow, anybfeedback from others who have it?

I would rather get my tubes removed.

"you can't go pick one up at your local Hobby Lobby" Yeah you can't get much of any birth control from there... 😒

I had a Mirena IUD for five years, best decision ever. Almost no period, mood swings..what are those? and no cramps. Guess i'm one of the lucky ones. The 5 years just "expired" and a few days ago I had the old one taken out, that was not painfull, and replaced with a new one. Damn that was more painfull than I remembered. But, i'd rather suffer a day and be care free another 5 years. I live in the Netherlands, so the only thing i had to pay for was the Mirena IUD itself(160,-€ ) all the other medical costs (removal of old and insertion of new )were covered by the medical inssurance. Woehoee

VERY WELL DONE!

I’ve got a 5 year Mirena IUD and my insertion was in March 2017. I’m suddenly having crazy abdominal cramps and a 2 Week period which I’ve never had before (and my last period was July 2017). I knew the IUD would cause me to have significantly lighter periods that would eventually maybe even not happen at all soooooo when the OPPOSITE suddenly happened on Christmas Eve, I got scared that something was going wrong.... Thanks to this video, I understand my abnormal bleeding and intense cramping is just an unfortunate side effect that’s happening as my body is coming to terms with the IUD being in me for the next 5 years. I feel relieved that after 1 year, this abnormal period and cramp frequency will behave more. Just got to hang in there 😅

Thanks for the info!

As a woman in my early 40's i had a stroke due to the hormone imbalance from taking the pill. It caused blood clots in my brain. I'm on Paraguard now, (copper IUD) and love it. ❤️ Beware to older women if you are still on the pill, talk to your dr.

I've had one for 11 years. After 4 kids, I had to be stopped! It's still working GREAT. Heavier periods and worse cramps, sure, but more kids.. NOPE!

best device ever!!! highly recommended.

I just had Mirena placed Wednesday.. finally stopped hurting

I am a 43 y/o female who had the Mirena IUD inserted two days ago. I won't lie, it was uncomfortable but I have never had children. In comparison to a uterine biopsy, not as painful. I was on the mini pill for 5 months prior to insertion so I don't know what kind of affect that will have on the side affects. So far cramping with some spotting but nothing that Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen can't handle. I went straight home after my appointment and have focused on getting 8 hours of sleep each night. Sleeping is when your body heals. I will try to remember to come back in a few months to share more. Thanks for the video, it was very informative!!

I take Depo to stop menstrual. I eventually had to since pills didn't even slow it and it had been going on for a bit over a year with no stop or break. I had to go to the ER and was Anemic and had very low Potassium. So for safety, I'll stick with what I've got.

I am 21. I was on the birth control pills from 16 years old - March of 2018. I've had my iud for 4 months and I love it. Insertion hurt like a bitch but after 2 months all the cramping and non stop bleeding went away. I love not having to take birth control every day and I feel more secure than just using condoms. All of the Birth contol pill side effects of mood swings, Low sex drive, bloating, weight gain all went away in days (months for the weight gain). Highly reccomend.

2:02 "doctors today think..." emphasis on "think". i came here to understand how IUDs work and I'm not satisfied. What is the argument for using IUDs? "It works so use it! Idk how it works but it does work so use it :)"

Got a hormonal one about a week ago. I still can't have a lot of ahugar and the cramps are killing me. I don't know if I can handle a few months of this. 😭😭 (Edit) Is it normal to feel the cramps all the way in the pelvic bone? The part just to the left has been hurting a lot since then. The 800 mg ibu isn't really helping.

Using it for almost 4 years although im prone tp infections, but still hving pap smear every year and frquent visit to your OB nothing to worry.

I initially had my marina (progesterone IUD) put in about 6 years ago as oral contraceptives give me migraines. I was with a partner at the time and after we broke up a few years later I decided to get it taken out and return to a "normal" cycle. 3 months of hell later I went back to my dr and begged for her to put another in. The first time I had a twilight anaesthetic (as I'd never been pregnant or had an abortion) but the 2nd time it was just at the dr surgery and was done in about 30 mins, along with a pap smear. It's been about a year and a half since then, but I love it. A couple of things though; - I have short fingers, so cant check the strings myself, so my current partner has fun checking that every now any then. - gentlemen, if you can feel your ladies strings and find it uncomfortable, let her know so she and her dr can either get them cut shorter, or sometimes curled so you dont feel it (but let's be honest, youd have to be bumping her cervix pretty freaking hard to feel it, not saying its impossible, just not likely) - if you're worried the device isn't in place correctly, or get too much pain, you can have an ultrasound to check that alls well inside your (eventual) baby cave

I'm on the IUD and had it since summer it stopped my period yet about 6 months after I got it I did have some spotting but I read the pamplet and its normal for thus to happen. it's a good birth control I like it I used to be on the patch but I couldn't deal with the itchyness and it kept falling off and it was embassing to wear when it was showing the mirena IUD there's nothing to worry about no marking the calender or forgetting to take the pill it slides up the urtus it last up to 5 years I can get it takin out whenever I want. It's a good birth control. But it did hurt getting it put in.

So these are in use but they are not sure how they work?

They sound great. But here in the US, they cost in the range of $500-$600, unless you can find insurance that will cover it, which is rare. It's definitely out of range for low income families. $20 a month for birth control pills is more feasible, which is why you don't see them very often.

Ive been searching for a whole 5 mins and can't find anywhere online that explains how the IUD works lol.. I know how it's inserted, how long it works, what it looks like, where it's placed and that it has hormones but how does it work??! Is the plastic made out of hormones? Does it squirt out hormones through out the years? Is all of the plastic made out of hormones or just part of it? Will it eventually dissolve if you leave it in forever? Does it get smaller while it's inside of you? Or is it just coated in hormones if that's the case then if I bleed and secrete more than a normal Human girl will more hormone wash off the device? ...how does this thing work?!😨

I'm just wondering how the copper or hormones don't run out

There is three brands of the hormonal IUD, that last between 3-10 years depending on the kind you have. I have the Kyleena which lasts 5 years, but my doctor told me that for women who haven't given birth the Skyla, which lasts 3 years, is more popular due to its smaller size. The Mirena(or however these dumb names are spelled) that lasts for 10 years, tends to be more for women who have already had kids because it's larger in size. The Kyleena is smaller than the Mirena, but has more progesterone than the Skyla. Because I have a history of ovarian cysts before I began using any kind of birth control my doctor and I decided the Kyleena was right for me. But my mom sure was against it for awhile because she knows women who became infertile like the video mentioned.

Is it my speakers or does the microphone sound odd?

I love my Paraguard IUD. I suffered with it, but would never change my decision to have one. I have never been pregnant before, and I was warned that the drawbacks are worse in that case. The few weeks after insertion were brutal hell!! I ran a fever, and I could barely lift myself off the bed. I run my own business, and had to put things on pause for about a month because my pain was so horrifying. My finances went to crap. My boyfriend (now husband) and I were not living together then, and he was very busy at that time. It would have been nice to have someone around to help me out- to make hot water bottles, do the dishes, lift things.. It seems like everyone reacts differently to the IUD. Some ladies experience torture for months, while others just have pain for a week after insertion. I recommend that if you decide to go with an IUD, make sure you have a lot of support around you just in case you are completely immobilized. It wasn't the best timing for me, but the continual pain eventually ceased and things became more normal after a year. (though now I still have much heavier periods- there's so much blood it looks like a crime scene. And sometimes there is more pain than usual before and after my period). The IUS is an opportunity for spontaneous romance for people who are generally irresponsible, like my husband and I. We were having unprotected sex for weeks and were really going down the wrong track there! ( we really like each other ) I would have have been preggo by now with my habits if it weren't for my IUD. Worth the pain, gals. Just get a housekeeper for a few weeks!

I had got one put one in a few years ago. It was so painful, I had cramping for weeks, my periods became longer and heavier, and it slid down so I had to get it removed after 11 months. I think being a virgin made it painful to get inserted.

I heard that the majority of people stop getting period every month. If the period does not happen, am I still ovulating when having the IUD on?

Im 25 years old and im thinking of getting an IUD i have the shot i hade to stop it cause i started to gaine weight so im thinking this may be the best for me im wanting to use the best and safest birth control and i think this just may be the one i get if anyone out there can give me adivce plz let me know thanks. But i am a little worried if anyone has advice plz let me know thanks.

*Sperm: enters the uterus* *Diu: Oh? You're approaching me?*

Guess I’m going with the copper iud

Would you recommend that I have my Paragard IUD removed after just finding out I am pregnant?

Can I still use tampons and soft ups while on my period?