IUD. resurgence

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The Intra-Uterine Device, or IUD, is a form of birth control that’s been making a steady comeback since the 80’s. An IUD is a “T” shaped plastic rod with an attached thread, it’s the size of a loonie. There are two main types, one that uses copper and another that releases hormones. Doctors say it’s the most effective form of birth control on the market.

In recent years, lawsuits have been launched against a manufacturer of the contraceptive. But even with that news, a gynecologist from hamilton health sciences says the IUD is still a safer option. Birth control pills have a 9% failure rate but IUD’s offer a less than 1% chance of getting pregnant.

in 2013, 52 women using Mirena, a hormone IUD reported uterine perforations to Health Canada, saying the device migrated to other parts of their body. Dr. Dustin Costescu is a gynecologist at Hamilton Health Sciences and despite these claims, he says the IUD is still a safer option as those risks carry a lower chance of mortality compared to the birth control pill.

“The risk of a blood clot related to an estrogen containing birth control like a birth control pill, patch or ring can be somewhere between 4 per 10 000 women per year. In fact the risk of a clot is higher than the risk of a major injury or surgery related to an IUD placement.”

Doctors recommend that you speak with them if you’re interested in an IUD, then you’ll get a prescription and pick it up at any pharmacy and take it to your nurse practitioner or gynecologist to have it safely inserted. It’s a short procedure covered by OHIP.