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"The myriad birth control options these days are both awesome and totally confusing. How do you know which is right for you? It comes down to a whole bunch of factors, and lifestyle is a big one. For girls with chaotic schedules that have them rushing around campus, interviewing for jobs, and doing 5,000 other things, popping a daily pill, for example, can be a pain.\n\nAccording to Dr. James Trussell, who studies contraception at Princeton University, the number one cause of birth control failure is a lack of adherence: \"Any medicine that people are supposed to take every day can easily be forgotten.\" And the busier you are, the more likely it will slip your mind. Luckily, preventing pregnancy isn't contingent on just the pill, and one of the many other options is a little device that's actually referred to as a \"fit and forget.\"\n\nWe're talking about an intrauterine device (more commonly called an IUD) which is actually one of the most effective forms of birth control available. It also happens to be making a renewed splash in the health community as a long-term option for teens and young women in their early 20s. Read on to learn all about it, and what to do if you decide it's right for you.\n\nWhat is an IUD?\n\nAn IUD is a small, T-shaped device that's inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. Insertion is performed by a healthcare provider in a medical office, and the IUD remains in your body until the recommended removal time or whenever you decide to take it out.\n\nThere are two types of IUDs in the U.S. The first is a hormone-free option called ParaGard that contains copper and is effective for up to 12 years. The second contains hormones and releases a small amount of progestin (the synthetic form of progesterone, which is produced in the ovaries and regulates puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy). Mirena is a hormonal IUD that's effective for five years, while the new Skyla device is a slightly smaller hormonal IUD that's effective for three years.\n\nHow does it work?\n\nBoth hormonal and non-hormonal IUDs work by keeping sperm from meeting up with an egg\u2014and if sperm and eggs can't sync, you can't get pregnant. ParaGard releases sperm-destroying copper ions, while Mirena and Skyla thicken the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from making their way through to the eggs. Hormonal IUDs can sometimes even keep an egg from leaving the ovary entirely.\n\nWill I still get my period?\n\nOver time, you might not anymore! IUDs thin the uterine lining (called endometrium), and if there's no endometrium to shed, your body might not need to menstruate monthly. Some gynecologists believe that copper IUDs can make your period heavier, while hormonal IUDs can make it go away completely or cause spotting in the first few months.\n\nAnother important thing to know is that ParaGard doesn't affect your hormones, and neither type of IUD keeps your body from ovulating, which is why you can take it out at any time and return to a normal cycle within just a few months.\n\nAre IUDs safe for young women?\n\nYes. There was a time when gynecologists were reticent to fit young women who had not yet had children with an IUD, but that's a thing of the past. In fact, New York-based gynecologist Dr. Dena Harris says that IUDs are a great option for young women. She also told us that because IUDs thicken the mucus at the edge of the cervix, they may even protect against certain STDs. (That said, you shouldn't rely on them to prevent anything but pregnancy, and using a condom is always the best choice for STD prevention!)\n\nBut like all medical options, an IUD may not be right for everyone. \"Sometimes the uterus can have an unusual shape, or there can be fibroids that are so large that you can't get the device in,\" says Dr. Trussell. Keep in mind that those are rare instances, and the more experienced your doctor is, the less likely there will be any trouble with your IUD insertion.\n\nHow effective is it?\n\nAn IUD is one of the most effective forms of birth control on the market, leading to less than one pregnancy per every 100 IUD-using women per year. Compare that to the birth control pill, ring, patch, and shot, which all have a failure rate ranging from 2 to 9%.\n\nIUDs can't float off into your body, though it is possible (and extremely rare) that an IUD can be expelled without you noticing. That's why it's important to check your IUD string from time to time, either at the gynecologist's office or in your own home. If you can't find the string on your own, schedule a visit with your doctor and use a backup form of birth control in the meantime.\n\nWhat happens when I decide I want to get one?\n\nOnce you've done your research (we recommend taking Planned Parenthood's handy My Method quiz), schedule a visit with your doctor to discuss options. Depending on your healthcare provider and insurance, you may have to order the device yourself and have it delivered to the doctor's office, though it's more likely that your doctor will handle all the details.\n\nOnce your IUD arrives, you'll schedule a visit to insert the IUD. The procedure itself is fairly short (less than five minutes!) and is more uncomfortable than it is painful. You may have some cramps, which signal that your body's adjusting to the IUD's presence. If you experience prolonged, painful cramping, call your doctor, who will work with you to figure out what's up.\n\nHow long does it take to be effective?\n\nParaGard is effective immediately after it's been inserted, while Skyla and Mirena become effective immediately if they are inserted within seven days of the beginning of your period. If you have a hormonal IUD placed at any other time during your cycle, use a backup form of birth control for a few days; you'll be protected in about a week.\n\nHow much does an IUD cost?\n\nIn the long-term, an IUD is one of the most inexpensive forms of birth control out there. You'll pay for the device and the visit to your doctor, which will run between $500 and $1000 in total, though these costs are often covered by insurance. Divide that over the number of years it works and you've got yourself a very cost-effective form of contraception. Generally speaking, ParaGard costs less than hormonal IUDs do. Check with your insurance provider to get specific information about how much your bill will be.\n\nAnything else I should know?\n\nJust because an IUD can last for years doesn't mean it has to. If you decide that you want to switch birth control methods or stop using contraception completely, an IUD is easily removed and entirely reversible. Like all birth control, it's a personal choice for every individual, and you should discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor (and even get a second opinion if you want!).\n\nLastly, just because an IUD protects you against pregnancy doesn't mean that you're fully protected against STDs and STIs. Play it safe by using condoms, getting tested regularly, and making your annual gynecologist visit a must-do."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.teenvogue.com/story/iud-birth-control>