Srikumari has just had a beautiful baby girl. She and her husband want to avoid another pregnancy. Being a working woman, she feels that she may not remember to take a birth control pill everyday, while juggling between her duties as a mother and a busy professional. What is a safe alternative?

The intrauterine device (IUD) offers safe, effective, and reversible protection against pregnancy for many women and is a very popular method of birth control throughout the world. The IUD is more effective than most other forms of birth control.  For a woman who has already had a child, the IUD is a good choice. The advantage is that most of the IUDs can be left in for 5 years or more and have very few side effects. Whenever a woman decides to go ahead with a pregnancy, she can have it removed. It must be remembered that the IUD does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Types of intrauterine devices

Although there have been several types of IUDs in the past, currently two are most commonly used: the copper and the hormonal. The copper IUD can remain in the body for 5-10 years. The hormonal IUD must be replaced every 5 years. Whenever the couple wants to go ahead with a pregnancy, the IUD can be removed. The copper IUD costs around Rs 300-400 whereas the hormonal IUD costs approximately Rs 7500.

How does an IUD work?

Both types of IUDs are T-shaped, but they work in different ways. The copper IUD releases a small amount of copper into the uterus. A copper IUD does not affect ovulation or the menstrual cycle. The copper in the IUD reduces the sperm's ability to fertilize an egg. It also prevents the embryo from attaching to the wall of the uterus.

The hormonal IUD releases a small amount of the hormone progestin into the uterus. This thickens the cervical mucus, which blocks the sperm from entering the cervix. It may make the sperm less active. It also thins the lining of the uterus, preventing an embryo from attaching. With the hormonal IUD the monthly bleeding becomes very scanty (an added advantage for many women).