IUDs & Nexplanon: What Are They and Do I Need Them?

If you’ve been looking at your options for birth control, you may have considered an intrauterine device (IUD) like Mirena or an implant like Nexplanon. To help you make an informed decision about your next step, we’ve compiled an informative primer. Check it out below.

What Is Birth Control?

Birth control refers to anything that is designed to prevent pregnancy. Different birth control methods work in varying ways:

• Stopping sperm from getting to the eggs. These methods of birth control include condoms and cervical caps.

• Keeping a woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs that may be fertilized. This type of birth control includes pills, patches, shots, and the like.

There are also birth control devices implanted into the uterus or the arm.

Why Should I Use Birth Control?

Aside from stopping you from getting pregnant, hormonal birth control methods also present a wide range of benefits.

Regulated Menstrual Cycles. Hormonal birth control methods can balance the hormonal fluctuations that take place throughout your cycle. This balancing of hormonal fluctuations can help if you’ve been experiencing irregular or heavy bleeding.

Less Painful Periods. Hormonal birth control methods prevent ovulation. When you don't ovulate, you don't experience the painful contractions and cramps that happen during ovulation.

What Is an IUD?

An intrauterine device, or IUD, is a T-shaped contraption that fits inside your uterus. It stops pregnancy by stopping sperm from fertilizing eggs.

Mirena, along with a few other types, releases small traces of progestin into your body. Progestin is the hormone used in several birth control pills.

Can I Use an IUD?

Almost all healthy women can use an IUD; however, they're best used by women with one partner and at low risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease. It would be best not to use an IUD if:

• You have unexplained vaginal bleeding.

• You have cancer of the uterus or cervix.

• You’re pregnant.

What Is Nexplanon?

Like a traditional IUD, Nexplanon is a long-acting birth control method. What makes it different is that it is placed in your arm instead of the uterus. Your healthcare provider will put this thin, small, and flexible arm implant under the skin of your non-dominant upper arm.

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose a traditional hormonal IUD like Mirena as your birth control method or an arm implant like Nexplanon, it would be best to consult an OB-GYN.

In the Tri-cities (Kennewick, Richland, Pasco), Richard Lorenzo, DO and female provider Kortney Jones, ARNP, of Complete Healthcare for Women can make your birth control insertion painless and seamless.

Not only will Complete Healthcare for Women be able to handle the insertion of the birth control for you, but they will also be able to answer any preliminary questions you have before the procedure and provide the necessary care after. (509) 392-6700.

Author

Richard Lorenzo, DO

Dr. Lorenzo is a Fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOOG), reflecting his expertise in women’s health. He provides comprehensive gynecological and obstetric services, including prenatal care up to 20 weeks, infertility evaluations, and general gynecology. Dr. Lorenzo specializes in advanced surgical techniques, offering minimally invasive procedures for abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, and hysterectomy, ensuring quicker recovery and minimal discomfort for his patients. He is highly trained in high-risk obstetrics and adept at performing minimally invasive hysterectomies, providing women with effective solutions tailored to their needs. At Complete Healthcare for Women in Richland, WA, Dr. Lorenzo prioritizes personalized, compassionate care, empowering women to make informed health decisions.