Intrauterine Devices

1
Long Term and Surgical Methods

• Intrauterine Devices
• Tubal Ligation
• Vasectomy

2
Long Term Method

• Intrauterine Device - IUD

3
What is an Intrauterine ContraceptiveDevices
(IUD)?

• An IUD is a small soft T-shaped device with a
  nylon string attached.

4
How Does an IUD Work?

• An IUD prevents sperm from meeting an egg.
• An IUD may stop a fertilized egg from growing
  inside the uterus.

5
How Effective is an IUD?

• Nova T (copper wrapped IUD) is about 98.7
  effective in preventing pregnancy.
• Mirena (hormone wrapped IUD) is about 99
  effective in preventing pregnancy.

6
Advantages of the IUD

• Provides long-term birth control.
• Cost effective.
• Can be removed when a woman would like to become
  pregnant.
• Convenient - a woman does not need to remember it
  daily or weekly.

7
Disadvantages of an IUD

• Between 2 and 10 fall out, most commonly in the
  first year of use.
• Increased risk of miscarriage if an IUD is left
  in the uterus during pregnancy.
• In rare cases, the IUD may attach to or perforate
  the wall of the uterus.
• With the copper IUD, a woman may experience
  heavier bleeding and cramping with periods.

8
Looking After an IUD

• A health care provider will insert or remove an
  IUD.
• Check the strings at the end of every period to
  determine if the IUD is still in place.
• Return to the health care provider if there are
  questions or concerns.

9
Surgical Methods

• Tubal Ligation
• Vasectomy

10
How Does Tubal Ligation Work?

• Tubal ligation is the blocking of the fallopian
  tubes.

11
Advantages of Tubal Ligation

• Highly effective, permanent method of birth
  control.
• Non-hormonal method.
• Can be done as a day surgery.
• A woman continues to make female hormones and
  have her period every month.
• Does not affect a womans natural sex drive.
• The cost of surgery is covered by Alberta Health
  Care.

12
Disadvantages of a Tubal Ligation

• It is considered permanent.
• A woman will have to undergo surgery and an
  anesthetic to have the tubal ligation.
• There may be some pain for a short time after the
  surgery.
• It does not protect against sexually transmitted
  infections.

13
How Does a Vasectomy Work?

• The tubes that carry sperm are cut so sperm
  cannot reach the penis.

14
Advantages of Vasectomy

• A male method of birth control.
• Highly effective, permanent method of birth
  control.
• A simple procedure with few complications that
  can be done in a doctors office.
• Does not affect a mans natural sex drive.
• The cost of procedure is covered by Alberta
  Health Care.

15
Disadvantages of Vasectomy

• It is considered permanent.
• There may be some pain and restricted activity
  for a short time after the surgery.
• Not effective right away.
• It does not protect against sexually transmitted
  infections.