Birth Control Options: IUD -- 5 Things You Need to Know

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There are several different contraceptive methods that exist in the market, but the one that is gaining popularity amongst women these days is IUD or Intrauterine Device.

What's special about the Intrauterine Device and what makes it different from the other birth control options? Here are things you need to know about.

How do IUDs work?

According to Yahoo! News, IUD is made of two types: copper IUD and Hormonal IUD. The doctor then inserts the IUD of your choice to your uterus through the cervix. It prevents the sperm from travelling to the egg. Copper IUD can actually last up to 10 years and, when a woman decides to take it off of her, she can get pregnant right away.

Like most contraceptives, IUD has its side effects.

This contraceptive method may cause irregular menstrual period, back pain, headache, mild dizziness, nervousness, vomiting, nausea, breast tenderness and vaginal bleeding. These are just the minor effects of IUD. According to Rx List, there are serious side effects women should remember about such as pelvic pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe headache, difficulty breathing, any allergic reaction, extreme dizziness, vaginal sores that comes with severe vaginal bleeding, pale skin, chills, pain during sexual intercourse and foul-smelling discharge.

If a woman starts to feel or suffer any of these symptoms, it is best to see your doctor right away. This may lead to a serious illness cause by infection.

According to Women's Health Mag, any women can get IUD even those who do not have children.

There is no age restriction for IUD, as long as you are willing to go through this contraceptive method. A professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University of Missouri-Kansas City, Julie Strickland, said that restriction were implemented by the World Health Organization a long time ago with regard to who gets it or not.

"In the 1980s and beyond, the World Health Organization has loosened those restrictions because we understand IUDs much better. We screen patients very closely to decrease the risk of pelvic infections caused by IUDs, and we know they don't affect fertility after you have them removed," she said.

Your partner should not be able to feel it.

IUD is made of a material that is very soft, making it impossible to be felt by your partner during sexual intercourse. In case, it bothers you or your partner, go see a doctor right away.

Do IUDs prevent sexually transmitted infections?

Certainly not, condom is still the best protection for STDs.