- be premenopausal up to age 45
- have regular menstrual cycles (when not using hormonal contraception, if applic)
- be sexually active with a male partner who has not had a vasectomy
- in a mutually monogamous relationship
- seeking to avoid pregnancy for at least 3 years
General information about IUDs according to Planned Parenthood . . .
IUDs are VERY effective.
IUDs give you great, long-term protection against pregnancy — they’re more than 99% effective. They work as well as sterilization and the birth control implant. IUDs are one of the most effective methods you can get because there’s almost no way you can mess it up. You can’t forget to use it (like the pill or ring), or use it incorrectly (like condoms). IUDs are “set-it-and-forget-it” birth control.
IUDs are REALLY convenient.
Once your IUD is in, you barely have to think about it — it works until it expires or you have it taken out. That means no trips to the pharmacy, no pill to take or ring to put in, and nothing you have to do before sex to prevent pregnancy. Plus you’re protected against pregnancy for 3 to 12 years, depending on what kind you get.
You can get pregnant after taking out an IUD.
IUDs are reversible. If you decide you want to get pregnant, you can get it removed at any time. IUDs won’t affect your fertility or make it harder to get pregnant in the future. In fact, it’s possible to get pregnant as soon as your IUD is out.