Health Conditions

Benefits

Convenient to use (may be effective up to 10 years, depending on the type)

No risk of estrogen side effects

Few menstrual irregularities

Reduced risk of pregnancy for women who have trouble remembering to take pills

Fertility returns soon after removal

Risks

No protection against sexually transmitted infections

Inconvenient to start and end (physician office visits necessary for insertion and removal)

High initial cost

Rare uterine perforation (puncture of the uterus)

Possibly increased risk of:

• Cramping and painful menstruation
• Ectopic pregnancy (a fertilized egg that has implanted outside the uterus)
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Spotting (small amounts of blood from the vagina) between periods

Possible progestin side effects (only for IUDs that contain a progestin)

• Acne
• Depression
• Increased appetite
• Irregular menstrual bleeding
• Weight gain

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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.