Here Are A Few Reasons Why An Iud Could Be An Excellent Choice For You
What research has been done shows that hormonal IUDs fail just 0.2 percent of the time while the copper IUD fails 0.8 percent of the time. This means fewer than one out of 100 women will get pregnant each year when using an IUD. A lot of this comes down to the fact that IUDs are hard to mess up.
Birth control pills, on the other hand, have a failure rate that ranges from less than 1 percent with perfect use to 9 percent with typical use . So if youre worried about messing up your birth control, an IUD might be a good choice for you.
To put it simply, IUDs are one of the best methods of contraception that we have, Lauren Streicher, M.D., an associate professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, tells SELF. The only reversible contraceptive thats more effective than the IUD is the implant, which was found to have a 0.05 percent failure rate. That implant goes in your arm and can be used for up to three years.
Mirena and Kyleena are recommended for up to five years, Liletta is recommended for up to four years, and Skyla is recommended for up to three years. ParaGard, on the other hand, can be used up to 10 years. So if youre looking for long-term birth control , this could be a great option.
With methods like the pill, the ring, and the shot, you have to think about your birth control on a regular basis. But IUDs are different.
How Do Copper Iud Works
Copper IUDs are a t-shaped device, and some can be frameless. Earlier copper IUDs had a copper stem, but these days copper is also on the arms of the t-shaped device. The primary mechanism of a copper IUD is to prevent the fertilization of eggs. Copper is a spermicide inside the uterus, and its presence increases the white blood cells, copper ions, and prostaglandins within tubal and uterine fluids. The copper in ParaGard prevents the sperm from reaching the egg for fertilization and can prevent implantation as well. This doesnt interfere with the natural menstrual cycle, and women can continue to ovulate.
Does The Iud Cause Acne Or Does Mirena Cause Acne
The IUD can cause acne, but it is not likely. Mirena is the only hormonal IUD that contains progestin which may worsen pre-existing acne or even produce new breakouts.
In addition, acne might be caused by inflammation around your hair follicles due to high levels of prostaglandins. This will change hormone production and decrease sebum production in women who are prone to both conditions.
If you have a history of either condition, make sure your doctor knows about it before using an IUD as a long-term birth control solution. In addition, pregnancy hormones could increase this risk further if present during pregnancy days 20 40 .
You May Like: How To Prevent Acne Scars After Picking
Is Kale Good For Acne
High in vitamin E, beta-carotene, fibre and a range of phytonutrients, dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, collards and Swiss chard can help with acne. These nutrients all work to build healthy, clear skin. Theyre versatile, too. Stir into soups, make a salad or toss with pasta the skys the limit.
What About Changing Diet And Skin Care

If you believe your acne is linked to your IUD, changing up your skin care routine may be beneficial.
Some recommendations include exfoliating a few times a week with the likes of salicylic acid to help clear clogged pores.
Adding ingredients like retinol to your regime can help encourage the turnover of skin cells.
Its also important to thoroughly cleanse your skin at least once a day and avoid picking or squeezing pimples.
The link between diet and hormonal acne is still unclear, but certain dietary changes may help control breakouts, too.
Try following a low-glycemic diet involving plenty of fresh vegetables and beans.
Try to cut back on not necessarily eliminate foods and drinks that quickly raise your blood sugar, such as:
- white bread
- sugary drinks
You May Like: How To Treat Nodular Acne At Home
Will Breakouts Go Away Once The Iud Is Removed
If your breakout was, in fact, from an IUD, then yes, it will go away once the IUD is removed. However, Engelman points out that it wont be an instant fix. Existing acne may take time to heal, she says.
On the other hand, Demosthenes says its important to really consider whether the IUD is to blame.
If the patient was acne-prone to begin with, the problem may remain with or without the IUD, she says, warning that removing it may be unnecessary and cause more hormonal changes than necessary to address your skin. It’s best to work with a dermatologist to explore treatment options if the issue persists.
Your Monthly Skincare Routine
Apart from daily and weekly skin care routines, a monthly check-up is also necessary to ensure the improvement and promotion of skin. So, what should you do on a monthly basis for acne-prone skin?
- You should check the condition and expiratory date of the skin products you are using. Furthermore, visit the skincare clinic and find the best products for yourself.
- Likewise, self-examine your skin, determine how much improvement has occurred, and determine what conditions require a dermatologists attention.
You May Like: Is Lotion Good For Acne
Important Things Women Need To Know About The Kyleena Iud
& nbsp Most women have had to discuss birth control and the options they have at some point in their lives. Generally, the main ones people know about are the pill, condoms, sometimes the Nuvaring
Most women have had to discuss birth control and the options they have at some point in their lives. Generally, the main ones people know about are the pill, condoms, sometimes the Nuvaring or the patch, and because of all the drama that has surrounded it, the Mirena IUD.
There are more options than those, but theyre not often well-known by a lot of people, and some people are literally shocked at the options there are available to them. But when it comes to IUDs, we think of Mirena, which is hormonal, and Paragard, which is copper-based.
Well, Mirena can move over, because theres a new hormone-based intrauterine lady entering the market, and her name is Kyleena! Yes, theres a new IUD, and many women may not have even heard of it yet. I didnt even know there were hormonal IUD options aside from Mirena have you heard of Liletta or Skyla? I hadnt either.
There can never be too many options for women who do not want to get pregnant. Kyleena is the first of its kind, itâs meant to offer 5 years of long-lasting protection to women who have never been pregnant.
But, what exactly is Kyleena? What risks are there? How good is it as birth control? Well, we hope to answer some of those questions right here.
Signs An Iud Is Right For Youand 5 It Isnt
Maybe a friend recently sang the praises of her IUD, an excited gleam in her eyes as she tried to get you to join the club. Perhaps youve had a few too many broken condoms ruining the moment. Or maybe you want the option of an incredibly effective, reversible, yet hormone-free method of birth control.
There are plenty of reasons why you might consider an IUD, but before you settle on one, there are few things you need to know.
IUDs are split into two categories: hormonal and non-hormonal. Hormonal IUDs use varying levels of progestin, the synthetic form of the hormone progesterone, to prevent pregnancy. Progestin thins your uterine lining, thickens cervical mucus so its harder for sperm to swim through, and partially suppresses ovulation so sometimes theres no egg to be fertilized in the first place, according to the Mayo Clinic. Theres only one non-hormonal IUD, ParaGard, which releases copper that bathes the lining of your uterus, creating an inflammatory reaction thats toxic to sperm, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Read Also: Are Eggs Good For Acne
How To Tell If Youre Dealing With Iud
As much as you may want to blame your IUD for a breakout, Engelman says that taking note of the location of your flare-up will really determine whether its a factor or not.
The location and severity of acne may be a clue as to whether it is caused by an IUD or another breakout trigger, like stress, diet, or personal habits, she says. Acne caused by IUDs tends to be located around the chin and jaw area.
Another indicator? If youre experiencing cystic acneespecially if you never have before. Additionally, she says that some patients report developing cystic acne after getting an IUD, even if they have no history of it, which also points to the IUD as the cause.
Hormonal acne tends to be cysticoften red and painful breakouts deep in the skin, Demosthenes explains. She notes that while hormonal acne is the most common flare-up surrounding any form of birth control, every person is different and the best way to determine whats going on with your skin is to speak with your dermatologist.
Read Also: Why Do I Have So Much Acne On My Chin
How To Tell If You’re Dealing With Iud
As much as you may want to blame your IUD for a breakout, Engelman says that taking note of the location of your flare-up will really determine whether it’s a factor or not.
The location and severity of acne may be a clue as to whether it is caused by an IUD or another breakout trigger, like stress, diet, or personal habits, she says. Acne caused by IUDs tends to be located around the chin and jaw area.
Another indicator? If youre experiencing cystic acneespecially if you never have before. Additionally, she says that some patients report developing cystic acne after getting an IUD, even if they have no history of it, which also points to the IUD as the cause.
Hormonal acne tends to be cysticoften red and painful breakouts deep in the skin, Demosthenes explains. She notes that while hormonal acne is the most common flare-up surrounding any form of birth control, every person is different and the best way to determine whats going on with your skin is to speak with your dermatologist.
Don’t Miss: How To Clear Up Really Bad Acne
What Your Healthcare Provider Might Say
Birth control pills that contain both estrogen and progestin can be prescribed to treat acne and hirsutism , and sometimes hair loss.
Progestin-only methods such as the implant, hormonal IUD, or shot may worsen acne, hirsutism, or hair loss in some people.
To understand these effects requires a little anatomy and physiology lesson.
See Your Doctor If: You Feel New Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain and fever could point to pelvic inflammatory disease , which is usually caused by sexual contact and would warrant the removal of the IUD.
The IUD actually increases cervical mucus, which is a barrier for most of the organisms that cause PID to go inside the uterus, Kelly-Jones said. But any new onset pelvic pain needs to be evaluated.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Acne Off Your Face
Recommended Reading: Can Vitamin C Help Acne
Mirena Coil And Acne 34
Daffy · 18/12/2002 13:34
I had a Mirena Coil fitted in August and ever since then I have been suffering with terrible acne. I have never had perfect skin and did suffer a little when I was on the pill, but it has got a lot worse since I had my coil fitted. Is anyone else suffering like I am? Is it likely to get better? I do hope so as I may have to have it taken out because of this!
AnnieG · 18/12/2002 23:52
Daffy-I too had a Mirena coil fitted in August and have suffered with acne since. They do warn that this can be a side effect but the doctor who fitted mine said it should settle down after a few months. I have to say the benefits for me have outweighed the problem of the acne as my periods have gone from being extremely heavy to virtually non-existant.I should persevere for a while longer if you can-my spots are certainly less severe now than they were initially.
Daffy · 19/12/2002 12:51
Thanks AnnieG. I will persevere for a little while longer. I’m sure the doc wouldn’t want to take it out after such a short space of time anyway. The acne is quite bad though. I look like someone going through puberty, not someone in their early 30s’!! Everyone else must have perfect skin then?
Lindy · 27/02/2003 17:11
Enid · 27/02/2003 17:16
having it done on Monday afternoon, quite happy to go into gory detail if it will help anyone!
SofiaAmes · 27/02/2003 20:46
susanmt · 28/02/2003 11:47
Lindy · 03/03/2003 22:02
Lil · 04/03/2003 14:04
SofiaAmes · 04/03/2003 21:14
Types Of Combined Contraceptives
- The pill- Combination birth control pills can affect the skin by decreasing the androgenic effect in our tissue and ultimately reducing the production of sebum and acne. Studies on the combination pill have found that it is effective in treating both noninflammatory and inflammatory acne. Research is lacking in terms of how different types of the pill perform in comparison to each other . However, pills with low progestin, anti-androgenic progestins are best for treating acne compared to pills with androgenic progestins. Dr. Zenovia recommends the drospirenone-containing combined contraceptives to her patients, like YAZ. To see an improvement in acne, it may take up to 2-3 months on the pill. This is because hormones need time to regulate and normalize in our system.
- The patch- There is inconclusive data on how this contraceptive affects the skin. Some studies report an improvement in acne, while others report no improvement.
- The ring- There is also limited research on the ring in terms of acne outcomes.
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Whitehead Acne
Can It Cause Breast Soreness Or Tenderness
Progesterone is usually associated with tender and sore breasts.
During your menstrual cycle, youre more likely to experience breast tenderness when progesterone peaks.
Since Mirena works by releasing progestin, a synthetic version of progesterone, it makes sense that it can cause breast tenderness.
However, theres very little scientific data on how common this side effect is.
Some describe insertion as producing a little discomfort while others find it quite painful it depends on a range of factors, and you wont know how it feels until you actually have it inserted.
The FDA notes that you could feel dizzy or even faint during insertion. Mirena. . Cramping is also a common side effect.
Straight after Mirena is inserted, you might feel pain, dizziness, and bleeding. For this reason, its a good idea to bring a thermal heat patch, some pads, and ibuprofen along when you get your IUD inserted.
According to the Mirena website, these symptoms should pass within 30 minutes. If they dont, the IUD could have been inserted incorrectly.
If youre still experiencing extreme pain and bleeding 30 minutes after insertion, tell your healthcare provider. They might have to examine whether its in the right place.
You might experience a little spotting for a few days after the insertion.
Common Side Effects During Removal
To remove your IUD, your doctor will gently pull the strings of the IUD using forceps or a similar instrument. The Mirenas arms will fold upward, allowing it to be pulled from the uterus.
You might experience cramping and bleeding during removal of the IUD. However, there are seldom complications with removal.
Your period will usually return and go back to normal within the next few months. Your fertility can return within the next few weeks, so be sure to use another form of contraception if you dont wish to become pregnant.
The Mirena IUD lasts for five years, after which it will have to be removed or replaced. What to expect after placement of Mirena. .
If you would like, a new device can be reinserted. The side effects of reinserting Mirena is much the same as the initial insertion.
Some people claim they have less side effects the second time around, but there isnt any scientific data to back this up.
If your body expelled an IUD before, its more likely to expel one again. So, if you want to get Mirena reinserted after expulsion, let your provider know.
You should also let your provider know if you experienced any major symptoms or complications with your IUD.
You May Like: Will Acne Go Away On Its Own
What Should I Do If I Am Experiencing Hair Loss Because Of My Iud
If your gut is telling you that your IUD might be causing your hair loss, then follow your instinct. And while youre at it, talk to your doctor immediately. Considering that hormones are essential in hair growth, changes in hormone levels can result in hair loss.
Our hair follicles are unique. Therefore, some peoples hair follicles might be more sensitive to the hormonal changes that come with IUDs.
But proving to your doctor that your IUD is to blame for your hair loss may be difficult. Moreover, in some cases, your doctor may not even be able to explain your hair loss. If you are considering having your IUD removed, be sure to talk with your doctor first.
Dont Miss: How To Clear Up Leg Acne