As we settle into the second month of the semester here at Bentley, our lives have become very busy. Between classes, clubs and internships, our schedules are very different from what they were in summertime.
The last thing we need between our midterms is one more important thing to think about. Yet most women, including women at Bentley, are using a method of birth control that requires them to think about it every day.
Birth control pills are a great invention, but they take constant conscious thought to be used effectively. They require monthly or tri-monthly trips to the pharmacy, and monthly payments. They need to be taken at the same time, every single day. Between hanging out with friends on the Greenspace during these last few warm days, or studying for a midterm in the Library, we might not remember to take our birth control pills or be able to go get them–leading to higher risks of pregnancy.
However, there is another birth control option available to Bentley students. It’s called the IUD.
The simple facts of the IUD are this:
- There are 2 types: the Paragard (plastic with copper) and Mirena(plastic with hormones)
- They last a long time: The Paragard lasts 10 years, the Mirena lasts for 5
- They are one of the most effective forms of birth control (Less than 1 in 100 women will get pregnant using an IUD)
- After an initial check up, you don’t need to do anything with your IUD- it does all the work for you.
According to Margaret Fitzgerald, FNP-BC. Nurse Practitioner and Assistant Director in Bentley’s Center for Health and Wellness, “The Paragard is a great choice for a woman that has mild periods and wants a contraception that is hormone free. Mirena is a great choice for women who have heavy, painful periods because the hormone in it will reduce these symptoms dramatically.”
IUDs are a great alternative for Bentley students. A onetime payment (often covered by health insurance) provides you with 99% prevention against pregnancy for 5-10 years. For freshmen, sophomores, or juniors, this means no more worry about remembering to take pills during your busy and changing schedule in college. For seniors, it means you won’t risk losing or changing your health insurance and thus losing access to your pills- AND you don’t have to worry about paying every month while you’re trying to pay off your loans.
There are some downsides to an IUD. An IUD requires a doctor to put in and to remove. Fitzgerald, FNP-BC says “I don’t think women should be fearful of having an IUD inserted; it is a minor, quick procedure that is accompanied by some brief cramping.”Â
There is a risk of a pelvic infection at the time of insertion if you currently have a vaginal infection or had one in the previous three months. You should be tested prior to insertion and usually an antibiotic is given at time of insertion. IUD’s do not protect against STIs; you still need to use a condom. Each method affects women differently. The hormone in the Mirena typically doesn’t cause weight gain. It is rare, but some women can get mood swings, breast tenderness, or headaches.Â
Even with these downsides, for most women an IUD is a good choice of birth control.
So with all this new information, you may be asking, “How can I get an IUD?”
The first thing you should do is have an annual gynecological exam and be screened for STIs. This can be done at the Bentley Center for Health and Wellness, or your local doctor’s office. Unfortunately, the Center does not insert or remove IUDs on campus. They do however provide a list of local gynecologists who can perform the procedure for you.
After you pick up the list from the Health Center, you should check with your insurance company to see which gynecologists they cover with your plan, and how much co-pay (if any) you will be required to pay for the IUD. Then set up an appointment to discuss which IUD is best for you and insertion.
The IUD is an excellent choice in birth control, yet it is under appreciated in America. Let’s have Bentley students lead the way in supporting this great birth control method!