View source for A Book for Midwives:Help a woman decide if the IUD is right for her

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{{DISPLAYTITLE: Help a woman decide if the IUD is&nbsp;right&nbsp;for&nbsp;her}}
{{SideSupplement|bookabbreviation=abfm|pagealt=is from <br>pages 390 to 391 of|chapterpdf=http://hesperian.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/en_midw_2021/en_midw_2021_21.pdf|bookurl=A Book for Midwives|booktitle=A Book for Midwives}}
{{chaptertoc|In this chapter:|
<ul class{{=}}"noprint">
<li>[[A Book for Midwives:Chapter 21: How to insert an IUD|Chapter 21: How to insert an IUD]]</li>
  <li>[[A Book for Midwives:Help a woman decide if the IUD is right for her|Help a woman decide if the IUD is right for her]]</li>
  <li>[[A Book for Midwives:Before you insert the IUD|Before you insert the IUD]]</li>
  <li>[[A Book for Midwives:Inserting the IUD|Inserting the IUD]]</li>
  <li>[[A Book for Midwives:After you insert the IUD|After you insert the IUD]]</li>
  <li>[[A Book for Midwives:Removing the IUD|Removing the IUD]]</li>
</ul>}}
The IUD is a very effective family planning method, but it has risks. Before inserting an IUD, help the woman decide if the IUD will be a good method for her.

==== Advantages of the IUD ====
* It is very effective. Very few women with IUDs become pregnant. 
* It can be taken out at any time if the woman wants to become pregnant. 
* It is easy to use. Once it has been inserted into the womb, the woman only has to check to make sure it is still there once a month. She does not need to check it before or after having sex. 
* One IUD (the Mirena) contains a small amount of hormones. This IUD can make monthly bleeding very light or stop altogether, and can reduce cramping.
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==== Disadvantages of the IUD ====
* IUDs do not protect women from getting HIV or other [[A_Book_for_Midwives:Chapter_18:_Sexually_transmitted_infections|sexually transmitted infections (STIs)]]. 
* A woman cannot put in or take out an IUD herself. A woman who uses an IUD must be able to get to a medical center that can help her if she has problems because of the IUD or that can remove the IUD if she wants to get pregnant. 
* IUDs can cause changes in monthly bleeding. Most types may cause an increase in cramping or bleeding. The Mirena IUD may cause light, irregular bleeding or spotting.
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=====IUDs are harmful for some women=====
'''Do not''' insert an IUD in a woman who: 
* has an STI. If a woman has an IUD inserted when she has an STI, that infection can easily spread to her womb. Womb&nbsp;infections can cause infertility and are very dangerous. Before you insert an IUD, the woman should be tested for&nbsp;STIs. 
* recently had an infection in her womb. 
* had an abortion, miscarriage, or gave birth within the last 6&nbsp;weeks. 
* has anemia, or who already has very painful or heavy monthly bleeding. 
* has fibroids or whose womb has an unusual shape. Do not insert an IUD made with copper in a woman who is allergic to copper.
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==== Freedom to choose or refuse an IUD ====
In some places, women are pushed to use IUDs. Some women are given IUDs without even being told that an IUD has been inserted. This happens when doctors or health workers are under pressure from local or international governments and aid groups to give IUDs to women even if the women do not want them.
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<div class{{=}}speechbub style="position: relative; width: 305px; height: 250px;float:right;">[[Image:MW_Ch21_Page_391-1.png|right|280px|alt=a health worker and a pregnant woman speaking.]]
<div style="position: absolute; width: 150px; top: 5px; left: 35px;">As soon as your baby is born we insert an IUD in your womb so you do not become pregnant again.</div>
<div style="position: absolute; width: 95px; top: 22px; left: 205px;">But Marcelo and I want to have a big family! </div></div>
These policies take away a woman’s right to choose when and if she wants to use family planning. Every woman should have the right to make that choice herself.

'''Never put pressure on a woman to use an IUD'''. Learn more about [[A_Book_for_Midwives:Choosing_a_family_planning_method#iud|IUDs]]. Every woman must understand all the risks and benefits in order to decide if she wants an IUD or not. Make sure that she does before you insert one for her.

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{{Previous and next sections|Chapter 21: How to insert an IUD|Before you insert the IUD}}


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