Gallery: What's an IUD, and Should You Get One?

IUD: it's among the many acronyms that a woman will inevitably learn if she spends enough time at the gyno, or pays enough attention in sex ed. 

What is an IUD?

It stands for intrauterine device, and that's a way of describing a small "T" shaped plastic or copper piece, hormonal or not, implanted into your uterus, inhibiting pregnancy with about the same efficiency as a condom or birth control pills, without the hassle of needing to remember to take a pill or pop on a condom- it stays in you for 3-12 years.

Why do women get IUDs?

While the most common reason is to prevent pregnancy, if hormonal, some people enjoy having a regular period, lighter period and the ease of use, with one insertion and removal expected to be years a part. It's convenient (you only need to check for your strings once per month) and increasingly common with about 10% of the American female contraceptive-using population choosing to have one, and that figure is growing.

Things to be aware of:

- IUDs do not protect you from STIs

- IUDs are reversible. Once removed, you can become pregnant

- If inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex, IUDs serve as a form of emergency contraception

- You shouldn't insert anything into your vagina for the first 1-2 days after insertion

- There are possible risk factors associated with insertion. Read the follow-up article here to learn more.