This is the third in a series of videos where we discuss reversible, long term birth control options with Dr. Amies-Oelschlager. See our previous post on teens and birth control for written details.
Related Posts
More on birth control Part 1 Plan B
More on birth control: Part 2 Short Term Options
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Great teenology videos. Had a question about IUDs and teens/young women. It used to be they discouraged or flat out refused IUDs for teens/young women due to PID risk (increased due to the string into the uterus) & possible future effect on fertility. I see the doctor refers to condom use for STD protection but with teens being notoriously unreliable in their methods (therefore making the IUD great for teen birth control); is it now generally considered OK for teens/young women to get IUDs? If so, what brought on the change? Thanks.
Great questions, Stacey! So there is an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease for about three weeks after insertion, usually related to a pre-existing STD. All teens who get IUDs here (and in most places) are screened for gonorrhea and chlamydia at the time of insertion. If their tests come back positive, they can be effectively treated with antibiotics during the first few days. The string, thankfully, is no longer an issue as it is now manufactured so it doesn’t “wick” the bacteria up into the uterus like the old ones did.
As far as the change regarding teens getting IUDs, I think the new research showing that the IUD string doesn’t wick bacteria into the uterus was a huge factor, since teens and young adults have a higher rate of contracting STDs than adults. It’s also ideal for teens in that once it’s inserted, no further action is required (teens are famous for forgetting to take pills and shots on time.) Also, the Mirena (approved in 2000 by the FDA) shortens and sometimes stops periods, which is very attractive for many teens who have menstrual problems, which can range from annoying to life-threatening. Some places are still leery of giving teens a Mirena IUD, but we have a lot of satisfied patients with one.
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