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/diaphragms
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Suite 1013 – 750 West Broadway
Vancouver BC V5Z 1H9
Ph. : 604-709-5611
Fax : 604-873-8304
Email:willowwomensclinic@yahoo.ca
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http://www.medicalabortion.ca/IUDs.
IUDs
There are two kinds of IUDs in Canada - copper and Mirena. They all
last for 5 years and are put into the uterus by the doctor. IUDs work well
and couples like them because they prevent pregnancy without needing
to do something every time you have sex (like condoms) or having to
take a pill everyday. They are excellent for women who cannot take
hormones because of side effects or because they have a high risk of
blood clots.
Insertion:
The doctor checks the size and position of your uterus. She puts a
speculum into your vagina so she can see your cervix and check for
infection. She usually uses freezing with a local anesthetic. Most women
feel a pinching feeling and then a sharp cramping pain which lasts a few
minutes when the IUD is inserted. Taking ibuprofen an hour before helps
the cramps. The best time to put in an IUD is during or just after a period
but they can be put in any time as long as we know you are not
pregnant.
Risks:
There are no increased risks of infection except the first few weeks after
getting it in. That is why we check for infection and give antibiotics to
anyone who is high risk for infection (for example, a woman with more
than one sexual partner). There are no long term effects on fertility.
There is about 5% chance per year of the IUD being rejected or falling
out. This is why it is a good idea to check for the string by putting your
finger inside your vagina or by getting a doctor to check. There is about
a 1/1000 chance of the IUD perforating the uterus or getting into the
wrong place and needing minor surgery to remove it. Perforations heal
and do not cause any problems later with having babies.
Which IUD should you choose?
Copper IUD ( 40- $80) Most women choose copper IUDs because they
are cheaper and have no hormones. They almost always make the
periods heavier, longer and more painful by about 20-50%. A woman
with heavy, painful periods should choose a Mirena if she can afford it.
There are no effects from a copper IUD outside the uterus: no weight
gain, mood changes, nausea, sore breasts, etc.
Mirenas - $365 - Most health benefit plans will pay for the Mirena so it
may be the cheapest choice. Mirenas work better; only 1/1000 women
per year will get pregnant and the periods will be lighter and easier. The
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amount of hormone in a Mirena is much less than birth control pills,

patches or shots so there are very few hormone side effects. Only about
5% of women will notice any hormone side effects such as weight gain,
mood changes or acne. Most women get some spotting in the first
month or two after their Mirena has been inserted.

IUDs for emergency contraception

Copper IUDs are 99% effective as an emergency contraceptive up

to 7 days after unprotected sex. PlanB (2 pills) is 85% effective and
works best before 72 hours (3 days).

For more information check :www.mirena.ca, http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content

/full/169/6/585

For an appointment to get an IUD inserted, call 604-709-5611.

Fun facts about IUDs

FemCaps

What is a FemCap? It is a soft silicone cup to use each time you have
sex. Spermicide jelly is placed inside and the cap is placed in the vagina
to hold the spermicide next to the cervix.

How does it work? The cap is a physical barrier to the sperm and the
spermicide stops the sperm chemically.

How effective is it? About 5% of women will become pregnant in one

year of correct use.

How do I get a FemCap? You will need to be fitted for a FemCap and
taught how to put it in your vagina correctly.

What does it cost? Your medical plan pays for the fitting by the doctor
and the FemCap costs $60 if you buy it at Willow Clinic.

Advantages: no hormones, no latex, controlled by the woman

Disadvantages: must be used every time you have sex, not as effective
as birth control pills or IUDs.

For more information, see:http://www.femcap.com/

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For an appointment to get a cap fitted, call 604-709-5611.

Diaphragms

What is a diaphragm? It is a soft silicone cup to use each time you

have sex. Spermicide jelly is placed inside and the cap is placed in the
vagina to hold the spermicide next to the cervix.

How does it work? The cap is a physical barrier to the sperm and the
spermicide stops the sperm chemically.

How effective is it? About 5% of women will become pregnant in one

year of correct use.

How do I get a diaphragm? You will need to be fitted for a diaphragm

and taught how to put it in your vagina correctly.

What does it cost? Your medical plan pays for the fitting by the doctor
and the diaphragm costs about $50 at the drug store.

Advantages: no hormones, no latex, controlled by the woman

Disadvantages: must be used every time you have sex, not as effective
as birth control pills or IUDs.

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For more information, see: http://en.wikipedia.org

/wiki/Diaphragm_(contraceptive)

For an appointment to get a diaphragm fitted, call 604-709-5611.

Fun facts about IUDs

THE CAMEL CONNECTION

The first
intrauterine devices (IUDs) were used by the
Arabs. They would put pebbles in their camel’s
uterus to prevent her from getting pregnant on
long trips across the desert or to market.

EARLY IUDs:

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In 1909, Richter used silkworm gut. In the

same year, Grafenberg used silkworm gut and
silver wire. IUDs used in the 1960’s had names
like the Lippes Loop, the Margulies Spiral, of
the Saf-T-Coil.

TODAY’S IUDs:
The style of IUD we use today has been
common in North America for about 50 years.

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The tail-less steel ring is used in China by about

45 million women.

Worldwide, there are nearly 160 million IUD

users, most of them (over 100 million) in
China. IUD use varies in developed countries,
from as low as 1% in the Netherlands and the
USA to about 30% in Scandinavia.

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WHO INVENTED THE MODERN IUD?

Ernst Grafenberg invented and marketed the

first IUD in 1928. He was a Jewish German
opthalmologist-turned-OBGYN. When the
Nazis assumed power in Germany, Grafenburg,
was forced to resign from his hospital. He
refused to leave Germany, believing that since
his practice included wives of high Nazi
officials, he would be safe. He was wrong. He
was arrested in 1937. Three years later,
Margaret Sanger (an early advocate of birth
control) ransomed him from Nazi prison. He
went to the U.S. and opened a practice in New
York City.

DID YOU KNOW…

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Grafenberg was also famous for his studies of

the G-Spot (Grafenberg Spot), a pleasure zone
inside the vaginal.

WHY WOMEN CHOOSE THE IUD

Actual comments from Willow Clinic patients:

“Because of family history, I don’t want to take

any estrogens.”

“I just want to feel secure about everything and

not have to think about it.”

“It was better than having to take a pill or

inserting something and having to take it out.”

“Less hassle.”

“…I never felt like I had any other options

because all the other, like the patch and depo
provera, all have these crazy side-effects that I
was terrified of, and I know condoms always

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break.”

“I wish everybody knew about it, because

they’re [IUDs] so wonderful.”

© Copyright 2006, Willow Women's Clinic. All rights reserved.

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