If you are considering getting an IUD and are wondering how to prepare, then you’ve just made the first step toward guaranteeing long-term protection from unwanted pregnancies. According to OB-GYN Montgomery County Dr. Rania Ibrahim, among the available contraceptive, IUDs remain amongst the best ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies. In fact, an IUD – which is over 99 percent effective – is the only choice that is completely reversible.
If you’re currently considering getting an IUD, following are some tips that will make sure you’re prepared.
- Make An Appointment With Your Gynecologist For A Consultation & STI Test. You’ll want to talk with your OB-GYN about your IUD plan long before you start comparison shopping or talking to your insurance about what they’ll cover. During this consultation you’ll want to discuss the procedure in detail and discuss any potential risks, but the most important reason is to ensure that you don’t currently have any STIs.
- Get Educated About Your Options. There’s more than one type of IUD available, so it’s important to be aware of their differences so that you can choose the right option. In addition to the two customary IUD choices — Mirena, an IUD that releases hormones, and Paragard, a hormone-free IUD — there is now Skyla, a smaller IUD that also releases hormones.
- Contact Your Insurance Company. An IUD is a long-term investment, but compared to paying for your birth control each month for 20 years, it’s actually quite cheap. Still, the cost of an IUD varies depending on the model you’re buying and your insurance. If insurance coverage isn’t an option for you, your OB-GYN Montgomery County suggests contacting your local Planned Parenthood.
- Find Out Where To Get An IUD. If you have one, this is where your insurance plan comes into play. You will need to question your insurance company about the health care providers covered by your insurance plan who offer IUDs. If you don’t have insurance coverage, it’s a matter of finding an OB-GYN whom you feel most comfortable with.
- Schedule Your Appointment For The First Few Days Of Your Period. Although you can have your IUD inserted anytime of the month, it’s best to get your IUD when you have your period because your cervix is most open when you’re menstruating, and that will help ease the pain of the procedure.
- Be Prepared For The Procedure. Although having an IUD inserted isn’t considered to be a major procedure, it is still a medical procedure, and may require some physical and emotional preparation. While some say the insertion process doesn’t hurt too much, others have likened the experience to “someone throwing darts at my cervix.” Everyone’s different.
If you are considering an IUD and would like more information, call the office of OB-GYN Montgomery County Dr. Rania Ibrahim today to schedule a confidential consultation.