Intrauterine Devices (IUD)

There are stories of nomads in ancient days inserting peach pits into the uterus of their female camels in order to prevent them getting pregnant so they can manage the  long hauls across dessert. It became known that something placed in the uterus was an effective birth control method.

The IUD is a small plastic or metal birth control device placed into a woman's uterus by a health care provider. It can remain there for several years. The IUD prevents pregnancy by changing the physical environment of the reproductive tract. These changes appear to prevent an egg from being fertilized. The non-hormonal Paraguard Copper T can stay in the uterus for up to 10 years and the progesterone-releasing Mirena can stay in place for 5 years.

*IUDs do not protect against Sexually transmitted Diseases (STD).