Intrauterine IUDs (pessaries) are small T-shaped plastic devices that are an increasingly popular and extremely reliable way to prevent unwanted pregnancy for a long time. Although many women fear their insertion, when inserted correctly, IUDs prevent pregnancy in 99% of cases. They are an effective, long-lasting and reversible method of reliable contraception. There are two main types of intrauterine devices: hormonal and non-hormonal. Hormonal pessaries contain progestin – a synthetic analogue of progesterone. Progestins cause thickening of the cervical mucus, thickening of the uterine lining and suppress the ovulation process. In this way, spermatozoa cannot travel to the fallopian tube, where fertilization takes place, and as a result of suppressed ovulation, there is no egg suitable for fertilization. The second type of IUDs are the non-hormonal ones. They are made of copper thread, in which precious metals such as gold, silver are woven to extend the effect of the spiral. Copper pessaries cause a change in the chemical environment of the uterus and affect sperm vitality. The type of IUD is chosen depending on the individual characteristics and needs of each woman, and each type has its advantages and disadvantages. IUDs can be inserted at any time of the menstrual cycle before pregnancy occurs, with some specialists preferring this to happen at the end of the menstrual period. Insertion of the IUD may be accompanied by slight pain that lasts for the next 2-3 days. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed to relieve pain. The pain in the following days is caused by uterine contractions aimed at expelling the foreign body. In addition to pain, the occurrence of light bleeding is characteristic after insertion of the intrauterine device. The advantages of using intrauterine spirals are: 1. A long period of contraception – the life of pessaries varies between 5 and 10 years, and that of hormonal ones is up to 5 years, and of non-hormonal ones – up to 10 years. This method of contraception is extremely convenient, since there is no danger of forgetting, as there is when taking oral contraceptives. The effectiveness, combined with the long period of action, makes IUDs a safe method of contraception. 2. Reversibility – pregnancy can occur immediately after removal of the intrauterine device. 3. They can be used after childbirth and during breastfeeding – for insertion of an intrauterine spiral after a normal birth, a period of 3 to 6 months must pass, and after a cesarean birth – a 6-month period. There are no problems with using pessaries during breastfeeding. 4. They do not cause health disturbances – hormonal spirals do not cause hormonal side effects such as painful breasts, acne, headaches, etc.They do not affect body mass and do not increase the risk of various types of cancer of the female reproductive system. 5. They can be used by women to whom the use of oral contraceptives is contraindicated – women smokers with a tendency to blood clots, suffering from arterial hypertension, migraine, endometriosis, etc. can use intrauterine spirals, unlike contraceptives, which are contraindicated in this group of patients. In addition to benefits, the use of intrauterine devices also has some risks, the most important of which are: 1. They do not protect against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases – regardless of the fact that they protect against unwanted pregnancy, pessaries are not a reliable method of protection against sexually transmitted infections . For this reason, it is recommended to limit the frequent change of sexual partners and use condoms during sexual intercourse. 2. They can be displaced – after insertion of the intrauterine spiral, it is recommended to limit sexual contact for a period of one to two weeks, avoid heavy physical exertion and training. Up to three months after placing the pessary, a consultation with a specialist is necessary, who can determine its location sonographically. After the initial examination, the location of the coil should be checked annually. 3. There is a risk of infections – the insertion of an intrauterine spiral in women suffering from a genital tract infection is contraindicated because it can deepen the infection and lead to the development of pelvic inflammatory disease. 4. Heavy and prolonged menstrual periods – non-hormonal copper IUDs can cause lengthening of the menstrual period. Such a risk does not exist with the use of hormonal pessaries, which usually reduce the symptoms of PMS, shorten the period of menstruation or even lead to its absence (amenorrhea). 5. There is a risk of pregnancy – although the risk of pregnancy is small, there is a risk of pregnancy if the IUD is placed incorrectly, if it is displaced and falls out. There is a certain risk of ectopic pregnancy when the IUD is displaced. The insertion of an intrauterine device is, in most cases, a safe, reliable and effective method of contraception that provides a long period of 5 to 10 years of protection against unwanted pregnancy. Before inserting a pessary, you need to discuss the risks and benefits in detail and make your decision based on the information received.Although they protect against unwanted pregnancy, pessaries are not a reliable method of protection against sexually transmitted infections. For this reason, it is recommended to limit the frequent change of sexual partners and use condoms during sexual intercourse. 2. They can be displaced – after insertion of the intrauterine spiral, it is recommended to limit sexual contact for a period of one to two weeks, avoid heavy physical exertion and training. Up to three months after placing the pessary, a consultation with a specialist is necessary, who can determine its location sonographically. After the initial examination, the location of the coil should be checked annually. 3. There is a risk of infections – the insertion of an intrauterine spiral in women suffering from a genital tract infection is contraindicated because it can deepen the infection and lead to the development of pelvic inflammatory disease. 4. Heavy and prolonged menstrual periods – non-hormonal copper IUDs can cause lengthening of the menstrual period. Such a risk does not exist with the use of hormonal pessaries, which usually reduce the symptoms of PMS, shorten the period of menstruation or even lead to its absence (amenorrhea). 5. There is a risk of pregnancy – although the risk of pregnancy is small, there is a risk of pregnancy if the IUD is placed incorrectly, if it is displaced and falls out. There is a certain risk of ectopic pregnancy when the IUD is displaced. The insertion of an intrauterine device is, in most cases, a safe, reliable and effective method of contraception that provides a long period of 5 to 10 years of protection against unwanted pregnancy. Before inserting a pessary, you need to discuss the risks and benefits in detail and make your decision based on the information received.Although they protect against unwanted pregnancy, pessaries are not a reliable method of protection against sexually transmitted infections. For this reason, it is recommended to limit the frequent change of sexual partners and use condoms during sexual intercourse. 2. They can be displaced – after insertion of the intrauterine spiral, it is recommended to limit sexual contacts for a period of one to two weeks, avoid heavy physical exertion and training. Up to three months after placing the pessary, a consultation with a specialist is necessary, who can determine its location sonographically. After the initial examination, the location of the coil should be checked annually. 3. There is a risk of infections – the insertion of an intrauterine spiral in women suffering from a genital tract infection is contraindicated because it can deepen the infection and lead to the development of pelvic inflammatory disease. 4. Heavy and prolonged menstrual periods – non-hormonal copper IUDs can cause lengthening of the menstrual period. Such a risk does not exist with the use of hormonal pessaries, which usually reduce the symptoms of PMS, shorten the period of menstruation or even lead to its absence (amenorrhea). 5. There is a risk of pregnancy – although the risk of pregnancy is small, there is a risk of pregnancy if the IUD is placed incorrectly, if it is displaced and falls out. There is a certain risk of ectopic pregnancy when the IUD is displaced. The insertion of an intrauterine device is, in most cases, a safe, reliable and effective method of contraception that provides a long period of 5 to 10 years of protection against unwanted pregnancy. Before inserting a pessary, you need to discuss the risks and benefits in detail and make your decision based on the information received.shorten the period of menstruation or even lead to its absence (amenorrhea). 5. There is a risk of pregnancy – although the risk of pregnancy is small, there is a risk of pregnancy if the IUD is placed incorrectly, if it is displaced and falls out. There is a certain risk of ectopic pregnancy when the IUD is displaced. The insertion of an intrauterine device is, in most cases, a safe, reliable and effective method of contraception that provides a long period of 5 to 10 years of protection against unwanted pregnancy. Before inserting a pessary, you need to discuss the risks and benefits in detail and make your decision based on the information received.shorten the period of menstruation or even lead to its absence (amenorrhea). 5. There is a risk of pregnancy – although the risk of pregnancy is small, there is a risk of pregnancy if the IUD is placed incorrectly, if it is displaced and falls out. There is a certain risk of ectopic pregnancy when the IUD is displaced. The insertion of an intrauterine device is, in most cases, a safe, reliable and effective method of contraception that provides a long period of 5 to 10 years of protection against unwanted pregnancy. Before inserting a pessary, you need to discuss the risks and benefits in detail and make your decision based on the information received.