IUD vs Pill – What Should Be Your Choice and Why

As a woman, you should always consider contraception methods seriously as your decision can affect your career and family goals in the future. It is always advisable to involve your partner while working on such goals.

Speaking of contraception methods, both IUDs and oral contraceptive pills, also known as birth control pills, are popular among women worldwide. However, in India, birth control pills are relatively more popular.

Intrauterine Device

An intrauterine device, or IUD, is a small T-shaped device inserted into a woman’s uterus by a doctor to prevent pregnancy. The IUD can be of two types.

•   Copper IUD

As the name suggests, a copper IUD is made from plastic and copper. The copper blocks the sperm from eggs and hence prevents pregnancy.

•   Hormonal IUD

Hormonal IUD uses hormones to prevent pregnancy in women by thickening the cervix’s mucus and thinning the uterus lining. Unlike copper IUDs that start preventing pregnancy right away, hormonal IUDs usually take seven days to become effective.

Birth Control Pill

Birth control pills are very popular in India. These pills are required to be orally consumed by women in a particular cycle to avoid pregnancy. For instance, you will have to follow a consumption cycle of 21 days followed by a gap of 7 days if you use Unwanted 21 Days, Regular Oral Contraceptive Tablet.

These pills are known to be 99 per cent effective in preventing unplanned pregnancy.

Side Effects and Risks

Both IUDs and pills can have different side effects or risks.

•   IUDs

○ There is a scarce chance of ectopic pregnancy, where the embryo grows outside the uterus.

○ If not appropriately inserted, an IUD can fall out of your uterus. However, such occurrences are rare.

○ In some rare cases, women have contracted pelvic inflammatory diseases.

Women with the following health conditions should avoid IUDs.

○ Experienced vaginal bleeding in the past.

○ If you had a pelvic infection within the past three months.

○ If you already have an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) or other infection.

○ You have already suffered complications while having an IUD inserted.

○ Any women with breast cancer or liver disease.

○ Women who never had a baby.

•   Pills

○ Irregular Periods

○ High cholesterol

○ Higher blood pressure

○ Low sex drive

○ Nausea

○ Breast tenderness

○ Headaches

○ Bloating

○ Mood swings

However, all these side effects generally disappear within two months of regular use.

Women should exercise caution in choosing birth control pills in the following conditions-

○ She is a smoker.

○ She has a medical history of blood clots.

○ She has heart ailments.

○ She is already on some medication that can interfere with the pills.

Choosing the Right One

While both IUD and oral contraceptive pills are highly effective in preventing pregnancy, each birth control method has its share of advantages and disadvantages. If you are not worried about the insertion procedure involved in IUDs, you can go with one. Besides, IUD is a one-time procedure that can last for ten years.

However, if you do not want any insertion and feel more comfortable following a set regimen of taking a pill a day, then birth control pills are your best choice. Besides, you can discontinue taking the pill as soon as you decide to be on your family way.

Eventually, the IUD vs pill debate can boil down to individual choices. Although, birth control pills surely win in terms of cost, ease of use, and popularity in India. But again, you are the one who decides whom to love and which of the two methods can be better for you.