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About 50% of pregnancies are unintended. This can be changed! Intrauterine systems are highly effective, safe, long term, reversible forms of birth control.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada contraceptive guidelines from 2016 recommends that health care professionals should offer intrauterine contraceptives as a first line method to women of all ages, both with and without previous pregnancies. The copper IUD can be used as emergency contraception as well and the levonorgestrel-releasing system Mirena is also highly effective to reduce painful and heavy periods. This can be very helpful for women in the perimenopausal phase or suffering from endometriosis. |
Patients registered with CITC can make an appointment by calling the clinic at
403-949-2457. Physicians can refer out to a specialist for IUD consults and insertions. |
How IUD's Work
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An IUD is a small, flexible plastic device that is placed into the uterus.
The main purpose of an IUD is to prevent fertilization. An IUD does NOT cause an abortion They are 99+% effective at preventing pregnancy They do not prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections, so a barrier such as a condom is still recommended. |
In Canada there are currently 2 types of IUD’s available.
- Copper IUD - the copper IUD stops sperm from making their way through the uterus into the fallopian tubes and can be used up to 10 years
- Levonorgestrel-releasing systems (LNG-IUS): Mirena, Kyleena and Jaydess - these use a progesterone type hormone that thickens cervical mucus so sperm cannot reach the egg and it also thins the lining of the uterus. The Mirena and Kyleena can be used up to 5 years and Jaydess up to 3 years.
- Highly effective
- Long term protection
- Convenient
- Reversibility
- Very high satisfaction rate among users
- Mirena and Kyleena decrease menstrual cramping and blood loss. Mirena will give approx. 90% reduction in menstrual blood loss.
- All IUD’s are suitable choices for users who cannot use estrogen containing methods including breastfeeding users.
- Low cost (over time)
- Copper IUD can be used as emergency contraception within 7 days after unprotected intercourse.
- Potential for increased menstrual cramping and blood flow with copper devices.
- Irregular bleeding/spotting possible for 3-6 months after insertion of LNG-IUS. Some users stop getting regular menstrual bleeding. This is safe. It makes some users uncertain, others love it!
- Hormonal side effects may occur with the LNG-IUS. Due to the low amount of levonorgestrel that transfers into the bloodstream in comparison to the pill, patch or ring in general these effects are very well tolerated. Side effects might be irregular bleeding, headaches, acne, ovarian cysts, bloating.
- Brief discomfort at insertion
- No protection against Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Use of a condom is still recommended.
- Pregnancy!
- Current pelvic inflammatory disease, known anatomically abnormal uterus,
- un-evaluated abnormal vaginal bleeding,
- cervical or endometrial cancer awaiting treatment,
- progestin receptor-positive breast cancer (for levonorgestrel-releasing system).
IUD Insertion - What to Expect
Things to note:
Stage 1: Pre-Insertion
Your first appointment will be a consultation with dr Noordman. She will discuss all the benefits, side effects and risks involved with an IUD insertion. You will most likely have an internal examination and a test performed for any sexually transmitted diseases. The doctor will provide you with a prescription for the preferred IUD, which needs to be purchased at a pharmacy.
Stage 2: Insertion
Don’t forget to bring your IUD to your appointment! Ideally this appointment is booked for the heaviest days of your period.
Some people feel nervous about the procedure, but in general placement of the IUD is very well tolerated. The actual procedure only takes a few minutes. We will do whatever we can to make you as comfortable as possible.
To make insertion as smooth as possible, naproxen 500 mg can be taken the evening prior to the insertion and the morning of the insertion. We also recommend taking 1000 mg of acetaminophen 1 hour prior to the appointment.
- Insertion of an IUD is a two stage process so you will need to book two appointments.
- The IUD cannot be inserted if you’re pregnant, so the ideal time to insert is when you just started your period.
- Appointments for insertion can be made at very short notice, including Tuesday evening appointments and some Saturday appointments.
- If you book at another time in your cycle and you’re only using condoms as birth control, you will need to abstain from intercourse for 2 weeks or from your last period (whichever is less) until the IUD can be inserted.
- If you’re using the pill, patch or ring and you have been using it correctly, continue on your method until insertion.
- Additional protection to prevent pregnancy should be used for 1 week after insertion.
- You can replace an exisiting IUD with a new one at the same time
- An IUD can be inserted no sooner than 3 months after birth
Stage 1: Pre-Insertion
Your first appointment will be a consultation with dr Noordman. She will discuss all the benefits, side effects and risks involved with an IUD insertion. You will most likely have an internal examination and a test performed for any sexually transmitted diseases. The doctor will provide you with a prescription for the preferred IUD, which needs to be purchased at a pharmacy.
Stage 2: Insertion
Don’t forget to bring your IUD to your appointment! Ideally this appointment is booked for the heaviest days of your period.
Some people feel nervous about the procedure, but in general placement of the IUD is very well tolerated. The actual procedure only takes a few minutes. We will do whatever we can to make you as comfortable as possible.
To make insertion as smooth as possible, naproxen 500 mg can be taken the evening prior to the insertion and the morning of the insertion. We also recommend taking 1000 mg of acetaminophen 1 hour prior to the appointment.
Aftercare
- After insertion it is normal to experience some cramping. Naproxen can help to manage this. If the cramping is more uncomfortable than during a menstrual period you need to book an appointment to be seen by a doctor.
- No bath, pool, tampons or intercourse for 3 days after insertion
- You need to use a back-up method of contraception for 7 days after insertion unless insertion was done the first day of your period.
- A follow up appointment should be booked 6 weeks after the insertion.
- Check your IUD strings regularly to ensure proper placement
Possible Rare Complications
- Failure. If suspecting pregnancy: do a pregnancy test. If positive, contact your doctor immediately. Relative risk of extra-uterine pregnancy is increased (NOT absolute risk) and must be excluded. If the user chooses to continue the pregnancy, the risk of miscarriage is increased as long as the IUD remains in place.
- Perforation of the uterus. Risk 1:1000. All perforations occur or are initiated at the time of IUD insertion. Insertion early after delivery of a baby is a risk factor.
- Infection. Risk 1:1000 within 3 weeks after insertion, thereafter the same as a non-IUD user. Monitor for fever, severe abdominal pain that doesn’t settle with ibuprofen or acetaminophen, or malodorous discharge.
- Expulsion. 3-5% Risk in the first 3 months.
Cost
IUD’s are not covered under Alberta Health, neither are the pill, patch or ring. If you have a private health care plan, depending on your policy, the IUD will be covered partially or in full. Kyleena became available in Canada early 2017. Some plans do provide coverage, for other plans coverage is still in development. The approximate average cost for a copper IUD is around $80, the LNG-IUS varies, depending on the type, from approximately $270 to $360. It’s always a good idea to compare prices as prices do differ between pharmacies.
If you don’t show for your appointment or you cancel with <24 hrs notice you will be charged $60-$130, depending on the duration of your booked appointment. You will not be permitted to book another appointment until this fee is paid. This fee is to prevent empty appointment slots that could have been used for others needing medical care.
If you don’t show for your appointment or you cancel with <24 hrs notice you will be charged $60-$130, depending on the duration of your booked appointment. You will not be permitted to book another appointment until this fee is paid. This fee is to prevent empty appointment slots that could have been used for others needing medical care.
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WHAT OUR PATIENTS ARE SAYING
I made the decision to leave a longstanding relationship with a competent doctor in the city for what I hoped would be more of a traditional family physician environment with seasoned, connected professional that I could work with. Did I find it with the Care in the Creek team? Absolutely! ~ PF ... more
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CONTACT US
Phone: 403-949-2457 Fax: 403-949-2424 Address: P.O.Box 425, #11, 20 White Avenue Bragg Creek, AB T0L 0K0 |
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About // Services // Patient Information // Appointments // Other Healthcare Providers // News // The Team // Contact // Survey // IUD Services // Immunizations // Antenatal care // Mountain Woods Health Services
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