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If you have a child and do not want to get pregnant again after giving birth, you can choose one of the effective birth control methods, the spiral, also known as the intrauterine device.
We guess that there are many questions about the spiral issue. How is the spiral attached, what are its types, how much does it protect, is there any harm? Everything you need to learn on behalf of Spiral is in this article!
What is a spiral?
The spiral, also known as an intrauterine device (ria), is one of the most commonly used birth control methods. T-shaped, 2-3 cm in length and a plastic tool spiral; It is placed in the uterus and prevents the sperm from reaching the eggs. In this way, fertilization does not occur and pregnancy does not occur.
“Is the spiral safe?” You may be wondering. The spiral’s pregnancy protection is 99%! So it’s pretty safe.
What are the types of spirals?
There are 2 types of spirals used for contraception.
hormone spiral
This type of spiral is produced from a strong plastic and contains the hormone progesterone, which is also found in birth control pills . This hormone secretes progesterone hormone into the body every day and in this way;
- Decreases ovulation.
- It increases cervical fluid and prevents sperm from reaching the egg.
- It prevents sperm from fertilizing the egg.
Protection of hormonal spirals starts 7 days after insertion. That’s why you need to use an additional method of protection such as a condom for 7 days.
First of all, you should get information from your doctor about whether or not to use a hormonal spiral. Because in some cases, the side effects of the hormonal spiral can be seen.
Hormone spirals can provide protection between 3-5 years.
copper spiral
The copper spiral is also produced from a plastic material, but a copper wire is wrapped around the product. Thanks to this copper wire;
- Sperm is prevented from fertilizing the egg.
- It changes the structure of the inside of the uterus to prevent the embryo from attaching to the uterus.
The protection of the copper spiral starts as soon as the device is inserted. There is no need to use a different birth control method. These spirals can provide protection from 3 to 10 years.
How is the spiral attached?
Installing a spiral is a very simple process. There is no need for a procedure such as surgery or anesthesia. The woman to be treated is placed on the examination table and the vagina is opened with a device called a speculum. Vagina and uterine fluid are cleaned with antiseptic fluids. Then, the cervix is held with a device called teneculum and the spiral is inserted into the uterus.
“Does it hurt when the spiral is attached?” Let’s answer the question. No, you will not feel any pain during this procedure.
There is a rope at the end of the spiral to make it easy to remove. This spiral thread is shortened after it is inserted into the uterus. It is adjusted to leave 0.5-1 cm outside. In order to examine whether the spiral is in place or not, the rope is checked at certain times.
Women who wear spirals: “Can you feel the spiral rope during intercourse?” They wonder the answer to the question. However, the feeling of the rope is not usually involved.
When is the spiral inserted after birth?
The spiral can be inserted within the first 48 hours after birth. However, it is recommended to be inserted 6 weeks after birth to prevent risks related to the uterus. Because in this process, the body recovers itself and the bleeding decreases. This period is fixed whether the birth is normal or cesarean section.
Do you need protection after the spiral is attached?
As we mentioned above, if you have had a hormonal spiral fitted, you need to apply an additional protection method for 7 days. However, in the case of a copper spiral, you do not need to apply an additional protection method.
Can a spiral be attached to a woman who has not given birth?
Spiral tools used to be a little thicker. For this reason, it was not preferred for women who did not give birth to use the spiral method because the cervix was narrower. However, since the spiral devices are thin and can enter any kind of uterus, they can also be used in women who have not given birth. So yes, women who have never given birth can also have IUDs.
How to control the spiral rope?
This check is pretty simple. Your doctor will take you on the examination table and check that the small piece of string outside is in the correct position.
When can intercourse be performed after the spiral is attached?
It is recommended to have sexual intercourse 7 days after the IUD is inserted to prevent the risk of infection.
When is the spiral attached?
The most suitable time for spiral insertion is the menstrual period. The reason why doctors choose this time period is that there is no risk of pregnancy during the menstrual period and the cervix is more dilated.
How to remove the spiral?
Removing the spiral is as easy as installing it. Your doctor will take you to the examination table for this procedure, lay you on the fork and insert the speculum instrument. He will pull the strand that was left out with a tool and pull out the spiral.
Other special tools can be used for spiral removal if the thread has gotten in or is buried.
Is it possible to get pregnant immediately after the spiral is removed?
The risk of getting pregnant after the spiral is removed is the same as for an unprotected woman. Therefore, after removal of the spiral, if there is no problem with reproduction, it is possible to get pregnant immediately.
What are the side effects of the spiral?
- Groin pain may occur after the spiral is inserted. But it usually takes 2 days at most.
- Bleeding may occur after the spiral is inserted. This bleeding may occur in the first 6 months. It can also be seen in the form of brown discharge after the spiral is inserted.
- If there is a copper spiral, heavier menstrual bleeding may occur.
- The side effects of the hormonal spiral may vary. Due to the progesterone hormone in it, conditions such as headache, breast tenderness, abdominal pain, depression can be seen.
Is the period delayed when there is a spiral?
This is usually the case when using hormonal spirals. If this happens, you should consult your doctor.
How does the spiral shift happen?
Spiral slippage means that in some cases the spiral separates from the cervix and cannot prevent pregnancy. The sliding spiral usually moves from the cervix to the vagina. It does not travel through the body. In such a case, the spiral must be renewed.
The most important reasons for spiral slippage are the wide cervix in women who have given birth multiple times and the incorrect application of spiral insertion.
How to detect spiral drift?
It is unlikely that you will understand by yourself that the spiral is slipping. Usually there are not many symptoms. For this reason, spiral controls should be done regularly. However, as signs of spiral shift;
- Bleeding outside the menstrual period,
- We can talk about pain or bleeding during sexual intercourse. In such cases, you should definitely consult your doctor.
In other words, “What causes breakthrough bleeding when there is a spiral?” If you think, we can say that there is a risk of spiral slippage.
Is it possible to get pregnant with a spiral?
As we mentioned above, if the spiral slips and the spiral is inserted incorrectly, there may be a risk of getting pregnant. Apart from that, it is not possible to get pregnant with a spiral.
Who doesn’t get the spiral?
- possibility of pregnancy,
- Have had a previous pelvic infection such as gonorrhea,
- Had a miscarriage at least 3 months ago
- Immune system disease (such as AIDS, leukemia),
- with menstrual irregularity ,
- Structural uterine problems
- Suspected uterine cancer
- Smear test values are not normal,
- Have a copper allergy
- with heart valve problems,
- with cervix wound,
- IUDs cannot be applied to women who smoke.
Does the spiral make you gain or lose weight?
Although it is not certain, it can be thought that hormonal spirals have an effect on weight gain and loss. Because the hormone progesterone can cause changes in weight depending on your metabolism. However, there is no such risk with copper spirals. For this reason, weight imbalances can be evaluated among the hormonal spiral damages.
In the meantime, it would not be right to connect weight gain or loss performance to a spiral. You should consult your doctor for more accurate information.
