Meet SIU, one of the safest contraceptive methods

It is increasingly important for women to know about the different types of contraceptive methods available, as this allows for greater freedom of choice and sexual autonomy for women who, since the birth of the birth control pill, have become safer about themselves in this regard and could have greater sexual independence.

Today you do not only have to surrender to the pill as a method combined with a condom to prevent a possible pregnancy. There is no shortage of options in the market to fit the preferences and peculiarities of the bodies of each woman.

One of the options that is becoming very popular is the SIU, the Intrauterine System. Very similar to the IUD (Intrauterine Device), it is increasingly requested by women in gynecological care and may be a good choice of contraceptive method.

Don't you know him yet? Or are you looking for another method to adopt? So take the time to learn more and answer all your questions about SIU.

How does it work and who is it for?

According to Luiz Alberto Manetta, gynecologist and doctor of gynecology and obstetrics at the University of São Paulo Ribeirão Preto, his method of action is directly linked with the hormone levonorgestrel, which is released in small and daily doses through the device. T-shaped SIU adapts easily to the shape of the uterus.

Read also: 10 Myths About Getting Pregnant

This release has a dual contraceptive function in the woman's body. Prevent pregnancy by controlling the development of the lining of the uterus (endometrium) so that it is not thick enough to make pregnancy possible. In addition to promoting normal mucus thickening in the cervical canal (opening to the uterus), sperm find it difficult to enter the uterus and fertilize the egg. Does IUS also affect sperm movement inside the uterus ?, explains the gynecologist.

Its main indication is for women who want to do pregnancy prevention, but not only for that. Dr. Luiz Alberto highlights the other indications of the SIU:

• Idiopathic menorrhagia (excessive menstrual bleeding without organic cause);
• Protection against endometrial hyperplasia (overgrowth of the uterine lining) during estrogen replacement therapy;
• Treatment for patients with endometriosis and adenomyosis who do not wish pregnancy.

How is the procedure for insertion of the SIU?

SIU placement is a simple procedure that can be done within the doctor's office, except in some cases of complications or when it will be placed shortly after delivery.

It will be inserted into the operating room when the woman has pain intolerance or has an anatomical anomaly that makes it difficult to be placed in the office.

As a preliminary preparation it is necessary to have a recent gynecological examination and to make sure that there is no infection in the site. It is also preferable to put it right after menstruation as it facilitates the procedure.

Also read: 12 Factors That Affect Female Fertility And You Didn't Imagine

Dr. Luiz Alberto explains how the procedure is performed: • After thorough gynecological examination, the vaginal speculum is inserted, identifying the cervix. An aseptic solution is applied to clean the cervix. The system is inserted into the uterus by means of a thin, flexible plastic tube (inserter).

One of the main concerns is related to pain. About this, the doctor says that it is possible to feel pain and dizziness soon after the procedure, but it usually passes in a few minutes. And he also points out: "If deemed appropriate, anesthesia may be applied to the cervix before insertion."

IUD x IUD: what's the difference?

It is possible to confuse not only the similar name, but even the devices are similar. However, their mechanisms of action differ considerably.

The gynecologist points out the differences between the methods: • The IUD is a non-hormonal copper-medicated intrauterine method. IUS is a hormonal method for intrauterine use. With IUD users remain with monthly bleeding and increased menstrual flow, unusual facts in users of IUS ?.

Possible side effects

Like almost every contraceptive method, it can lead to side effects after its insertion. The most common are:

Read also: 38 Contraceptive Questions Answered by Gynecologists

• Irregular bleeding in the first months;
• Discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen;
• Persistent vaginal discharge;
• Pain in sexual intercourse.

Remember that even though these are the most common side effects, not all women who use IUS suffer from them.

More questions answered

Phew, how much information! But there is still more to know about SIU. See more questions answered by Dr. Luiz Alberto Manetta:

Does the menstrual cycle change after IUS insertion?

?Yes. In the first months of use, irregular bleeding of different intensities is very common. About 60 to 70% of patients, after 6 to 8 months of use, evolve to stop bleeding and remain without menstruation for several months / years (up to 5 years - the limit of each IUS). A low percentage of users may remain with more intense and lasting bleeding, leading to the abandonment of the methodology.

Does SIU dispense with condom use?

Read also: 5 Myths About Birth Control Pill

As a contraceptive yes. But does the use of the IUS prevent the risk of the user presenting STD or contracting HIV? Therefore, the combination of the two methods is ideal.

What is the real risk of becoming pregnant using SIU?

Extremely low in contraception, with 99.8% efficiency (a failure rate of approximately 0.2%).

Can a woman get IUS right after pregnancy?

The IUS should be inserted only 6 weeks after delivery, the time it takes the uterus to return to its normal size.

And can she breastfeed normally after placement?

• Breastfeeding has no negative effects, and the patient can breastfeed with ease without impairing milk production (low doses of levonorgestrel have been identified in breast milk samples from IUS users, with no negative effects on infant development). ?

What is the removal procedure like?

After gynecological examination for identification of the IUS wire, the IUS is removed by forceps and a slight traction movement out of the vagina. In some cases, when the SIU wire is not visible and even using specific tweezers we cannot? Fish? the wires, it is necessary the removal in the operating room.

What precautions should be taken after placement?

According to the expert, women should be aware of the presence of non-stop pain (although the risk of uterine perforation is low), irregular / intermittent and abundant bleeding and gynecological infections.

Can the wire for removal of the IUS disturb sexual relations?

No, it does not interfere with sex.

Are there any risky activities that may help in the displacement of the IUS after its placement?

"Within routine activities, there is no activity that increases the risk of displacement."

Can the hormone released by IUS cause any problems for women in the long run?

Because it is a low hormone release, there is no evidence of long-term undesirable effects.

Is it true that menstrual insertion is less painful?

"Yes, when the patient is menstruating it is easier and less painful to insert the IUS."

Is it true that there is even partial protection in case of displacement?

• Depending on the displacement, the effectiveness of the method is reduced. As soon as the dislocation is detected, the physician should be consulted to evaluate which conduct should be adopted.

What are the signs that the SIU has moved?

? Should the SIU be checked from 4? 12 weeks after insertion by thorough gynecological examination and transvaginal pelvic ultrasound. After the first assessment and finding that everything is normal, follow-up should be done at least once a year. In addition, the physician should be consulted on any of the following: persistent abdominal pain, the patient or partner experiencing pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse, sudden changes in the menstrual period (eg after a period of reduced bleeding or absence of bleeding, persistent bleeding, pain, or heavy bleeding).

Does fertility return to normal after IUS withdrawal?

• After IUS withdrawal, levonorgestrel levels are reduced and no circulating hormone concentrations are found. After a few days, the woman is able to get pregnant. Within a year of withdrawal, about 60 to 80 percent of former users have become pregnant, a percentage similar to those who have never used contraception.

In which cases is the use of SIU not indicated?

? SIU should not be used:

• If the patient is pregnant or suspected of being pregnant;
• If the patient has current or recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease (infection of the female reproductive organs) or vaginal or cervical infection;
• If the patient has a uterus infection after childbirth or after an abortion during the last 3 months;
• If the patient has cervical cell abnormalities or suspected cervical or uterine cancer;
• If the patient has tumors that depend on the progestogen hormone to develop;
• If the patient has undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding;
• If you have abnormalities of the cervix or uterus, including leiomyomas (fibroids) or uterine malformations and they cause deformation of the uterine cavity.

Does it offer problems for those with thrombosis in your family history?

"As the product is levonogestrel, there is no evidence of increased thromboembolic events by the use of IUS."

Now that you have cleared all your doubts about using SIU, you have one more contraceptive alternative. If you think it may be a good option for you, consult your doctor and study this possibility.

Stérilet : avantages et inconvénients - Gynécologie (April 2024)