IUD’s for Birth Control

QUESTION

I am getting married and started reading about birth control. I am thinking about using the IUD. Do you have any thoughts on that?

DOCTOR’S ANSWER

With the older generation of IUDs, I would have considered this among the worst possible options. The newer copper or progesterone – containing IUDs are safer and far less likely to cause infections, perforations of the uterus, and other problems. However, they are thought to work both by interfering with sperm and also by “postfertilization mechanisms,” which means preventing implantation in the uterus of fertilized eggs/zygotes/embryos. That is to say, even the newer IUDs appear to induce early abortions in some cases.

(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12501086 and http://www.physiciansforlife.org/content/view/182/36)

I’d advise looking at other options.

As I stated for another questioner, you might wish to consider looking up Natural Family Planning methods, such as the Billings method (http://www.billingslife.org/).

It was shown in a 1992 British Journal of Medicine article to be cheap, effective, side-effect free, and reliable with a success rate equivalent to combined oral contraceptive pills, even in very poor areas (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1678728).

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Andre Van Mol, MD

Andre Van Mol, MD

Dr Andre Van Mol, MD is a board-certified family physician.  His education included the University of Southern California, the Medical College of Wisconsin, Charleston Naval Hospital, and the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute.  He is a diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice, and member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Christian Medical & Dental Associations.  Dr. Van Mol serves on the boards of Bethel Church (where he is also an elder), Moral Revolution, PrayNorthstate, and iBranches (safe home for children victims of domestic minor sex trafficking).   He speaks and writes on bioethics and Christian apologetics, is experienced in short-term medical missions, and is a former US Navy officer (family physician and carrier air wing flight surgeon).  He and his wife, Evelyn (also a former Navy officer) – both of whom were Canadian born and raised in America – live in Redding, CA, with their two sons, one daughter, and a reasonably steady stream of foster children.

Moral Revolution
Moral Revolution

Moral Revolution is a movement dedicated to promoting God's design for sexuality, healthy relationships, and emotional wholeness. By providing resources, teaching, and support, the organization equips individuals—especially young people—to navigate sexual integrity and identity from a biblical perspective. Partnering with churches and leaders, Moral Revolution fosters healing and truth in a generation impacted by cultural shifts around sexuality.

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