If you’re interested in a long-term relationship with your birth control, here are the main things to keep in mind.
Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed
They’re one of the most effective methods of birth control.
IUDs, or intrauterine devices, are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy (they're tied for first with the contraceptive implant — when not including permanent birth control). And unlike other birth control options like the pill, the ring, or condoms, there isn't a risk for straight-up human error. Your doctor inserts the IUD and it just stays there. It's a set-it-and-forget-it thing. So if you're not the best at remembering to take pills or replace your Nuvaring, this might be a great option for you.
The hormonal IUD is a tiny plastic device that contains the hormone levonorgestrel, which is slowly released into the uterus.
This hormone thickens the cervical mucus, making it a hostile environment for sperm, so they can't get up there to reach the egg, Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive science at Yale School of Medicine, tells BuzzFeed Life. It's also possible that the hormonal IUD sometimes works by stopping the release of an egg or by thinning the lining of the uterus, which would make it harder for a fertilized egg to attach, but these aren't the primary mechanisms. Most of the time, it just keeps sperm away from your uterus.
There are currently three hormonal IUD options on the market in the U.S.: Mirena (which can stay in up to five years), Skyla (which is a bit smaller and can stay in up to three years), and Liletta (which was just approved by the Food and Drug Administration and can stay in up to three years).
