Relationships

More Teens Are Favoring IUDs

by Ally Batista
Stocksy

Birth control has been making some serious moves as of late. Over the past few years, birth control has become more diverse, and more effective. Not only that, but Plan B is not available over the counter, and various anti-birth control groups are losing their headway.

So now that birth control is becoming more widely accepted, maybe it’s time to look into it a bit more. I for one am intrigued by this latest study. The May issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology recommends that IUDs should be the birth control of choice for sexually active teens and young women.

Interesting. "Today's IUDs are not the same as the ones that existed decades ago and are undeserving of the outdated stigma they carry," said Dr. Abbey Berenson, study lead author and director of the University of Texas's Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health, in a university news release.

"Modern IUDs are safe, cost-effective and provide years of worry-free birth control. Though more research is needed, this study shows that IUDs should be among the options considered to address teen pregnancy rates."

Analyzing data from 90,000 IUD users between the ages of 15 to 44, the study found that less than one percent of users experienced serious complications, including ectopic pregnancy and pelvic inflammation, as a result of the IUDs.

The study found that IUDs are not as dangerous to teenagers as doctors had once suspected. In fact, IUDs are not very risky at all for women of any age. Should you consider switching over to an IUD? IUDs are much more effective in preventing pregnancy that any other form of birth control (99 percent effective, better than birth control or condoms).

Instead of forgetting to take your pill, or not having a condom, an IUD is there for the long haul, as many years as you’d like.

However, if you do switch over to an IUD, you must still keep in mind that this form of birth control does not prevent STDs. A condom would still be necessary.

Ally Batista | Elite.

Twitter: @allybatista

Photo Credit: Getty Images