IUDs and the country that hates them.

[snowowl.livejournal.com]

Can I just say that it really pisses me off that Gynefix and other IUD devices of its kind are not available in the US?

It's not because it's dangerous.  It costs a heck of a lot of money and time to go through the beaurocracy that is the FDA.  The actual standards of the FDA are, in my opinion, not as in depth or dependable as one would expect (a third party, not the manufacturer, should do the studies).  What it's basically become is a business venture, a simple exchange of money and a waiting period, to get approved.

Unfourtunately, IUDs aren't popular in America because of Norplant and (to some degree) scares about them being abortifaciants.  It's the most popular form of contraception worldwide, and we're in the stone age -- we don't even use the newer, improved version of Paragard, for crying out loud.  Gynefix (a copper IUD that is made in two sizes, has a lower expulsion rate, and is the better choice for nulliparous women) will not approach the FDA because the cost and time of doing that, not to mention advertising here, would not be worth it when Americans just aren't turned onto the idea of IUDs.

End of rant.  You may now return to your regularly programmed schedule of viagra advertisements.

Comments

[-willendorf-.livejournal.com]

viagra ads! *cracks up!* and your icon is cracking me up too.

That was a good and well needed rant.

I agree with you 110%

[emmycantbemeeko.livejournal.com]

It seems like condoms would be the most popular form of birth control worldwide, I think, given how cheap and easy they are to use.

Googling it came up with dozens of different claims for the method that was "most popular worldwide", including several for tubal ligation. But it seems astonishingly unlikely that the most popular form of BC worldwide would be something relatively costly and invasive requiring a doctor's visit, when there's something as cheap and easy as condoms around. For that to be true, practically every woman who has access to IUDs would have to use them in order to balance out the billions who don't.

Anyway, I agree with the main thrust of your post, I just found that claim a little unlikely, although I did find it printed elsewhere (without source citations).

[thekat03.livejournal.com]

IUDs are by far the most commonly used form of contraception in China because they don't come out. ever. thus, much cheaper than condoms in the long run. however, i don't have any documentation on this at the moment. if i find something, i'll be back (:

[snowowl.livejournal.com]

I saw it on the Planned Parenthood website, which says:

"IUDs are the most popular form of reversible birth control in the world. More than 85 million women use them."

But it doesn't cite a source.

I've read the tubal ligation is the most popular form of birth control in America at several websites and even in a book, but I don't recall where they recieved their information.

If they do use them in China, as Kat suggested, that'd be a huge factor. In most third world countries, I don't think contraception is used to a very high degree, unless it's pushed by the relief workers, missionaries, etc.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/Organizations/healthnet/SAsia/repro3/aruna.html talks about how IUDs are pushed onto women in poor countries as a semi-permenent form of BC. When faced with overpopulation (starvation and disease, not to mention crude forms of abortion that can cause the death of the women seeking them, etc.) I guess the IUD companies have given the devices as charity, and the cost of inserting is nil since the doctors don't have a fee there if they are doing relief work.

[thekat03.livejournal.com]

"The studies of patterns of contraceptive use in China show that the dominant method of contraception is the IUD, and there is also a very high percentage of sterilization (Poston, 1986; Choe and Tsuya, 1991; Kaufman and others, 1992)" - from http://www.unescap.org/esid/psis/population/journal/1994/v09n4a2.htm

[jennifer0246.livejournal.com]

ahh, but condoms cost per-use, IUD has a per 5 or 10-year cost. so figuring that there are 52 weeks in a year, i'm bleeding for 12 of them, that's 40 weeks i can be having sex (just figuring i don't like period sex). give another say 4 weeks for colds/flus/not feeling well. even another 2 for just not wanting to have sex. so that's 34 weeks i will likely be having sex. i generally have sex maybe 5 times a week. for me, that's 170 instances of sexual intercourse. at $.56 cents a piece (this is for trojan ultrathin condoms on drugstore.com, box of 36 for $20.22, and let's note that this a very cheap price) that's $95 on contraception for the year, if i and my partner are comfortable relying on condoms alone (many people use condoms in conjunction with spermicide or hormonal birth control). as compared with about $400 for a Mirena IUD (max cost, given that many people can access insurance or lower-cost clinics, or the arch foundation) and the mirena is good for five years, is significantly more reliable than condoms alone, does not interrupt and is virtually indetectible during the sex act. sounds like it could be the most popular to me.

and now i'll apologize for such a lengthy response and for seeming like i'm snarking you, as that is not my intention.

[emmycantbemeeko.livejournal.com]

Oh, I understand that the cost-over-time of an IUD is much less than for condoms for someone who is regularly sexually active, and why it would be popular with those who have resources for the one-time expense and access to insertion. It simply seems astonishing to me that worldwide, more people asctually use IUDs than use condoms, and althuogh I've googled and found this claim repeated many times, I have yet to find the actual statistics and/or a source for them.

And don't worry- no snark taken.

[finding_helena]

It makes sense to me, since it's probably hard to get a regular supply of condoms in many areas of the world, but once you have an IUD you have one and you don't need to get another for a long time. I wonder what the stats are on IUDs versus condoms versus just using nothing.

[paix.livejournal.com]

you have the coolest icon, ever!

[nirbhao.livejournal.com]

I'm having a hard time getting an IUD because I've never carried a pregnancy fully to term (even though I have had a miscarriage!) despite the fact that I'm allergic to latex and spermicide and on seizure medication that severely reduces the effectiveness of hormonal birth control. explain that one.

[aechei.livejournal.com]

assuming you are in the US?
the country is run by idiots.

im moving to canada.

[nirbhao.livejournal.com]

yes, I'm in the US. although I only do live about 45 minutes away from Canada... from what I hear it's not any better over there.

[mypoorfriendme.livejournal.com]

It's much better in Canada, as far as I've found. The majority of women I know personally with IUDs are in Canada (as am I); both childfree women and those with children I know with them haven't had any problems getting a doctor to insert the IUD. I've found in relation to birth control and to other procedures/prescriptions that doctors here tend to be more willing to let the patient have a voice in their care.

My doctor was absolutely thrilled when I came to him wanting an IUD (I do have a child, btw) and said he wished more women would use them. It appears to be a fairly common sentiment among physicians, around here anyway.

[nirbhao.livejournal.com]

that's good to know. I go to school in Detroit, and students can get a joint law degree for both countries (JD/LLB), and so I have several Canadian classmates. my only information comes from them, so, of course, it is very limited.

[vaverine.livejournal.com]

I know it's not popular to hear, but we really DO have it better up here in regards to health care.

I got my Mirena at 21, unmarried, no babies and no hassel. Likewise, my best friend recently had a baby and her doctor suggested, and was happy to insert, her paragard.

Whatever the cause of the IUD-phobia, it just hasn't taken here.

[nirbhao.livejournal.com]

my information comes from my classmates who are Canadian. I personally have no reason to argue or disagree. as I said in my first comment, I'm trying to get an IUD. I certainly am not afraid of them.

[thekat03.livejournal.com]

another reason why IUDs are not popular in the US is due to the Dalkon Shield, an IUD that was available in the 1970's that was pulled from the market after being associated with 12 deaths.
http://www.mjbovo.com/Contracept/IUD-Truth.htm

IUDs

[ouzel.livejournal.com]

Sadly, it is *VERY* very hard for a woman who has never had vaginal birth to get an IUD in certain parts of the US.

As a woman who is allergic to latex *AND* spermicidal lubricants, has severe reactions to hormonal birth control, (and who has a rather muscular cunny that likes to 'eat' polyeurathane condoms (both male and female varieties), it rather pisses me off. >=^(

-Ouzel-

Re: IUDs

[devilgrrl.livejournal.com]

I feel your pain. My vagina was practically a vacuum for condoms when my partner and I used them. He used to regularly pull out, just in case.

When I orgasm, I tend to push him right out, too. I think he rather likes that, though.

[killy-pumpkin.livejournal.com]

I'm having a hard time getting an IUD. My doctor jsut won't do it, keeps giving me 101 pills that I don't want to take.

I'm 24 years old, in a commited relationship, AND have a two year old son. Also I'm allergic to latex, can't take pills cause of depression. Ortho evra would have been my 4th attempt at a pill...and I refuse to take it due to being horrified of depression. So I guess I'll never get my IUD.

It makes me mad too. Nice post.

[thekat03.livejournal.com]

if your doctor won't do it, keep asking, and/or ask for a referral to someone who will get you an IUD. do you know if your doc has a reason for refusing to give you an IUD?

[killy-pumpkin.livejournal.com]

His main reason is "An IUD is a last resort."

As if that's good reason.

I know I should jsut go to somebody else but this guy delivered my baby and I'm very untrusting of doctors so I"m kind of scared....

[thekat03.livejournal.com]

*blink*

um... last resort for what? if you fail on all other forms of contraception?

if you otherwise like this doctor and trust his judgement, ask him for a referral to someone else who would be willing to give you an IUD. or just find another doctor on your own.

[fooltothink.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Id go to someone else. It seems to me that there would be other last resorts... not an IUD. Thats dumb. Have you tried Planned Parenthood or something of that sort? Normally they dont give you problems... They wouldnt give me Depo because of my depression, which was fine with me. I didnt know, at the time, that it had side effects like that.

[killy-pumpkin.livejournal.com]

Going to planned parenthood here is not a pleasant experience.

Last time I went I had my son and there were tons of protesters yelling at me that I was going to "Kill my one child and keep my other one"...when all I was going for was a post natal checkup because they canceled my insurance.

I seriously hate how those people protest in frount of there on a daily basis.
Plus since it's such a bit city the people are overworked, it takes FOREVER to get an appt. and most of the time they are rude too.

However I do have health insurance, so now I can go where I want so I'm going to call my doctor and say "Look either you give me my mirena or I'll find somebody who will".

[fooltothink.livejournal.com]

Wow. I dont blame you. Where do you live? Man if it were like that where I lived, Id so not go also.

In San Antonio where they arent too open minded, I was nervous about going... but it was fine. I went to one in Hawthorne, Ca, kinda near Compton, and I was scared, but it was fine. I went to one in Santa Monica, Ca and they had to buzz me through the door and they were all behind bullet proof glass. BUt Ive never seen protesters.

Im sorry close minded people are making it difficult for you to get the help you need. Those bastards.

I hope you get it sorted out. :)

[killy-pumpkin.livejournal.com]

I live in Philly...people are crazy insane here.

I hope it works out too, I'll figure something out. :)

IUD

[ensincerity.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... I am pretty sure norplant is unavailable in the US. (BTW)
I got an IUD a few years ago, I had it removed because of the incredibly bad periods after it, but hey, I had paraguard, and should've tried one of the others i guess. I had no problem getting it. I had kaiser permanente for my insurance and I just told my gyno I wanted an IUD, no hassles. Sorry to hear its difficult for some of you.

[jennifer.livejournal.com]

You have Norplant and the Dalkon Shield mixed up. The IUD was fairly popular in the US until the 1970's, when the Dalkon Shield was introduced. 12 women died due to infections while using the Dalkon Shield, and that very badly tarnished the IUD's reputation. More info is here: http://health.yahoo.com/health/centers/women/00018535

Norplant is a small device that was implanted in the arm and released progesterone. It's no longer available in the US. More information about Norplant is available here: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/medicalinfo/birthcontrol/pub-birth-control-06.xml

There is another implant similar to Norplant that is going to be on the market in the US this year. It's called Implanon, and more info on it is here: http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/3488.html

That said, I agree that IUDs are very underused here.

[jeun.livejournal.com]

Fuck, I'd get an IUD tomorrow if they would take me despite my age (19) and childlessness. Argh.