We meditated with Faith Hunter, learned about the importance of sleep with Angela Holliday-Bell, and participated in a healing, positive affirmation exercise with Leasa Wright.

Here are the most important moments from the event, hosted by Denise Albert, in case you weren’t able to attend.

A short, guided meditation session on how to help reduce stress with Faith Hunter

Breath work gives us the ability to center ourselves. Faith led us in a breathing exercise that you can do at home, here’s how:

• Take your right hand, close your index and middle finger towards your palm
• Take your right thumb and use it to close your right nostril 
• Breath in through your left nostril
• Close off your left nostril with your ring finder 
• Release your right nostril 
• Exhale through your right nostril
• Inhale through your right nostril
• Close it off
• Exhale through your left nostril
• Inhale through your left nostril
• Repeat

Stress management and self-care with Dinah Eke, Amanda McKay, and Brooke Davis 

Dinah, Amanda, and Brooke discussed the importance of taking small moments in the middle of the day to be mindful. Check in with yourself: How are you feeling? Are you drinking enough water? Are you getting a little movement? Are you getting outside? Take a little time for yourself.

When it comes to practical ways to destress, there are two options: address the stress head-on or escape it through distraction.

Dinah offered some advice about the way list-making helps her de-stress. Just writing down the thoughts that are leading to stress can makes it feel more manageable. And when you just need to escape the stress, Amanda recommends distracting yourself away by getting outside, listening to a podcast, or just laying down for a moment. 

And remember, it’s OK to bring other people into the conversation. Ask for help from family and friends. Ask for flexibility from your manager.

Wellness check with Elaine Bishop

Signs that you are experiencing an amount of stress that could be damaging to your mental health:

• Overwhelming feelings of sadness 
• Difficulty enjoying things you used to enjoy
• Relationship changes: are you having more trouble reading other people’s social signals? Are you declining social invitations more than usual?
• Appetite changes: Are you experiencing significant increased or decreased appetite?
• Substance use: Are you turning to drink more often than before? Are you developing feelings of dependence?
• Thoughts of harming yourself 

If you are feeling any of these feelings, know that there is help. Try contacting the National Alliance on Mental Illness either by phone at: 1800-950-6264 or by email at: info@nami.org.

Tips from physician and sleep specialist, Dr. Holliday-Bell

The first step to getting better sleep is prioritizing better sleep. Better sleep helps reduce stress. Dr. Holliday-Bell outlined a few specific tips:

• Decide on a bedtime and wake time
• Stick to a consistent schedule (weekends count too!)
• Create a relaxing, 30-60 min bedtime routine
• Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool
• Master a relaxation technique (like deep breathing)

Breath work and affirmation practice with Leasa Wright 

We closed out Stressless Fest with a series of affirmations from Leasa Wright. To try and reduce stress levels, practice this at home. Close your eyes and think of a happy memory or a happy place. Then repeat out loud to yourself:

• I live in my truth
• I boldly and freely express myself
• I follow my dreams
• I welcome goodness; I welcome love 

This may feel uncomfortable at first, but after a few rounds of these affirmations, the Stressless Fest attendees felt calmer, lighter, and more confident. We hope you will too!

Sponsored by Airwick, Enfamil, and Beyond Yoga 

Birth control myths, debunked

We’re here to set the record straight by debunking some widespread myths and help you get closer to finding the best birth control method for you!

MYTH: Hormonal birth control makes you gain weight

Birth control might make you retain water, but it doesn’t make you gain weight. It’s not uncommon to gain a little weight as a result of retaining water when starting hormonal birth control, but this side effect typically goes away quickly. Some hormonal birth control may come with other side effects, like an increased appetite or feeling bloated, but there’s no proven association between hormonal birth control and longer term weight gain. (One exception is the birth control shot [Depo Provera], which for some patients has been shown to have longer-term weight gain as a side effect.) As with all birth control, if you’re concerned about or if you experience any side-effects, you should speak with your healthcare provider to see if there’s another option that might be a better fit for you. It could just be a matter of switching to a similar birth control with a different combination of hormones.

MYTH: All pills are created equal

There are many different types of birth control pills. Combination pills contain estrogen and progestin, whereas the minipill contains only progestin — both options come in a variety of doses. Some pills are organized in conventional packs and you can expect a period every month, others are continuous dosing/extended cycle packs with a period once every three months. There’s a wealth of different pills to choose from, brand name options and generic options.

Birth control pills have different benefits and side effects. For people with certain medical conditions, sometimes the pill is not a good fit. Your healthcare provider can help you learn more.

MYTH: Taking birth control can negatively affect your fertility

Birth control use — whether used for a short time or long-term — doesn’t affect your fertility. After using certain hormonal birth control methods, you may need to wait a few months before your menstrual cycle will return to normal so you can get pregnant. But there’s no evidence that birth control presents any long-term fertility issues, and some people get pregnant right away after stopping the pill.

MYTH: Using the pill to skip your period isn’t good for you

While you should check with your healthcare provider about the specifics for your birth control pill, it’s entirely safe to skip your period. It’s also very easy. Just take a pill that includes hormones every day and skip the hormone-free “reminder” pills at the end of a pack. Some people like to skip their period if it’s going to fall on a special occasion — like on a vacation or while traveling — others opt for this option to avoid period discomfort. Regardless of the reason you’d like to skip yours, you may experience a little bit of spotting, which is normal.

MYTH: Long term use of hormonal birth control isn’t healthy

Hormonal birth controls aren’t necessarily a good fit for everyone — certain health conditions might increase the risks associated with using specific birth control pills, or the pill in general. But hormonal birth control is a very good fit for a lot of people. It can even help certain people feel better. For those with particularly irregular or uncomfortable periods — a heavy period, lengthy periods, heavy cramping and discomfort, or pain and other health problems related to endometriosis — hormonal birth control can improve quality of life, with lighter, shorter, more regular, more comfortable periods.

MYTH: Birth control’s primary use is to prevent pregnancy

Certainly, a lot of people use birth control to prevent pregnancy — and as the name suggests that’s the primary reason many people might use it. But many take birth control for other reasons already mentioned — like to have a more comfortable or more regular period and relieve major pain and discomfort — and for even to help improve mood or acne. Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to use birth control, and no matter your reason, a healthcare provider can help you find the type of birth control that’s a good fit for you.

And if you’re taking the pill or have an IUD, add it to your Ovia profile!

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more about birth control

• Are LARCs more popular than ever?
• Who should I talk to about birth control?

Sources

• “Birth Control.” American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, May 2019. Retrieved March 31 2020. https://www.acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/especially-for-teens/birth-control.
• “Combined Hormonal Birth Control: Pill, Patch, and Ring.” American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, March 2018. Retrieved March 31 2020. https://www.acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/contraception/combined-hormonal-birth-control-pill-patch-and-ring.
• “Contraceptive Use.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, March 21 2019. Retrieved March 31 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/contraceptive.htm.
• “IUD.” Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood, Retrieved March 31 2020. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/iud.
• “Long-Acting Reversible Contraception: Intrauterine Device and Implant.” American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, January 2018. Retrieved March 31 2020. https://www.acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/contraception/long-acting-reversible-contraception-intrauterine-device-and-implant.

The differences between an IVF and an ICSI

Articles and websites are known to use the two names (IVF and ICSI) interchangeably, without explanation, or definition. How are people supposed to know what these treatments are and how they’re different? Wait, are they different? Let’s start from the beginning.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

You may already know a little about IVF because it’s probably the most popular form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) out there. It’s also the most expensive. One IVF cycle can cost anywhere from $8,000 to $30,000 depending on factors like age, health, or if you plan on using donor sperm or eggs. However, if IVF turns out to be the right choice for you, it may very well be worth the hefty price tag.

Many people who seek out IVF treatment do so because they have issues with fertility. These could include endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), problems with sperm function, and unexplained infertility. For people over 35, IVF may also offer a better chance of conceiving than traditional intercourse, ICI, or IUI. It’s always a good idea to speak to your healthcare provider when you are thinking about moving forward with any ART or other fertility treatments.

How IVF works

The IVF process can take up to two weeks, and there are several different ways to prepare the body for treatment based on individual health. These preparations include taking hormone-encouraging drugs to boost ovulation and improve chances of producing a high number of mature eggs. There are also medications to help prepare the uterine lining for fertilized embryos. Specialists work closely with patients to help develop a game plan.

When a healthcare provider gives the green light, mature eggs will be carefully retrieved from the ovaries. These eggs (or donor eggs) are taken to a lab where they will then be put in a petri dish with fresh sperm (collected shortly before the procedure), or sperm that has been thawed and prepared beforehand. These close living quarters will allow sperm to mingle with eggs in a way that is isn’t really possible during traditional intercourse. Aside from the setting of the petri dish, the fertilization process is much the same as during intercourse. In the end, one sperm should match up with one egg. Then it’s a bit of a waiting game. If the procedure is successful, after a period of two to six days, the fertilized embryo or embryos will finally be transferred to the uterus, where, hopefully, implantation will be successful and result in pregnancy! With IVF and ICSI, it’s sometimes possible to find out if it worked by taking a pregnancy test as soon as two weeks after implantation.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

This treatment is also used when people are having trouble getting pregnant, or by people using donor eggs or sperm. The name “intracytoplasmic sperm injection” makes ICSI sound like a very complicated treatment, but when you break it down, the concept is pretty straightforward. In truth, the term is just a really formal way of saying that during the ICSI process, sperm will be directly injected into an egg to fertilize it. But, what exactly does that mean, and how is it possible?

How ICSI works

ICSI is a form of IVF treatment, often referred to as “IVF with ICSI,” so both processes take place in a IVF lab. As for preparation, traditional IVF and ICSI are very similar, if not identical in some cases. The real difference between the two happens after the sperm and eggs have already been taken to the lab. Unlike traditional IVF, ICSI samples are not mixed together in a petri dish and left to match up on their own. Through the ICSI process, you are able to make the connection for them. A single egg is delicately held in a specialized pipette, while a very small and hollow needle carefully selects a single sperm and immobilizes it by picking it up. Once both parties are secured, the needle is slowly brought through the shell of the egg (zona) before reaching its goal at the center of the egg (cytoplasm). The needle then places the sperm within the cytoplasm. After injecting the sperm, the process is complete, and the needle is removed. Eggs are checked after a day or so to see if the process of “normal fertilization” has begun. Just like traditional IVF, the successfully fertilized eggs are then implanted in the uterine lining once they are mature enough.

Other things to consider

In the end, there really isn’t a “qualifying factor” that can say for sure whether you should use traditional IVF or ICSI treatment (though ICSI may be more effective in cases of severely low sperm count and unexplained male infertility). The process of egg retrieval and insertion of embryos into the uterus are the same between both options. Both are mostly painless, and have mild side effects. In fact, because ICSI has become more popular over the last decade with a 70% to 85% fertilization rate, many clinics have begun to use the two procedures interchangeably, and some have even begun using ICSI for every treatment!

We all know that it’s sometimes difficult to get a straight answer from the internet. We’ve covered the basics, but nothing can replace your healthcare provider’s knowledge and advice. Asking them detailed questions may be the first step in beginning your IVF journey!

Read more

• Sperm donation 101
• Egg donation: thinking it through

Sources

• Mayo Clinic Staff. “In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)”. Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. March 22, 2018. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/in-vitro-fertilization/about/pac-20384716
• “Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection- ICSI and IVF. Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago. Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago. 2017. https://www.advancedfertility.com/icsi.htm
• “Egg Donation Cost at the Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago”. Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago. Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago. 2017. https://www.advancedfertility.com/eggdonationcost.htm

No period, not pregnant: What does it mean?

The rollercoaster of emotions that come with taking a pregnancy test is often stressful, but don’t give up just yet. Here’s what it means to have no period for a while and still not be pregnant.

Reasons why a test could be wrong

Here are a couple reasons why you may have received a false negative.

• Taken before the first missed period: Pregnancy tests work by detecting levels of human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG, a hormone that the body starts to make when an egg has been fertilized. Because the tests look for the presence of this hormone, it is possible that they miss the hormone in the very early stages of pregnancy, mainly in the days leading up to the first missed period. For the most accurate readings, it’s best to wait until at least the missed period, if not a few days after.
• Fluids diluting urine: Yes, you should still be drinking lots of water! But taking a pregnancy test later in the day can sometimes mean that urine is diluted and hCG is more difficult for the test to detect. The hormone levels are highest in the morning too, so for the most accurate results try to take the test as early in the day as possible, preferably right after you wake up.
• Test directions not followed correctly: We don’t mean to suggest that you would miss a step . . . but could you have missed a step? Some tests require waiting a specific amount of time before reading the results. Pregnancy tests also have an expiration date, so we recommend buying new ones as opposed to using old ones that could be in your house.

Final thoughts

Ultimately, it’s always a good idea to read and closely follow the directions on home pregnancy tests, even if you consider yourself a pro by now. There’s also always the possibility that the negative test is accurate, and your period is simply a few days late. Home pregnancy tests are great, but after a positive result, it’s still important to visit your healthcare provider for a blood test to confirm.

Sources

• “Pregnancy test.” MedlinePlus. US National Library of Medicine, Oct 4 2016. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003432.htm.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Dec 2015. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940.

Popular questions and answers about your period and birth control

Your unanswered questions about periods, birth control, and ovulation.

Do you still ovulate on birth control?

It’s unlikely. Hormones play important roles in many of our bodily systems. The pill, the patch, the ring, and the birth control shot all suppress ovulation by blocking certain hormone signals that cause an egg to be released every month. This is why hormonal birth control is so effective at preventing pregnancy. 

If you’re on the IUD, however, you typically will ovulate. Hormonal IUDs work by making the uterine lining a hostile environment for a fertilized egg to implant into and copper IUDs are simply toxic to sperm.

Is it really safe to control if and when you get your periods?

In many cases, yes, it’s safe to skip a period. However, it’s best to speak with your healthcare provider before doing so.

Anyone who has chosen to skip a family reunion can back us up on this: just because something regularly happens, doesn’t mean you’re obligated to participate. Periods often are no exception. Menstruation is part of how the body prepares for pregnancy, so if you’re not trying to get pregnant, you might not need to shed your uterine lining every month.

Some healthcare providers discourage (or at least don’t recommend) purposefully skipping periods, so it’s important to speak with your provider about whether or not this would be right for you.

Are IUDs and pelvic infections linked?

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) occurs when bacteria enter and infect the reproductive organs. Though individuals are at risk for bacteria to enter their vagina after an IUD has been inserted, the risk is lower than commonly believed. Undetected and untreated STDs are more likely to put someone at risk for PID than an IUD insertion.

Do you need birth control while breastfeeding?

Wasn’t pregnancy fun? Want to do it again? Like, in a month? If your answer is no and your baby is still breastfeeding, it’s a good idea to get on some form of birth control. Even though you may not be menstruating, as soon as three weeks after labor your body could start releasing an egg again. This makes you fertile! Speak to your healthcare provider to decide what’s best for you.

Sources

• Murry, Mary. “Birth control after pregnancy: Think ahead.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. December 14, 2010. Web.
• “Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) – CDC Fact Sheet.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. May 23, 2016. Web.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Choosing a birth control pill.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. January 22, 2015. Web.
• Lopez, L.M.; Grimes, D.A.; Chen-Mok, M.; Westhoff, C.; Edelman, A.; Helmerhorst, F.M. “Hormonal contraceptives for contraception in overweight or obese women.” PubMed. NCMI. 2013. Web.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Mirena (hormonal IUD).” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. January 10, 2015. Web.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Delaying your period with birth control pills.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. February 10, 2015. Web.

Here are the TTC acronyms you should know about

AF:

Aunt Flow. Your period.

Thanks for the invite, but my Aunt Flow’s in town. I’m gonna go home and treat her to some wine and reruns.

BBT:

Basal Body Temperature. BBT may spike right before ovulation, so many women track it to help them pinpoint their ovulation.

The very first thing I did this morning was grab my thermometer and take my BBT.

BCP:

Birth Control Pills.

In almost no time after I stopped taking BCP, I was pregnant.

BD:

Baby Dance. Sexual intercourse, usually done on the most fertile days of your cycle. (Can also mean baby dust, which is a phrase you use to wish someone good luck.)

My ovulation test is positive, which makes me want to dance – the BD, that is!

BFN/BFP:

Big Fat Negative/Big Fat Positive (on your pregnancy test).

Every time I buy a pregnancy test, I think about how it could be the one to show the BFP.

BOB:

Baby on the Brain!

I’m having a hard time shopping with BOB. All I can think about is tiny socks and pacifiers, which makes it impossible to keep track of my grocery list.

CD:

Cycle Day. A specific day in your menstrual cycle (or fertility treatment cycle). To track it, start by counting from the first day of your last menstrual cycle.

It varies each cycle, but normally I ovulate on CD 13, or 13 days after the first day of my period.

CM or CF:

Cervical Mucus or Cervical Fluid. Changes in cervical fluid indicate that a woman is at different stages of her cycle.

At the most fertile point of each cycle, my CM is clear and super stretchy.

CP:

Chemical pregnancy. A very early miscarriage.

My doctor recommended that I put off trying again until one cycle after my last CP.

DD:

Darling daughter. A daughter you already have.

DH, DD, and I go on vacation next week.

DH:

Dear husband.

I’m 42 and DH is 43.

DPO:

Days Past Ovulation, or Cycle Date Post Ovulation.

By 7DPO of the TWW, I’m already wondering if every little cramp is a sign of pregnancy.

DS:

Darling son.

It’s a challenge to care for DD and DS while also TTC.

ENDO:

Endometriosis. A chronic disease in which tissue that is supposed to grow in the uterus grows outside of it. Millions of women experience this condition and it can affect fertility.

After getting diagnosed with ENDO, I was able to find a huge and supportive online community of other women who had the same condition.

EWCM:

Egg White Cervical Mucus. When your cervical mucus looks like egg whites, it may mean that you’re at your most fertile point.

Nothing is as exciting as seeing EWCM when TTC!

FMU:

First Morning Urine. Most pregnancy tests require that women take them the very first time they pee in the morning. In the morning, urine typically has the highest concentration of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, or hCG, an early pregnancy hormone.

I tested with FMU and got a faint BFP.

FP:

Follicular Phase. The phase of the menstrual cycle when follicles mature in the ovary. This phase begins on day 1 of your period, and ends with ovulation.

I’m so excited to try and get pregnant, I just want my FP to be over!

hCG:

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. A hormone produced during early pregnancy that helps the baby grow.

I had a positive test, which means there was enough hCG in my urine to detect a pregnancy.

HPT:

Home Pregnancy Test. A pregnancy test that you can take at home. This morning my HPT showed a BFP – but I’m going to my doctor’s to take a blood test to confirm.

IUI:

Intrauterine Insemination. A specific kind of fertility treatment where sperm is placed directly into a woman’s uterus during ovulation.

After 2 years of TTC, we’ve decided to try IUI.

IVF:

In Vitro Fertilization. A procedure in which an egg is fertilized in a lab and then implanted.

We went through several rounds of IVF before getting a BFP.

LMP:

Last Menstrual Period. The first day of your last period.

I started my LMP on June 6th.

LPD:

Luteal Phase Defect. If the corpus luteum didn’t form properly, a luteal phase defect may occur, causing a short luteal phase. This can make it hard for a woman to get pregnant.

I’ve been really accurate with my charting, because I suspect I might have LPD and I want to have a lot of information to show my provider.

LSC:

Low Sperm Count. Commonly the cause of male infertility.

A semen analysis showed that my partner has an LSC.

M/C:

Miscarriage.

I got my first BFP a year ago, which ended in a really upsetting MC.

MF:

Male Factor Infertility.

To help with the MF issues, we found an infertility counselor who was covered by our insurance.

NTNP:

Not trying for pregnancy, not preventing pregnancy.

I just stopped taking BCP, so I guess that we’re NTNP.

O or OV:

Ovulation.

I O’ed on CD15 and BD on days 13 and 15.

OPK or OPT:

Ovulation Predictor Kit or Ovulation Predictor Test. These tests tell you when your body has a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), which indicates the onset of ovulation.

I just got a positive OPK, which means BD as soon as possible!

PCO, PCOS, or PCOD:

Polycystic Ovaries, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Disease. A condition in which a woman’s levels of estrogen and progesterone are unbalanced. Women with PCOS develop cysts on their ovaries, and the condition can cause infertility.

My doctor thinks I have PCOS, so I’m waiting to hear back about my blood work.

POAS:

Pee On Stick. Taking a pregnancy test (peeing on a stick), usually at home.

I’m 7DPO and it’s so hard to wait to POAS!

RE:

Reproductive Endocrinologist. A type of fertility specialist.

I’m meeting with an RE tomorrow to go over my fertility test results.

SA:

Semen Analysis. This is a test that providers can use to determine the quality and quantity of a man’s sperm.

The results of his SA show he has low sperm count, low motility, and poor morphology.

SO:

 Significant other.

My SO and I have decided that next month we’ll start TTC.

TWW or 2WW: Two Week Wait. The time period between when you ovulate and can take a pregnancy test.

 just started my TWW and I need to find some ways to distract myself!

TTC:

Trying to Conceive.

I haven’t decided who I want to tell that we’re TTC.

U/S:

Ultrasound.

Our first U/S is scheduled for the end of the month.

Tips to support your long-term fertility

For some people, not trying to conceive now doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll never want to conceive – and if and when you start trying, you’ll want it to be as easy as possible, right? Most ways to try to support your fertility are strategies for the short term, but there are a few tips to help encourage your long-term fertility without telling your body it’s time to start getting busy now.

Birth control

You can kill two birds with one stone in terms of birth control if you think using oral birth control might be right for you – the pill can help protect against uterine and ovarian cancers, both of which can hurt your fertility. The way the pill limits estrogen can also help limit some of the damage endometriosis has on fertility. About half of all women with endometriosis struggle with infertility, either because of uterine scar tissue or because of the changes endometriosis can cause in hormones or eggs. The pill limits the estrogen that endometriosis feeds off of, so women with endometriosis who use the pill for birth control tend to have less scar tissue and less damage to eggs or hormones, and so may have an easier time conceiving when they stop using the pill.

Keep your appointments

Ovarian cysts, either from endometriosis or PCOS, can hurt your fertility as well as cause discomfort and hormonal changes. While there’s nothing definite you can do to prevent them, the Mayo Clinic reminds you that regular pelvic exams and paying attention to any changes in your cycle could help you catch them early and limit their effects.

Keep up with your health

The most important factor in most people’s overall fertility support is general health. Simply put, if you’re healthy, you’ve got a better chance of conceiving. So just what does this mean? There are probably no surprises here, but we recommend that you eat a nutritious and balanced diet, stay active, and limit smoking and drinking. That way, if and when you do try to conceive, you’ve got a great chance of doing so.

Sources

• “Infertility fact sheet.” Womenshealth. US Department of Health and Human Services, Jul 16 2012. Web.

Though IUD use is on the rise, this wasn’t always the case. IUDs might still bring to mind some well-deserved bad press; there was one particular form of IUD called the Dalkon Shield that caused a number of serious health issues in the 1970s before being taken off the market. And for a long time, healthcare providers wouldn’t recommend the devices to women who were younger, who hadn’t yet had children, or who were not in a monogamous relationship. But we now know that the IUDs on the market today are a safe, effective, and long-lasting form of birth control.

IUD basics

An IUD is a T-shaped plastic device that is placed in the uterus by a healthcare provider. IUDs work by either preventing sperm and egg from meeting or by keeping the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus once they do. There are two main types of IUDs:

Progestin-based IUDs

Brand names: Mirena, Liletta, Skyla, Kyleena

Hormonal IUDs use progestin (the same hormone used in the pill to prevent conception), and each of the four different types include different doses of hormones. Depending on the type, progestin-based IUDs can last either up to 3 years (Skyla), 5 years (Liletta and Kyleena), or 8 years (Mirena) without needing to be changed, and they can be removed at any time. These IUDs can have some hormonal side-effects, including acne, breast tenderness, and changes in menstruation that can include changes in menstrual flow, cramping during periods, and spotting between periods.

Copper-based IUDs

Brand name: Paragard

The Paragard IUD is different in that it’s the only copper-based IUD available in the U.S.; the small plastic T-shaped device is wrapped in a bit of copper wire. It lasts for up to 10 years without needing to be replaced, and it can be removed at any time. The most reported side effects are  heavier periods and cramping..

IUD benefits

One major benefit is that IUDs are 99% effective. This means that fewer than 1 in 100 people who use an IUD as birth control will get pregnant each year. If you compare this to other birth control methods, it is extremely effective; the birth control pill is 91-93% effective with typical use, condoms are 85% effective, and the pull out method is 78% effective.

An IUD is also extremely low-maintenance. Once one has been placed, it’s effective for years without you having to do anything to maintain it. And, it can be removed at any time and you can potentially become pregnant right away.

Is an IUD right for Y-O-U?

Because there are a variety of IUD options, an IUD might be a good fit for you. For example, Mirena is recommended to help treat heavy and painful periods and may help with bleeding caused by endometriosis and fibroids. Liletta recently came out with a new inserter, which may make insertion more comfortable. And Paragard might be a good fit for people who desire non-hormonal birth control.

You should also know that IUDs have been associated with an increased risk of pelvic infections, especially for women with more than one sexual partner. And they do not protect against STIs, so you’ll want to use other methods of protection, such as condoms, to stay safe.

Updates in guidelines for insertion have changed too. That means you should expect a conversation about the insertion of your IUD and different medications that your provider and you can choose from to keep you comfortable and pain free. 

There are a lot of birth control options out there – and a variety of IUD options – so if you have questions about if an IUD is right for you, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider to learn more.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Sources

• “Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC): IUD and Implant.” ACOG. Practice Bulletin 184 from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2017. Web.
• Britton LE, Alspaugh A, Greene MZ, McLemore MR. CE: An Evidence-Based Update on Contraception. Am J Nurs. 2020 Feb;120(2):22-33.

Fertility hormones and what they can do

Although there are many hormones involved in each of your bodily processes, we’ve chosen the three that are most commonly associated with fertility and regulating the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Estrogen

The main female sex hormones, estrogens (which is actually a group of hormones) are largely responsible for helping your body regulate the menstrual cycle. Estrogen (in the form of estradiol) tends to be relatively low during the beginning of the cycle before rising during the proliferative phase, in order to help develop the eggs maturing in your ovarian follicles and to make your cervical fluid more fertile, among other things. Once estrogen reaches a certain threshold, it triggers a spike in luteinizing hormone, which lets your body know to release an egg.

Progesterone

The most important hormone for early pregnancy, progesterone, is also the one responsible for triggering a period. Progesterone rises during the luteal phase in order to help thicken the lining of the womb, and support an early pregnancy before the placenta is able to form and take over the brunt of the work. Progesterone also causes an increase in body temperature, hence the possible spike in basal body temperature in the short time following ovulation.

Progesterone levels remain elevated if you conceive in a cycle, but if no egg implants in the uterine wall, progesterone levels drop. Once progesterone drops to a certain amount, menstruation is triggered, beginning the cycle anew.

LH

LH stands for for “luteinizing hormone.” LH is the hormone that lets one of your ovaries know to release an egg. Eggs mature in follicles in your ovaries during the proliferative phase, and once estrogen reaches a critical point, it triggers a surge of LH, which causes one of the follicles to burst, and release an egg. Ovulation tests work by searching for the presence of LH in urine, which generally remains elevated for the 24-48 hours after ovulation.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the hormones that influence your fertility and help to support a pregnancy – hormones like FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) both play a big part in the process – but these three are major players that you’ll definitely want to remember.

Read more

• Tracking fertility during the luteal phase
• Does a negative pregnancy test mean I’m not pregnant?

Sources

• “Hormones which may be relevant to fertility.” Stork Klinik. Stork Klinik, n.d. Web.
• “Reproductive Hormones.” RESOLVE. Resolve: The National Infertility Association, 2017. Web.