None of these methods protects against sexually transmitted diseases. Women who are considering birth control for the first time or thinking about switching to a different method should discuss options with their doctor to choose the contraceptive that best fits their health and lifestyle, Custer said. This is a T-shaped plastic device that a doctor places in the uterus. It has a reservoir of levonorgestrel, a hormone used in birth-control pills. It is typically inserted within a week of beginning a period to help reduce the risk of being expelled or irregular bleeding.
Most women experience no pain during insertion, but one in five feels moderate or severe pain.
A woman needs to periodically check the LNG-IUS strings to ensure the device is in place. Every 24 hours, the device releases 20 micrograms of levonorgestrel. The hormone makes the mucus thicker at the neck of the cervix, preventing sperm from entering, and thins the lining, preventing implantation. The LNG-IUS was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in December. A doctor removes the device.