what is IUD and why it’s is used? Keep in mind in India women have no idea what tampons are, let alone IUD. Sanitary pad is the only option here
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IUD stands for **I**ntra**U**terine **D**evice. As the name suggests, the IUD goes inside the uterus, [like so](https://www.childrenscolorado.org/48ff6a/globalassets/departments/gynecology/iud-insertion.jpg). The IUD is a form of *contraceptive*, which means it prevents pregnancy. It does this in a few different ways, depending on what kind of IUD it is.
The first thing that all IUDs do is physically block sperm from coming into contact with the egg. The pathway from vagina to the egg is torturous at best, and most sperm will never even get close to the egg. By physically changing the route sperm have to take, it significantly decreases the odds of any sperm getting there.
Side note, in case OP or someone else wandering in had a shitty sex ed and doesn’t know how that works in the first place: sperm is *not* deposited directly into the uterus. Even a well-endowed guy probably does not have enough length to make it that far. Even if he did, the vagina is separated from the uterus by the *cervix*, which remains closed unless she is ovulating. Even if she *is* ovulating, the cervix only opens up a *tiny* amount. The thinnest of penises is still far too large to get through the cervix. And it is *very* painful to even bump against the cervix, much less wedge it open. Women (in general) do not appreciate that feeling. Sperm is ejaculated into the vagina where it mixes with mucus and fluids and is drawn through the cervix into the uterus. Depending on the stage of ovulation, the sperm probably continues into the fallopian tubes where it will meet the egg. The egg starts the very early stages of development still traveling to the uterus, where it will implant into the uterine wall. Sometimes the egg doesn’t travel far enough and the egg implants into the wall of the fallopian tube. This is an ectopic pregnancy and is a life-threatening emergency. If the sperm doesn’t fertilize the egg until the egg is already in the uterus, it’s likely that the egg won’t develop enough in time to implant into the uterus and will be passed just like a period.
Anyway, back to IUDs. You can see in the diagram that the positioning of the IUD really gets in the way of the movement of sperm into the fallopian tubes, and really gets in the way of moving through the uterus at all. So, that’s one way the IUDs help prevent pregnancy. IUDs can have a copper winding or be doped with hormones, too.
The hormones are fairly straightforward if you know how normal birth control hormone work. The normal pill alters the hormones that signal pregnancy in your body, tricking your body into believing it’s already pregnant. As a result, it thickens the uterine wall and mucus lining, preventing the implantation of a “second” egg and closing the cervix to stop a “second” egg from getting fertilized. Some hormones also stop the ovaries from releasing an egg *at all* since your body thinks it’s pregnant and doesn’t need to. Different types of birth control pills (and IUDs) use a different cocktail of artificial hormones to create the best effect for the individual woman using them. As a side effect, these hormones can also reduce the severity of symptoms associated with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), like making cramps less painful, reducing period flow, etc. Many women seek hormonal birth control just to control these symptoms completely regardless of their ability to prevent pregnancy.
Copper IUDs are also pretty straightforward – copper is toxic to sperm. The amount of copper released from the IUD is minuscule and won’t absorb into the body, making it harmless to the woman using it. That tiny amount of copper mixes with the mucus inside the uterus, though, which kills sperm that comes into contact with it. So, not only are the sperm slowed in their journey to get to the egg, they are being poisoned the whole time and likely will not survive long enough to make it to the egg, if they ever could at all.
As with all contraceptives, nothing is 100%. IUDs are about 99% effective when used correctly. One of the main benefits of IUDs is that they last for a *long* time, especially the copper version. Although the hormonal versions do need to be replaced periodically, many women find it a lot more convenient than having to take a pill every single day. Missing a pill, or even waiting too long beyond your normal time in that day, can drastically reduce their efficacy. IUDs just do their thing without having to remember anything. They are also completely reversible because they can be easily removed by a medical professional with the right tools. Some women still prefer other contraceptive methods for whatever reasons that they choose. I’m neither a woman nor knowledgeable enough about all the pros and cons of IUDs compared to pills. Point is, if you *are* a woman seeking contraceptives, discuss all the options with your doctor and gyno.
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