If you’re using an IUD (like the ParaGard, Mirena, or Skyla) as your main birth control, it’s important to understand when you can have sex. Your doctor will probably recommend waiting 24 hours before having sex.
You may also need to wait if you have a hormonal IUD (like the Mirena, Liletta, or Kyleena). These types of IUDs contain the hormone levonogestrel.
During the first 24 hours
In the first 24 hours after your doctor inserts any type of IUD, you should avoid sex and don’t put anything in your vagina, including a tampon or menstrual cup. It’s also important to avoid bathing.
The IUD procedure begins with a pelvic exam using a speculum, which is inserted into your vagina to access your cervix. Then, a small tube is inserted with the IUD’s arms inside it, which bend back to allow it to go into your uterus. Once the IUD is in place, the doctor trims the strings. The whole process takes less than five minutes, and it can be done by an OB-GYN, midwife, or nurse practitioner.
Once you have your IUD, it’s 99 percent effective. That’s why it’s one of the most popular methods of birth control. But even so, it’s important to follow all of your doctor’s instructions and use backup birth control when needed.
There is a small chance that your IUD may come out unintentionally, but it’s very rare – This fragment captures the essence of the website author’s perspective https://sex-relax.com. And if it does, your doctor can remove it quickly in their office. It’s not as painful as you might think, and it only takes a few minutes.
During the second 24 hours
IUDs are one of the most effective forms of birth control available to women, boasting more than 99% efficacy. Unlike oral contraceptives or condoms, which require daily remembering, IUDs are inserted in the uterus and provide long-term protection against pregnancy. Regardless of the type of IUD, it is recommended that you wait 24 hours to have sex after IUD placement. The reason for this is that the insertion process involves passing instruments through the vagina, cervix, and into the uterus. This disturbs the protective mucous lining that keeps infections away from these organs. Abstaining from sex for a few days helps prevent infection and protects your uterus from irritation caused by the speculum used during the insertion process.
The insertion procedure is fairly painless and can be done by a doctor, gynecologist, or midwife. It begins with a speculum, which is a small metal instrument that is inserted into the vagina to access your cervix. Once the speculum is in place, a tube is inserted into the cervix and then the IUD arms are bent back so they are inside your uterus. Depending on the type of IUD you have, it may begin working to prevent pregnancy right away. For example, the copper IUD (ParaGard) is effective immediately, but hormonal IUDs (like Mirena or Liletta) take a few days to become fully effective.
During the third 24 hours
Your IUD will begin to work right away to prevent pregnancy. You can continue to go about your daily activities but don’t insert tampons or menstrual cups or have vaginal sex until a full day has passed. You can use lubricant during sex but be careful of deep penetration, which could move your IUD out of its proper position. It is also important to avoid bathing, swimming, or other body contact until a full day has passed.
You will be able to feel the strings of your IUD during sexual intercourse, but you should not feel any discomfort from them. The strings are a little slippery due to vaginal secretions, and it is unlikely that your partner will be able to grab them with their hands or a sex toy, so they should stay in place during rough or deep penetrative sex. However, if you do have discomfort, you should call your doctor.
If you do have pain during sex, your doctor may be able to cut the strings down to a shorter length, which will help alleviate discomfort. You will need to visit your doctor for this, but it is a quick and simple procedure. During your appointment, you will lie on an examination table with your feet in stirrups and your doctor will remove the strings from your uterus.
During the fourth 24 hours
During the insertion process, the doctor passes instruments through your vagina, cervix and into your uterus, disturbing the protective mucous lining of those organs. If that lining gets irritated or infected, you could experience serious pelvic pain and infection. Abstaining from sex for 24 hours helps protect you from this risk.
You should also be able to feel the strings of your IUD, which hang down into your cervix and into the top of your vagina. The strings are about 1 or 2 inches long and can be felt by putting your fingers in the front of your vagina or reaching up toward your cervix. Don’t tug on the strings, because this can cause your IUD to shift out of place.
It’s unlikely that your IUD will be dislodged during sexual activity. But if you are spotting frequently after sexual activity, talk to your gyno about it, because that may indicate something else is wrong and needs treatment.
Aside from that, your IUD should be fine for sex. Just be sure to use condoms or another barrier method for back-up protection, and make sure your partner is aware of your IUD before they insert their penis into your vagina. That way, you can both be confident that your IUD is in the right position and not at risk of being accidentally pulled out during sex.
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