Transvaginal ultrasonography showing a perforated copper<unk>  as a hyperechoic (rendered as bright) line at right, away from the uterus at left. The<unk>  is surrounded by a hypoechoic (dark) foreign-body granuloma. Regardless of<unk>  type, there are some potential side effects that are similar for all<unk> s. Some of these side effects include bleeding pattern changes, expulsion, pelvic inflammatory disease (especially in the first 21 days after insertion), and rarely uterine perforation. A small probability of pregnancy remains after<unk>  insertion, and when it occurs there's a greater risk of ectopic pregnancy.<unk> s with progestogen confer an increased risk of ovarian cysts, and<unk> s with copper confer an increased risk of heavier periods. Menstrual cup companies recommend that women with<unk> s who are considering using menstrual cups should consult with their gynecologists before use. There have been rare cases in which women using<unk> s dislodged them when removing their menstrual cups, however, this can also happen with tampon use. Unlike condoms, the<unk>  does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Myth Fact<unk> s can cause infertility.<unk> s do not lead to infertility or make it harder for a woman to become pregnant. Some prior studies that found an association between<unk> s and infertility were investigating the Dalkon Shield which is no longer used.<unk> s cause infections.<unk> s do not cause increased infection. Once again, this is likely referring to the Dalkon Shield which is no longer used. That<unk>  contained multifilament strings, which provided bacteria a space to grow and move up the string.<unk> s as of 2008 use monofilament strings in order to prevent this from happening. However, as with any medical intervention,<unk> s can lead to increased risk of infection immediately after the insertion.<unk> s should only be used by older and/or monogamous women.<unk> s are not solely for older and/or monogamous women. According to the U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, women who have not had children and adolescents are classified as a category 2 for<unk>  use. This means that the benefits generally outweigh the risks although more careful attention may be required. A woman is supposed to have her period regularly to be healthy. Women do not need to have periods regularly. A period signifies the end of a woman's body preparing for pregnancy. If a woman does not desire pregnancy, then she does not need a period. There is a condition known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) which causes women to miss their periods and can lead to an increased risk of endometrial cancer. However, an<unk>  causes the endometrial lining of a uterus to thin, which is the opposite of what occurs with PCOS.<unk> s prevent pregnancy by causing abortions. In the majority of cases,<unk> s work by preventing fertilization. The copper-bearing<unk>  acts as a spermicide, killing or impairing sperm so they cannot reach the egg.<unk> s that contain progestin cause the cervical mucus to thicken, which stops sperm from entering the uterus. Thus, the current evidence suggests that the main mechanisms of action of<unk> s occur prior to fertilization.
Intrauterine device
Contraceptive implant
Male contraceptive
Fertility medication
Injectable birth control
Oral contraceptive pill
Combined hormonal contraception
Spermicide