Intrauterine devices are increasing in popularity. There are several types of IUDs available, each of them will suit different people. About 12% of people on birth control use IUDs. These devices can reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy and removes the possibility of error which comes with taking a pill everyday or by using condoms. 

Types of IUD

IUDs are called long-acting reversible contraception. This refers to their ability to prevent pregnancy for many years, although people can get pregnant quickly following the removal. There are two types of IUD:

Hormonal IUDs

Hormonal IUDs releases progestin, which is the artificial version of the hormone progesterone. Progestin thickens mucus present in the cervix, which makes it impossible for sperm to reach the egg. Progestin thins the lining of the uterus, in this scenario sperm can travel to the egg, this thin lining will make it difficult for an egg to implant in the uterus and cause pregnancy. There are four brands of hormonal IUDs:

1. Mirena can stop pregnancy for approx 6 years
2. Kyleena can work for approx 5 years
3. Liletta works for 4 years
4. Skyla can prevent pregnancy for 3 years

Benefits of hormonal and nonhormonal IUDs

IUD offers benefits and it also carries risks. People should talk to their doctor about medical history and plans regarding future pregnancy before deciding which IUD is fine for them. 

Pros of hormonal IUDs

The benefits of hormonal IUDs include:

• Highly effective: Both nonhormonal and hormonal IUDs are over 99 percent effective. According to a study, hormonal IUDs are effective than copper IUDs. 
• Regular periods: Some people find that hormones in an IUD regulate their periods or they can make their periods disappear.
• They lower the risk of certain cancers: The hormones present in the IUD can reduce the risk of some cancers, which include the cancer of the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus.

The hormonal IUD can be a good option for people who are not able to use estrogen, including those who have migraines or have a higher risk of blood clots in the legs. 

Nonhormonal IUDs

The benefits of the copper IUD include:

• No hormones: Copper IUDs are safe even for people who are not able to use hormonal birth control.
• Emergency contraception: A copper IUD begins working immediately, so it will function as an emergency form of birth control.
• Lasts longer: While both copper and hormonal IUDs can work for many years, copper IUDs can prevent pregnancy for atleast 10 years. 

Benefits of IUDs

Intrauterine devices can be good contraception choice for many people. The benefits include:

• Reduces the chance of human error: A doctor will insert the IUD into the uterus. Once the IUD is in place, the individual does not have to worry about taking a pill or use a condom.
• Highly effective: IUDs are highly effective. The pregnancy rate with these devices ranges from 0.9 to 1.5 percent, which is lower than the rates of other nonpermanent forms of birth control. 
• Protection against pregnancy-related issues: For people having severe health conditions which make pregnancy dangerous, an IUD can be life-saving.
• Affordability: An IUD does not require constant visits to the doctor. As a result, this is an affordable option for most people, mainly when health insurance covers it.
• Flexibility: As long as there is no possibility of a woman being pregnant, the IUD insertion can happen at any point during her monthly cycle. 

Side-effects of IUD

Some people have side effects after getting IUD. They usually go away in about 6 months, once the body gets used to the visitor present in your uterus. The side effects include:

• Pain when the IUD is put in
• Backaches for a few days after the IUD is put in
• Irregular periods
• Worse menstrual cramps and heavier periods

IUDs don’t protect against STDs, while IUDs are one of the good ways to prevent pregnancy, they don’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections. Using condoms every time you have sex reduces the chance of getting STDs. There are some rare side effects of IUDs include:

• Expulsion: which happens when the device comes out of the uterus by accident. If the IUD falls out of place, the doctor has to re-implant it.
• Uterine perforation: It happens when the IUD punctures the uterine wall. This can cause severe bleeding and it results in infection.
• PID(pelvic inflammatory disease): This may occur if the IUD insertion procedure carries bacteria back to the uterus.

Removal of IUD

Removal of IUD is a simple procedure of most of the women. In the removal process, the doctor will hold the threads of the IUD with the help of ring forceps. If the IUD is not able to come out with a slight pull, the doctor will remove this device by using other methods. The doctor will use a hysteroscopy in this case to remove the IUD. During the procedure, the doctor widens the cervix to insert a hysteroscope. The hysteroscope will allow the small instruments to enter your uterus. The doctor might give anesthesia during this procedure. It can take around 5 minutes to 60 minutes to complete a hysteroscopy. 

Colonoscopy is an exam that lets the doctor closely look at the inside the entire colon and rectum to find the polyps or signs of cancer. Polyps are small growths that become cancer over time. It can happen to both men and women. The doctor uses a flexible, hollow, lighted tube that has a tiny video camera on top of it. It is known as colonoscopy that is gently moved inside the colon and gives a picture on the TV screen. 

Screening is for people without symptoms too. There are patients who experience bleeding in the rectum, changes in their bowel habits, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss, should seek medical attention, even if they are currently following screening guidelines.

Colonoscopy detects polyps, an abnormal growth found on the lining of the large intestine. Polyps are typically non-cancerous. When there is bleeding out of the anus, it may be a sign of colon cancer. Still, it may not be too late to get the procedure and get rid of the cancerous tissues. On average, colon cancer takes around 10 years at least to become cancerous. During a colonoscopy, the doctor removes polyps, preventing them from becoming cancerous. Timely colon screenings are the best prevention of colorectal cancer.

Most people feel discomfort only during screening. Specialists are able to remove potentially cancerous polys during colonoscopy. It is the procedure which combines detection and primary prevention. Here are five must-know facts about colonoscopy.

1. Colonoscopy saves lives

A colonoscopy is a common procedure. You must not be embarrassed to share the problem with the doctor. The doctors who treat the colon are highly trained. Although the procedure may seem invasive, it is necessary for preventing colorectal cancer. So do not be embarrassed, it can save lives. The procedure takes 30-60 minutes.

2. Preparation for colonoscopy is critical

For colonoscopy to be successful, emptying the contents from the colon is essential. To clean the colon before the colonoscopy, a doctor will give you a liquid laxative that will empty the colon. Although laxative portion generally starts a day before the test, it is important to review the bowel preparation instructions at least a week prior to the test to make the dietary changes. The dietary changes include moving to a low-fiber diet that includes nuts, whole grains. The preparation may seem too much, but it is minimal when it comes to preventing colorectal cancer.

3. For most of the patients, colonoscopy is not painful

Some people are anxious about colonoscopy and very few experiences the discomfort during the procedure. The doctor gives conscious sedation so that the patient sleeps through the entire procedure. Most of the patients opt for it and wake up fresh and with no memory of the procedure. 

4. It is the procedure which offers both detection and prevention

If the doctor finds any polyp during the test, they will remove them during colonoscopy. Other procedures are focused on preventing death from cancer, whereas a colonoscopy is a procedure that prevents the development of cancer. 

5. Most people should begin colon cancer screening at the age of 45 and repeat the process every 10 years

The screening should start at age 45, for average-risk individuals. This is based on the rate of colorectal cancer in varying age groups, which begins to increase significantly after 50 years of age. Screening should be done early for people with a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps.

Other things you must know about colonoscopy include: 

• The inner lining of the colon is checked first as the cancerous cells tend to grow mostly in that area. 
• In some cases, a fecal test is suggested by the doctor as a colonoscopy cannot be performed. If the doctor finds the symptoms of possible cancer, they would perform a colonoscopy. 
• Polyps can be removed making without any incision as they are found during the procedure. 
• The risk of complications is very low during colonoscopy. 

If a polyp is not removed completely by colonoscopy and the biopsy results are completely non-cancerous, another colonoscopy should be done in 3-6 months. Every effort should be made to remove polyps, as there is a significant risk that over time they can progress to invasive cancer. If a polyp cannot be removed with colonoscopy, the doctor suggests surgery to remove that portion of the colon.