• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Property
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Work & Finance
        • Costa Rhu: Jyoti’s spacious & central Tanjong Rhu condo
        • Shop dress shoes for men in SingaporeDress shoes for men – finding the perfect pair in Singapore
        • living in singapore demographics expat living reader surveyEXPAT LIVING READER SURVEY 2023
        • Forex trading for beginnersHow to start forex trading in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Image of cool things to do for kids in Singapore, watching white tiger in Singapore ZooWhat’s on this week and beyond
        • Sailing Yacht Charter in SingaporeLuxury yacht rentals in Singapore
        • Where to watch the F1 2023 and party!
        • One Rishta - a website for happiness and culture in Singapore from Rituparna senguptaA new way to access creativity and culture in Singapore!
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • Centre Stage performing arts and drama classes in SingaporeTop ballet, dance and drama classes in Singapore
        • agora colearning inclusive learning environmentThis new preschool has a personalised learning environment
        • learning journey community SASMaking the student learning journey exciting
        • Yellow Aliens mascotWhere to rent costumes for Halloween in Singapore & more!
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Furniture & Décor
      • Real Homes
        • Looking for the best outdoor furniture?
        • Where to buy antiques or vintage furniture – Reviews
        • Modern interior design with a touch of tradition!
        • Singapore home decor by Originals7 best furniture stores for home décor in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Australasia
      • Rest Of The World
        • Indonesia travel - where to stay in BaliIndonesia travel – Where to stay in Bali & island resorts
        • Sailing Yacht Charter in SingaporeLuxury yacht rentals in Singapore
        • Beach Villas Wakatobi Indonesian island resort6 Reasons to Book These Beach Villas!
        • The Latest Travel News & Hotel Deals
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • Oktoberfest 2023 singapore - the places for food and beerHow to celebrate Oktoberfest 2023 in Singapore
        • Deviate wine bar in Dempsey Hill - we chat to owner Joe Keats of Petersons WinesThis Dempsey bar is a best-kept secret!
        • Crossroads cafe at Orchard - where to eat in Orchard Road - alfresco dining SingaporeTry alfresco dining & happy hour at this café at Orchard Road
        • The best birthday cakes in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • Shop dress shoes for men in SingaporeDress shoes for men – finding the perfect pair in Singapore
        • Six shades full set Bigen Men Beard ColorDye your beard like an expert – at home!
        • Tiffany Cook and Caroline Chin Geyler from T&C Gemstones and JewelleryBespoke jewellery created by a pair of gem lovers!
        • Try the best Spas in Singapore for some pampering!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • allergic rhinitis, allergy medication and insuranceFast facts about allergies, their symptoms and insurance
        • art therapy depression treatmentNavigating depression with Experiential Therapy
        • The best personal trainers and personal training gyms in SingaporeWhere to go for personal trainers in Singapore
        • Sport clubs in SingaporeWant to join a sports team?
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • Close

IUD birth control: Is it right for you?

24th June 2019 by Amy Greenburg 3 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/best-birth-control-iud-contraception-singapore-dtapc-clinic/

Considering IUD for birth control? Here’s how it compares to other forms of contraception like the pill, and how to determine which method is right for you.

How does IUD work?

You’ve probably heard the acronym IUD (short for intra-uterine device), or you might even have heard your girlfriends raving about theirs. So, what exactly is it?

A long-term, reversible mode of contraception, IUD is one of the most effective methods of birth control available, with an over 98 percent success rate of preventing pregnancy, according to DR MICHELLE CHIA of DTAP Clinic (Dr Tan and Partners).

A tiny, T-shaped device attached to a string, the IUD is inserted into the uterus where it sits for up to five years and prevents pregnancy.

intrauterine devices (IUD)

The device comes in two varieties: hormonal and non-hormonal. Both are safe and convenient options for women who aren’t looking to conceive in the immediate future but still want that option if they decide they want to get pregnant at the drop of a hat. They’re suitable not only for women who have given birth before, but for those who never have.

The devices work in generally the same way, by altering a woman’s cervical mucus so that sperm can’t swim through it. If the sperm do manage to get past the cervix, the IUD’s active ingredient (copper for non-hormonal IUDs; synthetic progesterone for hormonal IUDs) makes it more challenging for them to reach the uterus. The IUD in the womb itself also makes implantation more difficult.

IUDs are inserted in-clinic and the process only takes around 20 minutes. While it isn’t exactly comfortable, many women do find that the benefits outweigh the temporary discomfort or pain during the insertion process.

“It’s an invasive process that involves instrumentation of the cervical canal and uterus. Hence, we do expect it to hurt a little, or be slightly uncomfortable for the patient,” says Dr Chia. “Different patients have different pain thresholds; some are comfortable with the process, while those with lower pain thresholds experience more pain.”

A follow-up is normally done four weeks after insertion to check the placement and positioning of the IUD, says Dr Chia.

Hormonal or non-hormonal device?

“The suitability of each type will depend on the doctor’s assessment of the patient and their needs,” says Dr Chia. The non-hormonal IUD tends to cause heavier and more painful periods, while the hormonal variety commonly creates irregular spotting or no period at all. So, if you want a lighter period, the latter may be a better option. Conversely, Dr Chia notes that one of the most common reasons patients choose the copper IUD is because they’re not comfortable with the idea of having something hormonal in them. She adds that cost also plays a factor; the hormonal IUD is a lot more costly than the copper one.

 Which method of contraception is best for you?

“Unfortunately, the most commonly used form of contraception is still the male condom, which has a very high failure rate, as well as the risk of slipping or breaking,” she says. “Many women are still not well-informed of proper and effective birth control methods, which are actually very safe.”

Birth control pills and IUD

Long-acting, reversible methods of birth control include hormonal and non-hormonal IUD, as well as an implant, which can last three years. Short-acting, reversible methods include contraceptive patches that are changed weekly, birth control pills taken daily or injections given once every three months.

While no birth control method has a 100 percent guaranteed success rate, Dr Chia says that all these modes of contraception are effective, and all are reversible with no long-term implications on a woman’s ability to conceive later on. Again, it really comes down to the patient’s preferences. “Each form of birth control has its own pros and cons,” says Dr Chia. “Choices will depend on the needs and wants of the individual, as well as her medical history, concurrent medications and lifestyle.

“IUD’s main advantage over other forms of birth control is the convenience of having birth control long-term without having to worry about compliance,” explains Dr Chia.

A woman who wants birth control for a shorter period of time will likely opt for the pill or the patch. “These offer other benefits such as regulating periods, improving period cramps and also preventing cancer, which makes them great and convenient choices for many women,” says Dr Chia.

As for effectiveness, she says contraceptive patches are very effective if used correctly, with an efficacy of over 95 percent in pregnancy prevention. The rate for birth control pills can be as high as 98 to 99 percent, if they’re taken perfectly and regularly.

To find out more about IUD and other forms of birth control, including emergency contraception options, or to schedule an appointment with a doctor, call DTAP Clinic’s DUO Galleria clinic (6976 5023) or Robertson Quay clinic (6238 7810), or email hello@dtapclinic.com.

dtapclinic.com

 

Like this? Read more in our Health & Fitness section.

Is your man testosterone deficient?

Physio, chiropractic, osteopathy and more

 

Categories: Health & Fitness Medical Tags: birth control birth control pills contraception contraceptive patch DTAP Clinic intrauterine device IUD

Amy Greenburg

Originally from Los Angeles, Amy is passionate about Netflix, sipping rosé at rooftop bars, travelling, and all things health and wellness-related. She enjoys learning about different health topics through her writing, particularly critical health conditions, food allergies, alternative therapies, and pregnancy and postpartum-related issues

You May Also Like

art therapy depression treatment

Navigating depression with Experiential Therapy

Heart attack symptoms versus signs of cardiac arrest

TMJ disorder City Osteopathy treatment

Healing TMJ and jaw pain the natural way

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2023 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.