Can I have an IUD if I have uterine fibroids?

The IUD is the most affordable and effective method among many contraceptive methods. Therefore, for women of childbearing age who want to prevent pregnancy, IUD insertion is generally recommended. Uterine fibroids are also a common disease among middle-aged women. So, if you have uterine fibroids and want to avoid pregnancy, can you have an IUD surgery? Usually, it is not recommended for women with uterine fibroids to have an IUD surgery, but other methods of contraception can be used.

Can I have an IUD for uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids can invade other organs in the uterine cavity and block the fallopian tubes, making it difficult for women to become pregnant. Even if they become pregnant in time, the possibility of spontaneous abortion is very high. Therefore, contraception becomes extremely important for patients with uterine fibroids. You cannot have an IUD inserted if you have uterine fibroids.

Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyoma, are mostly asymptomatic. A few may present with vaginal bleeding, abdominal masses, and compression symptoms. It may cause pain if the pedicle is twisted or other conditions occur. Multiple uterine fibroids are common. Its typical symptoms are menorrhagia and secondary anemia, but some patients may have no symptoms. The symptoms of fibroids are generally closely related to the location and size of the fibroids. If an IUD is inserted in this situation, it will stimulate uterine fibroids, causing them to grow faster, and in rare cases, it may even develop into uterine cancer.

Therefore, it is best to use condoms for contraception when you have uterine fibroids, and IUDs are not recommended.

Side effects of female intrauterine device

1. Uterine perforation : The mechanism by which IUD insertion causes uterine perforation is not clear. It is generally believed that it may be caused by the inappropriate size of the uterus or improper operation by the doctor. In addition, when women exercise vigorously, the IUD in their body may cause damage to the uterus due to physical inertia. Unexplained uterine contractions may also squeeze the IUD and cause uterine perforation.

2. Damage to other organs : In rare cases, the intrauterine contraceptive device may cause uterine perforation and enter the abdominal cavity, thus causing the device to become dislocated. The IUD may be ectopically located in the bladder, pelvis, or mesentery.

3. Excessive menstrual flow : Some intrauterine contraceptive devices contain copper ions, which have cytotoxic and hemolytic effects, thus causing excessive menstrual flow. This is a normal phenomenon.

4. Ectopic pregnancy : If the embryo implants in the fallopian tube and does not reach the uterus, the result is an ectopic pregnancy. The contraceptive principle of the intrauterine device is to change the environment inside the uterus to cause miscarriage. It only works locally in the uterus, so it can only prevent normal pregnancy in the uterus, but cannot prevent ectopic pregnancy.

5. Endometrial fibrosis : Intrauterine contraceptive devices are essentially foreign bodies in the human body. It is common medical knowledge that foreign bodies in the human body can cause mechanical damage to local tissues, chronic inflammation, and fibrotic lesions. Ten to twelve years after the IUD is inserted, fibrosis will occur in the endometrium.

6. Pregnancy with an IUD : Pregnancy with an IUD is also called pregnancy with an implant. Since the contraceptive success rate of intrauterine devices is lower than that of oral contraceptives and sterilization, women should still take precautions after getting the device to prevent pregnancy while it is installed.

7. Soreness : Some women will experience soreness or discomfort in the lower abdomen or lower back after the IUD is placed. This is because the contraceptive ring placed in the uterus is a "foreign body" to the uterus. Especially when it is too large or positioned low, the uterus contracts to expel this "foreign body", causing uterine contraction pain.