Do I need to be asleep to get my IUD taken out? Great question! We hear from many patients that they are a little apprehensive about getting their IUD removed, but the majority of the time, it is a very simple and quick procedure.
"I have vaginal itching and dryness since I started taking the pill – could it be causing it?"
Vaginal itching or dryness could unfortunately be caused by a lot of different things. Without examining you it is impossible to say for sure, but it sounds like you may have a yeast infections.
Hormonal birth control has not been shown to cause these infections, but for some women, it can change the pH balance of the vagina and make them more prone to overgrowth of yeast or Bacterial Vaginosis (BV.) Both of these can cause dryness, irritation and itching.
The first step should be treating any infection you may have, and then combating the dryness you have with a personal lubricant until you are healed. We strongly recommend you come in for an appointment so we can examine you and test you to see if you need treatment for a yeast infection or BV. Most yeast infections will require an anti-fungal medication (oral or vaginal) and BV infections will require an antibiotic.
If you are prone to yeast infections while taking birth control, it is likely this will improve after you have been on it for a while when your body has had a chance to adjust to the hormones. There are some ways you can try and prevent recurrent yeast infections too:
When women feel confident in their birth control and are in an STD-free relationship, sexual activity may involve male ejaculation into the vagina. Semen can alter the pH of the vagina and increase the risk of acute vaginitis. We recommend urinating after intercourse and then rinsing all ejaculate out of the vagina with plain water.
If you continue to suffer from yeast infections while on birth control pills, you can also consider switching to a birth control that doesn’t contain estrogen. Some estrogen-free options include:
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Do I need to be asleep to get my IUD taken out? Great question! We hear from many patients that they are a little apprehensive about getting their IUD removed, but the majority of the time, it is a very simple and quick procedure.
“I tested clean for STDs at my last exam a year ago. When should I get tested again if I have no symptoms?” Great question! We recommend getting screened for STDs annually, or whenever you have had a new sexual partner.
As your trusted Women's Health provider, we want to assure all of our patients that we are open and here for you!
“Can the Mirena be taken out at any time or do you have to wait the 5 years?” One of the best things about Mirena is that it lasts for UP TO 5 years. That means, you can take it out before ​five years if you choose!
Do I need to worry about an IUD getting infected? Enjoy your IUD, worry free! While infections are always possible, your IUD getting infected is very unlikely – less than 1%. If an infection does occur, it usually happens within the first 3 weeks
To our valued Patients: Since 1969, FPA Women's Health has taken great pride in our commitment to caring for patients when they need us most.