Beyond Birth Control: 5 Unexpected Health Benefits of Hormonal IUDs

More than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy, hormonal IUDs provide safe, round-the-clock contraception — and best of all, once in place, they don’t require any additional interaction, making them especially reliable. 

But birth control is just one of the ways hormonal IUDs help women manage their futures and their health more effectively. In this post, DeShawn Taylor, MD, MSc, FACOG, and the team at Desert Star Institute for Family Planning reveal five more benefits you might not know about.

1. Lighter periods

Outside of their convenience and reliability, lighter periods are perhaps the most popular, non-contraceptive benefits associated with hormonal IUDs. These IUDs release a steady supply of hormones, lasting for 3-8 years, depending on the brand.

That steady flow of hormones helps regulate menstrual flow resulting in lighter, shorter periods. For some women, periods stop entirely, improving overall comfort and quality of life for women who don’t want to deal with periods and their symptoms.

2. No more painful cramps

During periods, the uterus contracts to get rid of the old uterine lining and prepare the uterus for the next menstrual cycle. These contractions are similar to the contractions a woman experiences during labor, and although they’re less intense, they’re still associated with cramping that can range from relatively mild to severe and debilitating.

The steady release of hormones associated with hormonal IUDs helps thin the uterine lining, resulting not only in less blood flow, but in fewer cramps, too. For many women, that means less use of over-the-counter pain relievers, along with a significant improvement in their quality of life.

3. Help with endometriosis symptoms

Endometriosis is a chronic disease that causes the endometrium (tissue that normally lines the uterus) to grow outside the uterus. Every month during ovulation and menstruation, this tissue swells just like the linen inside the uterus, causing significant pain and inflammation.

Hormonal IUDs reduce tissue changes, along with the inflammation and pain associated with them. For women suffering from endometriosis symptoms, hormonal IUDs can offer substantial relief and a marked increase in comfort.

4. Treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)

Reducing period flow may be desirable for most women, but if you have heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), it’s essential for your health, too. Once called menorrhagia, HMB involves extremely heavy periods — so heavy, they can’t be easily managed with pads or tampons. In fact, most women need to get up at least once during the night to change their protection.

Frequently associated with perimenopause, HMB can lead to other health issues, like anemia (low iron), chronic fatigue, and depression. In fact, some women with perimenopausal HMB choose hormonal IUDs specifically for this benefit.

5. Lower risk of gynecologic cancers

Hormonal IUDs use progestin, a synthetic form of the progesterone your body produces. This makes them safe for women who can’t use estrogen products — and it also confers another benefit: reduced risk of gynecologic cancers, notably endometrial cancers and ovarian cancer.

What’s more, research shows hormonal IUDs can also be effective not only in preventing endometrial cancer, but in treating endometrial precancers and early cancer, as well. Researchers believe those cancer-fighting effects are related to the steady release of hormones that helps thwart abnormal cell changes associated with cancer.

Contraception that works for you

Hormonal IUDs offer plenty of benefits, but they’re not always the ideal choice for every woman. To learn about all the contraceptive options we offer, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Taylor and the team at Desert Star Family Planning in Phoenix, Arizona, today.