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IUD Placement Specialist

Women For Women OBGYN Our Services IUD Placement

Women For Women OBGYN

OBGYNs located in Forest Glen & Hyperlocal, Chicago, IL

Today, there are many birth control options available, so you have many selections depending on your individual lifestyle and future plans. At Women for Women OBGYN, SC, Kornelia Krol, MD, offers IUD placement and can talk you through the process and how to select an IUD. Call the Forest Glen, Chicago office or book an appointment online to learn if and IUD is right for you.

IUD Placement Q & A

What is an IUD?

An Intrauterine Device (IUD) is a small T-shaped device that is inserted into a woman’s uterus. There are different types of IUDs:


  • Mirena: This slowly releases hormones directly into the uterus that function the same way the hormones in birth control work
  • Paraguard: The IUD is wrapped in copper, which makes the uterus inhospitable to sperm.


The IUD works by preventing fertilization of an egg by damaging or killing sperm as well as making the uterus inhospitable to fertilization by affecting the uterine lining.  Once it is inserted, the woman will not feel the device.

Women are advised to check the IUD each month following her period by feeling for the fine plastic string which passes through the cervix. Depending on the type of IUD being used, it provides effective birth control for 5-10 years.

How is the IUD Inserted?

A doctor or nurse practitioner can insert the IUD during a normal office visit. Insertion only takes a few minutes. Like a normal pelvic exam, the patient will be in stirrups.

However, IUDs are typically inserted during a woman’s period as the cervix will open more easily. Once the cervix is open, the doctor inserts the IUD using a narrow plunger.

After insertion, women should use a backup form of birth control until a follow-up appointment after her next period when her doctor confirms that the IUD is properly in place.

There is no recovery time following IUD insertion and a woman can get back to normal activities immediately. A woman does not need to have had a child for an IUD to be inserted.

How Is the Device Removed?

IUD removal is a similar process to insertion. A woman visits her gynecologist who will locate the strings on the outside of the cervix and use forceps or clamps to slowly and gently remove the device.

The device should never be removed by anyone except a licensed healthcare provider. It is unlikely but, if she is unable to locate the strings during her monthly postmenstrual check, the device may have expelled itself and she should visit her doctor as soon as possible.  

To see if an IUD is the right option for you, call Dr. Krol or book an appointment using the online tool today.

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