Intrauterine devices (IUDs) just got a big seal of approval, this time from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recently endorsed them as an excellent method to prevent teenage pregnancy. Add to that the fact that it's also the most commonly used birth control among doctors themselves, and these little devices are sounding pretty great!

While there’s a wealth of common knowledge surrounding birth control options like the Pill and condoms, IUDs are a little more mysterious. “IUDs are a great birth control alternative for many women, from teenagers to those in their 50s,” says Julie Strickland, M.D., M.P.H., professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University of Missouri-Kansas City. Here’s why:

They’re Totally Safe

Since IUDs are internal, there’s some stigma surrounding their safety. Not necessary, according to Strickland. Early IUDs were associated with complications like fertility problems and pelvic infections, but those have been off the market since the 1960s. When IUDs were reintroduced, there were some stipulations about who was eligible for them, but those have since been lifted. “In the 1980s and beyond, the World Health Organization has loosened those restrictions because we understand IUDs much better. We screen patients very closely to decrease the risk of pelvic infections caused by IUDs, and we know they don’t affect fertility after you have them removed,” says Strickland.

There’s More Than One Option

The ParaGard, also known as the copper IUD, is hormone-free. It protects women from pregnancy for a whopping ten years. Mirena releases low doses of the hormone progesterone, and lasts for five years. The newest IUD on the market is Skyla, which is also hormonal. It offers an even lower dose or hormones, is good for three years, and is smaller, which is a plus for women who feel uncomfortable with a larger IUD. “The different kinds of IUDs make it easier to find something that is really the best option for the patient,” says Strickland.

Insertion Might Hurt a Little, But It’s Manageable

Although insertion is quick, it’s still technically a minor surgical procedure. The doctor uses a speculum to find your cervix, then dilates it and passes the IUD through the cervical canal, placing it inside the uterus. Most women will experience some cramping, akin to the ones during their periods, when the IUD is placed. “We usually ask women to take something like ibuprofen beforehand. In rare cases, we can give anesthesia similar to what you get if you go to the dentist, but in general we don’t need to. It really is a doable procedure,” says Strickland. There are also meds the doctor can prescribe that will soften your cervix and ideally make it easier to dilate, but studies are mixed on whether they’re effective.

You Can Get One Even If You Haven’t Had Kids

Remember those commercials who said IUDs were perfect for moms? Yeah, they're not the only ones it's perfect for. “There’s no IUD restriction based on age or on whether you’ve had children,” says Strickland. That said, it may be an easier procedure for women who have had kids because their cervical canal has stretched before during childbirth, making it more used to the dilation required to place an IUD. “However, my specialty is adolescents and we do administer IUDs to teenagers. In most of them, if they can tolerate the vaginal exam, they can tolerate the IUD just fine,” says Strickland. Plus, that's where the smaller new IUD comes in.

MORE: Everything You Need to Know About the New IUD

They’re Completely Reversible

“The IUD is only effective when it’s inside your body,” says Strickland. The IUD is shaped like a flexible T, which helps it conform to the shape of the uterus comfortably. When necessary, those wings can collapse for quick, easy removal. As soon as it’s out, your regular hormonal cycle begins to kick in again. If you have a non-hormonal IUD, you’ll return to normal fertility in about a month. If you have a hormonal variety, it can take up to three months.

Your Partner Probably Won’t Feel It

The bottom of the IUD is equipped with strings that are the consistency of fishing line. They extend through the cervix and into the vagina, making it easy for the doctor to remove the IUD when you’re ready. “When the strings reach body temperature, they become very soft and curl up around the cervix. Your partner shouldn’t be able to feel them,” says Strickland. If he can feel them after a few months with the IUD, there is the option of having your gyno trim them. If they’re bothering you or your guy, make sure to talk through your options with your doctor.

MORE: Great News About IUDs

Your Insurance Likely Covers Them

Although there’s some controversy surrounding birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act, there’s still a good chance you can get the IUD free of charge. “In general, we find that people who have third-party carriers that cover reproductive issues also cover placement and removal along with the actual IUD itself,” says Strickland. That’s good news, considering that all of that could cost around $800 otherwise, depending on where you live and which type you choose. The thing is, even if you have to foot the bill yourself, it may be worth it. “They have a high upfront cost, but annualizing it over 5-10 years, it’s a cost-effective method,” says Strickland.

They May Change Your Period

For women with painful periods, hormonal options have the added benefit of potentially making that time of the month a way better experience. The low doses of hormones can make periods shorter and less cramp-filled, offering some much-needed relief. It can even stop some women’s periods altogether. The non-hormonal type actually has the potential to induce heavier bleeding and more pain, but if you’re looking to get off the Pill because those hormones send your body out of whack, it could still be a good option for you. Plus, those side effects may fade over time.

They’re Incredibly Effective

Having a rate of over 99 percent effectiveness is nothing to sniff at. “One of the IUD’s biggest characteristics is that its typical use and perfect use rates are very similar,” says Strickland. That’s opposed to something like the Pill, which has a typical use failure rate of 9 percent, meaning if you don’t use it perfectly every single day, your chance of pregnancy increases. “In contrast to having to take a pill every day and trying to remember that, a woman doesn’t have to do anything after she gets an IUD,” says Strickland.

MORE: 11 Ways to Keep Your Vagina Happy and Healthy

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