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Intrauterine device (IUD) prescriptions available online today

Learn how intrauterine devices (IUDs) can help prevent pregnancy and treat other conditions with a consultation from one of our board-certified doctors online. Get a prescription for an IUD and get a referral to a specialist for insertion, if needed, today.

Book an appointment

Online same-day doctor appointment booking

Available nationwide, with licensed medical providers

Medications available for pharmacy pickup*

*Prescriptions provided at doctor’s discretion

Most major insurance plans accepted

Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less. Paying without insurance? New patient visits are $129, and follow-ups are only $99 for members.

Don’t see your provider listed? Email [email protected]  or call  (888) 564-4454  to talk to a PlushCare specialist.

3 simple steps to getting an IUD online 

Step 1: Book an appointment

Step 1

Book an appointment to discuss IUDs.

Book a same-day appointment from anywhere.

Step 2: Visit with a doctor on your smartphone

Step 2

Talk to your doctor online.

See a doctor on your smartphone or computer.

Step 3: pick up at local pharmacy

Step 3

Get a prescription for an IUD from your online doctor.

We can refer you to a local specialist for IUD insertion.

Intrauterine device pricing details

How pricing works

To get a prescription for an IUD online, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.

Paying with insurance

Membership

$14.99/month

First month free

First visit

Copay

For all visits

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week

  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team

  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%

  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests

  • Free memberships for your family

  • Cancel anytime

Visit price with insurance

Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!

  • We accept these insurance plans and many more:

    • Humana
    • Aetna
    • United Healthcare

Paying without insurance

Membership

$14.99/month

First month free

First visit

$129

Repeats only $99

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week

  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team

  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%

  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests

  • Free memberships for your family

  • Cancel anytime

Visit price without insurance

Initial visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $99 for active members.

Book an appointment

If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.

IUD FAQs

  • How should I take the IUD? 

    You don’t take the IUD per se. This form of contraception is inserted into the uterus. However, you need to keep in mind that a prescription is necessary for intrauterine contraception. Whether you want a hormonal or non-hormonal intrauterine device, you will need to obtain a prescription.

  • Who shouldn’t take the IUD?

    Intrauterine devices aren’t for everyone. Women with breast cancer (or history of this disease), uterine or cervical cancer, and liver diseases may not be good candidates for IUD. Also, you shouldn’t get an intrauterine device if you have a pelvic infection or current PID, unexplained vaginal bleeding, and uterine conditions including fibroids.  Also, women with Wilson’s disease, a disorder that causes excessive accumulation of copper in the liver, brain, and other vital organs, shouldn’t use IUDs.

  • How long does it take for the IUD to work?

    Some intrauterine devices start to work as soon as they are placed. These include hormonal IUDs Mirena and Liletta, as well as non-hormonal IUD ParaGard. However, other devices don’t start working immediately in all cases. The IUDs like Kyleena and Skyla can work right away if they are inserted during the first seven days of a menstrual period. But, if you get these IUDs at any other time during your cycle, it will take seven days for them to work. During this time, you will need to use condoms or other types of birth control to prevent pregnancy. Avoid having unprotected sex, especially when IUD didn't start working yet.

  • What should I avoid with IUDs?

    Generally speaking, you can function normally with intrauterine devices. But, you may need to avoid a few things right after you insert them. About 48 hours after insertion of the IUD, avoid inserting anything into your vagina e.g. tampon. Avoid sexual intercourse, baths, hot tubs, and swimming during this time. Another thing to avoid is herbal supplements like John’s wort, which can reduce the effectiveness of your IUD. After the procedure, the doctor or nurse will explain what to avoid for a couple of days.

  • What do IUDs do to your body?

    Intrauterine devices don’t have such an impact on the body as birth control pills. In the body, these devices create an environment that is inhospitable to sperm and pregnancy. People with IUDs may notice subtle changes in their bodies in the form of acne or weight gain. Also, you may notice irregular periods for a few weeks. Some women can experience symptoms of PMS, such as nausea, headache, breast tenderness, and skin blemishes. While these devices don't increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy, being pregnant with IUD in situ is more usually an ectopic pregnancy than with no IDU.

  • How painful is getting an IUD placed?

    During IUD insertion, patients usually experience discomfort, cramping, and pain to some extent. The level of pain or discomfort is usually moderate, but keep in mind everyone has a different tolerance to pain. The whole process of inserting intrauterine devices is quite short, lasting for a minute or two. Some doctors advise their patients to take pain medicine before the procedure to reduce or prevent cramps.

  • Do you get periods on IUDs?

    Some people get periods on IUDs, whereas others do not. Typically, hormonal IUDs make periods significantly lighter. Some women don’t get them at all, which is perfectly normal. At the same time, non-hormonal IUDs can actually make your periods heavier. This effect usually isn’t permanent.

  • How are intrauterine devices inserted?

    In order to insert an IUD, the doctor will insert a speculum into a vagina. They will use an antiseptic solution to clean the cervix and vagina. The doctor may rely on some special instruments to align the cervical canal and uterine cavity or to measure the depth of the latter. Then, the doctor folds the device’s horizontal arms and places the IUD into the applicator tube. The next step is to insert the tube into the cervical canal and place the device into the uterus. The doctor removes the applicator tube while the intrauterine device IUD stays put.

About intrauterine devices (IUDs)

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are medications designed to prevent pregnancy. They’re often prescribed to provide contraceptive effects, but they’re used for other conditions as well. There are two types of prescription IUDs. 

What intrauterine devices treat

IUDs are most commonly used to prevent pregnancy. They can also act as emergency contraception. In fact, the emergency IUD is the most effective method of emergency contraception; less than 1% of women who use had emergency IUD inserted get pregnant. The drugs are designed to release the hormone progestin in the uterus. Intrauterine devices thicken the cervical mucus in order to prevent sperm from joining or fertilizing an egg. As IUDs make the lining of the uterus thinner, they can suppress ovulation partially.

Other conditions are also treated with IUDs.

  • Heavy and painful periods

    One of the most well-known off-label uses of intrauterine devices is the treatment of heavy and painful periods. Various factors can cause heavy and painful periods (menorrhagia), but mainly conditions affecting the womb, ovaries, or hormones. Menorrhagia can negatively affect a woman’s health and quality of life. The intrauterine contraceptive device can aid the management of heavy and painful periods. They do so by making the lining of the uterus thinner. As a result, menstrual blood flow decreases, which reduces the intensity of cramps.

  • Anemia from heavy periods

    Heavy periods cause blood loss over a long time. Also, menorrhagia can reduce the number of circulating red blood cells. The body’s iron stores start depleting as a result. When that happens, women experience symptoms of anemia such as weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath, among other symptoms. Intrauterine devices can help treat anemia during heavy periods. This is particularly the case for progestin-releasing IUDs, which can elevate hemoglobin and serum ferritin (blood protein that contains iron) levels, thereby helping persons with anemia.

  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

    Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition wherein the ovaries produce excessive levels of androgens, i.e., male sex hormones. The condition causes the formation of cysts in the ovaries and also brings along many other symptoms, including the irregular menstrual cycle and painful periods. Like other forms of birth control, IUDs can aid the management of PCOS. But only hormonal intrauterine devices! It helps treat PCOS by suppressing ovulation and reducing hormone-related symptoms of PCOS.

Types of IUDs available online

The two types of IUD medications are called hormonal and non-hormonal or copper IUD.

  • Hormonal IUD

    Hormonal intrauterine devices are most often used to treat and provide long-term contraception i.e., birth control. These drugs resemble a T-shaped plastic frame that is inserted into the uterus. There, the hormonal IUD releases the hormone progestin that prevents pregnancy. Hormonal intrauterine devices prevent pregnancy for up to seven years after insertion.

    Benefits of hormonal IUD include:

    • Remains in place for many years

    • No need for partner participation

    • Eliminates inconveniences such as interrupting sexual intercourse for contraception

    • Can be removed whenever you want

    • Doesn’t have side effects linked to birth control options that contain estrogen

    • Reduces the risk of pelvic infection

    • Lowers endometrial cancer risk



    Hormonal intrauterine devices are most suitable for women with:

    • Heavy menstrual bleeding

    • Anemia

    • Painful periods

    • Fibroids

    • Adenomyosis (a condition wherein endometrium or lining of the womb is found in myometrium i.e. muscle of the uterus)

    • Endometrial hyperplasia (overgrowth of tissue in endometrium)


    Examples of hormonal intrauterine devices include:

    • Hormonal intrauterine device

  • Non-hormonal IUD

    Non-hormonal IUDs (also known as copper IUD) are often used to prevent pregnancy without relying on hormone-based birth control options. Like a hormonal device, copper IUD is also in the form of a T-shaped plastic frame, but a copper wire is coiled around it. The device prevents pregnancy for up to 10 years after insertion. The benefits of non-hormonal IUDs are similar to those of hormonal devices. They provide long-term contraceptive effects and are easy to remove. Plus, you can use the copper IUD even when breastfeeding. Compared to hormonal contraceptives, copper IUD has a low risk of side effects.

    Examples of non-hormonal intrauterine devices include:

    • Copper IUD (Paragard)

How IUDs work

IUDs work through several mechanisms of action. The functions slightly differ between the two types of IUDs, although their result is the same – contraceptive effects i.e., pregnancy prevention.

When it comes to hormonal IUDs, they release the hormone progestin, which stops the ovaries from releasing an egg and makes the cervical mucus too thick for sperm to pass through it. That way, sperm and an egg don’t meet.

On the other hand, non-hormonal IUDs contain a copper wire that is coiled around the device. The main purpose of the copper wire is to induce an inflammatory reaction that is toxic to eggs and sperm. This results in the contraceptive effects of a copper IUD.  

Side effects of IUDs

When taken as prescribed, IUDs are generally well tolerated. However, they can still cause some side effects.

  • The more common side effects of IUDs include:

    • Acne

    • Headache

    • Pelvic pain or cramps

    • Mood changes

    • Breast tenderness

    • Irregular bleeding (usually improves six months after insertion)

    • Increased discharge

    • Vulvovaginitis (inflammation or infection of vulva and vagina)

  • In rare cases, IUDs may cause serious side effects. These can include:

    • Perforation of the uterus

    • Device expulsion

    • Severe allergic reaction

    • Sepsis

    • Severe pelvic pain

IUD risks

IUDs are generally safe, but there are some risks if you have other medical conditions or take certain medications.

Before you take prescribed IUDs, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions or issues:

  • Blood-clotting problems or history of stroke

  • Diabetes

  • Fibroids

  • Pelvic infection, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

  • Copper allergy (for non-hormonal IUD)

  • High blood pressure

  • Heart condition or a history of heart attack

  • Migraines

  • Recently given birth, or you’re breastfeeding

IUD drug interactions

When you begin a new medication, make sure to tell your doctor about any other medications, supplements, or herbs you’re taking. Some medications that might interact with intrauterine devices include:

    • Blood thinners such as warfarin

    • Some HIV medications such as atazanavir, ritonavir, and efavirenz

    • Barbiturates such as pentobarbital and Phenobarbital

    • Anti-seizure medications such as oxcarbazepine, carbamazepine, phenytoin, topiramate

    • Steroids such as prednisolone, prednisone, and methylprednisolone

    • Rifampin

    • Bosentan

    • Griseofulvin

    • Felbamate

    • Herbal products containing St. John’s wort, ginkgo, and glucosamine  

PlushCare online IUD ratings and reviews

Our online doctors have treated over 550,000 patients.