Intrauterine Device

Abstract:  The permissibility of the IUD (both copper and progesterone containing) is a matter of halachic debate. The bleeding that can accompany these methods is of particular concern in this patient population as it may render the wife niddah and prohibit any physical contact between husband and wife. Timing of insertion or removal so as to minimize niddah may also be of concern to such patients.

Discussion:

Permissibility

There is debate among religious authorities as to the desirability of the IUD. Those who object feel that the possible mechanism of preventing implantation is a form of abortion. Many rabbis, however, permit the use of the IUD because the mechanism of action is more likely to be interference with fertilization rather than implantation, and because even preventing implantation would be less problematic at such an early stage of embryonic development .

Insertion and Removal

A woman should consult with her rabbi to determine if the insertion of an IUD will make her niddah. To prepare for consultation with the rabbi, she needs the following information from her physician: (1) the degree of dilatation (2) if a tenaculum will be used to grasp the cervix, and (3) if bleeding is to be expected from the procedure, and if so for how long. As there is halachic debate about the effects of this procedure on the niddah status, different women may receive different answers from their rabbis. If possible, the rabbi's answer should be taken into consideration in planning the timing of the procedure in order to minimize the time that the couple must refrain from physical contact.

Bleeding

The main drawback of the IUD for halacha observant women is its propensity to cause either heavier menses [1] or irregular bleeding [2]. Heavy menses result in additional days of staining before she can begin the process that will enable her to immerse in the mikveh and permit physical contact with her husband. Irregular bleeding can prevent her from successfully completing the count of seven blood-free days, leading to prolonged periods of niddah, or can make her niddah again soon after she has immersed in the mikveh. Women using this method should be advised to wear colored underwear to avoid becoming niddah more than necessary.

Hormone containing intrauterine devices are marketed as causing less bleeding. They do, in fact, result in fewer problems of heavy menses and the resulting anemia , but can produce much staining in first half year of use [2]. While this bleeding is reported to decrease over time [3], the initial months can be very stressful and the couple should be advised that prolonged spotting may accompany the beginning of this method. Some couples may nevertheless prefer hormone-releasing IUD's, as over time the woman is more likely to become amenorrheic .They should consult with their rabbi as to strategies to avoid becoming niddah from spotting (e.g., colored undergarments). 

Frameless IUDs are imbedded in the uterine wall [4]. There is some evidence in the literature that this may minimize the amount of bleeding [5]. There has been some discussion as to whether the insertion site can be viewed as a "wound" to which spotting can be halachically attributed. At present, this is not a clearly accepted position. However, if this method is chosen for medical reasons, the patient's rabbi should be consulted on this point.

Barrier to Immersion

Since the IUD is inserted deeply (inside the uterus), neither it nor the strings that extrude into the vagina are considered a barrier to mikveh immersion. They do not interfere with the performance of the internal self examinations known as bedikot.

Implications for Patient Care:

Prior to scheduling IUD insertion, a woman should contact her rabbi to determine his ruling if insertion will render her niddah. This ruling should be taken into consideration when scheduling the procedure.  If it will make her niddah, it is best to schedule for a time that she is niddah anyway. If it will not make her niddah, it is best to schedule for after mikveh immersion that cycle (assuming she is not amenorrheic at the time, e.g., during lactation) so that bleeding from the procedure does not interfere with the internal examinations required before immersion.

Couples should be counseled as to anticipated rates and duration of bleeding from each type of IUD when deciding which method to choose. When staining is anticipated, they should be directed to their rabbi to discuss what halachic precautions can be taken to prevent minimal staining from making a woman niddah more than necessary.

Medical References

[1] Kaneshiro B, Aeby T. Long-term safety, efficacy, and patient acceptability of the intrauterine Copper T-380A contraceptive device. Int J Womens Health. 2010; 2: 211-220.

[2] Hidalgo M1, Bahamondes L, Perrotti M, Diaz J, Dantas-Monteiro C, Petta C. Bleeding patterns and clinical performance of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena) up to two years. Contraception. 2002;65:129-32.

[3] Bednarek PH1, Jensen JT. Safety, efficacy and patient acceptability of the contraceptive and non-contraceptive uses of the LNG-IUS. Int J Womens Health. 2010;1:45-58.

[4] Wildemeersch D. New frameless and framed intrauterine devices and systems - an overview. Contraception. 2007;75:S82-92.

[5] Wildemeersch D, Goldstuck ND, Hasskamp T. Intrauterine systems: a frameless future? Expert Opin Drug Deliv. 2016;13:911-8.



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