The Device
The hormonal IUD is a small 'T'-shaped piece of plastic, which contains levonorgestrel, a type of progestogen. The cylinder of the device contains the hormone and is coated with a membrane that regulates the release of levonorgestrel. The device releases the hormone at an initial rate of 20 micrograms per day and declines to a rate of 14 micrograms after 5 years, which is still in the range of clinical effectiveness. In comparison, oral contraceptives can contain 150 micrograms of levonorgestrel. The hormonal IUD releases the levonorgestrel directly into the uterus. Most of the hormone stays inside the uterus, and only a small amount is absorbed into the rest of the body.
Read more about this topic: IUD With Progestogen
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