How Does an IUD Prevent Pregnancy? - Medical Animation
MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: There are two types of intrauterine devices: hormonal IUDs and a copper IUD. To prevent pregnancy, a doctor places an IUD inside a woman's uterus with the string hanging down inside her vagina. Both types of IUD cause mild inflammation of the uterine lining, which releases immune cells and chemicals that kill sperm. Hormonal IUDs also contain a synthetic type of progesterone called levonorgestrel. Levonorgestrel mainly prevents pregnancy by thickening the mucus inside the cervix, which prevents sperm from entering the uterus. It also prevents the uterine lining from thickening, so it is less likely to receive a fertilized egg.
