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Why Do We Know So Little About IUDs?

What: Slate’s “Well, Now” podcast dedicates an episode to the IUD, the very effective but sometimes troublesome (and painful) birth control device. The CDC recently issued recommendations for doctors to offer pain treatment when IUDs are inserted or removed, after women kept sharing their experiences on platforms like TikTok.

Why it matters: “If there was more research into how different bodies react to IUDs, there’s a chance patients can get the care they need without as drastic of side effects. On this week’s episode of Well, Now Maya and Kavita talk with Dr. Kavita Nanda, the Director of Medical Research for FHI360, on why there is so little research into IUDs, what we do know about them, and how you or a loved one can prepare for a conversation with your doctor about them.”

Source: Slate (https://slate.com/podcasts/well-now/2024/09/iuds-side-effects-pain-mood-changes-and-how-to-fix-it)

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