Can Your IUD Prevent Cervical Cancer?

New research shows IUDs may prevent more than just pregnancy.

An exciting breakthrough in science is gracing us with some much needed good news. According to the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, people who have a cervix and use an intrauterine device for birth control may lower their risk of developing cervical cancer. The new study found that cervical cancer was one third lower in those who have an IUD than those who do not.

What is an IUD?

An IUD is a T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus is used for several years in order to prevent pregnancy. Two types of IUDs are made available for patients — one is made up of copper and the other is plastic with a small amount of the hormone progestin.

What is HPV, and what is its connection to cervical cancer?

Around 80 percent of sexually active people have the Human Papillomavirus — a virus that is largely connected to cervical cancer. Most men and women are affected by HPV at some point in their lives but many never know they have the virus, as it typically clears on its own. Nevertheless, cervical cancer is the result of of two types of HPV called HPV 16 and HPV 18.

If you have an abnormal Pap result, the results typically include low-grade cells, high-grade cells, or atypical glandular cells.

Low-grade cervical changes signal an HPV infection, but it is typically cleared on its own. These types of changes show mild abnormal changes on the cervix. High-grade cervical changes signal rapid changes in cells which will need further medical attention such as a biopsy and colposcopy. HPV 16 and 18, high-grade cells, occur when the body’s immune system fails to fight off the HPV. Atypical glandular cells raise the concern of precancerous cells or cancer on the canal of the cervix.

Moreover, cervical cancer is on the rise. Preventative measures should be taken into consideration now as biopsies and LEEPs, a treatment that prevents cervical cancer and removes abnormal cells, are becoming more of a reality for young people.

The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that by 2035, the amount of women with cervical cancer will jump from 266,000 in 2012 to 756,000.

How does an IUD help prevent cervical cancer?

Researchers are still looking for answers as to how an IUD can impact an immune system. However, Victoria Cortessis, an associate professor of clinical preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and her team have a few theories. The insertion of an IUD “triggers an immune response” that fights off the HPV virus. Since the IUD is a foreign object, the body responds by heightening the immune system. Another theory is that when an IUD is removed, cervical cells that have HPV may be scraped off. Cortessis says she is more skeptical of the latter theory.

Cortessis says, “We need to figure out what’s going on mechanistically and do some fine tuning and see what kind of use could prevent cervical cancer and integrate that with contraceptive counseling.”

Does this mean I should definitely get an IUD?

Whether IUDs truly prevent cervical cancer is still a work in progress in terms of research and better understanding.

The study did not include how the device prevents the rate of cervical cancer, but it’s a start. “This is observational research so we are always skeptical,” said Cortessis.

Still, Cortessis is excited about the potential phenomenon. In the study, she and her co-authors looked at 12,000 people with a cervix around the world and found that those with an IUD were 30 percent less likely to have had cervical cancer.

This is not to say that an IUD conclusively prevents cervical cancer.

So, how can I prevent cervical cancer?

First things first, stay on top of your Pap smears. The CDC recently reported that individuals with a cervix need to go into for a Pap every three years and women with Pap results that were previously abnormal need to go in every year.

Pap smears and colposcopies help doctors look at abnormal cells before they develop into cervical cancer. As a result, preventative services allow doctor’s to perform specific procedures (such as a LEEP) to stop further abnormal cell changes that could turn into cervical cancer. Since cervical cancer is slowly becoming a global epidemic, it’s especially important to remain on top of your health, specifically for those with less access to screenings and health services.

The takeaway…

Cortessis explains that a “staggering number of women in the developing world are on the verge of entering the age range where the risk for cervical cancer is the highest — the 30s to the 60s. Even if the rate of cervical cancer remains steady, the actual number of women with cervical cancer is poised to explode.”

She continues, “IUDs could be a tool to combat this impending epidemic.”

Remember, preventing cervical cancer does not lie solely in an IUD but in diet, regular Pap smears, the HPV vaccine, no smoking, and safe sex.

While patients shouldn’t seek out IUDs for cancer prevention, they should look into the device in terms of being the most effective contraceptive. If you already have an IUD, the lower numbers of cervical cancer could be an additional consideration.

Seriously, at this point, could IUDs get any better?

Header image edited by Marcy Gooberman

Must be looooooove on the braaaaain 🧠. Or was that s£x? 👀🤭 Our brains are our largest s£x organs and sometimes they get a little sad, hyperactive, anxious, or overwhelmed. You won’t always be in the mood for s£x and that’s okay! Keep communication with your partner open and ongoing, check in with yourself and your mental health, and lean on the support of a trusted therapist or doctor if you need some extra guidance. 🫶🏽 Anything you would add?

I mean 😏

It is not wrong nor should it feel shameful to ✨seek pleasure.✨ I think those of us who grew up more religious were taught that you should always be in service of others and giving of yourself rather than concerned with our own needs or passions. While it is wonderful to be generous with giving (and can in fact be a source of pleasure), it should be equally encouraged to pursue your own pleasure — it whatever form it may take! It may feel self-indulgent, but why is that a bad thing? Pleasure boosts our mental health. It helps us cope with a difficult world, with anxiety, depression, and stress. It makes us feel good! It gives us something to look forward to. Pleasure helps us connect with others and with ourselves. Pleasure (as long as it is not at the expense of someone else’s safety or well-being) should be a priority, for our joy and for our health. It really is so important! Where do you find pleasure? I personally love a good massage… 💆🏽‍♀️

It’s time for a talk, friend. Let’s be clear, you nor your partner ever has to do *anything* you’re not comfortable with. That said, if it’s something you enjoy and that’s pleasurable to you, it’s okay to ask your partner for it! They can say no, but if they invalidate your pleasure, much less expect you to do something they won’t do?? The ball is then in your court to decide if this is the partner for you. You deserve someone who cares about and prioritizes your pleasure. Who is thrilled to be acquainted with your body, all of it! S-x can be vulnerable to talk about, but when you do…it’s so much better. 👅 included. Ask your partner what their hesitations are and have a *conversation.* Maybe they’re nervous, intimidated, or struggling with shame. Maybe they’re down to try other things you would enjoy and build up to it. The point is, it shouldn’t just be automatically dismissed. You can decide what’s right for you and what makes you feel aroused, validated, and appreciated. Whatever you do, don’t internalize their rejection. Your body is beautiful, desirable, and definitely worthy of pleasure. 😋🥰

A UK study published in the International Urogynecology Journal found that only 46% of participants correctly identified that a female has 3 holes in the external genitalia. 😬 Not great. We’re taught so desperately little about our bodies and so discouraged from exploring them that we don’t even know what we’ve got going on down there! Understanding your own anatomy (and getting educated on your partner’s anatomy) can boost pleasure 1000x!! So take a mirror, use your hands, and get comfy exploring! 🪞🕵🏽‍♀️ And if you really want to get informed (and inspired 😉), head to our website for our basics on pleasure and anatomy. What do you think? Could YOU correctly label a diagram of what lies beneath?

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