There are numerous myths that still surround IUDs. Many of those that have been soundly rejected by science — that they're only appropriate for women who have already had children, that patients need to have the devices inserted while on their periods, or that they're inappropriate for teens — still circulate widely in doctors' offices.
Last week I wrote about a nonprofit group, Upstream USA, that is trying increase women's access to IUDs and implants (another long-acting, reversible contraceptive). The group works against numerous barriers to IUDs, including the myths like the ones I encountered but also financial obstacles (the devices often cost $500 or more) and logistical challenges (doctors often ask patients to come back for a second insertion appointment).
In my story, I asked Vox readers to share with me the barriers they had experienced seeking IUDs. I got dozens of responses — some of them similar to my story, and others quite different.
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