The intrauterine device (IUD) is the most effective form of birth control available. It’s also safe for women of all ages, and once it’s inserted, you don’t need to worry because you’re continuously protected for three to 10 years. Dr. Anna Le and the team at Annandale Ob-Gyn have years of experience inserting and removing IUDs. If you’re interested in learning more about IUDs, call one of their offices in Annandale or Alexandria, Virginia, or book an appointment online.
"Dr Anna Le was very knowledgeable and at the same time very kind and considerate."
"Thank you for Shara; she was so pleasant."
"It is wonderful place which I have ever seen since 2 years I am coming to this place for all my check up ."
"Dr. Le and her staff were all phenomenal! I really appreciated getting an ultrasound then and there and not have to wait to make a follow up appt. She understood all my concerns and provided honest feedback. I'm excited to have found this practice!"
"I've never been to an OB/GYN. I was REALLY impressed. The doctor really listened to my problems and her plan of action is really reasonable. I was totally at ease & I will absolutely be back in the future. The staff was so polite, and the building was really clean. I felt like I was in great hands."
"Shara is wonderful! She is the only provider that has ever made me feel comfortable at an OBGYN."
"Dr. Summer is the greatest doctor!"
"I love all the staff and doctors at Annandale OBGYN! They're all so amazing."
"Excellent doctor and staff. Love the location. From beginning to end the staff was courteous and the doctor very knowledgeable, I would recommend her any time ! Looking forward for my next appointment."
"The staff and doctors are awesome! i give it 5 stars and recomend it to any woman that is expecting."
"Dr. Le is warm and personable and very knowledgeable."
"Excellent!! Went there before/during/after my pregnancy! All staff are very nice and friendly!! LOVE IT!!"
"Amazing staff, I fully trusted everyone with my pregnancy."
"I have been to three separate OBGYN offices over the last three years, and have come away dissatisfied, or even horrified, at some of the experiences. I visited Annandale OBGYN this week and it was everything the other businesses were not - professional, clean, timely, informative, and attentive."
"They are the best!"
"Dr. Le was very warm, thoughtful, knowledgeable with excellent bedside manners. Her staffs was so friendly and helpful. They always made us feel welcomed and the care was so personable. Just one word: Outstanding!!!"
"I really love this office everyone is so nice , the office is really gorgeous and the doctors there are amazing they really take time to listen to you and you don’t feel like your visit is being rushed even though they are a really busy office . They listen to any concerns and you give you different options to what they think is best or what you would want, overall lovely office and staff!"
"Amazing staff and service. Everyone is very nice and attentive, I would highly recommend this place to a friend or anyone who is looking for an Ob-Gyn doctor. The office has staff that speak Spanish, Vietnamese, and English."
"After calling numerous Gyn offices & never had staff call me back, I was able to get an appointment quickly at Annandale Gyn. Staff very nice to work me into their schedule. Dr. Awad is a very pleasant, professional doctor. His manner was empathetic & concerned."
"I was more than pleased with my visit. Everyone was friendly, compassionate, knowledgeable, and prompt. I would recommend this office to everyone!"
"My research paid off. She is amazing in so many ways. Listening carefully, taking me seriously, and making sure my questions were all answered are what make her unique in a medical field of in and out patients. The office staff is fabulous too. I had an issue with my prescription and her staff quickly solved the problem in minutes over the phone. She is a 'unicorn' in the OBGYN world!"
"Everyone here is absolutely wonderful! Very welcoming from day one, I wouldn't want to go any place else! They are very helpful in so many ways! Thank you to everyone here for making my pregnancy even more special!"
"Dr. Anna Le sincerely cares about her patients."
"Great staff, everyone was very efficient and personable, had a great first impression and their time wait was very short!"
"Been coming to Dr. Le for more than 12 years. She has delivered all my children and each one was unique. She’s not only your Dr but she is also My moral support and she is like my family. Will never go anywhere else. Thank you Dr. Le"
"I was more than pleased with my visit. Everyone was friendly, compassionate, knowledgeable, and prompt. I would recommend this office to everyone!"
"Everyone here is absolutely wonderful! Very welcoming from day one, I wouldn't want to go any place else! They are very helpful in so many ways! Thank you to everyone here for making my pregnancy even more special!"
"Dr. Anna Le sincerely cares about her patients. Her knowledge and care for her patients go beyond expectations- 5 stars!"
"It is a nice centre. I am happy with their services, they are quick in providing ultrasounds etc because can actually provide the ultrasound service in the same appointment which is time saving. All the doctors are wonderful."
"Excellent doctor and staff. From beginning to end the staff was courteous and the doctor very knowledgeable."
What is an IUD?
An IUD is a T-shaped device that’s made from flexible plastic and is small enough to fit inside your uterus. It’s inserted during a simple procedure in the doctor’s office. After it’s in place, your IUD continuously prevents pregnancy.
How effective is an IUD?
IUDs are just as effective as permanent sterilization, which means they’re nearly 100% effective. They’re reliably effective for two reasons: the way they work and because the human factor is removed.
Other types of birth control are less effective because women forget to take a pill, or they don’t use a condom or diaphragm every time they have sexual intercourse. As a result, those methods have a higher failure rate.
How long will your IUD last?
IUDs belong to a category of birth control called long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) because that’s exactly how they work — they’re long-lasting and completely reversible.
A copper IUD can stay in your uterus and continue to prevent pregnancy for 10 years. Hormone-containing IUDs must be replaced when their hormones run out, but some last three years, while others are effective for five years.
Your IUD is effective as soon as it’s in place. Even though they work for a long time, you can choose to have your IUD removed at any time, and you can become pregnant as soon as it’s removed.
How does an IUD prevent pregnancy?
There are several different brands of IUDs. Some contain the hormone progestin, and one is made with copper. Both hormonal and copper IUDs prevent sperm from traveling through the uterus and into the fallopian tube, so they can’t fertilize an egg.
Hormone-containing IUDs also thicken the mucus in your cervix, trapping sperm and stopping them from getting inside your uterus. Copper acts like a spermicide, inhibiting the sperm’s ability to move.
What should you expect during IUD insertion?
After measuring the length of your uterus and cervix, your doctor at Annandale Ob-Gyn & Primary Care places the IUD inside a long, narrow tube. The tube is inserted through your cervix and uterus, then your doctor releases the IUD and removes the tube.
Your IUD has a string attached to it that reaches just below your cervix where you can feel it. After the IUD is inserted, you only need to check for the string each month to be sure it’s in place.
