We all know that undergoing an abortion can cause significant harm to a woman’s body. Therefore, couples who do not plan to have children tend to use contraception, especially mothers who have just given birth should take proper contraceptive measures. However, there are many methods of contraception, and how to choose is key.
Chinese people have different mindsets compared to those in Europe and America, and the methods of contraception they adopt also vary greatly. Some contraceptive methods are quite popular in China but have many drawbacks, which is one of the main reasons why people in Europe and America are unwilling to use them.
Health issues caused by contraception for mothers
Mo Mo, born in the 1990s, quickly became pregnant after marrying her husband and gave birth to a lovely baby ten months later. During childbirth, Mo Mo experienced great pain, leading her to decide not to have a second child.
Not wanting to have more children meant she needed to take contraceptive measures. There are several commonly used contraceptive methods, but Mo Mo was unsure which one to choose. Opting for a one-time contraceptive method seemed troublesome, while long-term methods raised concerns about health impacts.
Finally, at her husband’s suggestion, Mo Mo went to the hospital to have an “IUD” inserted. At that time, she did not feel anything significant, but a month later, problems arose.
Mo Mo always felt a dull ache in her waist and some pain in her lower abdomen. She suspected that the IUD was to blame, so she went to the hospital for an examination. The doctor said that since Mo Mo had just given birth, her body had not completely recovered. The IUD is considered a “foreign object” by the human body, and because it was improperly placed, her current condition occurred.
Fortunately, it was discovered in time; otherwise, Mo Mo could have been at risk of an unexpected pregnancy. The doctor advised her not to use the IUD and to consider other contraceptive methods.
The “IUD” is the most commonly used contraceptive method among Chinese mothers
After the two-child policy was implemented, people rarely mentioned “IUDs,” but during the family planning period, “IUDs” became a topic of great concern. Some mothers would directly ask each other, “Have you gotten an IUD?”
In some areas, there were excessive practices where women who had already given birth were forced to get an IUD. If they did not comply, their children would not be registered, using this method to control population numbers.
It was precisely because of such measures at that time that Chinese mothers became quite fond of the IUD, believing that after having a child, if they did not want to have more, they should get an IUD, considering it a very good contraceptive method.
To this day, many younger mothers also appreciate this method of contraception, treating getting an IUD like a task; once it is done, the task is complete, and they feel they no longer have to worry about unexpected pregnancies.
The reasons why the “IUD” is favored by Chinese mothers are mainly as follows:
1. High success rate of contraception
The main purpose of couples using contraceptive measures is to prevent unintended pregnancies and to protect the mother’s health. The success rate of the IUD is very high, and once a mother gets one, she generally does not have to worry about unplanned pregnancies.
2. Can be a “one-time solution”
Most IUDs have a lifespan of about 10 years, and some can last up to 15 years. Therefore, after having an IUD inserted, mothers do not have to think about contraception again, which can be considered a “one-time solution.” This has become one of the main reasons for the IUD’s popularity.
3. Low cost
The cost of having an IUD inserted is not high; a typical family can afford it, and it only requires a one-time payment. In the future, they do not need to spend money again unless there is a plan for more children, requiring the IUD to be removed, which incurs some costs but is not very expensive.
However, the “IUD” is not popular in Europe and America
Since the IUD has many advantages, it should be welcomed by people worldwide, but this is not the case. Many people in Europe and America, such as Americans, do not prefer to use IUDs. Most American couples without childbearing plans have husbands who proactively suggest undergoing a vasectomy, and this phenomenon has become a norm in the U.S., just as getting an IUD is very popular in our country.
Why does this situation arise? It primarily stems from the different cultures in each country, which result in varying attitudes toward contraception.
