Birth control is an ever evolving practice, one where there is still no 100 percent protection against pregnancy besides practicing abstinence. One common method of birth control is the IUD, which stands for intrauterine device. The IUD is what it sounds like, a small piece of equipment that is placed inside of the uterus that helps to prevent pregnancy.

Some forms of the IUD are hormone based, while others use copper as a deterrent to fertilization. The newest version of the implant to be approved by the FDA is a hormonal version, using levonorgestrel which will prevent the uterus lining from thickening and making it an inhospitable place for pregnancy.

The IUD is made to be left in for up to three years, which gives women the option of not having to think about taking birth control every day. It is also a potential option for people who have considered sterilization but have not wanted to go through the procedure for whatever reason.

This current version of the device called Liletta is already being used in Europe and is expected to be available to women in the United States at some point in 2015. The hormonal versions of the IUD have been proven to be more effective than the copper versions, and this particular option may be able to help cut down on heavy menstrual bleeding as well for women who suffer through that.

Liletta is currently undergoing a long term study in the U.S. which is the largest IUD study that has been done in the country. The trial group includes women who have been pregnant before, and a variety of different races, weights, and ages. It is being tested for use up to seven years.

IUDs are thought to be more effective than other versions of birth control like pills and patches, so it makes sense that more versions are being tested out as their popularity grows.