‘Ride’ Explains Why IUD Access Feels So Fragile in 2025

When Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone started talking about IUDs on a recent episode of Ride, it tapped into something real. “As our rights are being stripped away from us and we don’t have bodily autonomy, I would say get the IUD now if you want to,” Barone says. It’s blunt, but it’s exactly the kind of comment that reflects a bigger anxiety circulating right now, sparking questions about what’s fact versus fear. Is birth control access actually collapsing? 

Almost 90 percent of women in the U.S. have used birth control at some point, yet more than 37 million still need it. The catch? More than half of them live in “contraceptive deserts,” meaning there’s literally no clinic nearby that offers the full range of options. Add in politicians floating “personhood” bills and carving IUDs out of state programs—it makes sense that TikTok is spiraling over whether bans are coming. Here, we’re breaking down what we know so far.

What’s actually happening to IUD access?

First thing to know—there’s no national IUD ban. You can still get one in every state, but access is shakier than ever because the rules keep changing depending on where you live.

At the federal level, Project 2025 is gunning for birth control coverage. It’s not law (yet), but if adopted it would expand “religious and moral exemptions,” which basically means your boss could decide not to cover contraception in your health plan. Analysts estimate that if those changes ever went through, up to 48 million women could lose guaranteed no-cost access to emergency contraception. 

Meanwhile, states are jumping in with their own curveballs. In Indiana, lawmakers cut IUDs and condoms out of a program designed to increase birth control access. What they kept was “fertility awareness” methods like menstrual cycle tracking, which experts point out are less reliable. It’s not law yet, but it shows the direction some legislatures are testing.

Money is getting pulled too. This spring, the Trump administration froze $66 million in Title X funds, which support contraception for people who can’t afford it. Sixteen grantees—including several Planned Parenthood affiliates—had their funding withheld. Clinics in Montana said about $2 million was yanked with almost no notice, leaving patients scrambling. 

Are IUDs actually effective?

IUDs are one of the most reliable forms of birth control out there, with a success rate of over 99 percent. Hormonal IUDs have a failure rate of just 0.08 percent, and copper IUDs sit even lower at 0.02 percent. That’s better protection than many sterilization procedures, and without being permanent.

The science behind that success is pretty simple. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, copper IUDs release ions that mess with sperm so they can’t fertilize an egg. Hormonal IUDs work a little differently. They release progestin, which thickens cervical mucus and thins the uterine lining, making it nearly impossible for sperm to reach or implant. The truth is we know exactly what’s going on—your IUD is just really, really good at blocking pregnancy.

Anything to know before getting one?

Whether you’re considering an IUD because the news has you stressed about future access or you just want a set-it-and-forget-it option, there are a few things to know before you book that appointment. For starters, insertion can be uncomfortable (most people describe it as a few minutes of sharp cramping), but the actual procedure usually takes about five minutes. 

Another thing to keep in mind—every body is different. What works for your bestie might not work for you. If an IUD doesn’t pan out, you’ve still got plenty of other choices like the pill, the patch, the ring, or implants.

Then there’s the money part. Right now, IUDs cost anywhere from $0 to $1,300 up front, but most insurance plans cover them fully under the Affordable Care Act. That’s why timing matters—if coverage rules shift, you don’t want to be stuck paying out of pocket. For context, an unintended pregnancy averages $18,865, while an IUD that can last up to 10 years is a fraction of that price in the long run.

Side effects are real. Copper IUDs can make periods heavier at first, while hormonal ones might make them lighter or stop altogether. Some people deal with cramping or spotting in the first few months, and in rare cases the device can slip out. Insertion carries a tiny risk of infection or uterine perforation (we’re talking less than 1 in 1,000), but most users never run into that. If side effects feel unmanageable, removal is always on the table—it’s reversible, so you’re not locked in.

“I just want women to have fun,” Barone says. “And maybe getting an IUD is part of that.” If you’re curious, talk to a doctor you trust, ask about the types available, and check what your insurance covers now. Policies may keep changing, but your right to make the best choice for your body is worth protecting.

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