Learn More About Paragard
- IUDs, including Paragard, have been associated with an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease . Dont use Paragard if you have a pelvic infection, certain cancers, a copper allergy, Wilsons disease, or PID.
- If you miss a period, have persistent abdominal pain, or if Paragard comes out, tell your healthcare provider . If it comes out, use back-up birth control.
- Paragard may attach to or go through the uterus and cause other problems.
- Pregnancy with Paragard is rare but can be life threatening and may cause infertility or loss of pregnancy.
- Periods may become heavier and longer with spotting in between. Bleeding may be heavier than usual at first.
- Paragard does not protect against HIV or STDs.
Con: Your Ob/gyn Specialist Must Insert It
You cant just buy an IUD at the drugstore. You need your OB/GYN specialist to put it in place, although it takes only a few minutes. In that regard, the procedure is similar to a getting a Pap smear.
You may experience some cramping right after insertion. Regular over-the-counter painkillers should be sufficient to offer you relief. If you have continued pain, have your OB/GYN specialist remove the IUD so you can choose another method of birth control.
Can A Copper Iud Make You Not Have A Period
Some people dont get periods at all while on them. Copper IUDs often make periods heavier and crampier. However, this may not be a permanent change. Your period may return to its usual state after about six months. 3. If you get a hormonal IUD, like Mirena Hormonal birth control can throw off your menstrual cycle.
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You Can Check The Strings Periodically But Dont Stress About Them
If you can feel your strings protruding from your cervix, thats a pretty clear sign your IUD is where it should be. But if you cant, its not a reason to immediately assume youre dealing with an IUD complication like perforation or expulsion. Over time, the strings often soften and curl up around your cervix, so you might not be able to feel them.
Even if your ob-gyn doesnt see the strings when youre looking to remove your IUD, they can use tools like an ultrasound to find the device, so theyre able to take it out
Can My Iud Fall Out
Your doctor will check your device during your regular office visits. Your cervix should hold the IUD in place, but in rare cases, it can fall all the way or part of the way out.
This is more likely if:
- You don’t have children.
- Youâre under 20 years old.
- You had the IUD put in right after having a baby or after having a second-trimester abortion.
- You have fibroids in your uterus.
- Your uterus is an unusual size or shape.
IUDs are more likely to come out during your period. You may see the device on a pad or tampon. Check periodically to make sure you can feel the strings. If they feel shorter or longer or if you can feel the IUD itself pushing against your cervix, it may have moved. If this happens, contact your doctor.
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If Youre Interested In Joining The Copper Iud Club You Should Talk To Your Doctor
This list is full of useful information, but it could seem like theres so much to take in when it comes to copper IUDs and the other birth control methods at your disposal. Options are a great thing, but it can also be hard to figure out your needs against everything thats available to you. If you have questions or your head is spinning, you dont have to go it alonethats what doctors are for. Or, if you have nary a question and are just really excited to get that thing in there, well, thats what doctors are for too.
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What To Think About
Pelvic inflammatory disease concerns have been linked to the IUD for years. But it is now known that the IUD itself does not cause PID. Instead, if you have a genital infection when an IUD is inserted, the infection can be carried into your uterus and fallopian tubes. If you are at risk for a sexually transmitted infection , your doctor will test you and treat you if necessary, before you get an IUD.
Intrauterine devices reduce the risk of all pregnancies, including ectopic pregnancy. But if a pregnancy does occur while an IUD is in place, it is a little more likely that the pregnancy will be ectopic. Ectopic pregnancies require medicine or surgery to remove the pregnancy. Sometimes the fallopian tube on that side must be removed as well.
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What Hormonal Iud Side Effects Should I Expect
Hormonal IUDs can cause side effects. But for most people, thats actually a good thing the most common hormonal IUD side effects usually help make your periods better.
Hormonal IUDs can cut down on cramps and PMS, and they usually make your periods much lighter. Some people stop getting their periods at all while they have their IUD . In fact, many people get hormonal IUDs to help with heavy or painful periods, to treat symptoms of endometriosis or PCOS, or because they just dont want to bleed every month.
Other hormonal IUD side effects can include:
-
Pain when the IUD is put in, and cramping or back aches for a few days after
-
spotting between periods
-
irregular periods
These usually go away within 36 months, once your body gets used to the new visitor in your uterus. And they dont happen to everyone many people use hormonal IUDs with no problems at all.
Over-the-counter pain medicine can usually help with IUD cramps. If you have cramping that doesnt get better or is really painful, talk with your nurse or doctor. They may need to check to make sure that your IUD is in the right place.
The changes in your periods while you have your IUD can make some people worry about how theyll know theyre not pregnant. But you dont really need to worry about being pregnant even if you dont get a period, because the IUD is really good at what it does its more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
How Is An Iud Removed
Your doctor will take out the IUD in their office. It should only take a few minutes. Youâll put your feet in stirrups and the doctor will use forceps to slowly pull the IUD out. You may have some cramping and bleeding, but this should go away in 1-2 days. Learn more about what to expect with IUD removal.
Association of Reproductive Health Professionals: Health Matters Fact Sheets: Copper T IUD,” “Non-hormonal Contraceptive Methods.”
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy: “IUD.”
American Academy of Family Physicians: “Intrauterine Device .”
Planned Parenthood: âIUD,â “When does an IUD start working?”
Sutter Health Palo Alto Medical Foundation: “The Intrauterine Device .”
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: “Long-Acting Reversible Contraception : IUD and Implant.”
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Population Affairs: “Intrauterine Device Fact Sheet.”
FDA: “Birth Control: Medicines To Help You.”
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy: “Paragard Vs Mirena: Which IUD Is Best For You?”
Center for Young Womenâs Health: âIntra-Uterine Devices .â
Contraception: âThe safety of intrauterine devices among young women: a systematic review.â
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How Will Your Periods Change On The Copper Iud
Unlike its hormonal counterpart, the copper IUD, also known as the non hormonal IUD, does not make use of hormones and instead prevents pregnancy by releasing copper ions which are toxic to sperm and therefore deactivates it.
However, another thing that sets it apart from its counterpart is that unlike hormonal IUDs, copper IUDs can cause longer and heavier periods and more cramping is also to be expected with this type of IUD.
The only copper IUD available on the market is sold under the brand name Paragard. It can stay for up to 10 years.
But lately, the Paragard copper IUD has been making rounds as it has been the target of many lawsuits. Plaintiffs who have filed a Paragard IUD lawsuit claim that the copper intrauterine device is prone to breaking during removal, which can result in dangerous side effects and complications.
Some of the side effects associated with the copper IUD include:
- intermittent cramping
- pseudotumor cerebri
- IUD expulsion
- ectopic pregnancy
Serious side effects from Paragard are considered rare, but they can occur. Another disadvantage with IUDs in general is that they do not protect against sexually transmitted infection. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms and you are currently implanted with the Paragard intrauterine device.
Can The Copper Iud Cause Any Serious Health Problems
- In about 1 in 500 users, the doctor or nurse makes a small hole in the wall of the uterus while inserting the IUD. The IUD can move through the hole and sit in the wrong place. You would then need keyhole surgery to have it removed.
- Around 1 in 300 users get an infection when the IUD is first inserted. This is usually successfully treated with antibiotics.
- It is very unlikely you will get pregnant when using copper IUD. If you do get pregnant with a copper IUD, there is a higher chance of ectopic pregnancy. This means that the pregnancy may settle in the fallopian tubes .
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What Copper Iud Side Effects Should I Expect
The copper IUD has no hormones, so you dont have to deal with any of the risks or side effects that can sometimes happen with hormonal birth control methods.
But copper IUDs often cause more bleeding and cramps during your period, especially in the first 3-6 months. For many people, this gets better over time.
Paragard side effects can include:
-
spotting between periods
-
heavier or longer periods
-
more or worse cramping during your periods
-
pain when your IUD is put in, and cramping or back aches for a few days after
Over-the-counter pain medicine can help with IUD cramps. And the cramping and bleeding usually get better after a few months, once your body gets used to your IUD. You can keep track of any side effects you may be having with our birth control app.
Birth control shouldnt make you feel uncomfortable. If you have bleeding or pain that really bothers you, talk with your nurse or doctor. They may need to check and make sure your IUD is in the right place, or they might recommend a different method of birth control for you. Some people try a few different birth control methods before finding the right one for them.The copper IUD has been around for decades, and millions of people have used it safely, though there are some possible risks, like with any medical device. You can always call a nurse or doctor, like the ones at your local Planned Parenthood health center, if you have any concerns.
At A Glance: Facts About The Ius
- When inserted correctly, it’s more than 99% effective.
- It can be taken out at any time by a specially trained doctor or nurse. It’s possible to get pregnant straight after it’s removed.
- It can make your periods lighter, shorter or stop altogether, so it may help people who have heavy or painful periods.
- It can be used by people who cannot use combined contraception for example, those who have migraines.
- Once the IUS is in place, you do not have to think about it.
- Some people may experience side effects, such as mood swings, skin problems or breast tenderness.
- There’s a small risk of getting an infection after it’s been fitted.
- It can be uncomfortable when the IUS is put in, but you can take painkillers after, if you need to.
- The IUS can be fitted at any time during your monthly menstrual cycle, as long as you’re not pregnant.
- The IUS does not protect against sexually transmitted infections , so you may need to use condoms as well.
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Copper Iuds And Missed Periods
If you choose a hormonal IUD, missed or the complete cessation of periods could occur depending on the brand you choose. However, copper IUDs and missed periods are quite rare. This is because copper IUDs dont release hormones, but small amounts of copper. Because they work differently at preventing sperm from fertilizing eggs, copper IUDs dont cause missed periods. If you have missed your period and are using a copper IUD, contact your doctor immediately.
How Effective Are The Copper Iuds
The copper IUDs are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy and can last for up to 5 10 years . They can be used for contraception until menopause if inserted when you are 40 years of age or older.
If you are using the copper IUD for emergency contraception, you need to use it within 5 days or 120 hours after unprotected sex.
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How Do You Insert A Copper Iud
The insertion of a copper IUD is arranged after a follow-up visit to the doctor. If the patient has no contraindications , the insertion of the copper IUD will be scheduled during a second consultation. This procedure, which lasts only a few minutes, is in most cases taken care of by the gynaecologist or midwife and more rarely by the general practitioner. The technique of inserting a copper IUD consists of inserting an insert into the uterus via the vagina.
Copper IUD insertion is usually performed during menstruation, ideally on the fourth day, when the flow is less abundant. This ensures that a pregnancy is not in progress and also makes it easier to implant the device, since the cervix is naturally open. Sometimes this small procedure is a little painful. Luckily, the pain does not last more than 2 or 3 seconds.
Are you dreading this moment? It’s completely normal! But don’t worry, the pose only lasts a few minutes and your doctor will probably prescribeanti-inflammatory drugs.
Are There Any Side Effects From Using The Copper Iud
- When it is first inserted some users have period type cramping that usually settles after a few days.
- Your vaginal bleeding pattern will change. Spotting can occur in the first 3 months. This nearly always settles with time and your regular bleeding pattern will return. For most users, periods are about 50% heavier.
- Sometimes the IUD can fall out. This is more common in the first 3 months of it being inserted.
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