Why Can The Paragard Be Left In Longer Than The Mirena
According to our experts, the main reason why the ParaGard and Mirena differ in duration of effectiveness is because of their contraceptive ingredients. The Mirena has the hormone essentially infused into the device which is released daily, but will eventually run out, said Dr. King, explaining this is why its FDA-approved for a maximum of five years after its insertion. The action of the ParaGards copper coil, on the other hand, lasts longer than the slow release progesterone that is present in the Mirena, according to Dr. Phillips.
What Is An Intra Uterine Device
An IUD is a small object that goes inside your uterus.
There are two types of IUDs:
- Copper IUD – contains copper, a type of metal
- Hormonal IUD contains the hormone progestogen
The IUD is put in your uterus by an experienced nurse or doctor. This is simple and safe. The procedure itself takes about five to 10 minutes, but your appointment will take about 40 minutes. During this time the nurse or doctor will explain how the insertion is done and will give you instructions about what to expect once your IUD is in place.
You cant feel it or tell it is there except by checking for the threads. If you are having penis in vagina sex, your partner should not be able to feel it. You can still use tampons.
The removal threads come out of your cervix and curl up inside the top of your vagina they dont hang outside.
Ius Vs Iud: Your Period
The way the coil affects your period is different for individual women, and will depend on the type of coil fitted.
- The IUD may cause heavier periods that may last longer in the first few months, but not always.
- Periods with the IUS are usually lighter, shorter and less painful. The IUS can cause irregular bleeding, often light irregular spotting or sometimes stop periods altogether. This is not harmful at all but can take some time getting used to.
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What Are The Similarities Between Iud Types
Both copper and hormonal IUDs prevent pregnancy by affecting sperm movement. They stop sperm from meeting up with the egg.
The two types of IUD are about equally effective. Fewer than one out of every 100 women using either the copper or hormonal IUD will get pregnant in any given year.
Read more: Mirena vs. ParaGard vs. Skyla: Choosing the Right IUD »
Although each type of IUD protects against pregnancy for a different amount of time, they can each be removed at any time. Removal is always an option if you decide you want to get pregnant or are unhappy with the side effects.
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Because ParaGard contains copper, you shouldnt use this IUD if you have a copper allergy. You should also avoid this birth control method if you have Wilsons disease, a condition that causes copper to build up in your body.
Which Type Of Iud Is Right For You
Deciding which IUD is best for you will depend on many individual factors, your health history, and how long you would like your birth control to last.
If you have heavy periods and would like to shorten or stop them, a hormonal IUD could help with that, Chang says. On the other hand, some people are more sensitive to hormonal birth control and would like to avoid progestin, in which case the copper IUD may be a better fit.
Here are the overall differences between the five IUD options:
The cost of an IUD can range widely depending on your insurance coverage. Talk with your provider about your options and the best choice for you.
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How Do The Coils Work
The IUD is a copper coil that prevents pregnancy by blocking sperm from reaching the egg. It does this by releasing tiny amounts of copper into the body, which are toxic for both sperm and eggs.
Due to the presence of the copper, the sperm cannot survive in the cervix or the womb and therefore cannot reach the egg. It can also delay the egg from reaching the womb. If the sperm and egg did meet, the presence of the copper IUD prevents a fertilised egg from implanting in the lining of the womb, therefore preventing pregnancy.
Check out our copper IUD reviews on The Lowdown website.
The IUS is a hormonal coil that prevents pregnancy through releasing the hormone progestogen into the womb, that works to thicken the cervical mucus and prevent the sperm and egg from ever meeting.
The IUS can also stop ovulation for some people, while for others ovulation will continue as usual.
How Effective Is The Mirena Iud
Mirena® is more than 99% effective. Out of 10,000 women who use Mirena® for birth control, approximately six may get pregnant unintentionally. Outside of abstinence , IUDs are significantly more effective than most common forms of birth control options:
- Shot : 94% effective .
- Pill, patch, and vaginal ring: 91% .
- Condoms: 85% .
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What Are The Benefits Of Iud Birth Control
Unlike birth control pills , an IUD provides continuous pregnancy protection until its removed.
In general, IUD contraception is:
- Safe: IUDs are considered safe for the vast majority of women, whether or not youve had a baby previously. IUDs are a great option for women who are advised against taking the pill due to certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure.
- Long term: After placement, IUDs work for three to 10 years, depending on the type and brand of IUD you use.
- Reversible: An IUD can be easily removed, should your circumstances or needs change. Your pregnancy protection ends right after IUD removal.
- Effective: IUDs are more than 99% effective. This makes them one of the most effective forms of birth control available today.
Using An Iud After Giving Birth
An IUD can usually be fitted 4 weeks after giving birth . You’ll need to use alternative contraception from 3 weeks after the birth until the IUD is put in.
In some cases, an IUD can be fitted within 48 hours of giving birth. It’s safe to use an IUD when you’re breastfeeding, and it will not affect your milk supply.
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Signs An Iud Is Right For Youand 5 It Isnt
Maybe a friend recently sang the praises of her IUD, an excited gleam in her eyes as she tried to get you to join the club. Perhaps youve had a few too many broken condoms ruining the moment. Or maybe you want the option of an incredibly effective, reversible, yet hormone-free method of birth control.
There are plenty of reasons why you might consider an IUD, but before you settle on one, there are few things you need to know.
IUDs are split into two categories: hormonal and non-hormonal. Hormonal IUDs use varying levels of progestin, the synthetic form of the hormone progesterone, to prevent pregnancy. Progestin thins your uterine lining, thickens cervical mucus so its harder for sperm to swim through, and partially suppresses ovulation so sometimes theres no egg to be fertilized in the first place, according to the Mayo Clinic. Theres only one non-hormonal IUD, ParaGard, which releases copper that bathes the lining of your uterus, creating an inflammatory reaction thats toxic to sperm, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Who Can Use An Iud
Most people with a womb can use an IUD.
A GP or nurse will ask about your medical history to check if an IUD is suitable for you.
The IUD may not be suitable if you:
- think you might be pregnant
- have an untreated STI or a pelvic infection
- have problems with your womb or cervix
- have unexplained bleeding between periods or after sex
People who have had an ectopic pregnancy or who have an artificial heart valve must consult their GP or clinician before having an IUD fitted.
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Does Not Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Furthermore, the IUD only prevents pregnancy, not protecting the body against sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, when using an IUD, it is recommended to use barrier contraceptive methods such as condoms, which protect against diseases such as AIDS or gonorrhea , for example.
The hormonal IUD makes menstrual cycles lighter, with less colic, slowing or even zeroing menstrual flow . The copper IUD can cause an increase in menstrual flow and the woman may experience more cramps than usual.
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How It Is Taken Out
Your IUD may be removed at a simple office visit. Your health care provider will put a speculum inside the vagina to make it easier to see the strings of the IUD. Then they will gently pull the strings to take it out. Taking out the IUD takes less time and is usually less uncomfortable than having it put in. If the IUD strings cannot be seen, or the IUD cannot be taken out in the office, you may need an extra procedure.
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Mirena Vs Copper Coil: Which One Is Best
Once you have decided what birth control product you would like to try, choosing the brand and type of that particular contraceptive is a decision in itself.
To help you make the best choice for you, and hopefully without having to conduct so much trial and error, The Lowdown lays out the ins and the outs of contraceptives.
This week, we bring you a comparison between the Mirena coil and the Copper coil.
Depression Risk With Hormonal Birth Control
Studies have shown young women who use hormonal contraceptives, including the IUD, have three times the risk of suicide compared to women who have never used hormonal birth control. Yikes!
Depression are commonly reported with hormonal contraceptives, the hormonal IUD being no exception. If you have a history or family history of depression, you may want to consider non-hormonal alternatives.
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Should I Get A Copper Or A Hormonal Iud
Whether youre getting the copper or hormonal IUD, long-term birth control methods are a great decision for lots of people. IUDs are convenient, easy to use, and very, very good at preventing pregnancy less than 1 out of 100 people who use an IUD will get pregnant each year.
Like any birth control method, there are benefits and disadvantages. Here are some of the main differences between the copper IUD and hormonal IUDs:
Hormonal IUDs
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99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
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Different hormonal IUDs last for different lengths of time: the Mirena and Liletta IUDs work for up to 7 years. Kyleena works for up to 5 years. Skyla works for up to 3 years.
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The hormonal IUD releases hormones similar to the progesterone hormone that our bodies create naturally.
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For some people, hormonal IUDs can cut down on cramps and make your period way lighter. And some people stop getting their periods at all while they have the IUD.
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Hormonal IUDs can also help treat the symptoms of health issues like endometriosis and PCOS.
Copper IUD:
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99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
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Lasts up to 12 years.
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The copper IUD is non-hormonal, so its a good option for people who prefer non-hormonal birth control.
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Some people have heavier periods or worse period cramps with the copper IUD, but that tends to get better over time.
Tags:birth control, hormonal birth control, IUD
Is It Safe To Switch From The Paragard To The Mirena Or Vice Versa
“There is no problem with switching between ParaGard and Mirena,” Dr. Phillips said. “Either can be used at different times in your reproductive lifespan.” Dr. King seconded this, adding that “it is all dependent on what is best for an individual at a particular point in their life. Some people get their IUD removed and another one reinserted on the same day.”
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Advantages Of Both Coils
The copper IUD protects you from pregnancy right away. If the Mirena coil is inserted in the first 7 days of your menstrual cycle you are protected from pregnancy straight away. If its fitted at any other time, you need to use additional contraception, such as condoms, for 7 days after.
Once in, it can be left until you wish for it to be removed or it is due to be replaced.
Both can be used while breastfeeding.
Both are not affected by other medicines.
The Mirena coil is useful if you cant use the hormone oestrogen, which is in the combined pill, the contraceptive patch and the contraceptive vaginal ring. Similarly the copper IUD does not contain hormones and can also be an option if you cannot take oestrogen or experience side effects with hormonal contraception.
Both the IUS and IUD are two of the most effective forms of contraception available.
Its possible to get pregnant as soon as the IUS or IUD is removed.
No Hormones And Its A Long Term Solution That I Dont Have To Think About
I got my IUD in July of this year, its a copper one called Mona Lisa. I chose it because thereâs no hormones and itâs a long term solution that I dont have to think about. It hurt a lot when I got it inserted but by the next day I felt normal. My first period was painful and I lost a lot of blood but since then Ive been totally normal.âNiki, female, 25 Switzerland
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If There Could Be More Bleeding And Cramps With Copper Iuds Why Get One
Some research shows copper IUDs have the highest rate of user satisfaction among all birth control medications . Heres why some people prefer copper vs hormonal IUDs:
They last longer
The Paragard copper IUD lasts up to 12 years, whereas hormonal IUDs last 3-7 years depending on the brand. Because IUD insertion is uncomfortable and carries risks of complications, some folks choose the longer-lasting option to avoid additional insertion procedures.
They dont disrupt your hormonal cycle
Copper IUDs dont contain drug hormones, and dont change the hormones you make naturally. The biggest benefit of preserving your natural hormonal rhythms with a copper IUD is that youll still ovulate each cycle.Ovulation is the once-a-month release of an egg from an ovary. Although suppressing ovulation prevents eggs from being fertilized, its not the only effective way to avoid pregnancy, and you may miss out on health benefits that come with ovulating regularly.After ovulation, the ovaries start making the hormone progesterone. Research shows progesterone can help soothe inflammation , protect the brain , and calm anxiety , among other benefits.All hormonal methods of birth control shut down ovulation at least part of the time. While less drastic than birth control pills , hormonal IUDs are shown to suppress ovulation in 85% of cycles during the first year, then 15% of cycles after that .
What Is The Mirena Iud
Mirena® is a hormonal IUD. The device releases a small amount of the hormone progestin into the uterus. Of the four brands of hormonal IUDs, Mirena® was the first to become available. It provides longer-lasting pregnancy protection than other hormonal IUDs up to five years compared to three or four years for other brands. Studies show that Mirena® can be effective for up to seven years, even though it is approved to be used for only five years. Liletta is an IUD that is very similar to Mirena®. They are both made with the same type and dose of progestin, so they work the same way. Liletta is approved for up to four years of use.
Mirena® birth control prevents pregnancy by thickening cervical mucus. This makes it more difficult for the sperm to reach an egg. Women who use Mirena® may also have a thinner uterine lining. Having a thinner uterine lining helps protect against uterine cancer.
Because Mirena® uses hormones, your period may come less frequently or stop entirely. This is considered a benefit of Mirena® having less bleeding is not considered harmful. Sometimes doctors recommend Mirena® as a way to help women manage heavy or painful periods. This IUD may also improve endometriosis or fibroid symptoms.
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If You’re Under 16 Years Old
Contraception services are free and confidential, including for people under the age of 16.
If you’re under 16 and want contraception, the doctor, nurse or pharmacist will not tell your parents or carer as long as they believe you fully understand the information you’re given and the decisions you’re making.
Doctors and nurses work under strict guidelines when dealing with people under 16. They’ll encourage you to consider telling your parents, but they will not make you.
The only time a professional might want to tell someone else is if they believe you’re at risk of harm, such as abuse.
In these circumstances, the risk would need to be serious, and they’d usually discuss it with you first.
Main Difference Of Copper Iuds And Hormonal Iuds
The main difference between the two types of IUDs is that one type releases hormones and the other does not . In addition to blocking the sperm from reaching the egg, the hormonal IUD thickens the cervical mucus, dilutes the uterine lining and prevents ovulation.
Another difference is the usage time. For copper IUDs between 5 and 10 years for Mirena, 5 years old. The greatest effectiveness is Mirena, as it resembles tubal ligation . The copper IUD starts to work immediately after its insertion, whereas the hormonal device , can take a few weeks to start working. Therefore, it is important to use a condom during sexual intercourse, until the doctor verifies that everything is correct with the placement.
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