What Are The Benefits Of Non
The copper IUD is really good at preventing pregnancy, and its totally hormone free. So its a good option for people who prefer non-hormonal birth control, or cant use methods with hormones because of medical reasons.
The copper IUD can be used as emergency contraception a way to prevent pregnancy AFTER unprotected sex. IUDs are the most effective form of emergency contraception. If you get one inserted within 120 hours after having unprotected sex, its more than 99% effective against pregnancy. And you can leave your copper IUD in to keep preventing pregnancy for as long as you want, up to 12 years.
There are lots of other benefits to IUDs too. Theyre super convenient once your copper IUD is in place, you dont have to think about birth control for up to 12 years. IUDs are also one of the most effective methods of birth control you can get. Theyre more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. But if you decide you want to get pregnant, you can get your IUD removed whenever you want and your fertility will go back to what’s normal for you right away.
What Is A Copper Iud
A copper intrauterine device is a type of non-hormonal birth control. There are also hormonal IUDs, but copper versions do not contain any hormones. This can be great for women who experience negative side effects from birth control that contains hormones. At the moment, ParaGard is the only copper IUD available in the United States.
Pro: Its Ready When You Are
Having an IUD means that as long as youre practicing safer sex, you can be spontaneous without worrying about pregnancy. Your IUD offers reliable contraception for years at a time. The copper IUD starts working instantly.
Hormone-releasing IUDs should be removed and replaced every 3-10 years, depending on the brand. The copper-wrapped IUD can stay in place and offer continuous protection for up to 12 years.
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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.
Which Works Better: The Pill Or Iud
Most clinicians agree that IUDs are more effective than oral contraceptives. IUDs are more than 99 percent effective, meaning fewer than one out of 100 women with an IUD will become pregnant each year. If its taken perfectly, the birth control pill is also 99 percent effective, but in reality that number drops to about 91 percent when you consider the fact that no ones perfect and that because of human error, taking a pill at the exact same time every day is unrealistic.
Short answer: the IUD is better at preventing pregnancy than the pill.
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Can Iuds Be Used As Emergency Contraception
Yes! The Paragard, Mirena, and Liletta IUDs work super well as emergency contraception. If you get one of these IUDs put in within 120 hours after unprotected sex, its more than 99% effective. Its actually the most effective way to prevent pregnancy after sex.
Another great thing about using an IUD as emergency contraception: you can keep it and have really effective birth control that you can use for up to 8 to12 years . The other kind of emergency contraception is the morning-after pill. You can take it up to 5 days after unprotected sex to reduce the risk of pregnancy.
What Is The Minipill
The minipill is a type of oral contraceptive that contains pills that only have progestin.
None of the pills in the pack have any estrogen. The dose of progestin varies and is dependent on the formulation used in the birth control pill.
A minipill package consists of 28 pills, all of which contain the hormone progestin. It doesnt contain any placebo pills.
To maximize the minipills effectiveness, youll need to take the pill at the same time every day.
If you miss a dose even by as little as 3 hours youll need to use a backup method of birth control for at least 2 days to be on the safe side.
Theres a new FDA-approved progestin-only pill called Slynd. It can be taken within a 24-hour period and still not be considered a missed dose, unlike the current progestin-only pill.
Because this pill is so new, there may currently be limited information and access. To learn more about Slynd, talk to your doctor.
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It Also Depends On The Type Of Iud You Get
There are four hormonal IUDs Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, and Skyla and one copper IUD ParaGard.
Hormonal IUDs may make your periods lighter. 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.
Hormonal birth control can throw off your menstrual cycle. At first, your periods may be heavier than usual. Eventually, the bleeding should get lighter.
What Happens If I Get Pregnant While Im Using An Iud
If you become pregnant while you are using an IUD, it is important that you see a doctor or nurse as soon as possible and have the IUD removed. The doctor or nurse will also need to rule out a pregnancy in your fallopian tubes .
If the IUD is removed, you can choose to continue or terminate the pregnancy . If the IUD is not removed and you continue with the pregnancy, there is a higher risk of losing the pregnancy or delivering the baby early.
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What Are The Disadvantages Of Non
Non-hormonal IUDs can make your periods heavier and cause cramping, especially in the first 3-6 months. And you may have some IUD cramps when you first get your IUD. For many people, these side effects get better once your body gets used to the IUD. So if you can stick it out for a few months, theres a good chance the side effects will ease up. Read more about side effects.
Its normal to have some cramping during your period with a copper IUD. But if your cramps are really bad and over-the-counter medicine doesnt help, talk with your nurse or doctor. Its also a good idea to call your nurse or doctor if youre still having bad IUD cramps after a year, or you have pain or IUD cramps when youre not on your period this can be a sign your IUD has moved, and they may want to check to make sure its still in place.
IUDs are one of the most effective and convenient ways to prevent pregnancy, but they don’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections. So use condoms with your IUD every time you have sex to lower the chance of getting or spreading STDs.
Does The Arm Implant Hurt
Likewise, the arm implant is a quick and easy procedure. Your medical provider will apply a local anesthetic to numb your arm and use a special device to slide the implant under your skin. We slip it through a little hole on the inside part of the arm and it rests under the skin, Dr. Stanwood says. Its kind of like getting blood drawn or getting an IV put in. Getting it removed is similarly very quick. Plus, its very discreet. A woman can feel it if she pushes on it, but its not sticking out.
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Few Hormones Mean Less Concerning Side Effects
Birth control methods containing estrogensuch as NuvaRing, the Ortho Evra patch, and most birth control pillsare contraindicated in some women. This includes women with hypertension, certain types of migraines, or an increased risk for blood clots, and women who smoke or are at risk for cardiovascular disease. Since the IUD lacks estrogen, it is a low-risk alternative. .
In addition, common side effects of oral contraceptives are generally less common with the IUD.
How Does The Minipill Work
In the United States, the progestin-only oral contraceptive is known as norethindrone. According to the Mayo Clinic, norethindrone works by:
- thickening the mucus in your cervix and thinning the lining of your uterus, making it harder for sperm and egg to meet
- preventing your ovaries from releasing eggs
Its important to understand that the progestin-only minipill may not consistently suppress your ovulation.
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How To Start Taking The Minipill
Before starting the minipill, talk to your doctor about what day to begin.
You can start using this pill on any day of your menstrual cycle, but depending on where you are in your cycle, you may have to use a backup birth control method for a few days.
If you start taking the minipill during the first 5 days of your period, you should be fully protected, and you wont need any additional contraception.
If you start on any other day, youll need to use an extra method of protection for at least 2 days.
If your period has a short cycle, you should use additional birth control until youve been on the minipill for at least 2 days.
All oral contraceptives have potential side effects, and they vary in intensity from person to person.
The Cleveland Clinic reports these side effects from the progestin-only minipill:
My Iud Makes Me Feel Like A Cyborg In The Best Possible Way
I have a copper Paragard and have had it for just over a year. I got an IUD after I miscarried an unintended pregnancy. I had to have a D& C to resolve the miscarriage and my healthcare practitioner counseled to consider inserting the IUD after the D& C to minimize both physical and emotional trauma and to combine the recovery into one experience rather than two. Ultimately, I think this was a great decision and Im grateful for her advice.
The fact that I was pregnant unintentionally showed me that my previous birth control method wasnt working for me and it was important for me to be in control of my fertility.
Overall Iâm happy with the Paragard, and the peace of mind that comes with not having to make birth control decisions in the moment.
I had terribly painful cramps and very heavy bleeding during my periods for the six months following insertion, however, each period became more manageable and about a year out, my periods are back to my pre-insertion normal.
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What Are The Pros Of The Copper Iud Compared To Hormonal Iuds
Lets start with the good stuff: The major pros of the copper IUD are that it is long-acting, it doesnt require you to remember to do anything every day, week, or month, and its non-hormonal for those who want or need to avoid hormones due to side effects or health concerns, Kelly Culwell, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn in Sacramento, California, tells SELF.
Not having to remember to take a pill every day is a big benefit of both types of IUDs. The copper and hormonal IUDs are similar in terms of the way they are inserted, and they don’t require you to remember to do anythingsometimes called a set it and forget it method, so they are both good options for people who cant remember to take a pill every day, Dr. Culwell says.
Plus, IUDs are tiny, so you and your partner will not feel it during sex. . The doctor will shorten the strings once the IUD is in place, allowing your health-care provider to periodically check to make sure its still there, should any issues arise.)
With that said, lets jump into the specific benefits of the copper IUD compared to hormonal IUDs:
When it comes to long-lasting birth control, the copper IUD comes out on top. According to the Mayo Clinic, its considered a long-acting method to prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years.
Cons Of The Hormonal Iud:
Hormonal IUDs can damage the vaginal microbiome and increase the risk of yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.
Hormonal IUDs suppresses ovulation some of the time.
Hormonal IUDs can cause irregular bleeding and spotting during the first three to six months of use. After that, they may suppress bleeding entirely or permit a light natural menstrual period.
Insertion might be painful. But just to clarify: IUD is an in-office procedure that takes just a few minutesits not surgery. Youll probably be instructed to take a painkiller like ibuprofen to ease the cramping, or your doctor may decide to use a local anesthetic .
Hormonal IUDs can come out. The chance of expulsion is 5 percent but more likely immediately following childbirth and during breastfeeding.
Hormonal IUDs carry a small risk of uterine perforation, which could lead to surgery. The chance of perforation is 0.1 percent but more likely if during breastfeeding.
Hormonal IUDs can cause pelvic inflammatory disease but only during the first three weeks after insertion, and only if you have a pre-existing infection with gonorrhea or chlamydia.
Hormonal IUDs must be removed by a doctor. See my copper IUD post for more information about IUD removal.
Hormonal IUDs cannot protect against sexually transmitted infections.
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How Soon After Removing A Copper Iud Can You Get Pregnant
The amount of time it takes to get pregnant after stopping birth control may vary. When it comes to copper IUDs, women can try to conceive immediately after getting the IUD removed. Remember that every womans body is different. Some women can get pregnant right away after its removal, while others take longer.
We Offer Iud Insertion And Removal
Interested in an IUD as a form of convenient birth control? Weve got the answers you need, and were happy to provide additional information that can help you make a decision. Well also remove your IUD if you decide you want to have children or if the IUD is expired and you want another one.
Want to know more? Contact us to schedule an appointment.
For more than 40 years, Chapel Hill OBGYN has served women in the Triangle area, sharing the joy of little miracles and supporting them during challenges. Our board-certified physicians and certified nurse midwives bring together the personal experience and convenience of a private practice with the state-of-the-art resources found at larger organizations. To schedule an appointment, please contact us for more information.
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Which Releases Less Hormones: The Pill Or Iud
So how exactly do the hormones in the IUD compare to the those in the pill? IUDs have only progestin and most IUDs release less than 20 micrograms of the hormone each day. In comparison, the birth control pill has 1 milligram of progestin and 0.02 to 0.06 milligrams of estrogen. According to Dr. Howe, most studies have shown that in women with IUDs there are typically none of progestin in their bloodso the majority of the hormones do stay in the uterus and pelvic areahaving only local effects. The copper IUD contains no hormones and the progestin-releasing IUDs have minimal amounts of progestin, when compared to oral contraception, and work primarily within the uterus with minimal absorption in the bloodstream, said Dr. Ross.
Short answer: The IUD emits significantly less hormones than the pill.
How Do Iuds Work
Both copper IUDs and hormonal IUDs prevent pregnancy by changing the way sperm cells move so they can’t get to an egg. If sperm cant make it to an egg, pregnancy cant happen.
The Paragard IUD uses copper to prevent pregnancy. Sperm doesnt like copper, so the Paragard IUD makes it almost impossible for sperm to get to that egg.
The hormones in the Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, and Skyla IUDs prevent pregnancy in two ways: 1) they thicken the mucus that lives on the cervix, which blocks and traps the sperm, and 2) the hormones also sometimes stop eggs from leaving your ovaries , which means theres no egg for a sperm to fertilize. No egg, no pregnancy.
One of the awesome things about IUDs is that they last for years but theyre not permanent. If you decide to get pregnant or you just dont want to have your IUD anymore, your nurse or doctor can quickly and easily take it out. Youre able to get pregnant right after the IUD is removed.
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