How Do I Get A Copper Iud
Only a specially trained doctor or nurse can put in an IUD. You may need to make two visits.
- the doctor or nurse will ask questions about your health
- you might have a vaginal examination, a cervical screening test or a test for infection
- putting the IUD in takes about 10 minutes you will be at the clinic for about 1 hour
- you may find it uncomfortable or painful and some women feel faint
- you can have a local anaesthetic
- some women have the IUD inserted under sedation not all clinics provide this
After your copper IUD is put in:
- you may have cramps and bleeding or spotting in the first few days you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen or use a heat pack. If cramps, spotting or pain last more than a few days, see your doctor
- avoid sex, tampons, swimming and baths for 2 days to reduce the risk of infection
- go back for a check-up 4 to 6 weeks after the IUD is put in
- check the IUD threads each month after your period to make sure the IUD is still in the right place your doctor or nurse will show you how to do this
Things to remember with your copper IUD:
How About The Non
The Paragard non-hormonal IUD prevents pregnancy thanks to a tiny copper filament wrapped around the T. Paragard contains no hormones of any kindits the only super-effective non-hormonal birth control method around . Paragard also works as highly effective emergency contraception, so if youre considering an IUD and have had unprotected penis-in-vagina sex in the last 5 days but dont want to be pregnant, that could be another point in its favor.
Most people who use Paragard have heavier, longer, or crampier periods, especially for the first few months. After 6 months, many Paragard users periods return to normal. If you already have really heavy or uncomfortable periods, or you are anemic , you might prefer a hormonal IUD.
The bottom line? IUDs are safe, effective, and totally reversible. Whichever IUD you and your provider decide is best for you, we all win with more long-lasting, low-maintenance birth control options available.
Sara Kennedy, MD, MPH, is an Obstetrician/Gynecologist in Oakland, California. Originally from Pennsylvania, Sara has studied and lived around the world, including a residency at Northwestern University in Chicago and a masters degree in Australia, where she met her husband! Sara is passionate about womens health, particularly helping women in vulnerable situations obtain the knowledge and resources they need in order to control their reproductive health.
British Columbia Specific Information
Birth control can help prevent pregnancy. There are many types of birth control available. Speak with your health care provider to help decide which type is right for you and your partner.
Hormone-based birth control contains hormones such as estrogen and progestin. Certain medications may make your hormone-based birth control not work properly or not at all. For more information, see HealthLinkBC File #91a Hormonal Contraception and using other medications at the same time.
Emergency contraception helps to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, or failed birth control. For more information about emergency contraception, see HealthLinkBC File #91b Emergency Contraception .
Birth control cannot prevent sexually transmitted infections , but using a condom will reduce your risk. For more information about birth control and sexual health, visit Options for Sexual Health and Smart Sex Resource. To learn more about STIs, see our HealthLinkBC Files Sexually Transmitted Infections Series.
You may also call 8-1-1 to speak with a registered nurse or pharmacist. Our nurses are available anytime of the day, every day of the year. Our pharmacists are available every night from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
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How To Help With Period Cramps From Iuds
We formulated Cramp Aid to provide fast, natural, effective relief from period crampsno matter how your IUD changes your period. In a survey of 140+ Cramp Aid users, 92% found reliefmost within one hour of taking their first dose.Note that we recommend waiting at least a week after getting your IUD inserted before using Cramp Aid. . But after this time, count on it for quick relief, no matter what your cycle throws at you with an IUD.
This information is for education purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition.
What Are The Cons Of Hormonal Iuds Like The Mirena
At this point, the Mirena probably sounds like the dream contraceptive but, like anything else, there are potental side effects. “The downsides can include occasional spotting and benign cysts on the ovaries,” shared Dr. Phillips. Negative side effects may also include “irregular bleeding in the first several weeks to months after insertion, mood changes, breast tenderness, headaches, or skin changes such as acne,” added Dr. King.
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How Is The Coil Fitted
It is a good idea to arrange a consultation with your doctor or family planning clinic in advance of getting the IUD/IUS fitted so that you get a chance to discuss which coil would be best for you and what the best time to insert it would be.
Both the IUD and the IUS need to be fitted by a trained nurse or doctor. Before fitting, they will do a number of exams and tests, including:
- Checking the size and position of your womb
- Checking for any possible STIs and treating any infection with antibiotics
If you are checking for any infections, its best to arrange this before the day you plan to fit the IUD so that there is time to treat it in advance. You may still be able to have the coil inserted at the same time as having your STI screening, and get treatment later if the tests come back positive.
Multiple Birth Control Methods At Once
Most women either use the pill or an IUD. But if you switch from the pill to a hormonal IUD, you should use both methods together for up to 7 days after you get the IUD. You donât need to do this if you get the copper IUD because it starts working right away.
If you go from the hormonal or copper IUD to the birth control pill, youâll need to start the pill 7 days before your doctor removes the IUD.
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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.
Efficacy In Pregnancy Prevention
IUDs offer long-term protection against unwanted pregnancy. Copper IUDs have an efficacy rate of 99.2% and can last up to 10 years.
Hormonal IUDs have an efficacy rate of 99.8% and can provide protection for 3-5 years depending on the brand.
To learn more about the benefits of IUDs for pregnancy prevention, book an appointment online or over the phone with The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group today.
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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.
What Are The Differences Between The Copper Iud And The Hormonal Iud
The copper IUD renders sperm inactive, thus acting as a spermicide. It also creates slight inflammation that prevents the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.The hormonal IUD locally diffuses levonorgestrel . Under its action, the cervical mucus thickens and becomes impermeable to sperm. The endometrium also changes . It is well maintained to prevent the egg from implanting. Consequently, the rules are less abundant, even non-existent. Menstruation is suppressed in 9 out of 10 women with a hormonal IUD.
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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.
For Four Months My Periods Were Unbearable Now I Have No Pain At All
I didnât want to worry about having kids yet, so in December 2017 I got a Lydia copper IUD . The insertion was mildly painful, and for four months afterwards, my periods were unbearable: painful, heavy and I felt weak. Now, I have no pain at all, and my period is only heavy on day two. I was prepared for the worst but overall, I would do this again. My advice? Do a lot of research, ask the gyno questions and just listen to your body.âEnyi, cis woman, 23, Lagos, Nigeria
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What Are The Benefits Of The Copper Iud Paragard
Dr. Phillips said that the ParaGard “is the longest-acting reversible contraception,” which makes this particular device a good option for those who want to prevent pregnancy without having to replace the IUD after a few years. Planned Parenthood states that the copper IUD works by making it nearly impossible for the sperm to reach an egg because “sperm doesn’t like copper.” Dr. Phillips explained that “there is no hormone to alter periods or ovulation,” which means that “it can be used by almost anyone, regardless of medical conditions except of course if you have an allergy to copper.”
“Outside of the contraceptive benefit,” added Dr. King, “the copper IUD is good for 10 years, so there is less need for removal and reinsertion. It also has no hormones, which makes it a great option for people who can’t use a hormonal method.” Interestingly, a copper IUD can also be used as emergency contraception and is more than 99.9 percent effective if it’s put in within 120 hours of having unprotected sex. Of course, there are other factors to consider when having an IUD inserted, as outlined in this article.
What Do Our Users Say
One of the great things about The Lowdown is that real contraception users tell us their thoughts on the contraception they have tried, which we hope helps you make a better decision when you are considering going on or coming off one.
For the Mirena coil, more than half of reviewers said it stopped their periods completely but for the copper coil, the majority said their periods became heavier.
Nearly half of reviewers said the Mirena coil neither improved or worsened their moods and 63% said the same for the copper coil.
Just below half said the Mirena coil caused no change to their sex drive, 11% said it increased and 27% said they felt a loss in their sex drive. For the copper coil, 70% of females said there was no change in their sex drive, 10% said there was an increase and 13% said there was a drop.
One of the most common side effects when immediately having the Mirena coil put in was vaginal discharge. Of the 47% reviewers who said they had vaginal discharge, 4% said they had it a great deal, 14% quite a bit and 24% a bit.
Likewise, the same side effect was reported as the most common for the copper coil right after insertion. Of the 47% who said it was a side effect, 9% said they had a great deal of vaginal discharge, 14% quite a bit and 18% a bit.
Mirena vs Copper coil experiences
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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.
Possible Side Effects Or Disadvantages Of The Iud
- Both types need to be put in by a trained doctor or nurse.
- You may have extra upfront costs and difficulty accessing a clinic to insert the 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 or frequent bleeding is common in the first 3 6 months.
- Sometimes the IUD can fall out. This is more common in the first 3 months of it being inserted.
- The hormonal IUD can cause side effects for a small number of users, including headaches, changes to your skin, sore/tender breasts and mood changes.
- 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 to get pregnant when using the IUD. If you do get pregnant with an 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 Are The Benefits Of Hormonal Iuds Like The Mirena
Like the ParaGard, the Mirena’s primary benefit is its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy, according to our experts. In addition to its long-acting contraceptive benefits, “the levonorgestrel IUD is associated with less painful periods, decreased menstrual flow and, for some people, amenorrhea, which is the complete cessation of menstrual periods,” explained Dr. King.
For some, this easing of periods may just be a handy side effect, but for others, it can feel life changing. “The hormonal component of the Mirena can offer people with heavy or painful periods some meaningful relief,” said Dr. Phillips. Along with lighter or no periods, people “can notice painful periods and pelvic pain also improve.”
Cramps On Iuds: Hormonal Vs Copper
Two types of cramps can arise with an IUD: cramps after insertion, and menstrual cramps.Both types of IUDs are about equally as unpleasant to insert , and backaches and abdominal pain are common in the days after insertion . But different types of IUD can have opposite effects on menstrual cramps.
Menstrual cramps with hormonal IUDs:Possibly less painful and frequent, but usually unchanged
While some additional cramping is possible within the first 3-6 months of getting a hormonal IUD, they can eventually reduce period pain. Higher doses of the hormonal IUD may result in less cramping for some people, but not everyone. In one study, ~18% of women reported less intense cramps after getting a high-dose hormonal IUD . If your dose makes your period come less often, however, you may cramp less frequently because youre menstruating less frequently. Cramps and bleeding may be reduced for as long as a hormonal IUD is in place. Once removed, things will return to whatever was normal for you pre-IUD. At that point you can either have a new IUD inserted, or turn to another safe and effective way to relieve period cramps, like Cramp Aid.
Menstrual cramps with copper IUDs:Possibly more painful and frequent, but usually unchanged
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What Is An Iud/ius
The coil is a small T-shaped device made mostly of plastic, that is inserted into the uterus to act as contraception. There are two types of coil to choose from, the Intrauterine Device , which releases copper and Intrauterine System which releases a hormone called progestogen, but both work to prevent pregnancy.
Both types of contraceptive coils must be inserted by a trained healthcare provider and can last anywhere between three to ten years, depending on which type or brand and can be easily removed at any time. The Mirena coil is a popular brand of IUS coil check out our comparison of the Mirena vs the Copper coil for more info.