Which Has More Side Effects
Longer periods and spotting between periods are the most common side effects of Paragard. Other side effects include abdominal pain, allergic reactions, anemia , backache, cramps, painful sexual intercourse, vaginal infections or an unusual vaginal discharge. Theoretically, the copper in Paragard could exacerbate Wilson’s Disease, a rare genetic condition affecting copper excretion.
In addition to bleeding changes, other side effects reported with Mirena include cramps, pelvic pain, abdominal pain, dizziness, headache or a migraine, ovarian cysts, acne, depressed or altered mood, nausea, breast tenderness, and fatigue.
All IUDs increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, the risk is highest within 20 days of insertion. Rarely, IUDs may cause perforation of the uterus or embedment in the uterus requiring surgery. Expulsion of IUDs is more likely to occur during a woman’s period, and if unnoticed, may result in a pregnancy.
Although IUDs lower the overall risk of having an ectopic pregnancy, if you do fall pregnant and have an IUD, the chance that it is an ectopic pregnancy is higher than normal. If you suspect you are pregnant and have an IUD in place always see your doctor straight away.
How Well Does An Iud Work
Both types of IUDs are very effective at preventing pregnancy. Over the course of a year, fewer than 1 out of 100 typical couples using an IUD will have an accidental pregnancy.
The IUD is effective as soon as it is put in and it lasts a long time. A copper IUD can work for 10 years. Progestin IUDs can work for 3 to 5 years, depending on the brand. This makes the IUD a good option for women who are not ready to start a family. Even though an IUD can stay in place for a long time, the doctor or nurse practitioner can remove it at any time.
How Much Does It Cost
According to Planned Parenthood, an IUD can cost anywhere from $0 to $1,300. But because of the Affordable Care Act, most people with insurance can get Paragard for little to no cost.
Patients can check with their insurance company to see if Paragard is covered. If its not covered as a medical benefit, it may be covered as a pharmacy benefit, according to Cooper Surgical.
Paragard may also be offered for free or at a low cost for people with Medicaid or through other government programs. Contact your local Planned Parenthood health center or local health department for details.
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Condoms Vs Birth Control: Which Is Best For You
So back to the big question. Are condoms or birth control more effective? If you want to prevent pregnancy, hormonal birth control or a copper IUD could be your best option.
If you want to reduce your chances of getting an STI, then you may want to use a male or female condom each time you have sex. But if you wish to protect yourself from both an unintended pregnancy and an STI, then using both will offer you the best protection.
Trussel, J. Contraception. Contraceptive failure in the United States. Published March 12, 2011.
National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.gov. Male Condom. Reviewed June 9th, 2021.
Planned Parenthood. How do I get condoms? Accessed June 24, 2021.
National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.gov. Female Condom. Reviewed May 25, 2021.
Whats Going On With These Strings
IUDs have thin strings at the end of them. These strings will be used to remove the IUD when its time to insert a new one or when youve decided you want to get pregnant. These strings will rest at the top of your vagina to let you know that the IUD is there.
We think its a good idea to check it periodically to see that the IUD is still in place. If youre not sure how to reach them or youre unsure, just let us know. Well be glad to explain.
And dont worry you cant pull your IUD out by accident. This would be very difficult to do. However, we do advise you not to tug on the strings because we dont want the IUD to shift.
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The Copper Iud Is Hormone
Since the copper IUD doesnt contain hormones, you can use it in situations where other kinds of birth control may not be a fit. For instance, it might be a good choice for breastfeeding people, Taraneh Shirazian, M.D., assistant professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU Langone Medical Center, tells SELF. This is because theres a slight chance that estrogen, which is in forms of combined hormonal birth control like the pill, patch, and ring, may impact your milk supply, according to the ACOG.
Due to its lack of estrogen, the copper IUD may also offer an advantage for some people who have health conditions that can get worse when exposed to this hormone, such as people with a history of blood clots, or high blood pressure , Dr. Shirazian says.
If youre not able to tolerate hormones for some reason, definitely mention that to your doctor when trying to find which type of IUD is right for you.
You Can Actually Use The Copper Iud As Emergency Contraception
Many people dont realize this, but the copper IUD is an effective form of emergency contraception as long as its inserted within five days after unprotected sex, according to the ACOG. A 2012 meta-analysis published in the journal Human Reproduction looked at 42 studies and found that the copper IUD had a pregnancy rate of only 0.09% when it was used as a form of emergency contraception.
The copper IUD causes inflammation in the uterine lining and may prevent implantation of the developing embryo, Dr. Worly explains.
Of course, this isnt necessarily the most convenient form of emergency contraception. If you werent planning on getting an IUD, pill-based forms might make more sense for you depending on how easily youre able to access them versus an intrauterine device.
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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
Paragard For Birth Control
The Food and Drug Administration approves prescription drugs and devices such as Paragard to treat certain conditions. Paragard may also be used off-label for other conditions. Off-label use means using a drug or device for a purpose other than what its been approved for by the FDA.
Paragard is a prescription birth control device. Its FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy in females* of age any who are able to become pregnant.
Females are generally able to become pregnant after theyve had their first period and until they reach menopause. This is usually between the ages of 12 years and 51 years. Paragard can be used by females who either have or havent been pregnant in the past.
Paragard is an intrauterine device . An IUD is a small birth control device thats placed inside your uterus by a healthcare professional.
Each Paragard IUD prevents pregnancy for up to 10 years after being inserted. Your doctor can remove Paragard from your uterus any time youd like to stop using it within the 10-year period. But Paragard IUDs arent effective after 10 years of use. So, if youd like to continue using this form of birth control after 10 years, you can ask your doctor to replace your Paragard IUD with another Paragard IUD.
Paragard contains copper as its active ingredient. It prevents pregnancy by stopping:
- sperm from fertilizing an egg, or
- a fertilized egg from attaching inside your uterus
For more information about how this IUD works, see the How Paragard works section below.
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How To Get A Copper Iud
You need a prescription to get a copper IUD. Call your doctor or a family planning clinic to make an appointment. The doctor will insert the IUD through your vagina into your uterus.
A copper IUD is also a long-term form of birth control. After you get it, you can keep it in to prevent pregnancy for up to 10-12 years. You can have it removed anytime. If you want to get pregnant, you can start trying as soon as itâs out.
How To Prepare For The Procedure
The health care provider evaluates the womans overall health before inserting the implant. They will determine the correct timing for insertion based on previous birth control and menstrual cycle.
A woman may need to take a pregnancy test and be on a non-hormonal backup contraceptive for a week. A backup is not required if the woman previously:
- Did not use any contraception and had the contraceptive implant put into her body in the first five days of the menstrual cycle, even when they were bleeding.
- Used a mini-pill and had the implant inserted while she was on the pill.
- Had used a combination of contraceptives like a vaginal ring, birth control patch, birth control pills.
- Also, if she had the implant inserted within seven days of the beginning of the hormone-free period.
- Took a contraceptive injection and then had the implant added when the next injection was due.
- Previously used an IUD or another contraceptive and then had the Nexplanon inserted after the removal of an old device .
Before the insertion, the woman may need to sign a consent form.
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About 20 mcg of this hormone is released every day when the device is first inserted. The rate drops to about 10 mcg per day after 5 years as it reaches expiration and must be removed or replaced. Liletta and Kyleena are two other IUDs that slowly release a low dose of hormones into your body.
Similarly, what is the best hormonal IUD?
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What Are The Risks Of Getting An Iud
Most women will not have any problems using an IUD. But, if you have certain conditions, you may be more at risk of developing serious complications while using an IUD. These include being at risk for sexually transmitted infections at the time of insertion or having: Serious blood clots in deep veins or lungs.
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 Risks Of Iud Birth Control
Overall, IUDs are a safe, effective form of birth control. Certain health conditions may increase the risk of IUD complications, including:
- Pelvic or other infections
- Uterine fibroids or tumors
Getting pregnant with an IUD is rare, but it can happen. You should call your doctor if you believe you may be pregnant at any time while you have an IUD.
Your Partner Shouldnt Be Able To Feel Your Iud Strings During Sex But If They Can You Should Talk To Your Doctor
Usually, your partner cannot feel the strings, Dr. Worly says. That doesnt mean this cant happen, though. Its also worth mentioning that, if your partner can feel your strings or they appear longer than usual, this could be a sign that your IUD has moved and needs to be adjusted, according to the Mayo Clinic. If your IUD is firmly in place, you can also talk to your medical practitioner about trimming the strings, Dr. Worly says. Also, dont worryhaving sex shouldnt dislodge your IUD.
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What If I Miss A Dose
Paragard is inserted into your uterus by a healthcare professional. Each Paragard IUD can remain in your uterus for up to 10 years. So, it isnt possible to miss a dose of Paragard while the device is in place.
In rare cases, you may experience expulsion. If this happens, Paragard wont be effective in preventing pregnancy.
For this reason, youll need to periodically check that Paragard is still in place in your uterus. At least once each month, you should feel for Paragards strings inside your vagina. Paragard IUDs have strings attached to the devices. When the IUD is in your uterus, these strings extend out of your uterus and into your vagina.
To check for your IUD strings, first wash your hands with soap and water. Then, insert clean fingers into your vagina and feel for the strings.
You should also have your doctor perform an exam once each year to make sure Paragard is correctly positioned.
Where Do You Get The Iud
To get an IUD, go to a nearby clinic. A clinician will fit you for the IUD, and insert it. The cost of the IUD varies but at most clinics in California it may be available for free. All four of the above IUDs are FDA approved methods of birth control and should be covered by insurance without a co-pay. Since the IUD keeps working for 3 to 12 years, it is a great investment.
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Removal Procedure And Steps
The steps used to remove Paragard are similar to those used for insertion. Your doctor will have you lie down on an exam table and place your feet into stirrups. Your doctor will then insert a speculum into your vagina. This allows them to see your cervix. Then, theyll remove Paragard from your uterus by sliding it out through your cervix.
You may also have removal symptoms with Paragard. These are similar to the symptoms that can happen when Paragard is inserted. For example, cramps or pain may occur while Paragard is being removed. In rare cases, you may also experience dizziness, nausea, slow heart rate, or seizures after removal.
Once Paragard has been removed, your periods should return to normal. And keep in mind that youll no longer be protected from pregnancy, unless you use another form of birth control.
Where Can I Get An Iud
Contact your gynecologist, a family planning clinic, or your local Planned Parenthood health center to make an appointment to get an IUD.
Getting an IUD costs anywhere between $0 to $1,300. Thats a pretty wide range, but the good news is that IUDs are free or low cost with many health insurance plans, Medicaid, and some other government programs. And even if an IUD costs a lot up front, they usually end up saving you money in the long run because they give you really effective birth control for up to 12 years.
Planned Parenthood works to provide you with the services you need, whether or not you have insurance. Many Planned Parenthood health centers charge less for services depending on your income. If youre worried about cost, check with your local Planned Parenthood health center to see if they can hook you up with emergency contraception and other birth control that fits your budget.
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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.
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How Does The Copper Iud Work
IUDs affect the way sperm move and survive in the uterus , stopping sperm from meeting and fertilising an egg. IUDs can also change the lining of the uterus, making it difficult for a fertilised egg to stick to the lining to start a pregnancy.
Local anaesthetic: a medicine used to numb a part of yourbody for a short while. You remain conscious.
Sedation: a medicine used to cause a relaxed, sleep-like state so you are unaware of the procedure.
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Path To Improved Health
Your primary care or womens doctor can insert an IUD. They can insert ParaGard at any time during your menstrual cycle. Hormonal IUDs should be inserted in the first 7 days of your cycle. The procedure is quick and done in the doctors office. The doctor puts a small plastic tube with the IUD into your vagina. You may have pain or cramping during this process. Discomfort can last several hours or days. Most doctors suggest that you have someone else drive you home from the appointment.
IUDs start working immediately. You can have sex, exercise, and use tampons. An IUD is effective for 3 to 12 years, depending on the type. Your doctor can remove it at any time.
- You cant find the string.
- You can feel the IUD.
- Your IUD comes loose or falls out.
- You have a fever or chills.
- You have abnormal blood, fluid, or odor coming from your vagina.
