Copper IUD: Effectiveness, Insertion Procedure, Risks & Side Effects

There has been a growing trend towards improving contraception and birth control. Among other methods, a non-hormonal copper intrauterine device (IUD) has gained significance. It is an excellent alternative to emergency contraceptive pills. Moreover, its convenience and safety factors have increased its popularity worldwide.

Are you planning to use a copper IUD for birth control? Find out some useful and interesting facts about copper IUDs to make an informed decision.

Women often wonder what to know before getting an IUD. This is mainly because the procedure of inserting an object inside the uterus sounds scary and risky. Therefore, people need to know all about it before starting the procedure.

Even though it sounds scary, this procedure is quite simple. Let us summarise some effects, benefits and other necessary facts for you in the following sections below.

As discussed already, the primary purpose of a Copper IUD or ParaGard is used to ensure safe and long-term birth control. It is a plastic T-shaped device, almost the size of a quarter.

• Mostly, it is suitable for premenopausal women and teenagers.
• Externally, it is wrapped with a copper coil, which helps prevent pregnancy.
• The copper content is responsible for releasing copper ions locally, which can modify the lining of the uterus and the build-up of the cervical mucus.
• It helps to create a toxic environment for sperm in the womb.
• Copper ions can also change the swimming pattern of the sperm and modify the natural microbiome of the vagina.

The effectiveness of a copper IUD is probably responsible for its popularity. It is highly effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy and can be used for a long time, about ten years. However, while it is 99% effective in the first year, the effectiveness might reduce to 98% by the 10th year of its usage.

It is essential to know the exact affecting areas of a copper IUD:

• It is mainly responsible for blocking sperm from entering the uterus and preventing unwanted pregnancy. Therefore, it cannot protect your body from sexually transmitted infections. Other forms of contraception, like condoms, are effective for this.
• Moreover, women who are suffering from reproductive issues should refrain from using it. For example, copper IUDs cannot help with problems like large fibroids or pelvic inflammation.

Hence, consult a doctor before implanting this type of contraception if you have these conditions.

Apart from effectiveness and benefits, there are some facts about copper IUD essential for you to know:

• First, these IUDs are free of pregnancy hormones. Often, the hormone oestrogen in IUDs can negatively affect breast milk production.
• On the other hand, copper IUDs with zero hormones ensure hassle-free breastfeeding for mothers who are maintaining birth control.

Therefore, copper IUDs are the most suitable form of contraception for new mothers.

Before using a copper IUD you must not only keep in mind the above facts but also understand the preparation tips properly:

Tip 1: A copper IUD is usually inserted at any time during a regular menstrual cycle.

Tip 2: However, women who recently gave birth might be advised to wait for about 7-8 weeks before inserting this contraception.

Therefore, if you are planning to get this implant, the best advice is to visit your doctor and get a comprehensive evaluation.

Here is what your doctor will do:

• A doctor will likely check and evaluate your pelvic health using a comprehensive physical evaluation.
• Moreover, they will also conduct pregnancy and STI tests to rule out these possibilities before inserting this IUD.
• Doctors also suggest anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil, others) before the procedure to reduce cramps.

Now, let us get into the details of the insertion and removal procedure.

It is beneficial to know the things that you can expect during and after the procedure.

Step 1: The procedure starts with doctors inserting a speculum into your vagina.

Step 2: Next, they use an antiseptic solution to clean the vagina and cervix.

Step 3: Then, they try to align the cervical canal and uterine cavity gently.

Step 4:The doctors then fold the horizontal arms of the IUD while placing it inside an applicator tube.

Step 5: While they insert the IUD in your uterus, the tube is placed into your cervical canal. Thus, when they remove the applicator tube later, the device remains in its original position.

Doctors sometimes prefer trimming the strings of a ParaGard to avoid its intrusion far inside the vagina. As a result, you might experience some health issues as side effects, for which you can seek medical attention. Here are some additional things you need to follow:

• After about a month of the insertion, you will have to visit the physician for a thorough check-up.
• Doctors will re-examine you to confirm that the device is at its position and not moving unnecessarily.
• They will also check for infection and look into the side effects if you face any.
• Finally, they will help you get a better experience by controlling these problems.

If you wish to remove the IUD or if it expires after ten years, you will have to undergo the removal procedure. For this, you need to do the following:

Step 1: Visit a hospital or a clinic with a professional healthcare provider.

Step 2: Doctors will use forceps to grab the device's strings and gently pull it out of your vagina.

Step 3: During this time, the arms of the device will fold upwards as it comes out of the uterus.

There is no specific time frame for getting a copper IUD. It is suitable for premenopausal women. Adults are most likely to use it, as it is a long-term form of birth control, which can be utilised for up to 10 years. Therefore, women who already have kids can get this IUD to ensure a safe and convenient method of birth control free of other hassles.

While listing the facts to know about copper IUDs, it is always essential to consider the risks and side effects associated with a copper IUD. This will help you to take essential steps against these. Here are some complications you might experience from these contraceptive methods:

• Irregular Period Cycle: Women often experience irregular periods with heavy bleeding during the first year of inserting copper IUD. According to an article from 2016, 4%-15% of women end up removing their IUD within the first year of its insertion. Such a condition causes extreme blood loss and anaemic conditions.
• Extreme Pain and Cramps: Another issue is related to the growing cramps and pain because of period issues. A survey from 2007 revealed that nearly 38% of copper IUD users experience more pain and cramps after its insertion than their original conditions.
• Perforation: This rare condition causes a puncture in the uterine wall. If this happens, you will experience symptoms like fever, nausea, excessive bleeding, vomiting and lower abdomen pain. Do not waste any time visiting a physician if you experience such issues after the insertion.
• Expulsion: This condition occurs when the IUD does not remain in its place and falls out of the uterus. You will experience heavy bleeding and severe cramps if it is a partial fall. You will have to undergo a second procedure to remove this device completely and insert a new one.
• Infection: It is another rare side effect of copper IUDs. In some cases, it might reach the uterus or pelvis, causing scar tissue. These tissues can develop fertility tissues, reducing the purpose of an IUD. The symptoms include vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, pain while urinating or being intimate with a partner, and fever.
• Ectopic Pregnancy: If you insert a copper IUD during pregnancy, it can cause ectopic pregnancy. In this case, the fertilised egg fails to survive within the uterus and starts to grow outside it. It can ultimately cause damage to the nearby organs and cause significant blood loss.
• Possibilities of Infertility: There have been some rare cases of infertility because of copper IUDs. A recent National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) survey looked into this possibility. They found that those women who used IUDs more than twice (2.6 times) were at risk of infertility.

The cost of a copper IUD usually differs across different countries. Moreover, it is much less expensive for people who have health insurance. In countries like the US, it costs about $1,300 to get the entire procedure done.

On the other hand, in India, the price is much lower, ranging between ₹ 300 and ₹ 500 in private setups. In addition, the Indian government offers free-of-cost surgeries with IUDs for families who are planning birth control.

One thing you must know about copper IUDs is that it is only for some. Therefore, it is essential to know about the restrictions if you plan to get this insertion. As per the opinions of clinical researchers, you should avoid getting a copper IUD if you suffer from the following conditions.

• Abnormalities of the uterus, such as fibroids
• STI or pelvic infection
• Copper allergy or intolerance to copper metabolism
• Wilson’s disease
• Blood clotting disorder
• History of breast cancer

Thus, you should avoid getting a copper IUD insertion if you suffer from such conditions. This insertion can further worsen your condition, developing side effects.

Hopefully, these top ten facts about copper IUDs will help you better understand such a form of contraception and its insertion. As this article pointed out, this insertion is a beneficial form of contraception. However, it might have some risks and side effects. So make sure to know all about these and get a complete check-up before attempting the procedure.