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What’s The Difference Between Copper & Hormonal IUDs? Here’s What To Know Before You Choose One

You might be wondering why copper IUDs aren’t more popular. After all, they’re hormone-free, last a decade, and are super effective at preventing pregnancy! Well, unfortunately, they can come with pretty serious side effects. Many people using the copper IUD report significantly heavier cramping and bleeding during their periods.

Since pretty much no one is looking for a longer and more painful period, most health care providers will recommend a hormonal IUD before the copper one. But, as always, it’s your choice. If you really want the hormone-free one and your health care provider is trying to pressure you to get something else, don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself.

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 Copper IUDs: The Problems With Paragard

Copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) are often promoted as a safer, non-hormonal approach to birth control, but how safe are they? The so-called “non-hormonal copper IUD” is actually an endocrine-disrupting plastic device wrapped with a coil of copper that does in fact influence hormones, despite not releasing any hormones itself. The coil around the IUD emits copper ions that create an inflammatory response in the lining of the uterus and inhibit the binding sites of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. Implanting a foreign plastic object into a woman’s reproductive organ to intentionally cause inflammation and block hormones in order to impair fertility is not an ideal approach to birth control.

 Here’s What It’s Like To Get A Copper IUD

This is my review of the copper IUD, including pros, cons (there aren’t many), side effects, and how it can be used for emergency contraception.

 What it’s like to have a copper IUD

Every body is different, and people have a huge variety of experiences with the copper IUD. We reached out for personal stories, and here’s what you had to say. There are many different brands of copper IUD worldwide, and many of these stories mention the specific brand. Some brands may only be available in certain countries, and may vary slightly in size and how many years they are approved for use.

Articles of Interest

Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD)

Howard Tatum and Jamie Zipper developed the first copper-bearing IUD in 1967. Tatum and Zipper were both affiliated with the Population Council, an organization that provided grants and funding for research on developing safe and effective birth control.

Left to Our Own Devices: The Paragard

Like other LARC methods, it is a “get it and forget it” method, taking careful compliance out of the equation. Some people who use the Paragard experience heavier periods, especially in the first 3-6 months after it being placed.

My Body Reacted Differently to the Copper vs. the Hormonal IUD, So I Asked 2 Doctors Why

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.

Paragard Lawsuit Update November 2023

The Paragard IUD can prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years. And the device is marketed as being easy to remove since the doctor simply has to pull a removal cord. However, some women allege that plastic arms at the base of the device do not flex upward as they are supposed to when the Paragard IUD is removed. Instead, the arms become rigid and break during the removal process. This can result in sharp plastic pieces becoming stuck inside the uterus. Some women required surgical removal of these plastic shards while others experienced ongoing or permanent complications. Women who have been affected by problems with removal of the Paragard IUD have filed claims against the manufacturer, Teva Pharmaceuticals, as well as against CooperSurgical, which purchased the IUD device from Teva Pharmaceuticals in 2017.

Pros and Cons: My Experience Getting The ParaGard Copper IUD

The main reason I decided to go with a copper IUD is because it is 100% hormone-free and I still wanted to have my period (crazy, I know). I like the reassurance.

Side effects from the copper IUD: do they decrease over time?

Side effects from the copper IUD can be troubling for both user and clinician. Some problems improve over time while others do not. This information may be helpful to counsel women who are considering an IUD and to current users who are contemplating removal due to side effects.

The Pros and Cons of the Copper IUD (ParaGard)

The copper IUD or coil (ParaGard) is a non-hormonal method of birth control. Its main advantage over hormonal methods is that it contains no contraceptive drugs and permits natural ovulatory cycles.

This Is How Your Copper IUD Actually Works

Copper IUDs, on the other hand, don't really mess with your hormones directly. Instead, the copper wire that wraps around them releases copper ions into the surrounding fluids of your uterus. The IUD also causes your body to increase the amount of white blood cells and prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds) in these uterine fluids. When the powers of those white blood cells, prostaglandins, and copper ions combine, the mucus cocktail acts as a spermicide. It's literally toxic to sperm, and keeps them from getting to the egg, which prevents fertilization.

What to expect after insertion of Paragard IUD

Don’t worry! Spotting and cramping during the first few weeks or even months after Paragard (a non-hormonal intrauterine device or IUD) insertion is completely normal.

What to Know About the Paragard Copper IUD Before You Commit

Your uterus can’t soak up these facts, but your brain can.

Which IUD Should You Get?

he Old Faithful of IUDs, ParaGard is a non-hormonal option where copper acts as the sperm deterrent. It’s approved for ten years, but studies say it’s actually effective for 12. Some women love the idea of birth control without hormones, but if you have naturally heavy periods or if your doctor says you have endometriosis, getting a copper IUD might make an already bad situation worse.

Resources

Find My Method

Copper IUD, Non Hormonal IUD is a small plastic and copper non-hormonal device that’s put into your uterus. Check benefits, side-effects and many other information related.

Paragard

Best for: Women who want to avoid hormones. Skip if: You have heavy periods. The Old Faithful of IUDs, ParaGard is a non-hormonal option where copper acts as the sperm deterrent. It’s approved for ten years, but studies say it’s actually effective for 12. Some women love the idea of birth control without hormones, but if you have naturally heavy periods or if your doctor says you have endometriosis, getting a copper IUD might make an already bad situation worse - Susan Rinkunas, The Cut

MedTruth

Paragard is a non-hormonal intrauterine device that can provide long-term birth control for premenopausal people of all ages. An estimated 10.4% of women aged 15 to 44 who use contraception used an IUD or contraceptive implant between 2017 and 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with younger women in particular increasingly favoring the devices. Yet, recent lawsuits allege the Paragard device causes adverse effects, including breaking during removal and becoming embedded in pelvic organs, like the uterus.