Emergency Contraception and Other Side of Copper IUD

Intrauterine devices or IUDs are a great innovation for family planning that enables women to have control over fertility and future. This blogpost focuses on the copper IUD, also called coil, as a suitable choice of emergency contraception which is interesting for women who opt for hormone-free alternatives for their bodies.

Non-hormonal option to emergency contraception

Emergency contraception is used to avoid pregnancy after you enjoy unsafe sex with your partner or if used birth control method had not worked when a condom breaks or you miss a dose of birth control pill. One of the popular forms of emergency contraception is “morning-after” pill, also hormonal form of emergency contraception. But many people do not know that copper IUD is a great non-hormonal form of emergency contraception.

How it works and how effective it is

Once you insert into the uterus, copper IUD works by stopping the egg from being fertilized or implanting. Here the copper acts in the form of a spermicide. The insertion can be done by almost 5 days or 120 hours after having unprotected sex and after getting inserted, it can offer protection between 5 to 10 years, based on the kind of copper IUD used. This non-hormonal emergency contraception can lessen the chances of pregnancy by 99% and the insertion should be done by a gynecologist.

The morning-after pill should be taken 72 hours after having unprotected sex and differently from copper IUD. But it should not be used as a regular form of contraception and won’t continue to protect against pregnancy.

You will find two kinds of hormonal emergency contraception: Levonelle and EllaOne. While Levonelle has levonorgestrel which is a synthetic version of natural hormone progesterone produced by the ovaries, EllaOne contains ulipristal acetate that prevents progesterone from working normally. Both options work by either stopping or postponing the release of an egg. Hormonal emergency contraception can lessen the risks of pregnancy by around 87%.

Based on the country, your access to emergency contraception differs such as a prescription may be needed at times while for other places, you may have to purchase it over the counter.

Possible side effects

Unlike with any external device inserted into the body, it is important to consider possible side effects. Each individual is unique and so are their body reactions.

One main side effect of copper IUD is excessive bleeding, increase in period pain and probable bleeding in between the periods. Due to this reason, the copper IUD is not suggested for the ones who suffer from conditions such as endometriosis or PCOS that come along with painful periods.

Though copper IUD may make your period worse, it should not in either way disrupt your daily life and overall well-being. It is advised that you consult with the doctor as this might not be the right solution for everyone.

Two biggest manufacturers of Copper IUD

Global medical device manufacturer CooperCompanies has made Paragard to be the only Copper IUD available in the US at present. Similarly, Mona Lisa N.V., a member of the EurimPharm group, makes Mona Lisa a popular brand particularly in Europe. 

Paragard

Paragard is the non-hormonal IUD option available in the US that has been into this market since 1998. This is a T-shaped device made of soft and flexible plastic wrapped in a thin layer of copper around the stem and arms. Paragard produces one model of IUD that usually lasts for 10 years and is made in the USA. People who are staying in the U.S and under the Affordable Care Act (FCA) find that most health plans should cover all methods of birth control without any cost-sharing. As per the website, most women who have insurance should get Paragard at no cost which means no co-pay and deductible or out-of-pocket costs.

Mona Lisa

This is among the most popular copper IUDs outside the U.S and particularly in Europe. Mona Lisa provides different models that may last between 5 and 10 years based on the amount of copper they have. All these models enable women to get more choices for non-hormonal birth control that will work for their body. Mona Lisa has been there in the market for than 30 years.

Two great alternatives for emergency contraception

The positive news is that there two options for emergency contraception. These are – hormonal & non-hormonal that offer long or short-term solutions. Since knowledge is power for women, it is extremely important to know about the options and take an informed decision that will fit the best for the body and lifestyle of each individual.

Thus, you need to choose an emergency contraception IUD coil fitting in London and prevent the chances f getting pregnant.