Birth Control
I read the posts about the copper IUD, which I had never heard before up until now. I'm more than just concerned about hormones and animal sourced products... I'm also concerned about toxic substances in my body, and I consider both plastic and copper toxic substances that should not be in prolonged contact with my body. At least... shouldn't be inside me. I know I'm surrounded by a lot of plastic but I'd rather not have it, or copper, inside me.
But all the things everyone says about it sounds great. Granted, I don't need birth control right now, but I'd like to find out what I should do when I will need it. I'd like to just follow my cycle, but I know thats not very certain. For this reason I wasn't planning on having sex until I could afford to have a child if it did occur... but I'm not sure if I want to follow that plan now since it could put a damper on any relationship I have in the future.
So, how does the copper IUD work exactly? Has anyone done any research into the effects (short term and long term) of copper and plastic inserted into the body? I'm honestly more concerned about the copper.
I don't really like to take any drugs, no surgery, nothing unnatural to my body at all if I can at all avoid it. There was even a time when I didn't use body washes and the like and just rinsed with water (but it was when I was on a raw diet, which made that completely possible). I've done the pill before and I will never, EVER go back it it. It ruined me and my relationship was hell at the time. So I guess I'm looking for more info on the IUD and any other methods of b.c. besides obvious things like condoms, spermicides and the pill.
Thanks!
the only thing i've ever heard about it is that people can have serious allergic reactions to it *shrug*
as far as I know it acts as an irritant, and prevents fertilised eggs from implanting in the uterine lining. if you're against any kind of chemical intervention, definitely don't go for a plastic one, those release a hormone that is added to the plastic, because they aren't as effective as copper. I have trouble taking the pill, but my doctor was hesitant to switch me to an IUD (they're supposed to be risky if you haven't had a child), and right now I'm still taking the pill. if you don't need protection now, why don't you just buy some natural lube and spermicide-free condoms? much simpler, no long term consequences. hope this helps
Thanks for the info. :)
I had decided to try Mirena (the plastic) IUD almost a month ago..it was 5 hours of HELL. The insertion was fairly uncomfortable, and I almost fainted afterwards (which apparently is pretty common). I felt like I had cramps that just wouldn't subside. They said they'd go away within 24 hours and they weren't that bad. I thought this was going to be great, no worries about taking the pill anymore. Within an hour I felt myself starting to "change", become very very irritable and moody. We went out to dinner anyway.
By the time we got home, I was so irritable and so emotionally unstable (and I'm normally not a cry-y, over the top emotional person) I grabbed my laptop and looked up "side effects of mirena" the first few pages are all the medically approved ones which have the side effects I knew about. Finally after digging found several other sites about some really really horrible things that were happening to women who had mirena inserted...do a search, your jaw will drop... I was so rediculously emotionally unstable at that point, I googled self removal of mirena...and did just that. Within an hour, I was back to my normal self.
The mirena IUD DOES have hormones in it...if you are having problems w/ the pill, Mirena is NOT for you. It's the same hormones...supposedly in a low steady dose which isn't supposed to cause the same problems as BCPs..but the word on the websites are that they are the same, if not worse...all I know is that I had never ever felt like that in my life..it was absolutely horrible. I was on an unbelievable hormonal rollercoaster.
The copper one from what i understand does not..the drawback of the cooper one I heard was that it causes super heavy periods.
Check out VCF (vaginal contraceptive film) it's less messy than foams, and quite discrete. Of course it doesn't protect against STDs..only pregnancy. Also not sure if it's vegan.
Hey - a coincidence - I just had a copper IUD (paragard) inserted today.
There are two types of IUDs: Mirena and Paragard. Mirena releases low levels of hormones (I believe it's a progestin, much like depo provera), but at lower levels than the pill or shot. Paragard has some copper (elemental form), and apparently this is because copper *may* have spermicidal effects. Most women do not get a period with Mirena, and women tend to get heavier periods with Paragard. Therefore, it's not recommended to get Paragard if you have low levels of iron. Paragard lasts 12 years, Mirena lasts 5.
The contraceptive effects of the IUD in general come from the plastic T. Its presence in the uterus prevents the egg from attaching to the endometrium. I don't think much is known about *how* this works, but it's the most effective birth control there is. It is also supposed to be the safest, since hormonal methods can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, or breast cancer.
To have an IUD, you're supposed to be in a commited, monogamous relationship. This is because the IUD can make pelvic inflammation worse if you're infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea. They used to prefer that you be married or already have kids, but this is no longer the case. The nurse doing the insertion-thing also told me that apparently it's looking like the IUD doesn't actually worsen the inflammation (not sure if there's research out there, or just personal experience or what).
The procedure for insertion can be... uncomfortable. It feels like a combination of a pap smear and bad menstrual cramps. They told me to take 600mg of ibuprofen before hand to reduce the cramps... I felt them anyway, and I can only slightly feel it now (4 hrs later).
The allergy issue has to do with a case from back in the day, when a woman who was allergic to copper became sick after her IUD insertion. Since this was "back in the day," her doctor (general practitioner, not the gynecologist) didn't ask her about birth control, and they didn't figure out it was a copper allergy after a lot of pain... and this isn't a very common allergy. I'm sure you can get tested for this if it concerns you.
The elemental copper in the Paragard shouldn't diffuse into your system (it's solid and elemental, not the same form that would be floating around in your bloodstream), and plus, copper's actually a trace nutrient.
My mom has had an IUD for a looonnggg time. She has the 10 year copper one, and she's never had any problems with it. However, she's told me that an IUD isn't recommended for people who might have kids later on in life, I guess it can cause infertility. She's never had any health problems at all....
it doesn't cause infertility; in fact, unlike many forms of birth control, a woman can get pregnant right after the IUD is removed. The reason that it is recommended to women who don't plan to have children or any more children is because it lasts so long (12 years for the copper), and I guess insurance companies don't want to have to pay for it (if they even cover birth control) if it's going to be used short term, relative to the time it lasts.
I've now had both the mirena and the paragard 'copper t' I love the paragard :)>>>!!! I had it for four successful years, then my partner at the time didn't listen to me when I told him 'too much'!! And it popped out.... This is VERY RARE, practitioners I've talked to at various clinics have never heard of this happening before (it generally pops out within the first year, if it is going to pop out at all), and it didn't stop me from getting another one inserted asap. I have what is known as a 'tipped' uterus, which means it isn't placed where it normally is.... The first time I got an IUD was difficult due to the tipped uterus, and after three unsuccessful attempts to insert it, it was determined I should come back when a more experienced practitioner was available. When I returned, the whole process was about 12 minutes long; the actual insertion took less than 2 minutes.
It can feel strange, they tend to "stretch" you wider than the normal check ups require, and they do use local anesthetic to numb the cervix. I've had both the topical and the injection and the combo (ie they put the topical onto the small area of where the injection will be). Apart from the odd pinching sensation "down there" after it wore off (think novocaine, after visiting the dentist), I have to say I prefer the combo method, as long as you aren't afraid to tell them they need to wait a minute or so longer for it to set in. What I've done to "survive" the insertion is to not trust what they recommend as the proper dose of ibuprofen, and take 800mgs (4 advil) a half hour, along with extra calcium, before I leave for the clinic. Then follow it up 4-6 hours after I took it with 600mgs (3 advil) (NOT 4-6 hours after insertion), and have a heating pad, chocolate, bubble bath, and ice cream on hand just in case. I've been told by pharmacists and doctors that, barring stomach problems, you can safely take up to 1000-1200mgs (5-6 advils) on occasion, just don't make a habit of it. Also, just to be on the safe side, try and do it on a 'friday' so that you have two days or so to just relax and let your body become acquainted with the new addition. I had unusually light periods before the copper t, so with it I had "normal" to "very heavy" flow. I found I didn't get cramps AT ALL as long as I doubled up on my calcium. ;)b
The main reason I've been told that both IUDs are recommended primarily for women who've had children already is due to the uterus needing to be a certain size....often times, if you haven't been pregnant, then you're uterus can be too small. I've actually found the measuring (they call it 'sounding') of the uterus to be more uncomfortable than the insertion.
I'm on my third IUD, I've had two coppers and now have the hormonal one... I'm in my 5'th month now with the mirena, and the hormonal transition is starting to level off it seems. I'd have never switched from the copper to the mirena, if it weren't for my cycles getting outta whack to the degree of it severely impacting my life....I talked my options over with various practitioners (midwife, acupuncturist, obgyn, and nurse practioner), and hormones were the only sure fire way of reigning them in, and given my history, mirena was determined the safest choice. To give you an idea about how much I like the paragard: I'd have actually preferred to keep the copper t in, and just take a pill on top of it! ::)
I didn't mean for it to bee so long!!! sorry ::)
Thanks! I'm glad it was so long cause that means more information :D
A few people mention taking a lot of advil... personally I don't take drugs of any kind, nor do I take supplements. Its just my personal philosophy. Because of this same philosophy, I also probably wouldn't get the copper IUD... even though it sounds tempting. I just wish there was a simple to use natural method but I guess family planning/only having sex on certain days is the only way... which of course is extraordinarily risky.
Maybe I'll suck up my health philosophy and just do the copper IUD. I don't want kids now and I can't foresee wanting them for at least 8 more years... if at all. I'd actually probably rather adopt. But I'm still nervous about it... about possibly messing up my body, no matter how safe everyone says it is. I'm VERY skeptical of modern medicine.
Thanks everyone for all your input. The copper IUD really does sound great, I might consider it.
If you do not want anything in your body permanently why not look into a Diaphragm? That would work for a steady and safe relationship and condoms could be for 'new' or untested ones.
i've read a lot about birth control lately after stopping hormonal bc for good. i am so tired of it and the problems it caused. After reading about several different kinds of bc, i settled for FAM, its a natural form of birth control, it takes a lot of work, but it's painless, (almost) free and 100% natural. what you do is keep track of your temperature, cervical mucous and if you're really serious about it, you can keep track of your cervix. these three things will be able to tell you when you ovulated. eggs last for 2 days and sperm last for 5. on this method, there is just about 1/3 of the month where one should not have sex, but the rest of the time, there is no chance of getting prego. Its just really important to keep on top of things, taking your temp every day and checking your cervical mucous every day.
There is a really good book about it called taking charge of your fertility, i bet you could find it in your library or buy it used online. you can also use www.fertilityfriend.com to keep track of your temps and other readings. fertility friend also has a tutorial that it sends you a little at a time for 20 days. most of it is whats covered in tcoyf, but in a smaller detail.
all you need to buy for it is a digital basal thermometer, mine cost about 6$ and getting the book is a good idea. i also really like this because you know whats going on in your body, you get to know when you'll get your period, youll know why you feel certain ways during the month, you know when a certain disharge is normal or not normal, its really cool to understand whats going on.
anyways! good luck with all of that!
I had a copper IUD for several years. Insertion is uncomfortable but not agonizing -- I was in pain for about 2 days afterwards. It works great, you never have to think about your birth control, and I am a fan, except for these "cons":
1. You have to be very careful about deep penetration sex, and avoid things that might displace it: very firm toys, etc. Having those thoughts in your head can really cool down sex!
2. You cannot heat the copper thing because it can damage you, so you must steer clear of heat packs etc. to relieve cramping or lower back pain.
3. You have to check on it every month or so to make sure it hasn't moved.
4. It can slip and perforate your organs... generally only with good reason, but still, a sobering thought.
5. While the Mirena has hormones that lighten your periods, the copper-T can actually make them more frequent and severe. I bled for 10 months with only 16 days without bleeding after I had mine put in place. Most days were just heavy spotting, but when I had a period I feared for my health -- very, very heavy flow. Also, although I used my Diva with it every day for those 10 months, I just read on a package of "Instead" softcups that you aren't to use them with an IUD... while they are very different in structure from the Diva, you still may want to discuss your usual method of catching menstrual blood with your doctor to see if they think the two are compatible.
6. You can get severe uterine infections if you have an IUD and not know it, which can damage your uterus, cervix, and reproductive chances later.
Talk to your doctor about the risks and ask for pamphlets or other literature -- and read up! Don't make the choice casually.
With 6 kids, I have to be the BC poster child! Yes, I am a Catholic, but if I hadn't used BC I'd have 12, not 6.
I never had an IUD, but at the time I was wanting one they were not on the market.
Condoms and foam, used EVERY SINGLE TIME is THE MOST effective BC there is, period. It is better than 99% effective. I have used it and I didn't get PG on that. It should be noted, either alone is not very effective.
I have used a diaphragm. The gel you put in them is gooey, messy and runs out of you for at least a day after you use it. ICK. They make a cream that doesn't do that, but I was sensitive to the cream. I got PG once using this method.
BCPs...I can't tolerate them. I have tried all kinds and I have breakthrough bleeding, bloating, diarrhea alternating with constipation, mood swings, headaches, weight gain, vomiting like morning sickness 24/7. I got PG once on them too.
The "mini" pill or progesterone only pill. This makes me nastier than a cat in heat and I'll scratch your eyes out. For this reason, I never tried Depo-Provera.
NFP or Natural Family Planning. I stayed un preggers for the longest time using this method. When I did get PG, it was an odd ovulation at on day 19 of my cycle and I got PG with twins, eventually losing one of them and carrying the other to term. It is great, IF your cycles are regular and you are in a situation where you can tolerate the idea of God's part in your life, if you know what I mean. I was and getting PG was fine with me. Abstainence sp? may not be workable for some couples and I can promise you, for it to work you don't have an sex half the time.
My mom had an IUD decades ago. It was Lippe's loop. It kept falling out and causing heavy bleeding. She didn't have the infamous Dalcon shield. It is the Dalcon shield that gave IUDs a bad name. In the time when it was on the market, one could practically bend a paperclip and market it as an IUD. It caused infertility by imbedding into the uterine wall and causing infection and scarring. It has been off the market for close to 30 yrs now.
My daughter-in-law has an IUD and I think she also had PCOS. She is irregular, always has been and when she is a day late, she is convinced her IUD has failed! (Okay, she is a very immature girl.) She has never had a pregnancy and they are not monogamous (and still married, and I can't understand, but I am only his mom). THIS is the sort of woman they are thinking of when they don't want an IUD involved for health reasons.
The bottom line is that if you feel you need birth control, you probably do. Your body is YOUR body and from this side it is hard to tell whether an IUD is going to be a good choice for you or not. Barrier methods and the pill are the only other choices and they both require a high level of commitment to polluting your body with strict regularity. I am with you and that doesn't seem consistent with our values as environmentalist, vegan, humanist, health conscious people. Like others have said, research and research. We are all individuals and what is right for some of us may or may not be right for you, and be prepared to make another choice if the first one is not going to work for you.
The bottom line is that if you feel you need birth control, you probably do. Your body is YOUR body and from this side it is hard to tell whether an IUD is going to be a good choice for you or not. Barrier methods and the pill are the only other choices and they both require a high level of commitment to polluting your body with strict regularity. I am with you and that doesn't seem consistent with our values as environmentalist, vegan, humanist, health conscious people. Like others have said, research and research. We are all individuals and what is right for some of us may or may not be right for you, and be prepared to make another choice if the first one is not going to work for you.
so well put LD!
I second everything that hiimkelsi said about the FAM method. I've been using it for about a year and a half now and love it! I was on BC pills for several years, and although I never really had any adverse effects, I wanted a more natural method. If you're thinking about this method definitely read Taking Charge of Your Fertility to make sure you know all the facts about how to follow the method appropriately. As long as you stick to the "rules" and are diligent about your tracking it really is an effective method, despite popular opinion. I think a lot of people get the old Rhythm method confused with FAM, but they are totally different. Rhythm was based on the AVERAGE woman's cycle and the suppossed ovulation on the 15thish day of the cycle and avoiding sex at that time. Problem with that is that not every woman's cycle is average, and your cycle will vary from month to month from your own average depending on circumstances in your life (stress, etc.) But FAM teaches you to evaluate your body's own natural signals to let you know when you are approaching ovulation and when it has actually happened.
I'll also add that it's really not time consuming. Once you learn and get the hang of it, it takes about 3 minutes a day to jot down the charting details.
It's absolutely amazing how much your body is like clockwork. Not necessarily in regards to being regular every single month (like having exactly a 28 day cycle-mine definitely varies), but it's just incredible to watch everything happen like the book says. One of the best things is that you know for a fact the day you'll start your period. As soon as my temp drops again, there's no doubt-it's starting that day-not matter what the typical 28 day calender would tell you.