Why You Should Look Into Copper IUDs
Birth control can take on many shapes and forms, from condoms to IUDs. With each form of birth control comes a unique set of pros and cons. One ultimate con I have found in my birth control experience is hormones in birth control.
Basically any form of birth control that alters the hormones in your body has sent me on a despairing path of horrid side effects. Anything from headaches, weight gain, acne and depressive episodes. Hormonal birth control pills, while being the safest most surefire way to prevent pregnancy, just was not the right choice for me. But what other options could I have? Ones that would do the job of birth control, without all the side effects that made it unuited to me?
There are in fact several forms of non-hormonal birth control available, the most secure one being the copper IUD.
What exactly is a copper IUD? Well it’s basically exactly as it sounds! An IUD but instead of containing hormones, it is made from copper. But the best part about this one is that there are no hormones involved with how it works.
Copper itself acts as a natural spermicide, so it will help to repel sperm away from any possible egg. This way, no hormones are needed to change the way your body functions each month! You can typically find the copper IUD option at any Doctor’s office. Planned Parenthood offers it too.
They can last for up to ten years to prevent pregnancy but should you change your mind along the way all you have to do is to schedule an appointment to have it removed. The copper IUD can also act as a form of emergency contraception if inserted within a few days after having unprotected sex (note though that it is ALWAYS advisable to use some form of protection during sex.)
While the copper IUD may seem perfect it does come with its own set of side effects. They aren’t much different than a normal IUD though. Side effects include things such as cramping and spotting between periods, also the risk of your body having negative reactions to the copper at first. But these symptoms tend to disappear within a few months.
It should be noted that the copper IUD will only prevent pregnancy. It will not offer anything to help with hormonal acne or difficult periods. They also do not protect from sexually transmitted diseases. The only way to do this is condoms. But if you are someone like me where hormonal birth control does you more harm than good, then a copper IUD may just be your saving grace.