ParaGard IUD Facts
You must be wondering what a ParaGard IUD contraceptive is and why is it better than the others available in the market? Well you don’t have to go any further to find those answers as this article will discuss all these points and much more that you need to know before you go for it.
The ParaGard Intrauterine Device Copper is a small contraceptive device in the shape of a ‘T’. it is about 1-3/8 inches long and 1-1/4 inches wide and is usually made of flexible plastic and covered in copper. You should always take the help of a healthcare professional for inserting the ParaGard IUD contraceptive. A tiny amount of copper is released by the ParaGard IUD contraceptive continuously over a 10-year period which acts as a spermicide and thus helps to prevent pregnancy. This copper released by the ParaGard IUD contraceptive is lesser than the amount contained in the average daily diet and hence does not increase the overall level of copper already present in the body.
Now you would want to know how this ingenious device works. Well its very easy! The ParaGard IUD contraceptive interferes with the movement of the sperm towards the egg and thus prevents the sperm from joining with an egg. Some people also believe that it causes some changes in the lining of the uterus which ultimately reduces the likelihood of implantation.
ParaGard IUD contraceptive offers many advantages which makes it more desirable compared to other contraceptive devices. One of the major advantages is that it can provide continuous pregnancy prevention for approximately 10 years and can also be removed during these 10 years. It can be used during breast-feeding and does not affect or alter a woman’s hormone levels. Another great advantage is that it is the most inexpensive, long-term and reversible available method of contraception. It is a birth control method which is extremely private and discreet and thus is extremely convenient and hassle-free. Also once it is removed, the woman’s ability to become pregnant returns immediately. An added advantage of ParaGard IUD contraceptive is that it can be used as an emergency contraception. It can be inserted even after 5 days of unprotected intercourse and still can lower the risk of pregnancy by 99.9% .
ParaGard IUD contraceptive also has many disadvantages. One of the major disadvantages is that it offers no protection what so ever against sexually transmitted diseases. Usually most woman do not face any problems while adjusting to having an IUD, but there have been cases where women have experienced heavy bleeding and cramping during the first few weeks after insertion. However, this situation can be avoided by using prescribed medications which lessen cramps and bleeding during menstruation. Also it is very usual during the first few months of IUD use for some spotting to occur between periods. Some women ever have heavier and longer periods while using the ParaGard IUD contraceptive. After an IUD is inserted, some women experience cramping or backache for several days or weeks.
ParaGard IUD contraceptive does not normally lead to any serious complications though it is extremely important to report any problem to the doctor as soon as possible so as to avoid further complications. Some of the various serious problems associated with ParaGard IUD contraceptive are perforation, infection and expulsion.
Perforation is when an IUD is pushed through the uterus wall during insertion. Normally it is discovered and corrected immediately, though if not it can move to other parts of the pelvic area and lead to some damage to internal organs. Infection occurs in the form of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This infection is caused when bacteria gets into the uterus during insertion. It normally happens if you or your partner enters into intercourse with multiple partners. Expulsion is a term used to describe a situation wherein the ParaGard partially or completely slips out of the uterus making the woman vulnerable to pregnancy.
There are some limitations when using ParaGard IUD contraceptive. It is not recommended for women who have or may have sexually transmitted infection, have had pelvic inflammatory disease, are pregnant or are already using an IUD. Also women who might have had cancer of the cervix or uterus or have unexplained bleeding from the uterus are advised not to use this contraceptive method. To know more about the various conditions please consult your doctor.
Thus it can be widely agreed that ParaGard IUD contraceptive is one of the most effective reversible methods of birth control. It has an effectiveness percentage of 99.2-99.4% i.e. out of every 100 women using this method les than one will become pregnant. This statistic makes ParaGard IUD contraceptive an extremely desirable method to maintain a healthy and peaceful life.