Copper-T IUD: Meaning, Cost, Side Effects and how it is inserted?

Getting pregnant and having a baby can be the most life changing experience for a woman. However, it does not mean that you have to get pregnant at a time when you are not ready for it.

Women around the world can tell you millions of reasons why they want to wait on before giving birth to a child. However, not every woman is aware of her options when it comes to preventing pregnancy. IUDs have been around for quite a few decades now and they are among the most effective methods for preventing pregnancy in women. This guide will help you know everything that needs to be known about IUDs, their uses, their effectiveness, their side effects, their benefits, etc.

What Is an IUD?

IUD is an abbreviation of Intrauterine Device. It should be clear from the name that it is a device that has to be inserted into your uterus. The purpose of the device is the prevention of pregnancy. The main reason why a woman gets this device inserted is that it can rid her of the worry of getting pregnant for a long time. Other methods are not as effective and long-lasting as an IUD. At the same time, you don’t have to do anything as a woman to use this device. It is the job of your doctor or nurse to insert the device in your uterus and make sure that its fitting is perfect. IUD effectiveness is one of the reasons this particular device is increasing in popularity among women for pregnancy prevention.

Another term that you will often hear when researching IUD is Copper T. This particular term has been given to the IUDs that contain copper. Some detailed information about the types of IUDs is coming later in the guide.

How Does an IUD Work?

This is one of the most common questions that come from women who are considering IUDs as an option. The working of an IUD depends greatly on which particular type you pick. The main idea behind IUD insertion is to prevent the sperms from travelling to and meeting the eggs. When the device is inserted into your vaginal region, the main function of it is to thicken the mucous here. Once the mucous becomes thick, it is impossible for the sperms to travel through your cervix and meet the eggs. In other terms, you can say that the mucous around the cervix region becomes a trap for the sperm rather than a gateway.

Another way the device can work is by acting as a fence on your ovaries. When this happens, the eggs that slip out of your ovaries to meet the sperms cannot do so. Of course, for pregnancy to occur, eggs and sperms have to meet. When this process does not take place, a woman does not and cannot get pregnant. Now, there are different types of IUDs. In the case of copper IUD, it is the copper that guards the area between the cervix and your ovaries. When sperms detect the presence of copper, they don’t go there.

How an IUD Is Inserted?

The first thing the doctor will make sure is that you are not pregnant at the time of insertion. The time of insertion of the IUD is when you are going through your menstrual cycle. A small checkup to see your womb’s position will be performed by the doctor before insertion. Your doctor will also ensure that you are not having any STIs at the time of insertion. At the insertion time, the doctor/nurse will position you like you are positioned during a cervical test. The use of anesthesia depends on your preferences and condition. The insertion process should not be more than five minutes.

What Are the Different Types of IUDs?

You can divide IUDs based on the brands that make them and also on the basis of their construction and working. In this section, you will read about the two different IUD types based on their constructions and how they work.

1. Copper IUD

This deviceis made of copper and plastic. The main chemical that it uses to prevent pregnancy is copper. Once this device has been inserted, the IUD copper is released in the cervix. To describe the process in simple words, you can say that copper and sperms are not friendly. As soon as sperms detect copper, they stop moving in that direction. As a result, they are not able to meet the eggs and fertilize them. Copper IUDs are sometimes referred to as non-hormonal IUDs as well.

2. Hormonal IUDs

So, when you go for a copper IUD, the main chemical that works in your womb is copper. On the other hand, this particular type of IUDs uses hormones. As stated in the section “how does an IUD work”, the function of hormones inside the vagina is to thicken the mucous around cervix. You can also call these types of IUDs the non-copper IUDs.

Most Well-known IUD Brands

When you research on the internet, you will find out that many online guides and experts have divided IUDs not on the basis of copper and non-copper approach, but on the basis of the brands. That’s because there are only five different brands whose IUDs have been approved by FDA. When you are looking for an IUD insertion treatment, you have to make sure that the doctor or nurse is inserting an IUD from one of the following brands. The five brands whose IUDs have been approved include: Skyla, Liletta, Kyleena, Mirena, and ParaGard.

Let’s know about these different IUD brands one by one.

1. Skyla IUD

The first thing you have to know about this IUD is that it is the one with the shortest life. You are to wear this IUD for a maximum of three years. The active hormone that this particular IUD uses to prevent pregnancy is called Levonorgestrel. There is a small dose of only 13.5mg in this IUD, which also makes it one of the weakest from the bunch. The first effect you will notice after the insertion of this IUD is the lightness in your periods. You will also experience shortness of periods. In rare cases, the women will stop having any periods at all.

2. Kyleena IUD

The dose inside this IUD is stronger than what you get with Skyla. The 19.5mg of Levonorgestrel is enough to last you five years after the insertion. Once again, Kyleeena is one of the IUDs that have very weak dosage of the hormone. However, you don’t have to worry about its efficacy because it is just as good as the ones with heavy dosage. The effects you will experience after the insertion of this IUD will be similar to the effects of Skyla IUD.

3. Mirena IUD

If you are looking for a hormonal IUD option and want something with heavy dosage, the first thing you should search is IUD Mirena. Once again, the hormone that works in this IUD is the same i.e. Levonorgestrel. There is a huge dosage of 52mg of this hormone in this IUD and but the effects of the hormone will not be different. You should experience short and light periods after the insertion of Mirena IUD. While the most popular duration of this IUD is five years, many sources confirm that it can last for seven years as well.

4. Liletta IUD

Liletta IUD is quite identical to Mirena IUD when you consider the dosage and the type of the hormone in it. just like Mirena, Liletta will last you for five years as well. The effects on your periods will also be similar to those you experience with other plastic IUD options.

5. ParaGard IUD

When looking for IUD birth control options, this is the IUD that you will hear the most about. When looking at FDA approved IUDs, this is the only one made from copper. At the same time, it uses copper to prevent sperms from fertilizing the eggs. Most of the IUD reviews are positive about this particular device. One of the main reasons most women love this IUD is because of its long life. Once inserted, they can forget about IUD insertion for ten years straight. Some sources claim it can last for 12 years too.

Advantages of Using IUDs

Here are some of the major advantages of using IUDs.

• It works like a set it and forget it method where you can say goodbye to any birth prevention process for up to 10 years.
• IUDs start performing their function instantly after insertion.
• The medicines you take don’t affect the working of your IUD.
• You can have normal sex after insertion.
• It suits most of the women.
• You don’t experience conditions like breast soreness, acne, etc. after insertion.
• IUDs are successful 99% of the times in preventing pregnancy.

Disadvantages of Using IUDs

• Only a professional doctor or nurse can insert it. You cannot perform this procedure yourself.
• Some light dosage hormonal IUDs can cause irregularities in your periods.
• Cramping during periods can worsen for some time after insertion.
• You may experience heavy periods after the insertion of copper IUD.

Are There Any Side Effects of IUDs?

IUD side effects are very rare, and not very serious on most occasions.

• In rare cases, you might experience some spotting during your periods.
• Some women can experience giddiness after the insertion of IUD.
• Some women might experience vomiting and nausea.
• Irregularities are possible when using low dosage hormonal IUDs.
• Complete absence of periods can take place in rare cases.
• When inserted non-professionally, IUD can perforate the womb.

Copper IUD side effects are quite similar to those of hormonal IUD side effects too. While the side effects are rare, they will usually be in the form of intense cramping, spotting during periods, irregularities in periods, etc.

How Much Does an IUD Cost?

If you have the right insurance plan, you can get an IUD for no price at all. Your IUD cost also depends on where you get it from. Some contraception clinics can give you the IUD for free. Even with the insurance plans that don’t cover the cost fully e.g. Medicaid, the costs can be extremely cheap. Another important thing you have to know is the value of an IUD insertion. At first, IUD insertion might seem like more expensive than other pregnancy control options. However, when you consider the expenses in the long run, you will save a lot of money.

Things to Know before an IUD Insertion

Here are a few things you should know before an IUD insertion.

• Know what IUDs are and what they do.
• Know the difference between hormonal and copper T IUDs.
• Get a complete vaginal screening to know the presence of any STIs.
• Only refer to a professional doctor/nurse for insertion.
• Opt for anesthesia if the procedure is making you nervous.
• Get a checkup within 20 days after insertion to know that IUD is in place.
• Hormonal IUDs can have more side effects than copper IUDs.

Bottom Line

If you are a woman looking for a safe way to control birth, you won’t find many options safer than IUD insertion. You must also consider the efficacy of this procedure which guarantees 99% success in preventing pregnancy. The fact that you can get an IUD and forget about prevention for a decade is more satisfying than using other contraception options. Last but not least, if you ever have a change of plans, you can get the IUD removed to get pregnant.