This week is Planned Parenthood is highlighting the fight for affordable birth control for everyone in response to the 900% increase in price that I mentioned on Monday.
As promised, I am going to discuss my favorite and previously used forms of birth control.
Today: All Hail the IUD!
The IUD comes in two forms, a non-hormonal and one that releases progestin into your body. Mirena is the current hormonal form in the US, and ParaGuard is the non hormonal, or copper IUD used. It is the single most used form of long term reversible birth control world wide. There are many great reasons to choose the IUD, and some myths surrounding it’s use.
Due to many health issues that I have and ongoing medical care for as yet to be officially diagnosed conditions my Primary Health Manager determined me to be an excellent candidate for non-hormonal birth control. ParaGuard uses no hormones, only a plastic “T” shaped device wrapped w/ a silver cored copper wire (w/ trace amounts of nickel).
The down side to the copper IUD is that rare metal allergies could occur, but the trace amounts usually present no problem. Also, in some people there is sometimes a 50-70% (or so) increase in menstrual flow, which I didn’t honestly notice, given my already horrendous eight days of crazy fun. It can also increase cramping, but I haven’t noticed this either. The copper IUD doesn’t change your hormone levels. This was of peak concern for me, since we were in the ruling out stage of my medical care when I got one.
I know less about Mirena, but as you can see from the PP website, it uses hormones to make the ovaries stop producing eggs. There is an added benefit of it lightening your period and reducing your cramps, if you don’t mind using hormonal birth control, and if you really find your period to be that horrible. (Since I haven’t really been ashamed of my period since I got over the ingrained ickiness of girly parts this was not a concern for me. I don’t judge the use of hormonal BC. For many people it is a great choice. By all means, use birth control, and choose the one that is best for you. I just really believe that girls are taught to be ashamed of something wonderful that happens naturally and are programmed to self hate b/c of it.)
There are a lot of myths surrounding the use of IUDs. Some believe that b/c they can alter the lining of your uterus that it prevents a fertilized egg from implanting, but there is no evidence to support this. While the IUD can be used as an emergency contraception method, it does not induce abortion as some would have you believe (paging nurse ass hole).
Other people will tell you that you can not use an IUD if you have never given a vaginal delivery. The truth is that there is a slightly elevated chance of the device sliding out. IUDs are small enough to fit in cervix that hasn’t yet been stretched, but as w/ any form of BC there is always a small chance of failure.
Some people will tell you that an IUD increases your risk of ectopic pregnancy. This is false, and I believe concocted by the staunchly Anti-Choice to scare people from wanting them. The truth is that the IUD prevents sperm from reaching the egg, and reduces the chance of fertilization. Like any method of BC (other than abstinence) there is a chance of failure. In the unlikely even that a pregnancy does occur there is a slightly elevated risk that it will be ectopic. The chance of an ectopic pregnancy is greater among an already low number of actual pregnancies. The rate of ectopic pregnancies among IUD users is lower than among women who use no BC at all.
Why do I love the IUD?
It is simple. There is nothing to put on or insert, and no pill to remember. It literally has “in the moment” written all over it. W/ the ParaGuard you can begin having sex as soon as you get home from the doctor. You don’t have to wait for the hormones to be effective. Even w/ Mirena, since you have it inserted during your period, you only have to wait about seven days after your cycle begins for maximum effectiveness. You could use a second form though right away and get down to business. In fact, since the IUD doesn’t prevent STDs you should probably consider a second form anyway just to keep you and your partner safe.
It’s also the cheapest. An IUD usually costs b/t $200 and $500, and is covered by most insurance. Even if it isn’t, most true family planning clinics (like PP!) offer it at reduced cost if you meet the criteria. While that sounds expensive (and it sure is) it is only expensive the first time. W/ BC pills, patches, rings and other monthly used products climbing in price you would have no monthly cost to bear. One time fee and wham bam thank-you good to go.
Also, if you are in a family planning situation, the IUD is easily reversible and you can in theory become pregnant quickly after you stop using it.
This is just a surface scratching of my love affair w/ the IUD. If you follow the links, ask your health care provider (if they aren’t some conscience clause whackaloon) or do your own research you can find out more. I am not a health care provider and I make no claim to my medical knowledge.
Also, take a few moments to contact congress about the rising costs of birth control, and how access to affordable birth control is vital and should be an important issue to those who really do care about lives and want to reduce the number of abortions. Prevention is the first key, and if we want to see fewer abortions then we need to see fewer unwanted pregnancies.
You can also join Planned Parenthood’s One Million Strong.
I took action…weeee! Affordable birth control for all!
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