Copper IUDs are increasingly becoming a hit everywhere, but they’re not as easy to use as condoms. If you’re planning a non-hormonal IUD insertion soon, it’s natural to have a few questions in your mind about it. In this article, we are going to talk about this largely under-appreciated birth control option so that everyone who is looking for answers about non-hormonal IUDs can get to know it better.

We will start by explaining a little bit about what copper IUDs are and how they work, followed by their advantages and disadvantages (nothing is perfect, right?). Also, it’s very important to discuss all the contraindications of IUDs so that those allergic to it should avoid it. So, without further delays, let’s begin!

What are Non-Hormonal IUDs?

In general, an IUD stands for Intrauterine Device. It is a small, T-shaped device inserted into a woman’s uterus (AKA womb) for birth control. Once inserted, a copper IUD halts the entry of sperms right at the uterus and kills them in the process.

The reason why copper IUDs are among the best birth control options has to do with their effectiveness. We will come to that later, but first, let’s understand how they work. Sperms have a general tendency to avoid copper. As soon as they cross the uterus and come across an IUD made of copper, they unable to swim to an egg. If the sperm can’t make it to an egg, there’s no scope of pregnancy left.

Now that you’ve understood how non-hormonal IUDs work, it’s time to talk about all the things that make them the best birth control option out there today.

Advantages of Copper IUDs

1. The Most Effective Birth Control Option

Yes, that’s right! Copper IUDs have effectiveness of over 99% as a birth control option. Compare that to the most widely used contraceptive device today, condoms, which are only 92% effective. We’re using the word only because 8 out of 100 people is still a big number when we’re specifically talking about birth control. IUDs, on the other hand, ensure contraception to a much greater extent.

2. A Wide Range of Variants for Everyone

Copper IUDs come in all kinds of options for everyone, from young to older women. If you’re nulliparous (haven’t given birth yet) and are looking for a temporary solution for birth control, there’s a copper IUD for you. If you’re in your 40s and have completed your family, there’s one for you too. If you’re somewhere in the middle, don’t worry, there’s a copper IUD for you too. Read about the different IUD options here.

3. Convenient Devices

Once you’re done with fitting an IUD into your uterus, you can easily forget if it ever existed and it will keep doing its job of preventing you from making babies while it’s inside. Besides, any kind of medication that you’re on isn’t going to cause an effect on the efficiency of an IUD.

4. Temporary Contraception

Let’s get one thing straight: copper IUDs are not at all a permanent birth control option. We’ve discussed earlier that they come in all variants based on the number of years that they will provide birth control for. In addition to that, IUDs can be removed anytime you want if you feel like you’re ready to get pregnant. This flexibility of usage, combined with the efficiency that IUDs offer, makes them an ideal birth control option for everyone.

While the list of advantages goes on and on, we have covered all the major benefits of using IUDs for contraception.

Disadvantages of IUDs

Like every other birth control option today, IUDs have their own sets of cons. Here is a list covering all the major disadvantages of non-hormonal IUDs:

IUDs can cause pain when they’re inserted.

In some cases, there may be an irregularity in periods in women who are using IUDs.

IUDs don’t protect against STDs.

There is a slight risk (less than 1%) of getting a uterine infection when an IUD is inserted.

Some women might feel cramping during their periods.

Contraindications

If you have any of the following conditions, then, unfortunately, IUDs aren’t suitable for you. Here’s the list:

Women with a current or past history of pelvic infection.

If there is a pregnancy or a suspected pregnancy.

Women with an abnormally shaped uterus.

Women suffering from ovarian, cervical or endometrial cancer

Women suffering from a sexually transmitted disease

Women with a structural heart disease