Regulating Your Copper Intake
If your neighborhood or city has hard water coming from your faucets that you routinely drink, this could be a contributing source of copper toxicity.
Sometimes regulating your copper intake is as simple as replacing the pipes in your home. If you see a blue-green discharge or build-up near or around your pipes, it may be time to call a plumber for an estimate.
Its less likely that youre getting too much copper directly from your diet, but it can definitely happen in some cases.
If you have high copper levels, avoid these high-copper foods:
- Peanut butter
- Liver
- Chocolate
If you take birth control pills or have an IUD, you could be at risk for high copper levels. These medications are often made from, or primarily contain, the metal.
Swimming pools are often treated with a copper heavy algicide, as well. If you swim in or have your own pool, you might want to get a copper test!
The Iud Removal Process Tends To Be Fairly Quick And Simple
When youre ready to have your IUD removed, your medical practitioner will grasp onto your IUDs strings with forceps, then pull out the device. As the IUD leaves your body, its arms will fold in. You might experience some bleeding and cramping during this process and afterward, according to the Mayo Clinic. You can have your IUD removed at any time . Once the IUD is out, your fertility should get back to normal pretty much immediately, so if youre not ready to get pregnant, youll either need a new IUD or another form of birth control. You can typically have a new IUD inserted during your removal appointment if youd like.
Kyleena And Other Medications
Below are lists of medications that can interact with Kyleena. These lists dont contain all the drugs that may interact with Kyleena.
Before using Kyleena, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Kyleena and certain medications that affect how your body metabolizes Kyleena
Certain drugs can affect how your body metabolizes levonorgestrel, which is the active drug in Kyleena. We describe these possible interactions below.
However, Kyleena is released directly into your uterus, so the drug is less likely to be affected in how its broken down. This means the drugs listed below are at a low risk of affecting how Kyleena works.
Kyleena and CYP3A4 inhibitors
CYP3A4 inhibitors are a group of drugs that inhibit the activity of an enzyme called CYP3A4. Your body uses this enzyme to break down levonorgestrel.
Blocking CYP3A4 can raise the level of levonorgestrel in your blood. And this can increase your risk of side effects from Kyleena.
The following drugs are examples of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors:
- certain antivirals, such as:
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The Copper Iud Is Hormone
Since the copper IUD doesnt contain hormones, you can use it in situations where other kinds of birth control may not be a fit. For instance, it might be a good choice for breastfeeding people, Taraneh Shirazian, M.D., assistant professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU Langone Medical Center, tells SELF. This is because theres a slight chance that estrogen, which is in forms of combined hormonal birth control like the pill, patch, and ring, may impact your milk supply, according to the ACOG.
Due to its lack of estrogen, the copper IUD may also offer an advantage for some people who have health conditions that can get worse when exposed to this hormone, such as people with a history of blood clots, or high blood pressure , Dr. Shirazian says.
If youre not able to tolerate hormones for some reason, definitely mention that to your doctor when trying to find which type of IUD is right for you.
Removal Procedure And Steps
The steps used to remove Paragard are similar to those used for insertion. Your doctor will have you lie down on an exam table and place your feet into stirrups. Your doctor will then insert a speculum into your vagina. This allows them to see your cervix. Then, theyll remove Paragard from your uterus by sliding it out through your cervix.
You may also have removal symptoms with Paragard. These are similar to the symptoms that can happen when Paragard is inserted. For example, cramps or pain may occur while Paragard is being removed. In rare cases, you may also experience dizziness, nausea, slow heart rate, or seizures after removal.
Once Paragard has been removed, your periods should return to normal. And keep in mind that youll no longer be protected from pregnancy, unless you use another form of birth control.
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Second Tip: Be Gentle To Your Hair
My first action to prevent further hair loss was to stop or slow down, doing whatever seemed to trigger further hair loss. In my case, whenever I dyed or washed my hair, it seemed to fall out even faster. So here’s what I did:
While this may seem like a huge change to some women who are used to over-treating and over-doing their hair, once you realize you are losing hair, you might change your mind and approach hair care in a different light! I know I did!
Your Period Flow Will Probably Gets Heavier
If there’s one thing that you already know about copper IUDs, it is probably that they make your bleed more during your periods, as opposed to hormonal contraceptives, which often lighten or eliminate your period. You get lighter periods on hormonal birth control because the hormones make your uterine lining thinner â which is not the case with a copper IUD. It’s not uncommon for women using the copper IUD to report that they have to change their tampon or menstrual cup much more often than they did pre-IUD, and their periods often last longer than they did pre-IUD, too. So if you already have a hard time with a super heavy flow, this might not be the best choice for you.
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Use Of Misoprostol Before Insertion
A 2007 study suggested that the use of misoprostol before IUD insertion allowed for easier insertion.32 However, more recent studies show no benefit and increased side effects with misoprostol.3335 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists makes no recommendation regarding the use of misoprostol before IUD insertion.
An Expert’s Opinion On Whether Iuds Cause Hair Loss
When the answer is uncertain, an expert can provide clarification. The number of reports of hair loss caused by hormonal IUDs is very small, and its unlikely. However, it is possible, said Dr. Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist based at the Cleveland Clinic in Miami, Florida.
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Copper Iud Side Effects
Paragard is a non-hormonal IUD. Many women may prefer getting it because it is not associated with mood swings and weight gain, which are side effects commonly seen in its hormonal counterpart.
Most studies done on IUDs including Paragard have shown the devices to be mostly effective and safe. But that doesnt mean that they all come without side effects.
As mentioned, this non-hormonal IUD can cause hair loss. However, there are other side effects that the Paragard IUD can cause, including:
- Anemia
- Infection
- Vaginitis
Women may also experience nausea and dizziness after the IUD is inserted. Another known disadvantage of the copper IUD is that it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections .
However, some of the more serious Paragard copper IUD side effects and complications came to light with the complaints filed in the Paragard lawsuits. Many Paragard users reported that the IUD is prone to breaking inside the body of the woman who had it implanted. This may lead to organ perforation and other serious injuries to women due to fragment migration.
Many women also claimed that it can break once you have the IUD removed. When this happens, the broken pieces should be painfully removed one by one through a couple of medical procedures. And these additional surgeries can be more complicated to avoid organ damage.
To this day, attorneys are still trying to hold manufacturer Teva Pharmaceuticals liable for injuries sustained due to Paragard use.
The Risk Of Expulsion And Perforation Are Very Low But They Do Occasionally Happen
IUDs come with a small risk of expulsion, which is when your body starts to push the IUD out of you. There isnt a ton of research on this out there, but the average expulsion incidence rate is between 2 to 10% of users, the ACOG says. Risk factors include recently having had the IUD inserted, getting it placed right after childbirth, and history of heavy or prolonged periods, among others. Though you dont really need to stress about this possibility, if it were to happen to you, you might experience symptoms like bleeding and cramping, feel something hard coming from your cervix, or see the IUD somewhere outside of your body however, it is possible to experience an expulsion without any major symptoms.
IUDs can also cause perforation, which is when the device pushes through the wall of your uterus. It sounds alarming, but again, the risk is really low. According to a 2015 study published in the journal Conception, out of 61,448 people who had an IUD, only 20 with the copper form experienced a perforation. In fact, perforation most often happens due to an error during placement. Much like with expulsion, this isnt something that needs to keep you up at night, but if you were dealing with perforation, you would potentially experience pelvic pain , though you might not experience any major symptoms at all.
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Financial And Insurance Assistance
If you need financial support to pay for Paragard, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.
Because Paragard is birth control, its cost may be covered under the Affordable Care Act.
For information on contacting your insurance company to see if Paragard is covered, visit the manufacturers website. Its website also provides guidance on finding the cost of Paragard if you dont have insurance coverage.
The Copper Iud Doesnt Protect Against Sexually Transmitted Infections
When it comes to birth control, only internal and external condoms can prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections. If youre using the copper IUD and are at risk for STIs , youll still need to use some form of protection like condoms or dental dams. You should also get tested regularly. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommendations for your STI screening schedule, depending on your circumstances.
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Zinc Supplements To Help Grow Hair
If youre feeling the side effects of excess copper, take a zinc supplement to help balance your bodys nutrients and save your hair.
Zinc and copper should be in proportion to one another at an 8:1 ratio. Those who have a high copper reading often will be estrogen-dependent, which can also contribute to hair loss. Women with the right amount of zinc typically will be progesterone-dominant, which can make hair healthier and shinier.
The proper amount of zinc helps keep your hormones in balance. Youll have a sense of well-being, and your hair will be fortified with the nutrients it needs to stimulate hair growth and overcome copper hair loss.
Zinc can assist with hair growth and balance out a copper toxicity problem that will make growing hair difficult. If youre a vegetarian or have been crash dieting, you may have depleted your supply of zinc and are suffering from excess copper levels.
Each more of these foods rich in zinc:
- Oysters
Will I Need To Use This Drug Long Term
If needed, Paragard can be used as a long-term form of birth control. Each Paragard device is approved to prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years after being inserted.
If you and your doctor determine that Paragard is safe and effective for you, you can continue using this form of birth control for more than 10 years. In this case, your doctor will need to replace your Paragard IUD with another Paragard IUD. This is because each Paragard device is only effective for 10 years.
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Insertion Procedure And Steps
To insert Paragard, your doctor will have you lie down on an exam table and place your feet into stirrups.
Your doctor will then insert a speculum into your vagina. This allows them to see your cervix. Then, theyll clean your cervix and insert Paragard through your cervix and into your uterus.
Cramps or pain may occur while Paragard is being inserted. And you may continue to have cramps for several minutes after insertion. In rare cases, may also experience dizziness, nausea, slow heart rate, or seizures after insertion.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you have severe cramps or pain that dont go away soon after Paragard has been inserted. This could be a sign that Paragard isnt placed correctly in your uterus. Your doctor will likely examine you to determine if Paragard needs to be adjusted or removed.
For a more detailed explanation of Paragards insertion steps, visit the manufacturers website. Or, read the drugs prescribing information.
Paragard And Emergency Contraception
Paragard can be used as emergency contraception. Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy after youve had sex without using any birth control.
But keep in mind that this is an off-label use of Paragard.
As emergency contraception, the Paragard IUD* can be placed in your uterus for up to 5 days after youve had unprotected sex.
However, you wont need to use emergency contraception while Paragard is in your uterus. The IUD is effective by itself for preventing pregnancy.
* An intrauterine device is a small birth control device thats placed in your uterus by a healthcare professional.
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