Copper intrauterine device

This is not medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before starting or changing any treatment. Information here is based on personal experiences and may not apply to everyone.

Copper intrauterine device

Alternative Names: Paragard, Miudella

A copper IUD is a small, hormone-free device placed in the uterus by a clinician. It is more than 99% effective, with less than 1 out of 100 people becoming pregnant in a year, and can provide long-acting birth control for many years depending on the product. Many people choose it because it is low maintenance, reversible, and does not use hormones. It can also be used as emergency contraception if placed shortly after unprotected sex. Some people may notice heavier periods or more cramping, especially in the first few months.

Treatment Type: Device

Treatment Class: N/A

Treatment Modality: Genitorectal

Review Summary

4.0

1 Reviews

Preferred by 1 Reviewers

The copper IUD is highly effective for birth control, with more than 99% effectiveness and the advantage of requiring no daily maintenance or planning around sexual activity. However, reviewers note it does not protect against STDs and may cause heavier periods or increased cramping, particularly initially, with upfront costs ranging from several hundred to over $1,000 without insurance.

This summary was generated by users' reviews

Breakdown by Category

Each categories are rated on a 1–5 scale, with 5 being the most favorable outcome and 1 being the least. These scores are averaged across all user reviews to provide a clear sense of how this treatment typically performs in each area.

Cost

5.0

1 = Very Expensive 5 = Very Affordable

5.0

Very Affordable

Relief Speed

5.0

1 = No Relief 5 = Immediate Relief

5.0

Immediate Relief

Side Effects

4.0

1 = Intolerable Effect 5 = No Effect

4.0

Mild Effect

Treatment Line

5.0

1 = Third-line or more 5 = First-line

5.0

First-line

Choose treatments from the menu above to see how they compare side by side.

4.0

1 Reviews

100%

AI Summary of User Experiences

Not medical advice.

Reviews

Filter by reviewer type Pro

Select all Clear all

Cost

Very Expensive

$1000+

Expensive

$501 to $1000

Moderate Cost

$101 to $500

Affordable

$25 to $100

Very Affordable

$25

Relief Speed

No Relief

No noticeable improvement

Slow Relief

Several days to weeks

Moderate Relief

Within 1 - 3 days

Fast Relief

Within hours

Immediate Relief

Within minutes

Side Effect

Intolerable Side Effect

Caused treatment to stop or required hospitalization

Severe Side Effect

Difficult to tolerate, may require intervention

Moderate Side Effect

Noticeable, but manageable

Mild Side Effect

Minor, not bothersome

No Side Effect

Without any adverse effects

Treatment Line

Third-line or more

Used after second-line failed or multiple prior treatment

Second-line

Used after first-line treatment failed or was unsuitable

First-line

First treatment tried

Dr. Curbside

Verified

Physician • Emergency Medicine • How doctors think about decisions — and what real-world experiences add

2 months ago

The copper IUD is a great option for people who want long-term birth control without hormones. I like that once it is placed, there is nothing to remember day to day and no need to plan around sex. It is more than 99% effective and can also be used as emergency contraception if placed soon after unprotected sex. The downside is that it does not protect against STDs. Some people may also have heavier periods or more cramping, especially at first. Cost varies widely: with insurance it may be low or $0, while without insurance the copper IUD and placement can cost several hundred to over $1,000 upfront, but may be cost-effective over many years.

#VeryAffordable #CoveredByInsurance #ImmediateRelief #MildEffect #First-line #Maintenance #Rescue/EmergencyUse #Preventative

View Professional Disclosures