The post of my experience with the Paragard copper IUD in 2018 is by far the most popular post on my site. Since it was published, over 20,000 women from all over the world have visited the page.
I got a lot of messages thanking me for sharing my experience because STILL - there’s not a lot of information out there about copper IUDs and their side effects or long term effects. I can’t believe how many women told me that my story mirrored their exact experience. I got one hateful comment that condemned me for sharing my experience because “anecdotes aren’t evidence” and people guessing about their health is dangerous.
Here’s the thing - we often don’t get to the point of evidence without people sharing their stories. Once we start to recognize patterns and shared experiences, that can mobilize research.
I think science is cool and I use a lot of evidence-based nutrition recommendations in my practice. There’s no doubt that it’s useful, necessary, and important. BUT - I also think that choosing science over our body’s innate intelligence every time is dangerous. Our bodies are so wise, with hundreds of thousands of years of evolution and intelligence embedded within each cell.
As women, we know when something is off with our bodies. To reject that hunch because we have “normal” lab results has hurt countless women, especially in the autoimmune community.
I also got a lot of questions. I wanted to take the opportunity to answer those questions in this post.
If you didn’t read the original article, here’s the short version - I chose to get the Paragard IUD in 2014. The only thing I noticed at first was heavier bleeding, more cramps, and spotting up to a week before my period (this is a pretty common and well-known side effect). In my fourth year of having it, I started getting random cramping and sharp pains from time to time. I also started to feel more tired than usual and for the first time in my life experienced brain fog. I also just felt flat - like a low-grade depression. On an energetic and spiritual level, it felt like a block and it was also affecting my orgasms and overall sexual wellness.
I got it removed in 2018 and supported myself by eating nutrient-dense foods that are known to help the body detox. My symptoms came and went for about another week, but after that I felt so much better. However, today I still experience spotting up to a week before my period starts - this has never completely gone away.
Please keep in mind that this is my story and my experience. This birth control option works well for a lot of women. You know your body best - if your intuition is telling you that something is off, I urge you to listen.
As women we bear the burden of so many unpleasant side effects from birth control and it’s our right to know how these devices and medications affect our bodies now and in the long term.
Words from women who read my story:
“I would say the last few years of my life have been extremely difficult many side effects from having the copper IUD. I basically had to figure it out on my own that this must be the culprit. The removal was a breeze. I actually feel like a different person already. I am praying the migraines, hair loss, pelvic pain, heavy periods, depression and anxiety are a thing of the past.”
“I was scoffed at for proposing a copper toxicity as the cause for my health issues, but my most recent bloodwork is now almost normal. I don't think everyone is sensitive or affected by the copper, but I think awareness of the anemia and possible copper toxicity caused by having the IUD in place needs to be brought to light.”
“I had an almost identical experience with the copper iud. It was great for the first 3 years until one day I realized I couldn’t think clearly ( brain fog), fatigue and general malaise. I didn’t have the zest for life that I once had. It took me a good year to convince myself to remove it but once I did, over the next year I detoxed and felt back to normal.”
“Thank you so much to you and everyone replying to your post 😭 I felt like something was wrong with me. My anxiety has been unbearable! I cry every damn week and feel sick. I also have brain fog and it’s extremely hard to concentrate. Not to mention, I’ve had 9 UTIs this year alone thanks to the IUD. Thank you so much for bringing light to these largely unknown side effects. I was starting to think something was very wrong with ME. I knew it wasn’t me. I didn’t feel like myself (and still don’t, as I just had it removed yesterday). I'm so happy and relieved that I'm not alone! ❤️”
“I've noticed how there is hardly any information about this anywhere so I'm really grateful to hear other people's experiences.”
Q + A
Q: Hello, just wondering how your anxiety attacks are doing after this much time without Paragard?
A: My anxiety improved greatly within the first month of getting the IUD removed. Of course I think proper nutrition and nurturing lifestyle practices help with that a lot, too.
Someone left a comment saying the anxiety from IUDs may be more related to the IUD placement and its effect on the vagus nerve. This is fascinating to me and maybe not surprisingly, I found very little information about this. I’d love to know more if anyone has any information.
Q: When you talk about this do you mean that all women who have one will have copper toxicity to some degree? Or that this only happens to some people based on their personal body chemistry? I know this is a subjective question, but I want your opinion :)
A: I don’t think this will happen to all women. We all have unique body chemistry. Some of us may be physically better at processing/detoxing heavy metals than others. Individual diet and lifestyle will also play a role. It seems to me the length of time with the IUD also has an impact. If I had gotten it removed within the first three years for any reason, I wouldn’t have had this experience. Some women have had them for decades with no issues.
Q: Did you test your blood for copper toxicity?
A: I did not get any testing done. In retrospect I wish I had, but I also see the cascade of effects that might have had on me. For example, if my bloodwork were to come back normal would I have pushed the possibility of the IUD affecting me out of my mind? I’ve also seen anecdotally that women’s bloodwork has come back normal but they’ve still experienced relief of symptoms after having the IUD removed.
Q: Can you share your after IUD diet with me?
A: I made sure to incorporate parsley and cilantro daily (which help support detox systems) and seaweeds like nori and kombu (which support the thyroid). I also ate lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and bone broth for its gut-supporting collagen and minerals.
Q: Having only recently (the past couple of months) experienced these symptoms I was wondering if anyone could offer any gauge of how long they last after removal? I know that it is different for everyone but would be great to have some idea!
A: I think it depends on so much - how long the person has had the IUD, any other imbalances in the body, and how good their body is at detoxing. My symptoms resolved within weeks, but I’ve read of other women taking much longer to feel better. The best thing you can do is support your detox pathways and eat a nutrient-dense diet!
Q: What are you doing for birth control now?
A: After getting the IUD removed, I relied on condoms for birth control. I knew I wanted to try the fertility awareness method/natural family planning, but honestly didn’t want to put in the work until I was in a stable relationship. I was still very aware of my cycle and tracked it through the myFlo app .
I started using Natural Cycles in June and so far, it has worked wonderfully! This app relies on your basal body temperature to detect ovulation (it rises slightly after ovulation) so you’re given “red days” which are your fertile days when you should use protection/abstain and “green days” which are non-fertile days and you’re free to go for it. It’s 98% effective with perfect use and 93% with typical use (about the same as the Pill). Did you know you only have 6 fertile days/month? The day you ovulate and the 5 days leading up to it (since sperm can survive for up to 5 days inside the body). File under: useful things they should have taught us in sex ed.
I did find it slightly frustrating at first because the algorithm is cautious (but that’s a good thing!). I had so many red days my first month, which is normal as the algorithm learns your body. You have to get the hang of taking your temperature everyday. You want to take your temp around the same time everyday as soon as you wake up and be cautious of things that can affect your temp (poor sleep, alcohol, too little sleep, illness, etc). If you’re interested in trying out Natural Cycles (it can also be used to help you get pregnant), use my link and you’ll get 20% off a yearly subscription and a free thermometer.
Here are a few tips/things to keep in mind when using FAM/cycle tracking to prevent pregnancy:
In order to use natural family planning methods, you need to have a regular cycle, which is between 28-32 days. If you’re not ovulating around the same time every month, this leaves a lot of room for error.
I think it’s important to understand other signs of ovulation like cervical mucus, ovulation pain, increased energy/sex drive, etc. Which leads me to my next tip...
Get the LH strips. These strips detect luteinizing hormone, which surges 24-48 hours before your body releases an egg. I didn’t order these the first month and I wish I had. I find them to be so helpful because that in addition to the rise in your basal body temperature gives you a clear picture on when you ovulate.
This is something that I do personally, because I’m really not trying to have a baby right now - I add a buffer day onto my string of red days. So that means when the app says I’m having a green day today and tomorrow is my first red day, I will still use protection today if I have sex. The same goes after I ovulate - that first green day I still consider a red day and so I use protection.
Phew - that was A LOT of information, but I hope it helps.
I hope if you’re struggling right now, this post and the comments of other women assures you that you’re not alone and you’re not crazy for thinking your symptoms might be related to your IUD.
If you were curious about natural methods of birth control, I hope you find this information helpful!
Please continue to share your stories and experiences in the comments - I can see it’s already helped so many women feel less alone and more empowered about their health.
This post illustrates my personal experience and should not be used in lieu of medical advice. Please consult your doctor on any matters related to your reproductive health and wellness.
