Recommendations for Copper IUD Aftercare

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Thank you to everyone for sharing their experiences! 💕 Yesterday once placed, they did an ultrasound but couldn’t get a good view. So in two weeks I’m getting another ultrasound with better equipment, wish me luck that it’s placed properly! 🤞

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Also @@NiceandFirm nbsp;I’m sorry for stating that you didn’t cite the study, when you did it was just removed. Through the Mod’s comment I’ve accessed the CDC study and what I beleive the page you were referring to is highlighting is the U.S. MEC level (which is referring to the safety level of the IUD when the condition/disease) is met it’s not referring to causation. What it’s stating in this handout is that if PID onsets with imitation of the IUD it’s a level four MEC meaning it’s an “unacceptable health risk if the contraceptive method is used”, if the person is then treated with antibiotics and it’s successful their MEC score reduces to two “which is when the benefits of the contraceptive generally outweigh the risks”. This is not indicating whether IUD contributes to PID, as it definitely can. It is a risk that they clean the cervix in attempt to mitigate this risk from happening. But PID can develop from IUD insertion the same way sepsis can as at the time of insertion bacteria can be pushed where it natively lives in the vagina through the cervix and into the uterus, which is what leads to these disorders. The risk of development is generally within a month or so of insertion, it’s also a risk your OBGYN should discuss with you before the procedure, albeit probably not in that much detail, but I have a medical background 😂. Anyway no hate to them, but remember to listen to others experiences before writing it off with that’s “factually”not correct. Especially as science is ever expanding, and we are constantly learnng new things, patient experiences are invaluable and instrumental toward further development, especially considering how underfunded and unexplored womens health has been and continues to be. That’s how we ended up with doctors saying preposterous claims like that the cervix can’t feel *** at all, and labeling women as hysterical.

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Oh I also wanted to add on that PID is not just from women with unknown or untreated STDs or STIs it can be from normal vaginal bacteria, (which we want the bacteria it protects you please don’t douche throwing off your ph balance 😭 that’s how you’re more likely to develop an infection)

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Also for @@brutallybeauitfull nbsp;for reference I have tried three hormonal methods previously:
The pill- you have to take this at the same time everyday, most people don’t actually take this as directed lowering the efficacy, it also can have more maladaptive symptoms than other hormonal birth controls
The Ring- This is inserted vaginally for three weeks and then one off week for your period, it’s easier to manage. However, this was my least favorite as it gave me the only yeast infection I’ve had in my life. It’s actually very common due to the presence of some natural bacteria, the Candida fungus will over grow due to the vagina producing more sugar due to the increase estrogen resulting in the yeast infection. It also increases risk of UTI since E. Coli is able to better prosper when your vagina is adapting to the new hormones and the vestibule (region between urethra and vaginal opening) is extremely small.
My favorite hormonal option is the patch- It can go several places I preferred on my arms, you change it once a week for three weeks then one off week, it’s easy to maintain. The disadvantages of this is people will often ask what it is if it’s placed on your arms, if you’re skin is sensitive you might have adhesive marks, if you don’t clean your skin and exfoliate before applying it could fall off halfway through the week or during your next shower or bath, and it’s typically more estrogen than other options which increases your risk of certain diseases/conditions.
For all of these I did not enjoy how the hormones made me feel, and choose to go with the nonhormonal route. Which has its own set of risks, but at least I’ll feel more like me. 🙃
Hope you find what works best for you!