The IUD is a contraceptive method that, despite having been available to Brazilian women since the 1960s, still raises many doubts, especially when we talk about the copper model and the copper with silver model.
With this in mind, Ricardo Bruno, master and doctor in Medicine from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, head of the Human Reproduction Service at the Institute of Gynecology at UFRJ and medical director of Exeltis Brasil, a pharmaceutical laboratory specializing in women’s health, decided to list some of the advantages of this method.
What is a non-hormonal IUD?
“It is a small flexible device, shaped like a T, which is placed in the woman’s uterus to prevent the egg from being fertilized. This method has mechanisms that release copper or silver ions that prevent the fertilization of the egg”, explains Bruno.
Still on how the method works, the specialist explains that, in the copper with silver option, the silver is responsible for stabilizing the copper, causing the inflammatory response to be smaller, which can lead to less bleeding during the menstrual period and thus reduce the cramps.
Check out the 10 biggest advantages of the non-hormonal IUD below
- Duration time: The non-hormonal IUD is a long-lasting contraceptive method, with the copper version lasting 12 years and the silver version with copper lasting 5 years.
- Good cost-benefit: As the duration of this method is long, the cost-benefit ends up becoming very attractive, mainly because the non-hormonal IUD is much cheaper than the hormonal one.
- Immediate protection against pregnancy: The woman is protected from the first day after having the IUD inserted.
- There is no risk of forgetting: As it lasts for a long time, there is no risk of forgetting, as is the case with contraceptive pills, which need to be taken daily.
It is completely reversible: As soon as it is removed, everything returns to normal, and fertility usually returns in the first menstrual cycle after removal.
- Absence of hormones and side effects: If the patient is sensitive to hormones or has had negative experiences with hormonal contraceptive methods, the IUD is a great option. It does not release any hormonal substances into your body, allowing the natural cycle to be maintained and avoiding unwanted hormonal side effects.
- It can be inserted right after birth.
- It is completely safe for those who breastfeed, without interfering with breast milk production or causing risks to the baby.
- The hormone-free IUD is a great option for teenagers as a first method of contraception, as long as they have already had sexual intercourse.
- It can be found in the Unified Health System (SUS).
Despite all the benefits, it is always important to consult a gynecologist to jointly understand the best method. “Also because each body has its own particularities, and what works for one woman may not work for another. There are several issues to take into consideration such as history of family illnesses, PMS symptoms, flow, age and health conditions in general”, explains the specialist.
