Which IUD is more effective? Paragard or Mirena?

[Spicygirl82]

Hey everyone. Which IUD is more effective, Paragard or Mirena? I am on the Mirena IUD.

[Brandye]

You are obviously in the States where those are the only two IUDs available. Paragard is copper coated; Mirena is hormone coated. They last about seven years and five years, respectively. There are uncoated IUDs available in most of the rest of the world. There is no difference in effectiveness among the three forms - plain, copper, hormone.

Copper is a spermicide and it also thickens the mucous in the cervix. The hormones do nothing for contraception but only reduce side-effects such as breakthrough bleeding and, for some women, cramping.

[Spicygirl82]

Originally Posted by Brandye

You are obviously in the States where those are the only two IUDs available. Paragard is copper coated; Mirena is hormone coated. They last about seven years and five years, respectively. There are uncoated IUDs available in most of the rest of the world. There is no difference in effectiveness among the three forms - plain, copper, hormone.

Copper is a spermicide and it also thickens the mucous in the cervix. The hormones do nothing for contraception but only reduce side-effects such as breakthrough bleeding and, for some women, cramping.

So they are both equally effective?

[Brandye]

Yes. Some doctors prefer to insert the Mirena because they believe it likely that the patient will adjust more easily;some, Paragard, because they believe it a bit more effective at contraception.

The data say it does not matter except for some prevention of breakthrough bleeding with the Mirena. In Europe and, especially China where plain ones are most commonly available (cheaper and last forever), the uncoated IUDs are most common.

[tiffers]

not to sound dumb here but what is an IUD?

[lnt1103]

Intrauterine device. Birth control that's implanted into the uterus.

[tiffers]

that just does not sound safe!

[lnt1103]

I highly recommend you do some research on them before you decide that.

[Spicygirl82]

Originally Posted by lnt1103

I highly recommend you do some research on them before you decide that.

I agree. Do some research before you decide whether or not they are safe.

[RedRoses]

Guys, comon, when I first heard that there is a device that they put inside your uterus, it got me the creeps too!

Tiffers, it's very small and it's been used for decades now. It's T-shaped and put inside the uterus via the vagina by a gynecologist. Only few women experience complications. And it's effective for birth control, as you may read here: Birth Control Failure Rates

Do some googling to get more basic knowledge on what it is. See pages such as these:
Intrauterine device - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I don't know about other countries, but here in Holland they do not recommend IUD for younger women (<30). They advice to place it only when you have fulfilled your wish for children or have chosen not to. Chances are really small, but there is a risk to get an infection after implanting and a IUD gives a slight elevated risk of ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus). Both could lead to infertility or reduced fertility. Though such chances are really small, doctors find hormonal birtcontrol such as the pill therefor more recommendable for younger women who would like to have a baby somewhere in the future or haven't made up their mind on that.