Copper coils, also known as copper IUDs, are a popular form of long-term, reversible contraception. They are T-shaped devices made of plastic and wrapped with copper wire, and are inserted into the uterus by a healthcare professional.
However, beneath their popularity lies a seldom-discussed danger: copper toxicity. The copper released by these devices can lead to severe health complications for some women, including debilitating physical and mental symptoms and this is not talked about enough.
The potential for copper toxicity is an alarming risk that is often overlooked in the conversation about copper coils, putting countless women at unnecessary risk.
I had an absolutely terrible experience with the copper coil. I am 1000% sure that my body rejected the copper in the coil, making me ill. It is incredibly irresponsible to prescribe this without any testing of people’s copper tolerance.
Furthermore, the difficulty in getting it removed at the doctor when you decide to do so is just another proof of how women’s health and wellbeing are overlooked until it is too late.
The entire process left me feeling neglected and unsupported by the medical community, highlighting a broader issue where women’s health concerns are not given the attention they deserve.
No woman is being previously tested to see if they can effectively process the amount of copper being released inside their bodies with the IUD, so how do you know if you are having a reaction to it or not, until it’s too late?
How Does Copper Coils Really Work?
- Inflammatory Response: The primary way copper coils prevent pregnancy is by inducing an inflammatory response in the uterus. The presence of copper creates a hostile environment for sperm, making it difficult for them to survive and reach an egg.
- Sperm Motility: Copper ions released by the coil are toxic to sperm. They inhibit sperm motility, meaning that even if sperm manage to enter the uterus, they are less likely to move effectively and reach an egg. The copper also increases levels of copper ions in cervical mucus, which impairs sperm motility and viability.
- Egg Viability: Should fertilization occur, the inflammatory response in the uterus also makes it less likely for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterine lining. Essentially, the environment is not conducive for a potential embryo to thrive.
Symptoms of Copper Toxicity from IUD
The symptoms for copper toxicity are so well-known to women as “normal” that it will be a while until they realize something is essentially wrong, not to mention being dismissed by their healthcare practitioners because the symptoms are quite common, even if quite debilitating.
- Neurological Issues: Headaches, dizziness, and mood swings.
- Gastrointestinal Distress: Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
- Liver Dysfunction: Jaundice, fatigue, and signs of liver stress.
- Menstrual Changes: Heavier or more painful periods than usual.
- Hormonal Imbalance: Irregular menstrual cycles.
This situation exemplifies yet another instance where women’s health is not treated with the seriousness it deserves. If these devices were used in men, the amount of research and care dedicated to them before implementation would be significantly greater.
Therefore, as women, we must exercise extra caution when making health choices, particularly concerning our reproductive organs.
It is imperative that we advocate for more comprehensive research and better care in women’s healthcare to ensure our wellbeing is not overlooked.
Taking my coil out at home was a personal decision driven by desperation and discomfort. My story is not a guideline but a personal journey towards regaining control over my own body and I have no regrets and would do it again!
While I found relief and felt an enormous sense of accomplishment, I strongly advise anyone in a similar situation to consult with a healthcare professional, do your own research and be assertive!
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