Hormonal IUD vs. Copper IUD: Which is Best for You? 

When it comes to choosing a form of birth control, women have a multitude of wonderful options. If you’ve decided to move forward with an intrauterine device (IUD), your next step is determining if you prefer a hormonal IUD or a copper IUD. 

When you partner with a women’s health professional who takes the time to get to know you and your unique needs and goals, making that choice is easier. At Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom, Timothy Phelan, MD, is here to help you find the best option for your family planning goals and your overall lifestyle. 

How hormonal and copper IUDs work

Understanding how your birth control works is important since you want to make a choice that aligns with your overall health as well as your family planning goals. Generally, an IUD is usually chosen by women who don’t want to become pregnant for a few years. 

An IUD is placed within your uterus by Dr. Phelan during an office visit. Once in position, it provides years of protection against unwanted pregnancy. When you’re ready to begin trying to get pregnant, you’ll need to come back in to have the IUD removed. That’s why it’s best suited for longer-term protection. 

A copper IUD works by triggering an immune response within your uterus. This makes it difficult for sperm to survive and successfully fertilize an egg. Even if an egg does become fertilized, a copper IUD makes it unlikely for that fertilized egg to implant within your uterus. 

A hormonal IUD works by thickening your cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to reach your eggs. It also thins your uterine lining, which reduces the chance of a fertilized egg to implant. Hormonal IUDs can also stop ovulation from taking place, so there’s no egg to be fertilized.   

Benefits of both hormonal and copper IUDs

Both options offer a very effective means of preventing an unwanted pregnancy. Both hormonal and copper IUDs are 99% effective, so you have a less than 1% chance of becoming pregnant while using either of these options.

All types of IUDs are also an easy and hands-off method of birth control. Once you come in to have the IUD placed, you don’t need to take any other action to avoid pregnancy. Just make a note of when your IUD will need to be removed or replaced, which can be 3-10 years after insertion. 

Both types of IUDs are safe, and the risk of complications is very low. You can also have either type of IUD removed whenever you choose during a simple office visit.  

Drawbacks shared by both hormonal and copper IUDs

It’s important to understand that no type of IUD offers any protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If you have multiple partners or are not in a mutually monogamous relationship in which both partners have been tested, you’ll need to take precautions to protect yourself. External or internal condoms are the best approach. 

Depending on your health insurance coverage status, an IUD might be a more expensive birth control option than birth control pills or other methods. Of course, when considering the expense, be sure to factor in the length of time an IUD works and the cost of other options over time.  

IUDs can change your periods. Hormonal IUDs can lessen or even potentially eliminate monthly bleeding, and some women prefer to have monthly periods. Copper IUDs can intensify monthly bleeding and cramping, which is problematic for some women who already have heavy periods. 

Dr. Phelan and our team at Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom are happy to provide this brief overview of the difference between hormonal and copper IUDs. If you still have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to book a visit online or call the office to schedule an appointment to discuss your options in greater detail.