Whether you’re someone who hasn’t done well on hormonal birth control or you simply prefer to live a hormone-free lifestyle, there are many different reasons why women choose Paragard.
If you recognize yourself in any of the statements below, talk to your healthcare provider about whether Paragard is right for you.
I want birth control that…
Is 100% hormone free
Is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy
Works using 1 simple active ingredient
Is low maintenance and doesn’t require a daily routine
Lasts as long as I want, up to 10 years
Is immediately reversible when I decide I want to get pregnant
Is clinically proven and FDA approved for over 30 years
Paragard may be right for you if:
You want a non-hormonal birth control method
- You haven’t done well on hormonal birth control in the past
- You try to lead a hormone-free lifestyle–you avoid artificial hormones in your food and prefer to avoid them in your birth control as well
- You prefer a birth control method that won’t prevent your natural menstrual cycle* or stop you from ovulating each month
- Your healthcare provider said that you shouldn’t take hormonal birth control
- *At first, periods may become heavier and longer with spotting in between.
You want a birth control that’s highly effective
- At over 99% effective, Paragard is one of the most effective methods of birth control available
You’re busy and want a low-maintenance birth control
- Once in place, Paragard provides continuous pregnancy prevention without the need for a daily birth control routine–just a simple monthly thread check
You want a birth control that lasts as long as you want it–up to 10 years
- Paragard prevents pregnancy for up to 10 years, but can be removed by a healthcare provider at any time if you decide you want to get pregnant. After removal, the effects of Paragard are immediately reversible.
- For women seeking a long-term option, Paragard may be a cost-effective, non-permanent, and non-surgical alternative to sterilization
- Paragard can be used regardless of whether you’ve had a child
You want a birth control that’s been proven over time
- Paragard is the only IUD that’s been FDA approved for over 30 years
Can New Moms Use Paragard?
- Paragard may be placed immediately after child birth (postpartum)–Your healthcare provider can place Paragard immediately after delivery. Placement immediately after delivery or anytime before the second postpartum month may result in a higher risk of expulsion. Talk to your healthcare provider in advance if you would like to schedule a postpartum placement
- Paragard may be used when you are breastfeeding–Paragard can be used if you’re breastfeeding though the risk of Paragard becoming attached to or going through the wall of the uterus is increased if Paragard is placed while you are breastfeeding
- Paragard is immediately reversible upon removal–If you are ready for another child, Paragard can be removed by your healthcare provider and your ability to get pregnant will return immediately. You can start trying to become pregnant the same day
Paragard Can Be Used in a Wide Range of Women, Including Women With Certain Medical Conditions
Before starting the Paragard IUD, you should share your full medical history with your healthcare provider to find out if Paragard is right for you.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommendations, Paragard may be used with no restriction in women with over 20 preexisting characteristics and medical conditions including but not limited to:
- Breast cancer (family history, current, past and no evidence of current disease for 5 years)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Gallbladder disease
- Headaches including migraines with and without auras and menstrual migraines
- History of bariatric surgery
- History of stroke
- History of high blood pressure during pregnancy
- Hypertension
- Inflammatory bowel disease including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
- Ischemic heart disease
- Liver tumors
- Lupus
- Malaria
- Risk factors for cardiovascular disease including smoking
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Ovarian cancer
- Ovarian cysts
- Past ectopic pregnancy
- Thyroid disease
- Viral hepatitis
- Valvular heart disease
- Women with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30
For full list of conditions, visit the CDC Website.
You should not use Paragard if you:
- Are or might be pregnant
- Have a uterus that is abnormally shaped inside
- Have a pelvic infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or have current behavior that puts you at high risk of PID
- Have had an infection in your uterus after a pregnancy or abortion in the past 3 months
- Get infections easily
- Have cancer of the uterus or cervix
- Have unexplained bleeding from your vagina
- Have an infection in your cervix
- Have Wilson’s disease
- Are allergic to anything in Paragard
- Already have an IUD in your uterus
Before having Paragard placed, tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the conditions listed above, a slow heart beat, dizziness, seizures, recently had a baby or if you are breastfeeding, have AIDS, HIV, or any other sexually transmitted infection.
