My experience with the Paragard IUD
I’m writing this post in hopes it’ll help someone whose struggling and/or has unanswered questions. But first, I want to share my own personal experience with the Paragard copper IUD, which I had for 5 years (2013-2018), to explain a little about how I learned about copper toxicity and how I eventually started healing myself from it.
If you’ve never heard of the Paragard, it’s a hormone-free IUD (Intrauterine Device) that’s supposed to prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years by using copper.
After I had my first son at 17, my OB suggested I try the Paragard IUD as a form of birth control (since I was still so young, I guess him suggesting that was his way of saying don’t get pregnant again anytime soon).
He really didn’t give me much time to think it over before I had my legs spread open (only a few days after giving birth, at my first post-partem appointment, in fact) and this foreign object was inserted inside of me. And I’ll admit I knew nothing about IUDs so me being my young naïve self, I didn’t think twice about it.
Not long after that though, was when I first started noticing the physical changes. Small things at first, like acne (which I’d never experienced prior to this so I just assumed it was adult acne), that quickly turned into painful, cystic acne that made me cry every time I looked in a mirror.
The acne lasted for years, I’d finally gave up on trying to cure it as I’d literally tried everything under the sun. But, on top of the acne, my periods had lasted 3 weeks a month the entire time I had the IUD.
Other symptoms I noticed were constant fatigue, low blood pressure, a hard time focusing and concentrating (which brought my mom guilt to an all time high), I constantly had dark circles under my eyes, and my depression was the worst it had ever been. Not to mention my lack of libido, constant disgust and irritability towards the people I love, and chronic constipation (TMI).
Honestly, I chalked all of these things up to post partum and just assumed this was how I’d be from then on.
Then, one day, while researching heavy metal toxicity, I had come across copper toxicity, and everything started to make sense.
I started reading other women’s experiences on the IUD and I resonated with so many of them. I made the decision that day to make an appointment to get it taken out.
But not without being met with a confused face and questions by the gynecologist as to why I would want it removed. After explaining all my symptoms to her, which continued over the course of the 5 years, she had told me that because it was a “non-hormonal IUD” that it couldn’t have been the cause of my symptoms.
Regardless, it took me having to beg and threaten to take it out myself for her to finally respect my decision.
Immediately after having it removed, my stomach cramps I’d experienced every day were GONE.
My first period lightened up and wasn’t nearly as heavy as it had been the past 5 years. And since then, I’ve been taking many steps to healing myself completely of copper and other heavy metals, which I’ll explain later on in this post.
First, let’s look at the signs and symptoms of copper toxicity. If you do have the copper IUD and are experiencing any of the following, I’d advise you to do your own research and see your gynecologist to look into other birth control options.
Symptoms of copper toxicity include:
- fatigue and exhaustion, adrenal depletion
- hypothyroid
- nausea
- racing mind (feeling wired but tired)
- panic attacks
- depression
- hair loss and/or whitening of hair
- brain fog
- concentration and memory problems
- high anxiety
- irritability
- emotional numbing / apathy / despondence
- ruminating negative thoughts
- personality change
- loss of sex drive
- OCD and Relationship OCD (ROCD)
- withdrawal / isolation
- chocolate cravings
- anemia (similar to iron-deficiency anemia)
- allergies and mold sensitivity
- lowered immunity
- insomnia
- increased PMS
- constipation
- (manic) mood swings
- despair, hopelessness
- candida / yeast infections
- joint aches and pains
- depersonalization
- infertility
- hypoglycemia
- headaches
- reduced metabolism
- confusion, disorientation, paranoia
- decreased self awareness
- ADD
- pseudo bi-polar disorder
- cancer (drug resistance)
- schizophrenia / misperception of self or others
Copper Deficiency or Toxicity?
Before discussing excess copper symptoms, the relationship between excess copper and deficient available copper needs to be understood.
Many people who are copper toxic, after searching online, discover they have symptoms that resemble copper deficiency. They will also likely come across the slew of online articles out there that promote the idea of copper deficiency and associated symptoms – yet very few of those authors understand that much of the copper deficiency in the West may be attributed to varying degrees of copper toxicity! And that distinction makes a world of difference – the difference between leading the public to believe that more copper consumption will do them well, instead of helping people understand that too much copper exposure is at the root of many of their health symptoms.
True dietary copper deficiency in the West is rare.
“At the Princeton Brain Bio Center, where serum heavy metal concentrations are routinely assayed, only three cases of hypocupremia have been documented from over twenty-five thousand patients treated, and these were precipitated by excessive zinc ingestion. In contrast, 64% of all female patients and 37% of all male patients exhibited copper intoxication and subsequent zinc deficiency in 1982. From a clinical standpoint, it is these symptoms and signs with which the physician should be familiar.”
(Note: Ample evidence exists to suggest the prevalence of copper toxicity today far exceeds that seen in the 80s).
Thus, though a minority of the population do have a true deficiency, the majority of people have a deficiency of bioavailable copper stemming from excess exposure and/or accumulation.
Excess copper acts as an excitotoxin, and as the copper level builds up, the adrenals eventually weaken from over stimulation. This in turn leads to an eventual decline in the liver’s production of ceruloplasmin (a protein which binds to copper to make it bioavailable); and without adequate ceruloplasmin to bind to the copper, excess copper then gets stored in a bio-unavailable form in soft tissue – creating a deficiency condition.
In other words: the more copper the body accumulates (toxicity), the more likely the eventual deficiency of bioavailable (usable) copper.
Dr. Malter, Ph.D, one of the leading researchers in this field for over 40 years, uses the great analogy of copper toxicity being akin to being stranded in the middle of the ocean and dying of thirst. There is lots of water all around, but none of it is in a form that can be used to drink.
As a result, copper toxicity symptoms (commonly also seen as copper IUD symptoms) may simultaneously reflect that of both copper deficiency and toxicity.
THE IMPACT ON EMOTIONS, RELATIONSHIPS, & MENTAL HEALTH
“Copper toxicity often leads to the destruction of relationships. Sometimes they don’t realize it because their feelings are numbed so much by the buildup of excess calcium and copper, they’re not even aware that their feelings are numbed, deadened, and cut off, and they’re basically operating at a cognitive level and not a feeling level, And yet cognitively they can convince themselves that they’re thinking their way through their emotional life. And that’s simply not the way it works, psychologically.
I would venture to say that divorce courts are loaded with people who’s relationships were destroyed by copper toxicity. Because the role of copper toxicity impacting the emotions, thought processes and behaviors is not understood, it leads to a lot of animosity and anger and resentment, and revenge – a lot of flare ups of the ‘Judge’ [a state of the ego-mind] psychologically – that ultimately winds up destroying the relationship.” ~ Dr. Malter, Ph.D.
Why Copper is Called the ‘Emotional Mineral’
Copper, at a healthy level, helps in the release of endorphins that contribute to normal feelings of love and euphoria. Ancient cultures made this connection, and manufacturers today of certain copper products use these concepts as a benefit in their marketing, including calling copper a ‘love mineral’. Where the misinterpretation comes is that the human population today is far more prone to copper toxicity than it was thousands of years ago, and when copper accumulates too much in the body, the beneficial effects reverse, and love can be shattered.
The higher that the bio-unavailable copper level becomes, especially when compounded with adrenal exhaustion, the more that feelings of love are diminished and numbed… at the same time that the risk for depression, irritability, and even violence increase. Meaningful memories may also be affected (due to zinc’s effect on the hippocampus), with recall impaired.
Excess copper indeed affects the emotions, but not always in a loving way that could easily be misinterpreted by the connotation of ’emotional mineral’.
While it’s true that copper increases the ’emotional states’ of humans, this should not be confused with feelings of love and positivity. Emotions also include depression, anxiety, fear, anger, resentment, etc. Science shows that high levels of bio-unavailable copper trigger those negative emotional states (fear, anger, irritability, etc), while at the same time deadening positive feelings of love.
As copper plays a role in MAO-A and MAO-B enzymes (these enzymes in turn affecting serotonin, adrenaline, dopamine, tryptamine, noradrenaline, melatonin etc…) it therefore plays a major role in brain health.
“Copper toxicity has been observed in association with major psychological problems including hyperactivity,depression, attention deficit disorder,memory problems, anxiety and panic attacks, violence, and emotional deadness. ~J.Casper
Though copper mostly accumulates in the liver initially, once the liver is overburdened, copper then gets stored in secondary storage locations, including the brain.
Copper stimulates the diencephalon or old ’emotional’ brain (the part of the brain based on quick emotional decisions such as anger/fight and avoidance/flight).
Zinc on the other hand is needed for the new brain (cortex) – the brain associated with the “higher emotions” such as reasoning, compassion and love.
As zinc drops and copper rises, these higher emotions are weakened and the person tends to revert to using the old brain – triggering a wide array of negative emotions and behaviors.
Copper toxicity causes “excessive emotions of many types such as anger, rage, frustration and others”.
Additionally, copper is largely deposited in the limbic brain which contains the hippocampus (affecting memories and emotions) – the cells of which have been shown to die when deprived of zinc.
“Copper lowers dopamine (a neurotransmitter that controls the brain’s pleasure and reward centers) and increases norepinephrine (another neurotransmitter that also functions as a stress hormone) in the brain. Imbalances in these important neurotransmitters are related to anxiety and panic disorders, depression (especially postpartum), bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism, violence, and paranoid schizophrenia.”
~Dr. William J. Walsh, PhD, Author of Nutrient Power: Heal Your Biochemistry & Heal Your Brain
Copper is also a key factor in PMS symptoms.
As estrogen rises during the premenstrual cycle (or during pregnancy), copper rises. Not only does this lead to copper induced zinc deficiency during the luteal phase (when PMS symptoms occur), but it also in turn increases sodium. This increase of sodium increases the Na/K stress ratio, and the individual becomes more prone to short fuse reactions to even the slightest stressor. Meanwhile, calming nutrients which can ease PMS symptoms such as zinc, magnesium, and B6 are, not coincidentally, reduced as copper increases.
Copper toxicity and magnesium deficiency (the former contributing to the latter) are the two biggest contributors to depression and anxiety.
With the drop in the zinc level as copper increases, so too drops the level of NGF (nerve growth factor). Elevated NGF plays an important role in early stage romantic love (first 1-6 months of a relationship)[38]. Copper toxicity occurring to a partner during this early relationship phase can really play havoc as heightening copper lowers zinc and in turn NGF, suffocating those feelings of love.
Added to this, high copper also leads to a state known as the ‘calcium shell‘. This rise in the tissue level of calcium is a defense mechanism against increasing and overwhelming stress which aims to reduce the adrenal response but in doing so blocks feelings and awareness, potentially leaving one emotionally numb.
Copper’s Connection with Estrogen / Hormones & Birth Control
“The continued use of oral contraceptives has been, and will continue to be, an important factor in influencing copper homeostasis in women.” ~Karl E. Mason, PhD
For some women, the copper IUD experience is without any significant symptoms, at least initially.
However, for the countless women who do exhibit symptoms, especially psychological, the default position of most OB/GYN’s is to insist there could be no possible connection to the IUD, or that a copper IUD isn’t going to increase the body’s copper level.
The copper IUD is promoted as a safe option because it’s “non-hormonal”. However, the full extent of copper IUD risks are not even remotely being disclosed to patients, and the product is certainly not as innocuous as those promoting it make it sound.
As far back as 1975, Dr. Carl Pfeiffer in his book Mental and Elemental Nutrients made the connection between the increasing prevalence of copper ‘toxicity’ and use of the pill and IUD. After copper IUD insertion there is an increased copper release into the body, and both blood tests and hair tissue mineral tests may likely show this increase in copper levels.
These studies (1, 2, 3, 4) support that evidence, while hundreds of thousands of HTMA profiles verify this connection.
Of course, some blood elevation in of itself does not necessarily lead to problems (initially), as for many women their diet contains enough zinc to balance the increase in copper, while their detox systems are strong enough (for a while) to maintain proper regulation. That said, it will not take much searching online to find forums filled with thousands of women who’s lives and health have been utterly ruined after having their IUD put in (some stories included here), and numerous class action law suits have been filed as a result (that alone should be a clue as to the dangers).
Copper builds up slowly in the body. For many women symptoms first begin appearing 2 or 6 months after insertion, for others though the time period may be much longer, years to decades before they notice anything, or connect the dots.
Side effects of copper IUD as copper accumulates usually begin with increasing brain fog and fatigue, often paired with a racing mind. Eventually, once the liver is overloaded, copper will then start accumulating in the brain, and severe shifts in personality can occur as a result of increasing bio-unavailable copper and calcium and changes in neurotransmitter production. The period 2 to 5 months post-insertion is a common time for many when metabolism begins slowing and energy, behaviour, and reactions begin changing, especially with increasing depression and irritability.
For some people, the simple decision to use a copper IUD can change their entire life trajectory, destroying important relationships, and beginning a cascade of health issues that can take many years to rectify.
“Birth control pills & copper IUDs – these two birth control methods definitely affect copper metabolism in the body. While some women can handle them, others experience depression, anxiety, personality shifts and many horrible side effects from them, either acute or chronic.” ~Dr. Lawrence Wilson
The copper problem has significantly worsened in the years since the birth control pill was introduced. Since that time, more and more females have become copper toxic (and we see this with the evidence provided through HTMA data).
The mother’s excess then gets transferred in utero via the placenta to the fetus during pregnancy, leading to elevated levels in the male population as well. Young girls entering adolescence are especially at risk since their own estrogen build-up will further increase the vulnerability to the problem – this is why it’s so important to acknowledge this issue and proactively test female children early.
The birth control pill affects copper by way of estrogen. Anything that raises estrogen (as the pill does) increases copper retention, and in turn, many of the direct psychological effects of copper (especially depression and anxiety). In fact, the ‘science researchers’ seem to finally be catching up to this connection with a study published in 2016 (something the pioneers of HTMA and copper toxicity research have already known about for 40 years, trying for decades to get the medical community and public to listen).
This study, the largest of its kind with over a million women tracked over 13 years, showed the direct link between hormonal contraceptive use and significantly increased rates of depression.
Most people however just think of the Pill’s connection to estrogen, without making the copper connection. When the copper connection is made, considering excess copper’s direct link to increased rates of depression and copper’s effect on raising tissue calcium and lowering magnesium (which in turn increases the risk of blood clots), questions raised by cases examined in articles such as this one would certainly find clearer answers, and those researching why youth mental health cases are exploding in schools (example) might stop scratching their heads.
How many more have to suffer before this nutrient connection is made!?
Approximately 5% of the population in the US, or upwards of 10%-15% of the population in northern European countries, have the genetic Factor V gene mutation, resulting in Factor V Leiden (thrombopholia).
Those with this mutation are more susceptible to blood clotting / deep vein thrombosis. This can amplify the blood clotting risk associated with the Pill and from the calcification induced by excess copper.
The vast majority of women are provided the Pill or their IUD without any investigation ever done on their FVL status.
Since the testing for Factor V Leiden can be easily done through simple blood tests, should not every woman being put on the Pill or IUD deserve to first be informed about, and screened for, FVL? Such screening / diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death for some women.
The estrogenic effect of the oral contraceptive pill, combined with the fact that the synthetic progesterone does not have a true progesterone effect, means that minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and B6 diminish while copper rises.
On that note, consider the unstable (negative) emotions associated with pregnancy, or post-partum, or with PMS. During pregnancy, estrogen rises, increasing copper retention. The serum copper level almost doubles during pregnancy!
After giving birth, if the mother is not able to detox her copper load (either through natural and healthy liver and bile functioning) or through breast-feeding, much of her elevated copper level remains stored in her body, a contributing factor to depression/PPD, and anxiety.
In fact, women with a history of PPD have significantly higher serum levels of copper. (It would be interesting to see how even more prevalent this connection would surely be if proper HTMA testing had been done for that study).
Many of the emotional symptoms of PMS are also copper induced as estrogen rises during the cycle. Estrogen rises up until ovulation at which point progesterone takes over as the dominant hormone and helps bring down estrogen (and copper). But when the woman is estrogen dominant (low progesterone) or already copper toxic, the cycle build up of estrogen leads to a further increase of copper along with its correlated emotional symptoms.
Studies have clearly shown that zinc deficiency resulting from increased copper occurs during the luteal phase – when PMS symptoms occur. Copper increases sodium which aggravates PMS symptoms, while lowering zinc and vitamin B6 – two nutrients which help reduce PMS symptoms and are both also essential for serotonin production (our happy hormone).
Estrogen Dominance
Estrogen dominance is a major issue which really throws off our mineral balance and leads to increased copper retention. The following are some of the more common symptoms of estrogen dominance:
- cramping
- bleeding and clotting
- fibroids
- Endometriosis
- PCOS
- Fibrocystic breasts
- breast tenderness
- bloating
- mood swings
- memory loss
- weight gain
- brain fog
- hair loss
- increased irritability
- osteoporosis
- hypothyroid
- slow metabolism
- insomnia
- fatigue
- PMS
- headaches
- hypoglycemia
Note the similarity between those symptoms and the symptoms of copper toxicity.
While oral contraceptive use is one contributing factor to estrogen dominance, largely adding to the problem is the increasing prevalence of xenoestrogens in our environment and lifestyle.
Xenoestrogens are manmade chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body.
Pesticides are our biggest source of xenoestrogens, both from crops and produce as well as eating meat from animals which previously consumed those crops.
Growth hormones given to much of the (non-organic) livestock and poultry we eat is another source.
PCB’s, PVC’s and plastic food and drink containers also give chemicals which mimic estrogen in the body.
Even stress contributes to excess estrogen, while estrogen in turn mimics the shock phase of the stress reaction.
Dr. Hans Selye, MD (the ‘father of stress research’) explained how estrogen causes the pituitary to secrete hormones which impair the ovaries from producing progesterone while at the same time stimulating cortisol production.
For women as they enter their late-thirties, progesterone levels begin to decline more quickly than estrogen, further contributing to estrogen dominance in women. In fact, between the ages of 35 to 50, while estrogen drops about 35%, progesterone drops by up to 75%, leading to more and more to estrogen dominance as menopause approaches. A zinc deficiency then allows copper to accumulate further, especially with the presence of estrogens and xenoestrogens which impair the body’s ability to excrete the excess copper. Once again, the more estrogen (regardless of source), in men or women, the higher the rate of copper retention in the body.
We’ve already seen through scientific studies of wildlife how frogs and fish are switching gender due to this rise in estrogens. Women are becoming more and more estrogen dominant, especially in the Western world, and some experts link this increase of estrogen to the rise in rates of breast cancer, infertility, autoimmune diseases, etc. This most definitely further impacts the number of people who currently and who in the future will be diagnosed as copper toxic.
Copper Toxicity levels
The copper IUD is a non-hormonal form of birth control which many women choose to avoid the risk of mood swings, anxiety and depression associated with hormonal contraceptives.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has received three complaints of suspected copper toxicity from the IUD over the last two years.
In a statement, MHRA said: “The information currently available in the literature points to the copper IUD being a safe and effective method of contraception.”
This does not appear to match many women’s experiences. There are multiple copper IUD toxicity support groups on Facebook, the largest with 6,500 members.
Only a handful of studies have been conducted testing the copper levels of women with the copper IUD, most of which test for copper using blood tests.
Rick Fischer began researching copper toxicity after his fiancé’s health dramatically declined five months after her copper IUD was put in.
He said: “It destroyed her health, it destroyed our relationship and family, and I threw my life into trying to understand what happened to her. As I dove into research, I began hearing stories of many other women who had been through similar.”
Fischer is now one of Canada’s leading Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) practitioners, and is at the forefront of raising awareness about copper toxicity.
Blood tests, Fischer explains, are ineffective in measuring the body’s overall copper level. Blood quickly removes excess toxins and minerals, some of which are excreted in urine, while the rest remain stored in the body’s cells and tissues.
Even when measuring hair tissues, copper levels can appear deceptively low. However, when copper is stored too tightly within the body to detect, the balance of other minerals in the HTMA can reveal a pattern indicating copper toxicity, Fischer explains.
Paragard, which manufactures copper IUDs, warns that women should not use the copper IUD if they have a copper allergy, however there is no mention of the risk of copper toxicity.
Copper levels can rise from drinking water carried in copper pipes, from eating foods high in copper such as nuts and leafy greens, or even from inheriting high copper levels at birth.
The copper IUD is a contributing factor which can tip the balance of a woman’s copper levels into toxicity.
Fischer explains, vegetarian and vegan diets are high in phytates which lessen zinc absorption, causing copper levels to rise.
Additionally, these diets are low in taurine, a primarily meat-based amino acid needed to produce bile to help excrete copper from the body.
Fischer says: “Initially, copper gives a person energy. But over time, the excess accumulation leads into increasing fatigue and brain fog, then depression and anxiety, possible panic attacks, all the way down the spectrum to severe psychosis, paranoia, schizophrenia, and even suicide.”
Fischer points out that most doctors rule out the possibility of the non-hormonal IUD as the culprit because they are educated to connect mental health issues with hormones, not minerals.
Dr. Michael Gormley, a retired GP, said: “The copper coil probably wouldn’t even cross my mind because there’s so many other reasons why people get physical or emotional symptoms. And it’s so difficult when you get emotional symptoms knowing is it life, or is it chemical?”
The IUD is commonly fitted immediately after an abortion or after giving birth, and the volatile symptoms of copper toxicity can be indistinguishable from those of postpartum depression or of distress following an abortion.
How I started my healing journey
When I finally got my IUD taken out, I knew I still had a long journey ahead of me to heal myself of the copper toxicity my body endured. Getting it taken out is only the beginning.
I knew right away that I had to start detoxing my body, and in searching for a decent heavy metal detox, I learned about Advanced TRS. It contains a proprietary Zeolite formula, which is an alkaline mineral that’s very porous and is one of the very few minerals that is negatively charged by nature.
Since most toxins, such as heavy metals, radiation, and pesticides are positively charged, zeolite is pulled to the toxins like a magnet, sucking them up into its cage like structure. These toxic substances become trapped in the cage, and are then safely excreted from the body.
Because zeolite has a negative charge and attracted to positive charges (like most things that don’t belong in our bodies), it can be an effective detox method for removing a number of toxic elements that are draining our health.
But, on top of Advanced TRS, I started really becoming conscious of my health and taking other steps to detox my body of heavy metals and everyday environmental toxins. You can read more in depth about additional ways to detox here.
Possible side effects of Paragard (per their website):
- Ectopic Pregnancy and Intrauterine Pregnancy Risks: There are risks if you become pregnant while using Paragard.
- Life-Threatening Infection: Life-threatening infection can occur within the first few days after Paragard is placed. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you develop severe pain or fever shortly after Paragard is placed.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) or Endometritis: Some IUD users get a serious pelvic infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or endometritis. PID and endometritis are usually sexually transmitted; you are at a higher risk if you or your partner has sex with others. PID and endometritis are usually treated with antibiotics. PID and endometritis can cause serious problems such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain. More serious cases may require surgery and rarely, PID can even cause death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these signs of PID or endometritis: low abdominal (stomach area) or pelvic pain, pelvic tenderness, painful sex, unusual or bad smelling vaginal discharge, chills, long-lasting or heavy bleeding, fever, genital lesions or sores.
- Embedment: Paragard may become attached to (embedded) the wall of the uterus. This may make it hard to remove Paragard. Surgery may be needed.
- Perforation: Paragard may go through the wall of the uterus. This is called perforation. You are not protected from pregnancy if perforation occurs. It may move outside the uterus and cause scarring, infection, damage to other organs, pain, or infertility. Surgery may be needed. Excessive pain or vaginal bleeding during placement of Paragard, pain or bleeding that gets worse after placement, or not being able to feel the threads may happen with perforation. The risk of perforation is increased in breastfeeding women.
- Expulsion: Paragard may partially or completely fall out of the uterus. This is called expulsion. Expulsion occurs in about 2 out of 100 women. Excessive pain, vaginal bleeding during placement of Paragard, pain that gets worse, bleeding after placement, or not being able to feel the threads may happen with expulsion. You are not protected from pregnancy if Paragard is expelled.
- Changes in Bleeding: You may have heavier and longer periods with spotting in between. Sometimes the bleeding is heavier than usual at first. Call your healthcare provider if the bleeding remains heavier or longer and spotting continues.
- Reactions After Placement or Removal: Some women have had reactions such as dizziness (syncope), slowed heart rate (bradycardia), or seizures, immediately after Paragard was placed or removed. This happened especially in women who have had these conditions before.
However, more recent complaints connect post-insertion symptoms of copper toxicity to patients with Wilson’s disease. Since Paragard is mostly made of copper, it can intensify this rare disease defined by extreme copper accumulation inside the body.
Prompt medical care is crucial. If left untreated, the disease can cause serious complications, including:
- Menstrual irregularity or amenorrhea
- Liver scarring or even failure
- Kidney problems
- Premature arthritis and osteoporosis
- Neurological and psychological problems
- Destruction of red blood cells
Copper toxicity builds up slowly in the body.
Many women usually display side effects of copper toxicity up to 6 months after insertion, some even years after.
Paragard patients experiencing below symptoms of copper toxicity should seek medical attention immediately:
- Headaches or fever
- Fatigue and loss of consciousness
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting blood
- Sudden changes of mood or depression
