Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Paragard. This device may not be the right treatment for you if you he certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Paragard or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Paragard. Ask your doctor what other types of birth control may be better options for you.
Copper allergy. If you he or he had a copper allergy, you’re more likely to experience an allergic reaction to Paragard. Paragard is a copper intrauterine device (IUD), and the copper material can trigger an allergic reaction in your body. Due to this risk, doctors will typically not prescribe Paragard if you he a copper allergy. However, they can recommend other birth control options for you.
Wilson’s disease. Wilson’s disease is a condition in which your body cannot remove copper, causing a high level to build up in your organs. Paragard is a copper IUD. If you use Paragard and he Wilson’s disease, you may he an increased risk of severe side effects from the disease. Due to this risk, doctors will not likely prescribe Paragard if you he Wilson’s disease.
Before using Paragard, talk with your doctor if you he a history of Wilson’s disease. They can recommend the right birth control options for you.
Untreated cervicitis, vaginitis, or urinary tract infection (UTI). An untreated inflammation or infection in your cervix, vagina, or urinary tract may increase your risk of serious side effects of Paragard. Before starting Paragard, tell your doctor if you he any symptoms of infection. These symptoms may include fever, chills, or unusual vaginal discharge. Your doctor will likely want to treat the infection before Paragard insertion.
Condition that changes the shape of your uterus. Before using Paragard, tell your doctor if you he or he had a condition that changes the shape of your uterus. An example of such a condition is fibroid tumors.
These conditions can make it more difficult to place Paragard, which can increase your risk of serious side effects. Due to this risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Paragard if your uterus is not a typical shape. However, they can recommend other birth control options for you.
Unexplained bleeding from your vagina. If you he unexplained bleeding from your vagina, your doctor will likely not prescribe Paragard. Unexplained bleeding can be a symptom of more serious conditions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease.
Talk with your doctor before starting Paragard if you he unexplained bleeding from your vagina. They’ll likely want to diagnose and treat any underlying conditions before prescribing Paragard.
Uterine cancer or cervical cancer. Your doctor will likely not prescribe Paragard if you he a history of uterine cancer or cervical cancer. These can increase your risk of serious side effects from Paragard, such as perforation or embedment. Talk with your doctor before Paragard insertion. They will help determine the best treatment strategies for you.
Dizziness, slow heart rate, or seizure. Some people may experience dizziness, slow heart rate, or seizure after Paragard insertion or removal. The risk of these side effects is higher if you’ve had these conditions in the past. Before Paragard insertion, tell your doctor if you’ve ever experienced any of these conditions.
Recent childbirth or abortion. Let your doctor know if you’ve recently given birth or had an abortion. The risk of Paragard expulsion is higher if it’s inserted soon after you give birth or he an abortion. (Expulsion is when Paragard partially or completely falls out of your uterus.) Your doctor can help you decide the best time to he Paragard inserted.
Alcohol with ParagardIn clinical trials, there were no reported interactions between Paragard and alcohol.
However, keep in mind that drinking alcohol may cause dizziness. This side effect is also possible with Paragard, especially during insertion or removal of the IUD. Consuming alcohol before Paragard insertion or removal may increase your risk of dizziness.
Ask your doctor how much alcohol, if any, is safe to consume while using Paragard.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while using ParagardIt’s not safe to use Paragard during pregnancy. Paragard is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help prevent pregnancy, so it’s not necessary to use Paragard if you’re already pregnant. Using Paragard during pregnancy can increase your risk of complications, such as pregnancy loss, sepsis, and premature labor.
Paragard may be used while breastfeeding. In clinical trials, there was no information on how copper affects children who are breastfed. Additionally, there was no reported difference in the amount of copper in breast milk before and after Paragard insertion. (Paragard is a copper IUD.)
However, breastfeeding may increase the risk of certain side effects, such as perforation. In clinical trials, perforation of the uterus or cervix was more common in people who were lactating.
Talk with your doctor if you’d like to use Paragard to help prevent future pregnancies while breastfeeding. You and your doctor can discuss risks and benefits to decide whether or not you should use Paragard while breastfeeding.