If you chose to use an IUD, depending which one you choose can influence how bad your cramps are, how heavy or light your flow is, and whether or not you’ll get a period at all.
If you're considering getting an IUD primarily to help with period cramps or PMS (rather than to prevent pregnancy), know that Ova Moon created the Hormone + Cycle Balancing Multivitamin for this exact reason.
About HORMONAL IUDS
What they do:
- Hormonal IUDs prevent pregnancy by thickening cervical mucus so sperm can’t enter the uterus.
- They also help make the uterine lining thinner, creating a less welcoming space for an embryo to develop.
How they work:
Hormonal IUDs release progestin—a synthetic drug form of the natural hormone progesterone. Progestin and progesterone are very similar, and sometimes act the same way. For example, they both thin the uterine lining.
Due to small differences in chemistry, however, they sometimes act in opposite ways. Notably, natural progesterone guides sperm toward your egg by helping them swim faster, whereas synthetic progestin separates sperm from your egg with a thick layer of mucus.
Menstrual cramps with hormonal IUDs:
Cramps and bleeding may be reduced for as long as a hormonal IUD is in place. Once removed, things will return to whatever was normal for you pre-IUD. At that point you can either have a new IUD inserted, or turn to another safe and effective way to relieve period cramps, like taking Ova Moon.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has established that hormonal contraceptives like Kyleena can cause depletions of vitamins and minerals like folic acid (folate), vitamins B2, B6, B12, C, and E, as well as magnesium, selenium, and zinc. Luckily Ova Moon supplements offer ALL of these nutrients ! If you're using a hormonal IUD, then we recommend taking the Prenatal Multivitamin because it does not include the herb vitex (chaste tree berry) which could interfere with the contraceptive nature of the hormonal IUD. Vitex however is not contraindicated when using a Copper IUD, because this type of IUD is non-hormonal.
About COPPER IUDS
What they do:
- Copper IUDs, or non-hormonal IUDs, prevent pregnancy by releasing copper into the uterus. They do not contain hormones.
How they work:
Copper IUDs are wrapped in copper wire that emits copper ions into the uterus. Copper is toxic to sperm cells. When exposed, they lose their ability to swim toward an egg.
Organs don’t like having foreign objects in them. In addition to rendering sperm useless, copper IUDs intentionally inflame the lining of the uterus so it’s less hospitable to a fertilized egg.
Menstrual cramps with copper IUDs:
Worsened period cramps are possible with the copper IUD, especially during the first year. But most people don’t notice much difference in their cramps with the copper IUD.
Copper IUDs don’t disrupt your hormonal cycle
Copper IUDs don’t contain drug hormones, and don’t change the hormones you make naturally. The biggest benefit of preserving your natural hormonal rhythms with a copper IUD is that you’ll still ovulate each cycle.
How to help with period cramps from IUDs
We formulated Ova Moon's products to provide holistic, natural, effective relief from period cramps—no matter how your IUD changes your period.
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