(BPT) – Jasmine Clark, like many busy moms, describes her life as a “balancing act.” Whether she’s picking up her two children from school, teaching anatomy at her local college or practicing yoga, her full plate doesn’t leave room for the unexpected, especially when it comes to her birth control.
When Jasmine was ready for a birth control change, she contacted her healthcare provider to learn more about long-acting reversible contraception. After discussing her options with her doctor, she chose the hormone-free intrauterine device (IUD), PARAGARD® (intrauterine copper contraceptive), which is a copper-releasing device that is placed in a woman’s uterus to prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years.
“When my doctor told me about PARAGARD, I knew it was the right choice for me and my all-over-the-place schedule. Every month I do an at-home string check to make sure it’s still in place, but I don’t have to go to the pharmacy all the time or maintain a daily routine,” says Jasmine.
PARAGARD is more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy and is 100% hormone-free.PARAGARD does not protect against HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). A woman should not use PARAGARD if she has a pelvic infection, gets infections easily or has certain cancers. Less than 1% of all users get a serious infection called pelvic inflammatory disease. If a woman has persistent pelvic or stomach pain, or if PARAGARD comes out, she should tell her healthcare provider. If it comes out, she should use back-up birth control.
Because it’s hormone-free, PARAGARD allows women to keep their menstrual cycle. The most common side effects of PARAGARD are heavier, longer periods and spotting between periods; most of these side effects diminish after 2-3 months. If a woman’s menstrual flow continues to be heavy or long, or spotting continues, or if she has other questions about side effects, she should contact her healthcare provider.
Jasmine shared, “My husband and I want to have more kids, but our lives are just too hectic right now. I don’t know when we’ll be ready, but with PARAGARD, my doctor can remove it when we’re ready.”
When Jasmine is ready to grow her family, her healthcare provider can remove PARAGARD at any time up to 10 years after it was inserted and she can start trying to get pregnant the same day it is removed.
Occasionally, PARAGARD may attach to or in rare cases may go through the uterine wall and may also cause other problems. In some cases, surgical removal may be necessary.
Jasmine has used PARAGARD for seven years under the care of her healthcare provider. She has been compensated by Teva Women’s Health, Inc., the maker of PARAGARD, for sharing her personal experience with PARAGARD. Experiences differ among PARAGARD users, so a woman should discuss her own needs with her healthcare provider.
This sponsored content is brought to you by Teva Women’s Health, Inc.
What is PARAGARD® (intrauterine copper contraceptive)?
PARAGARD is a copper-releasing device that is placed in your uterus to prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not use PARAGARD® if you have a pelvic infection, get infections easily or have certain cancers. Less than 1% of users get a serious infection called pelvic inflammatory disease. If you have persistent pelvic or stomach pain, or if PARAGARD comes out, tell your healthcare provider. If it comes out, use back-up birth control. Occasionally, PARAGARD may attach to or in rare cases may go through the uterine wall and may also cause other problems. In some cases, surgical removal may be necessary. Although uncommon, pregnancy while using PARAGARD can be life threatening and may result in loss of pregnancy or fertility. Bleeding or spotting may increase at first but should decrease in 2 to 3 months. PARAGARD does not protect against HIV/AIDS or STDs.
Available by prescription only.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For more information about PARAGARD, please see the full Prescribing Information, available here.
PARAGARD® is a registered trademark of Teva Women’s Health, Inc.
©2016 Teva Women’s Health, Inc.
PAR-41038 September 2016
