the womb room podcast
episode 12:
alley’s journey with the copper iud
Is your IUD causing you harm?
Every week, I get messages like these:
“I want to get my IUD out, but my doctor won't remove it.”
“I have joint pain, food intolerance, and chronic fatigue now that I have the copper IUD… but my doctor says it can't be related”
“I've had chronic pelvic pain for years…but my doctor said it's psychological, and I just need to relax.”
And you know what? I hear a lot of stories that end in, “No one will listen, so I'm taking out my IUD myself.”
Most of the time, the messages we get about medical contraceptives like the hormonal or copper IUD are that they're easy, effective, and relatively low-risk.
What's left out are all the effects and consequences, from mild to severe, that can have a significant impact on our physical, emotional and energetic health.
I'm passionate about sharing these stories, to counter the narrative that we're being fed – that we don't know our bodies, that our pain is “in our head,” or that our fatigue, food intolerances, painful sex, joint pain, anxiety, and more simply couldn't be a result of our birth control.
That's why today on the podcast, I chat with my friend and Womb Room member, Alley, who shares her journey with having (and removing!) the copper IUD.
As someone who already had predispositions for autoimmune issues, Alley experienced new and worsening symptoms with her IUD like:
🚩irritable bowel and food intolerances
🚩worsening lupus
🚩chronic fatigue
🚩joint pain
🚩heavy bleeding and anemia
…and while the link between the copper IUD and autoimmune issues are medically known, this never came up with her doctors.
The copper IUD is often mistaken as being safer or without risk, because it’s “non-hormonal.” But let’s clarify: “non-hormonal” does not mean “natural”.
The Copper IUD (ParaGard) is a T-shaped plastic device that's inserted into the uterus, through the cervix. Copper wire coiled around the IUD causes an inflammatory reaction that is toxic to sperm and eggs, preventing pregnancy.
Because the body is an ecosystem, this inflammation typically doesn’t stay only in the womb-- and that’s why it is known to cause or worsen other systemic inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, Crohn's and celiac, food intolerances and allergies, fatigue and more.
Fed up and frustrated by not being listened to, Alley had the intuition that it was the IUD causing her serious symptoms all along— and made the decision to remove her IUD herself.
In the episode, we talk about experiencing the medical system as a Black woman, her IUD process, and how self-removal of the thing causing her harm was a catalyst to taking self-responsibility for her health and healing.
Listen to the podcast here!
If you've had an IUD in the past and are still recovering from the physical or emotional impacts, I see you, and I want to affirm that your body is brilliant, and healing is possible.
And, if you're on a medical contraceptive that feels like it's the best you can do, but you're experiencing pain, digestive issues, anxiety or depression, chronic fatigue, or other symptoms, I see you too.
If you've been gaslighted into thinking these symptoms are in your head or are unrelated, but deep down you know there's something more – I want to affirm that YOU are the only one in your body, and you deserve to have a contraceptive method that fully aligns with your health, sovereignty, and power.
And, this is possible! Check out our free fertility awareness 101 workshop, or our free intro guide and video to breaking up with birth control to learn more.
I’m so grateful to Alley for sharing her story and being in our community! If you’re ready to join a powerful and supportive community with tons of step-by-step resources to reclaiming your womb sovereignty, join us in The Womb Room Membership!
I hope today's episode leaves you feeling affirmed, validated and inspired to walk in your power.
Sources:
IUDs, inflammation, and infection: assessment after two decades of IUD use
Choice of contraception may influence rheumatoid arthritis autoimmunity risk