BRIEF SUMMARY
Paragard T380A
® Intrauterine Copper Contraceptive
This brief summary does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment.
Paragard T 380A Intrauterine Copper Contraceptive is used to prevent
® pregnancy. It does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.
What is Paragard ? ® Paragard (intrauterine copper contraceptive) is a copper-releasing device that ® is placed in your uterus to prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years. Paragard is ® made of white plastic in the shape of a “T.” Copper is wrapped around the stem and arms of the “T”. Two white threads are attached to the stem of the “T”. The threads are the only part of Paragard that you can feel when Paragard is in ® ® your uterus. Paragard and its components do not contain latex. ®
How long can I keep Paragard in place? ® You can keep Paragard in your uterus for up to 10 years. After 10 years, you ® should have Paragard removed by your healthcare provider. If you wish and ® if it is still right for you, you may get a new Paragard during the same visit. ®
What if I change my mind and want to become pregnant? Your healthcare provider can remove Paragard at any time. After discontinu® ation of Paragard , its contraceptive effect is reversed. ®
How does Paragard work? ® Ideas about how Paragard works include preventing sperm from reaching ® the egg, preventing sperm from fertilizing the egg, and possibly preventing the egg from attaching (implanting) in the uterus. Paragard does not stop your ® ovaries from making an egg (ovulating) each month.
How well does Paragard work? ® Fewer than 1 in 100 women become pregnant each year while using Paragard . ®
Who should not use Paragard ?
® You should not use Paragard if you
® • Might be pregnant • Have a uterus that is abnormally shaped inside • Have a pelvic infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or have current behavior that puts you at high risk of PID (for example, because you are having sex with several men, or your partner is having sex with other women) • Have had an infection in your uterus after a pregnancy or abortion in the past
3 months • Have cancer of the uterus or cervix • Have unexplained bleeding from your vagina • Have an infection in your cervix • Have Wilson’s disease (a disorder in how the body handles copper) • Are allergic to anything in Paragard
® • Already have an intrauterine contraceptive in your uterus
How is Paragard placed in the uterus?
® Paragard is placed in your uterus during an office visit. Your healthcare pro
® vider first examines you to find the position of your uterus. Next, he or she will cleanse your vagina and cervix, measure your uterus, and then slide a plastic tube containing Paragard into your uterus. The tube is removed, leav
® ing Paragard inside your uterus. Two white threads extend into your vagina.
® The threads are trimmed so they are just long enough for you to feel with your fingers when doing a self-check. As Paragard goes in, you may feel cramp
® ing or pinching. Some women feel faint, nauseated, or dizzy for a few minutes afterwards. Your healthcare provider may ask you to lie down for a while and to get up slowly.
How do I check that Paragard is in my uterus? ® Visit your healthcare provider for a check-up about one month after placement to make sure Paragard is still in your uterus. ® You can also check to make sure that Paragard is still in your uterus by reach® ing up to the top of your vagina with clean fingers to feel the two threads. Do not pull on the threads. If you cannot feel the threads, ask your healthcare provider to check if Paragard is in the right place. If you can feel more of Paragard than just the ® ® threads, Paragard is not in the right place. If you can’t see your healthcare ® provider right away, use an additional birth control method. If Paragard is in ® the wrong place, your chances of getting pregnant are increased. It is a good habit for you to check that Paragard is in place once a month. ® You may use tampons when you are using Paragard . ®