Copper IUD and Mirena IUD Help

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2004
Copper IUD and Mirena IUD Help
1
Thu, 10-28-2004 - 1:02pm
I think i'm the only huy who posts on this board lol but anyway alot of peoplr know my gf has a mirena IUD in her. I'm just curious as to what has a better percentage of working the Copper IUD or the Mirena IUD. I know the copper on pretty much kills off sperm before even making it up anywhere because of the copper but the Mirena IUD is plastic and it seems like it wouldn't be as effective as the copper one. Can anyone fill me in on this and let me know what the Mirena IUD can do that the Copper one can't do?
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Thu, 10-28-2004 - 1:14pm
The Mirena IUD isn't just plastic. It continuously releases a small dose of hormones. Those hormones make the cervical mucus thicker and impede sperm from being able to fertilize an egg. The Mirena IUD has a lower failure rate than the copper IUD (0.1% failure for Mirena as compared to 0.6% for perfect use with copper), as you can see on this chart:

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/bcfacts2.html