Table of contents:
- How does spiral birth control work?
- Non-hormonal spiral birth control
- Hormonal spiral birth control
- Is it true that spiral birth control can make you fat?
- Tips for maintaining your current body weight in order to stay ideal
- Possible side effects of spiral birth control
The IUD, also known as spiral birth control, is a plastic T-shaped coin that is placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. Yes, spiral family planning is one of the most popular contraceptives. Unfortunately, the use of spiral birth control is followed by rumors that this contraceptive can make you fat. Is it true or not, huh? Check out the answer below.
How does spiral birth control work?
Before you find out whether using spiral birth control can make you fat, you should find out how spiral birth control works in preventing pregnancy.
Another name for spiral birth control, IUD, stands for intrauterine device,that is, one of the methods used when you want to prevent pregnancy. This object is placed in the uterus and works by preventing the sperm from "meeting" with the egg and fertilizing it.
Actually, there are two types of spiral family planning, namely non-hormonal and hormonal spiral contraceptives. However, both types of spiral birth control have not been proven to make you fat.
Non-hormonal spiral birth control
Based on the article that discusses non-hormonal spiral contraceptives published in Planned Parenthood, non-hormonal spiral contraceptives are IUDs that are shaped like a T-shaped head and wrapped with copper on the outside. Therefore, it is not surprising that this contraceptive is also called copper spiral contraception.
This type of spiral birth control uses copper to prevent pregnancy. How to? Apparently sperm do not 'like' the presence of copper. The reason is, copper can change and block the movement of sperm cells, making it difficult for sperm to swim in the uterus to meet the egg.
If the sperm cannot make it to the egg, you will not become pregnant. The use of spiral birth control can last for quite a long time. The reason is, non-hormonal spiral birth control can last up to 10 years.
However, the use of this contraceptive may have various side effects of the IUD. For example, this contraceptive can cause anemia, back pain, painful sexual activity, vaginal bleeding when not menstruating, and many more. However, making the body fat is not included in the list of side effects of using this spiral contraceptive.
Hormonal spiral birth control
Hormonal spiral birth control means an IUD that is T-shaped and releases the progestin hormone into the uterus when used. This type of spiral KB is not coated with copper.
The release of the progestin hormone from this type of spiral birth control helps to thicken the cervical mucus, thereby preventing the sperm from successfully fertilizing the egg. The synthetic progestin hormone contained in this hormonal spiral contraceptive will make the ovary wall narrow and prevent the release of eggs.
Just like non-hormonal spiral birth control, this type of spiral birth control also has side effects, such as changing menstrual cycles, acne, depression, and various other side effects.
However, the use of spiral birth control also does not claim that it can make your body fat. This means, there is no research that can prove whether the use of spiral birth control can make you fat.
The use of spiral birth control may only work after a week of use. Then, the effectiveness of its use can last up to five years.
Is it true that spiral birth control can make you fat?
The assumption that spiral birth control causes weight gain may originate from the increase in the hormone estrogen in the body. High estrogen levels can cause fluid buildup or fat storage in the thighs, hips, and breasts. However, this has not been proven to be true. So far there is no solid scientific evidence to confirm that IUDs, especially copper spirals, can make you fat.
So far, experts agree that using spiral birth control, even if it contains hormones, does not have the potential to make the body fat. After all, basically, as we get older, we do gain weight.
If there is weight gain when using spiral birth control, this is not necessarily the only factor that makes your body fat. Maybe this increase is due to your eating habits, or something else.
That is why, if you use spiral birth control and feel that its use makes your body fat, it would be better if you consult further with your doctor. Your doctor may help you check your health condition and determine what form of contraception might be more suitable for you.
Tips for maintaining your current body weight in order to stay ideal
In order to maintain an ideal body weight, both while using spiral birth control or other types of contraception, you can do several ways so that you don't gain weight easily. That way, even if you use spiral birth control, you don't need to worry about using it to make your body fat.
To find out if you already have an ideal body, you can use a Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator. In addition, you can also maintain your weight by adjusting your diet and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Some things you can do to worry about using spiral birth control can lead to weight gain are:
- eat according to the number of calories recommended for you.
- consume fruits, vegetables, and whole grains every day.
- choose dairy products that are low in fat or contain no fat at all.
- reduce the consumption of saturated fat, micin, salt, and excess sugar.
- choose fish, nuts, eggs, and whole grains as protein sources.
- exercise diligently.
Possible side effects of spiral birth control
Although not necessarily making you fat, using spiral birth control still has its own risks of side effects, namely:
- Irregular bleeding during the first few months.
- You will have more menstrual periods and experience cramping if you use a copper spiral.
- Menstruation is shorter (or no period at all) if you use a hormone spiral.
- PMS-like symptoms develop, such as headaches, acne, aches, and breast tenderness with the hormonal IUD.
- Does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV / AIDS.
Things to note, not everyone can use spiral birth control. For women who have pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine disorders, cervical cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases, it is recommended to use other methods of contraception besides the IUD. Again, if you feel that using spiral birth control can make your body fat, consult your doctor further.
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