Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary
Leading the change to better periods and hormones
There are two types of IUD or intrauterine device. The benefits of the hormonal IUD is that it lightens periods. The benefits of the copper IUD is that it does not contain hormones or alter hormone balance.
Copper IUDs or coils (ParaGard or the new Miudella) are non-hormonal methods of birth control.
The main advantage of a copper IUD over hormonal methods is that it contains no contraceptive medication and therefore permits natural ovulatory menstrual cycles.
Of course, it also has some downsides.
Hormonal IUDs, or coils, are different from all types of hormonal birth control in that they do not suppress ovulation and can, therefore, permit natural cycling.
Other benefits of hormonal IUDs are that they are convenient and a highly effective method of birth control. They can also dramatically reduce menstrual flow and relieve pain and other symptoms of endometriosis. Hormonal IUDs also have some downsides.
The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve that activates the parasympathetic nervous system and increases levels of oxytocin and the calming neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Supporting the vagus nerve and thereby improving parasympathetic tone promotes relaxation, sleep, digestion, and healing.
Activating the parasympathetic nervous system dials down the sympathetic nervous system or fight-or-flight response. In that way, the vagus nerve acts as a built-in “stress-reset button.”
Natural or non-hormonal contraceptive methods include fertility awareness-based methods, the diaphragm, condoms, and the copper IUD or Paragard.