ParaGard for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 5)

• Kar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 6, 2021

"I have had the IUD for almost 10 months now, and I am debating getting it taken out. I was prepared for more cramping and heavier periods (those are common side effects), but I wasn’t prepared for sharp cramping almost all the time. Before the IUD, I had a very predictable cycle every 35ish days and got cramps the first day or two of my period. Now I feel like I get a period randomly every 2-3 weeks, and there is no way to track when I will be bleeding/cramping or not. I feel in almost constant pain. Then I’ve also felt much more anxious, depressed, and irritable and have gained significant weight. There may be no way to know whether these symptoms are actually caused by the IUD or other things going on in my life, but they seem to have appeared right after insertion and are similar to other reviews. It’s hard to decide whether to get it removed because if I get it out, I have to try another option, which may have similar side effects anyway. Bleh :/"

• Ano...
• January 5, 2021

"I wanted to love my ParaGard, I really did. I had mine inserted in August of 2019. A few weeks after insertion, I began having UTIs, dull bladder pain that lasted weeks, if not months. In mid-2020, things started to get a little better, no more UTIs and less discomfort in my bladder. Now I seem to be getting what may be BV or yeast infections, and I mean constantly. Every other week, pee burns for a couple of hours until I take a probiotic. I believe it's the copper that's messing with my natural vaginal biome that's causing me to be so prone to infections. I love that it is such an effective form of birth control, but the BV and yeast infections are unbearable. I see myself having it removed and replaced with Mirena in a few months if things don't get better. If you are someone prone to UTIs/yeast infections/BV, you may want to run in the other direction from ParaGard."

• AMP...
• July 15, 2019

"It does prevent pregnancy, but I've had many problems with ParaGard. Ever since, my periods have been like night and day from what they were my entire life (I am 39 years old). I bleed 3 weeks a month, and my cramps are much worse. Today I made an appointment to have it removed. I chose to look up some info in the hopes of finding that others had gone through this, and relief is on its way. So many other issues I have read here are also things I've been dealing with. I've had depression and anxiety, I've gained 60 lbs. I've experienced vaginal odor that I never had before. I'm in shock that so many others have had these symptoms. I just thought I was going to get my normal periods back after it's taken out in 2 weeks. Now I'm attributing other serious issues to the IUD and hope so badly that things go back to normal in all areas. Not worth it! Do not get this IUD!"

• Col...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 23, 2016

"I've decided to post because I've heard so many horror stories about the ParaGard IUD. I've tried Depo, the pill, and even the Nexplanon implant, and they all didn't work due to hormonal side effects. They were all hell. I'm only 20, in college, and being miserable is the last thing on my mind due to birth control. The ParaGard IUD was my last option, and it has been absolutely amazing. Before any birth control, I had a heavy flow, very painful periods. With the ParaGard, my first two days are the only days I cramp, and it's not too bad. My flow is pretty normal, I can get away with wearing a regular tampon, and it lasts 6 days. I love it because I can predict my period, and it is very accurate. No mood swings or anything. AMAZING!"

• dan...
• April 20, 2015

"I got my ParaGard put in 3 days ago, and I will let you all know I was absolutely terrified. I researched and researched for weeks before and almost decided against it from all the horror stories I read. Ladies passing out, bleeding all the time, cramps from hell, etc. Well, my doctor herself had an IUD put in, so she firsthand knew how badly they hurt. The entire procedure took less than 5 minutes, and when I was done, I said, 'Was that it?? That's all?' It wasn't bad at all, and I had very, very minor cramping in the days following. It is absolutely worth it for what it's worth! Highly recommend."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2016

"I'm sharing my positive experience with Paragard - I hesitated for quite some time because of some of the things I'd read online. I've had Paragard for 4.5 months now, and I wish I'd gotten it sooner! It's wonderful! Two main points - first, my period hasn't changed much. Still lasts 5 days, with 1-2 days of bleeding on the heavier side. No, I don't have to change my tampon every hour =) As for the cramps, mine have actually IMPROVED. I don't even have to take Midol anymore! My cramps used to be a constant, dull ache that would last all day - they were terrible. With Paragard, they come in short waves (lasting for like 10 seconds). They are so much more bearable now! No maintenance, no hormones, and highly effective? Best decision ever!"

• Sea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2015

"I wanted to leave a review because I feel that naturally, people with bad experiences are more likely to post than people who had positive experiences. For me, the copper IUD has been the best form of birth control I've used. Insertion was extremely painful, but the potential to have 10 years of hormone-free birth control is worth it. The 1st month, there was a lot of light bleeding and occasional cramping while the IUD 'settled' in. The cramping at the start of my 1st period was hell, the 2nd period less so, and now the 3rd period is almost pre-insertion levels. Periods are heavier and longer, but I am so relieved to 1) have a sex drive (bad experiences with hormones) and 2) 10 years of no pills in my future! I don't notice my IUD anymore, 3 months in."

• kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 25, 2020

"I would like to start off by saying the ParaGard is a bit painful for insertion. The bleeding sucks! I have been on it a little over two years. I've been experiencing spotting before and after my periods to this day. I do have brain fog and severe cramps. BV has been coming and going, and before ParaGard, I'd only had BV once with my firstborn. Didn't get ParaGard until my second baby was born. Really contemplating getting this out. I have talked to my OB about the side effects, and she swears it's all natural! This birth control is not for everybody. Trust your body!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2019

"I was on the pill since I was 17 years old. I am 25 now. I stopped taking the pill about two years ago because it was making me very moody, and it would make my hands and feet swell up. But then I got very serious with my boyfriend, and we started discussing birth control. And I thought about the pill again, but I didn’t want to gain weight and go through all of that again. So I did some research, and the only thing that I could find was ParaGard. It has no hormones, so I wouldn’t gain weight and all the other stuff that I didn’t like from before. I thought, why not? I’ll give it a try. So I got ParaGard. Let me tell you, the process is not comfortable by any means. From the time I got it until about a week later, I was cramping (like cramping I’ve never felt before), but after that week, I haven’t felt it at all. It is worth it! I promise. You just have to get past that first week. I HIGHLY recommend ParaGard. I never have to worry about it, and I don’t feel it."

• Bea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 28, 2020

"I've had ParaGard since 2014 when my youngest son was born. Since then, I've had horrendous periods, PMS, mood swings, and joint pain every single month right before my period. It has also been impossible for me to lose weight at all. It has been an absolute nightmare for 6 years, and I can't wait to get it out. Would have gotten it out way sooner if I would have thought or even looked into the fact that the IUD was causing the problems. Don't get it!!"

• CLA...
• July 19, 2016

"I had ParaGard for going on 10 years, and I'm about to replace it for another one in 3 weeks. I love it. My periods started off light, but they were regulated. These last few years have gone back to being heavy...but I'd rather deal with it than have the hormones in my body from the Mirena!"

• Mja...
• November 14, 2019

"I got the ParaGard IUD after my first abortion in 2015. Recently, I was three weeks late for my period. I’ve been getting nauseous and have had tender breasts, so I decided to get a pregnancy test. It turns out I am pregnant, and when the doctor checked on my IUD, it was in the right place. I found out today, so I will not know if it is an intrauterine or ectopic pregnancy until my next appointment in two days. This is my second time getting pregnant on birth control. The first time I was on the pill. I thought an IUD would be more preventative, but it was not. When I googled being late for my period while using the ParaGard, I did not see any women who got positive pregnancy results. It's for this reason why I am posting my experience, because PREGNANCY CAN HAPPEN WITH PARA-GARD."

• aa1...
• June 6, 2019

"Do NOT get the ParaGard. I have had it for 4 years, and it's a nightmare. If you have heavy periods, they will become like a flood of blood every month. The flow did NOT reduce over time. I'm talking literally gushing clots with brutal cramps. But it works as birth control, hence the 1 extra star and why I kept it in. Then, over the past year (after having it for over 3 years at that point), I started developing increasingly worse PMS symptoms, which grew into PMDD. Especially over the past few months, I am suffering from severe PMDD that I believe to be caused by the copper IUD. Do some research on how copper raises estrogen and copper toxicity. I have an appointment to get rid of this awful thing in just a few days. I cannot wait. It has taken so much of my life - I literally can't get out of bed during days 2-3 from the level of bleeding and cramps - and move on with my life. This is 'non-hormonal' (why I went on it) but literally has messed up my hormones."

• Bls...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2019

"The only regret I have with ParaGard is not getting it sooner. I love it! I put off getting an IUD for so long because of hearing about how painful the insertion was and was surprised when it only felt like a heavy cramp. It wasn't bad at all. In the 3 months since, the only difference I've noticed is slightly heavier periods. My sex drive hasn't changed at all, I haven't gained a single pound, and now I don't have to worry about birth control for 12 years. I couldn't be happier with my decision."

• Tha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2020

"My cycle started 5 days early. The first few days were very light, minimal cramping, and pretty bearable. Day 4 (which I’m on right now) is HEAVY, from the minute I woke up, a super plus tampon lasted about 1 hour and an hour and a half if I was lucky. I’m curious to see how this all plays out, seeing as I had really heavy periods as a teenager and that went away into adulthood. Now it’s bringing me flashbacks to high school. Within a 14-hour period of time, I think I used 8-10 super plus tampons! I’m willing to give it a few more months to see if this calms down. Hoping for the best because hormones don’t mix well with me."

• Lou...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 13, 2019

"Got ParaGard 2 years ago. First, it was the most horrible pain I've ever experienced. Now, since I have the same horrendous pain every month, I'm getting used to the struggle. I noticed that my coochie is a lot more acidic, and after periods (a lot heavier with a waterfall flow, by the way-super Tampax lasts 2 hours inside me till the blood starts running through my legs), I keep getting some brownish, weird cervical mucus for 3 or 4 days. Anyway, it's good to be hormone-free, but copper IUD still has a lot of bad side effects and cons."

• Bet...
• August 20, 2018

"This device has ruined the past two years of my life. I have had severe cramps, blood loss during just one day of my cycle of what should be the amount lost during the entirety of a cycle, and copper toxicity issues. I have had heart palpitations without any previously, and recently went to the ER due to those. I have had severe back pains and anxiety. I recently had the IUD removed, and these symptoms are subsiding. The back pain completely disappeared. It sounds like a great option at first, but prolonged exposure to copper can cause many complications within you. Copper also affects your adrenal system - which directly regulates hormones. So if you believe it is completely non-hormonal, it is still indirectly (and significantly in my case) affecting your hormones. Please do research on this device before you just place a foreign object in your body. I would not recommend it to anyone."

• Dis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 20, 2016

"I can't even express the hate I have for this BC. Of course, I know everyone will not have the same experience. I decided to go with ParaGard after my second child because I wanted to try something non-hormonal. I have had it for almost a year now. I bleed and bleed and bleed some more. HEAVY bleeding. This may be TMI, but I fill up an Ultra-sized tampon in less than an hour. I wake up some mornings with blood-stained panties and sheets. And this doesn't just go on for a few days. When I do have my periods, they last for about two weeks. And many times, I have spotting in between. I NEVER know when to expect my period, it's all over the place. Plus, my husband can feel it, it pokes him during sex. NOT FUN! - and yes, it is inserted correctly."

• ray...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2017

"I am 21 years old and have never been pregnant. I've had my ParaGard for about 4 months now. I did an immense amount of research on IUDs. Therefore, I felt I was completely prepared for the insertion as well as the effects thereafter. I was probably more anxious for the insertion process than I needed to be. It did not hurt as much as the horror stories stated online. It hurt for about 10 seconds as my doctor was measuring, then about 2 seconds for the insertion. After that, there was a mild cramp for the rest of the day and some spotting. Tada, 99%+ efficacy. I'd say the worst part would be the longer/heavier periods and random spotting. But I'd honestly rather have that than a child I'm not ready for. Do your research and know your options!"

• Emm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 12, 2016

"I had ParaGard put in on March 28 of this year. It is now October, and I could not be more pleased with this birth control. After deciding that I no longer wanted to use the pill, I tried other options such as the arm implant and the patch, neither of which worked for me because they made me fat, emotional, and took away my sex drive. ParaGard gave me really bad cramps and heavy periods for the first two months. After that, my cramps went away completely, and I have not had them again since then. My periods have gotten lighter and lighter until they are now back to my normal flow. My sex drive is also now higher than ever before. I would recommend this to anyone that can bear through the cramps for the first few months."

• Gem...
• June 4, 2020

"Really conflicted on ParaGard. For more than two years, I was happy to deal with the side effects (heavier periods with stronger cramping) if it meant safe, non-hormonal birth control. However, due to some recent heavy and fresh bleeding outside of my normal period, something didn't feel right, so I went to an OBGYN for an exam and an ultrasound. If you think something's wrong with your IUD, make sure you get an ultrasound! After the visual exam, she said it seemed fine, but an ultrasound revealed that my IUD had dropped too low into my cervix and was partially twisted, with one arm not fully deployed. They suspect when I got it inserted I wasn't properly measured, and my too-small uterus had been trying to expel it over time. The technician said that if it couldn't be easily removed in the office ASAP, they'd need to do it in a hospital. Thankfully, it came out with no issues. My doctor recommended Kyleena because it's smaller, but I'm not sure I'm keen on another IUD."

• coe...
• September 28, 2017

"I got the ParaGard because I was sick of having to pick up my pill prescription, and I love the idea of a non-hormonal birth control. I really wanted to get my body back on its natural cycle, as I have been on the pill for years. The insertion was painful, as expected. Would not recommend working that day. But so far, I am loving it. I bled for the first 4-5 days, nothing too heavy, and have since stopped. My sex drive has already increased, and I lost 5 lbs within a week of being off the pill (added bonus). I have not reached my first period with it yet, so I am expecting more cramps/heavier bleeding, but that's a small price to pay, in my opinion. Lots of negative reviews on here, so I wanted to write a positive one!"

• Fel...
• March 31, 2017

"So this morning I got my first ParaGard inserted. I am 20 years old and have never had a baby. I made the mistake of reading reviews and experiences, along with the horror stories about insertion. I figured that since I was so young and had never had a baby, this was going to be awful, downright excruciating. Well, it was not. I realize the pain varies from body to body, but if you were like me, reading and reading reviews, scared to death, it is okay, you will be fine, it legit lasts a minute. It does not feel like someone is tasering my uterus, nor is it the worst pain I have ever experienced (literally what I read and expected). Feels like a deep strong cramp, tolerable cramp."

• LSD...
• February 22, 2017

"I got the ParaGard IUD six weeks after giving birth to my first child. I chose this birth control because it is non-hormonal, and regular hormonal birth control makes me nauseous, depressed, have mood swings, and gain weight. Overall, I'm very pleased with the IUD. Insertion was not painful, and I didn't even have cramping afterwards. I can't even tell that it is there, and I have no side effects at all."

• Ana...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2017

"My sister had it for 3 years and took it out when she was ready to get pregnant. Boom, pregnant the next month. Here's my story. I'm 28, and I just had my first wonderful baby girl. I have had a horrible experience with the pill, the patch, and the depo shot, which almost killed me, and I hope no one ever gets it. So I, like most people, was a little bit frightened to go back on birth control. After having my daughter, I'm 4 months postpartum. I think honestly the anticipation was worse than anything, lol. I took 800 mg ibuprofen (doctor's orders) before the insertion, which helped tremendously because all I felt was a slight discomfort, and it was over. I had some spotting and cramping (heating pad). I'm 4 days into it and no pain. Breastfeeding and no milk issues!"