ParaGard and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Cra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 31, 2017

For Birth Control "I have had 2 ParaGard IUDs. Took the 1st one out to get pregnant, got the 2nd after my daughter was born. Both times, I had heavier periods, but it seemed better than hormonal birth control that makes me crazy. After 2 and a half years, I started having strange side effects. Lots of acne, dry skin, swollen lymph node, anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, hopelessness. My doctor said that my swollen lymph node is associated with the liver. My acupuncturist said she thought I had liver congestion. I researched excess copper in the body. ALL. MY. SYMPTOMS. Had it removed within 2 days. Felt immediately better. My acne started healing within a few days. Not feeling depressed anymore. It was great until it wasn't."

• Ali...
• July 28, 2017

For Birth Control "Insertion was extremely painful. Two weeks on painkillers straight after. Pains in lower abdomen and groin still after four months. Heavy periods. Two times BV, one time yeast infection. Loss of libido. Worst of all: mood swings, anxiety, depression, including suicidal thoughts. Taking it out next week! Too much copper is toxic and, unfortunately, not well understood yet. Google 'copper toxicity.' Also, a foreign object in the uterus still messes up your hormones. Please don't get one, ladies! Be careful with what you choose, all contraceptive methods for women can be dangerous, even this 'non-hormonal' one - was even worse for me than the pill!"

• chl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 14, 2017

For Birth Control "ParaGard was inserted July 2016 and removed June 2017 (almost a year!). The first week after it was installed, I had debilitating cramps for three days straight and constant bleeding. Every month, my periods were twice as heavy, twice as long, and 10 times more painful! I was told this would calm down after 6 months, so I persevered. If anything, my periods got MORE painful to the point where I couldn't leave the house in case I'd be hit by a wave of contractions. On a side note, I felt anxious, depressed, introverted, alone (I'm usually so social and confident!), worthless, and I experienced social anxiety for the first time! I also gained 20 lbs, which is definitely not due to a change in diet/exercise. If anything, I was eating better!"

• chl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 14, 2017

For Birth Control "ParaGard was inserted July 2016 and removed June 2017 (almost a year!). The first week after it was installed, I had debilitating cramps for three days straight and constant bleeding. Every month, my periods were twice as heavy, twice as long, and 10 times more painful! I was told this would calm down after 6 months, so I persevered. If anything, my periods got MORE painful to the point where I couldn't leave the house in case I'd be hit by a wave of contractions. On a side note, I felt anxious, depressed, introverted, alone (I'm usually so social and confident!), worthless, and I experienced social anxiety for the first time! I also gained 20 lbs, which is definitely not due to a change in diet/exercise. If anything, I was eating better!"

• K E...
• May 19, 2017

For Birth Control "I had the ParaGard placed shortly after my second son was born. I was teaching at that time. I moved over that summer and worked in another education-related field. I started getting difficulties with focus and concentration. I developed anxiety and depression. I tried to teach again, but my body could no longer handle stress. I went through years of therapy and doctors trying to give antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication. I had the IUD removed and was able to get pregnant after. Pregnancy holds onto copper, and I had PPD after this pregnancy. Depression and anxiety worsened. It was affecting my nervous system, causing electrical shocks in my hands and feet. I had high unbound copper and finally found the right doctor to help clear the copper and decrease inflammation."

• PAC...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 11, 2017

For Birth Control "I am 32 and had my daughter in Dec 2015. I had the IUD placed in April of 2016. This has been one of the worst experiences I've had. I have never been one to have any health issues and have been a very active person. I started having high blood pressure out of nowhere. I had to be put on meds. I noticed that my period was longer than I was used to and heavier (8 days or so). Later down the line, I noticed my hair and scalp were extremely dry, my hair started coming out like I left some type of chemical in it. I also started having anxiety (which I never had a problem with) and then these contraction-like pains that came around my period and then after. While it did keep me from getting pregnant, the issues are not worth it. removed 5/10"

• KLT...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 12, 2023

For Birth Control "Insertion was extremely painful to me, but I was okay an hour later. I had it for one week before I wanted it out of me, the cramps were so bad I had to sit down no matter where I was, or I'd feel the urge to vomit. I kept it for 13 months, hoping it would get better, but it didn't. I was told to expect cramps and longer/heavier periods, but I didn't expect 10-14 day periods with spotting in between. I can count the days I didn't bleed on one hand. I had emotional issues with ParaGard as well. I was anxious, angry, and depressed, I had nothing going on in my life that would have caused the mental health issues, so I know it was the IUD. It claims to be 'hormone-free,' but it does affect hormones. Long story short, I hated ParaGard. I'm working on getting a refund and getting the side effects that myself and other people had listed in the pamphlet through the FDA."

• Jes...
• January 9, 2023

For Birth Control "The copper IUD has caused me horrific side effects. I got copper toxicity. I now experience panic attacks, anxiety, vitamin and mineral issues, floaters in my eyes, feeling emotionally numb, brain fog, and constipation. I also experienced severe hormonal jawline cystic acne. Thankfully, that cleared up after removal. I also had pain during sex and chronic inflammation in my uterus that took a long time to go down after removal. DON'T GET THIS. It can cause a severe hormonal imbalance caused by the copper overload/toxicity."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2022

For Birth Control "Absolutely horrible experience. I got it placed on a Monday, and the next day at work, I was having a random severe panic attack where I was near fainting, limp. Felt like I was dying. They had to wheel me off in a stretcher when the ambulance came. I've never had a panic attack or an anxiety attack in my life or any health problems. They ruled me out and said I was healthy, then sent me home. Then I got cleared to work for my doctor the next day. Then Thursday came around, and I went back to working within 5 minutes. I went to a full-blown panic attack, started shaking, got cold, and started fainting for over an hour. Same thing happened. Went to the doctor. It got so bad that I went to the doctor telling them to give me anything for my severe anxiety and panic attacks that I never had before. So it got so bad that one day I was living with constant anxiety day in and day out, it was the most horrible feeling. I always felt like I was going to go into a panic attack. I finally went and got it out!"

• Don...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 5, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve had my ParaGard for 9 months, and I developed severe anxiety/nausea from it. I felt depressed/panic attacks for a week before I realized it was this! I was put on medication to help, and nothing worked! I still felt the same. Get it removed before this happens to you. :( Praying for anyone who is currently going through this. It took a mental toll on me."

• San...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 25, 2022

For Birth Control "I had this for almost 7 months, but it was my worst living nightmare. I got copper toxic! My hair came out in clumps, my nerves were twitching, constant cold, panic attacks, anxiety, manic thoughts, dark suicidal thoughts, insomnia... just awful! I don't recommend to anyone."

• ECa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 27, 2022

For Birth Control "Have had this IUD twice. First time, 3 years, no issues besides bloating and anxiety. Had it removed to conceive. The 2nd IUD I got inserted 6 weeks postpartum. No issues after the first few months. About a year in, I was having sporadic sharp pains and uncomfortable sex. I got the strings checked twice, and they were fine. Year 2, I began to have severe panic attacks, crippling anxiety, and was having moments I felt absolutely and utterly insane. It was all very confusing and scary. I was crying all the time, tired, dizzy, and had a short temper. The month before removal, pelvic pain was worse, and I started to feel ill and develop low-grade fevers. I read reviews here and realized it could be the copper IUD. I had it removed, and they found it was partially expelled, broken, and leaning to one side, causing me pain and the fevers. It’s been out nearing a month. My mind feels new. I believe ParaGard ruined years of my life. I don’t recommend this to anyone."

• ECa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 27, 2022

For Birth Control "Have had this IUD twice. First time, 3 years, no issues besides bloating and anxiety. Had it removed to conceive. The 2nd IUD I got inserted 6 weeks postpartum. No issues after the first few months. About a year in, I was having sporadic sharp pains and uncomfortable sex. I got the strings checked twice, and they were fine. Year 2, I began to have severe panic attacks, crippling anxiety, and was having moments I felt absolutely and utterly insane. It was all very confusing and scary. I was crying all the time, tired, dizzy, and had a short temper. The month before removal, pelvic pain was worse, and I started to feel ill and develop low-grade fevers. I read reviews here and realized it could be the copper IUD. I had it removed, and they found it was partially expelled, broken, and leaning to one side, causing me pain and the fevers. It’s been out nearing a month. My mind feels new. I believe ParaGard ruined years of my life. I don’t recommend this to anyone."

• Anonymous
• February 17, 2022

For Birth Control "For a while there, I thought I was losing my mind, and I know for sure it's this IUD. DO NOT BE FOOLED!!! This was the worst IUD insertion and worst IUD experience. I have had the Mirena twice, and I only switched to the ParaGard after 10 years in order to have my period. ParaGard has caused me to have SEVERE anxiety, face acne, heavy cervical mucus, and my BIGGEST PROBLEM, brain fog so severe I can hardly think straight or remember what I ate last night. I've had the ParaGard pumping its toxic copper venom in me for 4 years now, and I'm getting it removed within the next 3 weeks and getting my tubes tied. Please be careful with this IUD because placed in a woman who is already on edge could be detrimental to her life."

• IUD...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 10, 2021

For Birth Control "I had the IUD, and it was almost the end of me. I had it for just 2 years. Currently, I have side effects of nerve damage, insomnia, chest pain, high copper toxicity, body pain, hair loss, cystic acne, UTI, weight gain, brain fog, depression and anxiety, blurry eyes, deafness, metal taste, nausea, migraine. I can go on and on. It did not work for me because it's toxic to women. There is no benefit for this."

• Suz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 18, 2021

For Birth Control "I had the copper IUD inserted as I had been on the pill for 5 years and decided to try something hormonal-free. I got put under local anesthetic, so can’t comment on insertion pain, but omg, the cramps were so terrible and heavy periods I had never experienced. I decided to push through, as they say it gets better. The IUD turned me from a healthy, happy woman to depressed, anxiety-nearly bipolar-like-with symptoms like I’ve never had and panic attacks I’ve never experienced-so terrible! My sex drive was nonexistent, I was at a loss, as I would have never thought my “hormonal-free” IUD would be causing these issues until I came on this page! My doctor told me I was suffering from chemically imbalanced depression/anxiety?? I had my IUD removed the next morning after seeing so many women going through the same thing. My depression has now gone, and I haven’t had a panic attack since (removed 2 days ago). I cannot stress this enough-don’t get the IUD."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 10, 2021

For Birth Control "I've had ParaGard for 2 years now, and ever since I've had it, my mental health declined rapidly, and all of the sudden, I had depression and panic attacks! I also haven't been able to sleep right or really feel like myself. I'm getting it removed tomorrow. After doing tons of research, I've found that I am not the only one who has experienced these types of issues and wanted to put this out there! I've recently been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, and I've had anxiety all my life, but since I've had this IUD, it intensified tremendously to where it's uncontrollable, and I have to take medicine daily just to be 'normal.' I find it extremely strange. I'd think twice before using this."

• Ste...
• July 7, 2021

For Birth Control "ParaGard was the worst thing I've ever done to myself, and I deeply regret it every day. Copper toxicity is real and not talked about by OBs or mentioned in the packaging. I got my IUD at 17 years old and have had it for 2 years. I started having copper toxicity signs like fatigue, IBS, insomnia, depression, severe anxiety, and panic attacks. Doctors just want your money. Stay away from this if you want to be happy. It creates a hostile environment in your uterus to prevent pregnancy and affects your vaginal microbiome, causing me regular yeast infections and BV. It's been 7 months and I haven't been able to have pain-free sex. Please consider other options. Copper isn't a hormone, but it influences your hormones. There is no way of preventing pregnancy without hormone manipulation unless you use only condoms. Listen to your bodies! ParaGard ruined my life, and I wish I learned sooner."

• Lea...
• April 4, 2021

For Birth Control "Prior to using ParaGard, my sex drive was high and my husband and I had a very active and fun sex life. I got mine put in 2 months after my first baby was born and everything went downhill fast after that. I experienced depression, anxiety, hopelessness, cystic acne, severe PMS (I'd barely had any PMS prior), crazy mood swings, forgetfulness and brain fog, no sex drive whatsoever, and just a complete lack of interest in my spouse, pain during sex (not severe but uncomfortable and lingering), and overall I just felt like a wreck and not myself at all. It took a long time to figure out that my issues were coming from the IUD and copper toxicity. After 4 1/2 years of suffering, I finally had it removed 4 days ago. Tonight, for the first time in years, I actually enjoyed sex and desired my husband!! The sex was free from pain and discomfort too. While this IUD is great at preventing pregnancy, it's not worth losing yourself over. I'm so glad to be free!"

• Jax...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2021

For Birth Control "I got the ParaGard in after my 3rd baby after 3 months. After a couple of days, I all of a sudden started having really bad anxiety, which in my whole life I never had. I ended up going to the hospital from feeling like I couldn’t breathe and my fingers were all tingly. All tests came back normal other than my liver enzymes were up and ruled it as a panic attack. So I got the ParaGard out. Got blood work done again and my liver enzymes went back to normal and anxiety went away almost immediately. I have panic disorder now and still get the panic attacks. Pretty sure it was from copper toxicity. Worst mistake I ever made. I highly recommend NOT getting the ParaGard!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 28, 2021

For Birth Control "My first 2 times having the IUD, I had no issues that I remember. 3 years ago, I was at my 10-year mark and got it replaced. Since then, I have had constant BV's, weight gain, and anxiety. After reading all of these comments, I am happy to know that I am not the only one going through this. I believe there was some change made over the years to the BC."

• Anonymous
• January 18, 2021

For Birth Control "ZERO STARS for this if possible. After having the copper IUD for six years, I got pregnant with the IUD in place! (I always checked the strings.) The IUD punctured my uterus. I had to have surgery-a medically necessary abortion (D&C)-and to have the IUD cut from my uterus. If the baby had been in my fallopian tubes, I could have died. The doctor was going to give me chemo to end the pregnancy if the D&C hadn't worked. Six years of birth control is not worth the physical and mental pain I have had to endure over the last three weeks. Please read about women's personal experiences before you get the copper IUD! Now that I'm reading them, I'm realizing I have been suffering from copper toxicity as well, causing increasing anxiety and depression over the last six years. My mental state is better every day now that my IUD has been removed. I'm starting to feel like my old self. I will never get another one. If you need a natural form of birth control, please Google Fertility Awareness Method."

• Nom...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 17, 2020

For Birth Control "Awful experience. Had ParaGard in for 9 years. Had major mood swings (which I never had, even when pregnant), high anxiety, hair loss, weight gain, and heavy, heavy periods (like can’t go through the night with a super tampon without changing it). Had it removed, and my bloating, fatigue, and anxiety disappeared."

• Lor...
• December 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I had the ParaGard IUD implanted 3 years, 10 months ago. I just had it removed yesterday. It wasn't until I was relaxing on the couch with my family after dinner that I realized my nightly panic and anxiety wasn't setting in as expected. In fact, I was, dare I say, my old self. I had my phone nearby, and I typed in a search put into the simplest phrase possible, not expecting results: Does a copper IUD cause anxiety? Google didn't have to think too hard before spilling article after article confirming it."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 11, 2020

For Birth Control "I had the ParaGard for a year and a half, and I experienced side effects of nausea, hair loss, depression, and really bad anxiety. I had my periods two times a month, I was losing a lot of blood, and I talked to my doctor, and she told me that the symptoms I had didn’t have anything to do with the ParaGard. I recently took out the IUD, and all those symptoms were gone. Would definitely not recommend!"