ParaGard and Bleeding: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Bab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2017

For Birth Control "I wanted to share my feelings on ParaGard since I just got mine a few months ago and have heard some pretty scary things about it. I am 21 and came off NuvaRing after 3 years of using it. The insertion of the IUD was the most painful thing I've ever felt, it made me nauseous, BUT it was over within 10 minutes. The following week was hell with nonstop cramps and bleeding. After a week, I felt great! My period came earlier than expected but was roughly the same as it was before having the IUD. 7-8 days with 3 days of debilitating cramps and enough bleeding to use a super tampon in 45 minutes. It didn't hurt worse or last longer! Now in month 2, I still feel great. My cycle messed up a bit, but it is getting more regular again. I love it!"

• Mom...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 13, 2017

For Birth Control "Had ParaGard inserted in May of 2016 and so far, loving it!! Procedure was uncomfortable but not painful. Did have my period but didn't take anything beforehand. Didn't even know you could take something to soften your cervix! No cramping after. First two periods were intense, to say the least. Very heavy bleeding, but you know that will happen. My period always had 1-2 heavy days. Some spotting between periods. After the 3-month mark, periods were better, but the IUD did increase my period from 4 days to 7 days. But only about 3 of those days are medium to heavy. Would definitely recommend!!!"

• Lit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2017

For Birth Control "Needed a birth control without hormones. Two days before the procedure, I had to take Cytotec twice a day until the procedure to soften my cervix. I had really bad cramping, light bleeding, and acid reflux from the Cytotec. On the day of IUD insertion, I took Valium... This did nothing for my anxiety. If it weren't for my boyfriend being by my side the entire time during the procedure, I wouldn't have gone through and would have begged the doctor to stop and let me leave without ParaGard. I've never had such a terrifying experience. I cried the entire procedure from pain and discomfort from being exposed. Never had a Pap smear, so I never felt so exposed. The pain was a 9.5. I wish I found a place that used IV sedation."

• Jbu...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I have had the IUD in since 2009, it caused cramps for about 3 days, and spotting then was normal. It works by causing your cervix to swell some, and copper is a natural birth control. I confirmed with my doctor that the ParaGard does not contain nickel before I had it placed. Also, you are warned before its placement that many experience heavy bleeding and more cramps. In fact, my cramps have lessened in the past few years. If your normal cramps keep you in bed or cause you to buckle, avoid IUDs. Always be open and honest with your doctors, and older women and women who have had children tend to respond better."

• juj...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I recommend ParaGard 200%! I am sharing my experience everywhere I can because after my second child, when researching getting ParaGard online, all I saw were negative reviews (because typically, people don't go online to post the good, they post the bad). I got my ParaGard IUD inserted 7 weeks postpartum from my second vaginal birth. I was so afraid of having it placed and thinking it may hurt, but I was so surprised I did not feel a dang thing! My doc said it is a side effect of having a baby, your cervix is a bit numb for some time. I had very minimal cramping and some bleeding for a week, then did not even notice it was there. My first period was crampy and heavy, but all were normal after that. Heavier, but normal."

• Jen...
• November 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I read a lot of reviews before getting ParaGard, and they almost made me not get it because some sound so awful. But I have honestly had a great experience, and so I wanted to share that. When I first got it in, I was not on my period, so the insertion process was painful. I had cramps and heavy bleeding for about 3 days after, and then the cramps went away and the bleeding lightened. The bleeding was over with in about 5 days after insertion. I honestly didn't have any spotting between then and my first period post-insertion. My first period after the bleeding was heavier than before I had it, but nothing super excessive, and the heavy bleeding was only for 2-3 days. My period ended in 6 days. Next period was the same. No spotting in between."

• Anonymous
• October 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 33 and have had bad luck with hormonal birth control. After finding myself in a committed relationship, I decided it was time to find an alternative. I had a colposcopy 1 week before the IUD insertion, so my lady parts were already pretty irritated before the insertion. I would recommend more time in between if you also need a colposcopy. Aside from that, it was much less painful than I expected. It was like one really, really bad cramp. I had quite a bit of bleeding afterward. The doctor said the clamp she had used to hold the cervix still had caused the bleeding. I had bad cramps for 3 days, then they backed off. I'm now having mild cramping with the start of my period. It's not heavy yet. I hope this is it! Medicaid paid 100%!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2016

For Birth Control "I love ParaGard! I had Skyla before this, and ParaGard has been SO much better. From the moment I got Skyla, I had nonstop cramps and bleeding. It was like I could constantly feel it, even though my doctor insisted it was in the correct spot. I was scared to get ParaGard because I thought it would be the same, but it hasn't been at all! After the first few days, I stopped cramping and bleeding and can no longer feel it at all. Before you get it, I would strongly recommend asking your doctor for Misoprostol to make the insertion less painful. I had it for Skyla but not ParaGard, and the insertion process was a lot worse."

• Kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I had the ParaGard inserted two weeks ago. I'm 38 and have had two children. The insertion hurt, not really painful though. It took only a few moments. They gave me a pad to wear home, but I never even spotted. But the cramps were pretty strong. But nothing I couldn't bear. The next day I spotted a little, just wore a panty liner. Cramps lasted three days and the spotting a week. Then I started my period. No cramps, medium to heavy flow. I wore a super tampon for about two hours between changes. Period lasted a week. Finally stopped bleeding and had sex for the first time since insertion. No pain or cramps. My boyfriend didn't even feel the strings. So far, loving it."

• Kri...
• April 21, 2016

For Birth Control "Got ParaGard on April 19th. Holy cow, it was a painful insertion. I was tense, which made it even worse. Relax and spread those legs is the best advice I can give. The insertion felt like a knife in my uterus, followed by a mega period cramp. The following days were full of cramps and bleeding. The 3rd day, blood just came out like a stream. The cramps are bearable, but I can't survive without pain relievers. I'm just excited to adjust to the IUD, gonna be a long wait. I know it's painful, but better than the pill. The pill scared me because of chest pain and leg numbness."

• Amb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2016

For Birth Control "Quick and painless procedure. I've had 2 kids and am breastfeeding my 4-month-old. No complications so far. It did start my period, which lasted 4 days with mild to moderate, pretty normal bleeding. The cramping I experienced the day of the implant procedure was mild and made better by Tylenol. I love my ParaGard!"

• SLB...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 30, 2015

For Birth Control "Getting the ParaGard was the best decision I have ever made for myself. For the first 3 months, I bled much heavier than normal and experienced some severe cramps. However, by the 4th month, my bleeding and cramps significantly reduced. I have a moderate flow, heavier than I had before ParaGard, but it is very manageable. I cramp still, maybe once every four months. I do not like taking hormonal birth control. With ParaGard, your period does not disappear (something that worried me to no end), and you don't have to worry about missing pills or dealing with weird side effects like becoming emotionally unstable (pills made me suicidal) or gaining weight. Not to mention, ParaGard is probably the most cost-effective birth control available."

• Pla...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I am 23 and have had ParaGard in for 6 months. I got it because I was going to be working abroad without access to daily BC options. The insertion was almost painless, just a pinch feeling. About an hour after, I began to feel cramps and some pain. The next day, it was mild and then gone by nighttime. My first period was way heavier than I was used to! I also had terrible cramps and pains. I wanted to get ParaGard removed, but I couldn't since I was abroad. The next few periods were also painfully crampy with heavy bleeding, but I noticed the pain decreased with each period. Now I have had seven periods, and it is back to normal with just very minor cramps. The bleeding is not as heavy either. I am happy I never had it removed!"

• Nis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 23, 2022

For Birth Control "I got my coil removed 4 days ago after 4 years. For years I’ve suffered with backache, headache, foggy head, not enjoying sex (feeling like something was hitting a brick wall inside), bleeding after sex, cramping 3 weeks out of a month, and constantly tired. Basically showing every sign of cervical cancer, having scan after scan, convincing myself this is it, something really is wrong. Everything at scans normal. Got the coil out even though the doctor was hesitant, and after 3 canceled appointments by them within an hour, my back did not hurt anymore. Day 2, the brain fog wasn’t there when I woke up. I woke up with ease, didn’t have to force myself, headaches gone. Day 3, I began to get my sex drive back, and I enjoyed my partner for the first time in ages. Day 4, absolutely no discharge, which is something I’d been suffering with on a daily basis for a while. I knew 2 weeks prior to removal that I had copper toxicity. Please, please reconsider it, it’s ruined the last 4 years for me."

• Kam...
• February 19, 2021

For Birth Control "I went in for ParaGard because hormone free! Insertion I would say is a solid 8/10 discomfort, pain scale. I had mine inserted on my period, so it wasn’t so bad. Cramping for the next period was more than normal, bleeding was heavier, but the period was still only four days long. One extra day than normal, three. On the last day of my period, I got some bad cramping and could feel the bottom coming through my cervix. Went to my gyno to have it checked, they did an ultrasound to confirm that it was displaced. NOW this is not a warning to not get it. I would still have gotten another if the ultrasound hadn’t revealed I have a somewhat heart-shaped uterus. My doctor didn’t have high confidence in another one staying in place either. I’m glad I had a doctor that would be open with me about it. I would recommend ParaGard because I didn’t have a bad time with it, it prevented pregnancy and I ovulate like clockwork. Just be aware that sometimes they expel because of things like uterine shape."

• Ros...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 28, 2021

For Birth Control "I am a very calm female with a good mental state, 23, good health, no kids. I got the bar in my arm and after 8 months of continuous bleeding, I reached an all-time low of anxiety and depression (did not get out of bed or eat for 7 days). I got the bar removed and immediately felt better in the upcoming weeks. I was terrified to have any type of hormonal BC because I clearly don’t react well. So I got ParaGard. Insertion was fine, I cramped 2 days after and haven’t felt it, no problem at all but heavier periods. I developed several right ovarian cysts, but you can get those simply by ovulating anyway normally (so I have to start a low dose of birth control to prevent cysts :( ) My IUD has also slipped lower after a year, happens in ~4%, so in 5 weeks I will have it replaced with ParaGard again. Hopefully everything’s smooth. Perfect for someone who forgets to take the pill. Everyone reacts differently, but this has been amazing for me!"

• Bla...
• January 28, 2020

For Birth Control "Got IUD inserted on 01/22/20. In June 2018, I had been pregnant and just had a miscarriage. After that, I got on the pills, Norethindrone to be exact, suffer from migraines, so this pill was recommended as it is less hormonal - IT WAS A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. Gained over 40 lbs, relationship was bad due to mood swings and crying. I heard about the IUD, never knew ParaGard existed. I did research and also spoke to a few friends that have it, they got mixed reviews and reading here kind of scared me still went for it. Day of appointment, took 800 mg Ibuprofen. I was on my last day of menstrual cycle so cervix was open. A bit uncomfortable felt like a contraction for a second while she measured me, then after, didn't feel anything. Overall, I had small cramps the same day and spotted until Friday. Friday I stopped my pills and I guess because of that, I started heavy bleeding Saturday night which went on until Monday morning. I'm now spotting again on and off. No cramps as of yet. Tomorrow will make 1 week since I had it placed. I just been suffering from the changes of stopping pills. I will update in 2 months."

• Men...
• December 12, 2019

For Birth Control "After reading these reviews, I'm realizing all of my side effects are because of this. I made my 10 years with ParaGard in September. The only good thing is I did not get pregnant considering I've gotten pregnant off of 2 different types of birth control pills, patch, and NuvaRing. So this was the last option. Now everything else is on the bad side. This IUD has intensified my migraines to the point that I was admitted to the hospital. Heavy bleeding, bad cramps, mood swings, depression bouts, and BV plenty of times. I think the hardest one for me is the hair loss. I literally lost my edges due to this. Currently, this IUD is still in me, but next week it's coming out. For the last 3 weeks, I've been bleeding excessively more than usual. Literally, 1 overnight pad and super tampon every 2 hours. I've been incredibly weak in the mornings. The only reason I tolerated the 10 years is because I really don't want anymore kids as I have 3 (as I said earlier, I've gotten pregnant 7 times while using some form of birth control) as of today I'm totally done with this birth control method."

• Aka...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2019

For Birth Control "Just got my ParaGard October 21, 2019, 4 months after giving birth to my twins. TBH, it was a little painful, but it’s something you can bear to get if you really want this type of contraception. The same day I left after getting it done, the doc made sure it was in the right place and everything. When I got home, I was having very bad cramps, so unbearable it was crazy! Sometimes I felt it poking me here and there, but the next day I had a few cramps on and off too, but I was taking pain medicine to help with the pain because I usually don’t have pain or cramps while on my cycle at all. Today is the 4th day, and I’m feeling like a million bucks. No more cramps - I feel like I did before I got the IUD. This is all truth, the only thing I notice, though, is the bleeding seems like it’s out of control to me, but I guess my cycle is way heavier now. But so far I’m dealing with it, loving it, and feeling protected."

• Ale...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had this ParaGard IUD for 9 months now. I am 29 years old and have never had a baby. I am very happy with this IUD overall. Insertion was painful, but nothing ibuprofen couldn't handle. My periods increased by 1-2 days, and the bleeding is heavier. Cramps are slightly more painful, but again, nothing medicine can't control. I love being hormone-free and that this will last ten years if I want it. I do have some random spotting here and there, but it never lasts more than a day at a time, and it is so slight sometimes I don't even notice it. I know there are a lot of bad reviews, and it seems scary, but I am so happy I did it, and I would recommend it to my friends."

• Jmo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2019

For Birth Control "UPDATE: I have now had it for 6 weeks. I had my first period, and it was twice as long as it usually is. I usually have 3 days of bleeding, and this time it was 6. I did not bleed any more than I usually do, and I did not have any more cramping than usual. Overall, this has been perfect for me because I cannot tolerate hormones. I have no other side effects. I've actually lost weight, but consciously. The few extra days of bleeding are annoying, but definitely worth it."

• Bri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I am 22, and I got the ParaGard IUD last year. My then-boyfriend had an ex-girlfriend who had the IUD when they were together, and he recommended it to me. Knowing that the ParaGard is very effective, I got it, and I'm glad that I did! The first time I went to have it inserted, the nurse could not do it, mostly because I was too tense, and her trying was just so painful! The second time, the gynecologist gave me an anesthetic block that helped a lot with the pain. The first couple of months were hard when I got my period; the cramps were so intense, and it took time to get accustomed to the heavier bleeding; I always needed a heating pad/Aleve, and I had to switch to super tampons. Right now (about 10 months later), I am on my period, and the cramps have not been bad at all! Also, I don't mind the heavy bleeding, as long as I have super tampons. If you want something super effective and long-lasting (10 years), this is a great option!"

• Kan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 20, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve never commented on things like these, but seeing all the terrible comments also made me want to share my experience. I had this inserted after I went in for a Plan B to Planned Parenthood, as it works as an emergency contraceptive. They offered it for free at the time, so I took a day to do research and decided to go for it (you have 120 hours after the event to use it as an emergency contraceptive). I received it when I was 20 and have had it for 5 years. It has worked well. I have had no issues with it. I felt like I had become more moody, but the doctor said it is not related to this. The insertion was uncomfortable, but nothing too painful. You just feel heavy cramping for a bit, and then with the ibuprofen, I was fine. I did bleed for 1 month on and off, but my periods have been steady now. Last about 4 days. Normal to no cramping. And still not pregnant!!"

• Vio...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 25, 2018

For Birth Control "My experience with ParaGard has been great. I had it inserted about 9 months ago, 6 weeks after giving birth to my first child. I felt no pain whatsoever (my cervix was still soft from giving birth, and I took a prescription-strength ibuprofen an hour before insertion). I had cramps that day and bled heavily for about a week. Since then, my periods have been very heavy, which has been my only negative side effect. I never used to need more than regular tampons, but now I use pads because I bleed through super tampons so quickly. I have cramps for the first couple of days of my period, but they aren't very painful (actually less painful than they were before I had it inserted - one of the benefits of having a baby). I never feel any pain or discomfort during sex, and my partner never complains about being able to feel the string. Don't let all of the negative reviews scare you. If you do your research and know what to expect, it can be a really great option."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2018

For Birth Control "I have had ParaGard for almost a month now, and so far I’m in love! The insertion was definitely painful. Not pleasant at all. I had pretty bad cramping the day of and the following days, Advil was my best friend. After like a week of cramps and bleeding, it began to get better. After two weeks, the cramps stopped and bleeding stopped. I don’t feel it, my partner doesn’t feel it! It’s amazing!"