ParaGard and Bleeding: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Mom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 8, 2018

For Birth Control "Lots of bad reviews, and I'm sorry to the many women who have had bad experiences with ParaGard. Mine has been great, and I totally recommend it. I haven't had any of the symptoms other women have had. As far as insertion, a slight pinch. No cramps after. Spotting, yes, for maybe two months, but no constant bleeding. Periods for the first three months were beyond horrible! But then calmed down. The period has gone from 4-5 days to 7 days, but only one heavy day. It does linger towards the end. I did bleed after sex for about 6 months. But other than that, it's been great. Strings don't bother my BF, no cramps, no lack of sex drive, no acne, no PMS, no irritability, no foggy mind, etc. I'm the same as always. Of course, everyone is different, and you know your body the best. Just know after the first few months, it does get better!"

• Lem...
• December 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I got ParaGard inserted as a birthday gift for my boyfriend! I’ve had it for almost a year now. Insertion was awful. It’s been a painful year for me with a crazy amount of bleeding & cramps. The first 6 months I had 10-day periods and intense cramping. I went back to the hospital and was told that Ibuprofen helps with bleeding. Now with Ibuprofen, my periods are down to normal 4-6 day periods. It seems like every month my periods are getting shorter and less painful. One thing I really don't like is the cramp that I feel 3-4 days before my period starts. Out of nowhere, I will have 3-4 hour-long terrible cramps but no bleeding. I basically live addicted to Ibuprofen and I am always ready to take one as soon as a cramp starts. Despite all the cons, I am actually happy with it because my relationship with my boyfriend totally improved since we stopped freaking out about the possibility of me being pregnant. Also, stay away from vibrators because it can cause cramping."

• Bea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 16, 2019

For Birth Control "Had copper coil inserted after the second childbirth. I was aware of the side effects associated with the copper coil, so I went along with cramps and heavy bleeding as they came on every month. As the months progressed, the periods got more and more painful. I experienced excruciating stabbing pains every month, and when the period was due, there was heavy bleeding, bloating, and a sore tummy, IBS, unpleasant vaginal odors, and regular infections when the period was over. It’s unrelenting for some. I suppose it can work well for some women. For me, it was awful, I carried on in the hope it would settle, but after nearly 4 years, I’m going to have it removed. Don’t trivialize it if it’s not working for you."

• Hai...
• July 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I first got ParaGard inserted in April 2019 for $40 CDN (32 USD) in Jamaica (I live in Jamaica ATM). I had read before that the insertion was painful, but I did not expect it to be that bad. (I took 600 mg of Advil before the insertion as well). After the insertion (which hurt), I laid curled up in a ball on my boyfriend's lap for a good portion of the night because it hurt too much to move. I went to bed early that night after more Advil. The next day was very painful to move as well. By the third day, the pain was a lot better. After the insertion, I bled a lot and had to wear a pad for 5 days. My period has gotten significantly heavier and longer since the IUD. They now last 8-9 days, however, the cramps are minimal. I make sure to take multivitamins with zinc so I do not get copper toxicity from the IUD. (Zinc reduces copper). Also, multivitamins with iron included are good because you will bleed for longer for 6 months' time."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I have a 2-year-old and a 4-month-old. I received the ParaGard on Nov 22, 16. The insertion wasn't painful at all. Just a very uncomfortable feeling. When the insertion was finished, the nurse provided a pad to put in my underwear and stated that I will spot for about 2-3 days. But before getting the IUD put in, I had taken 4 200 MG of ibuprofen 1 hour before. 3 days after the insertion, I started my period. The cramps were TERRIBLE. The cramps lasted for about 1 1/2 weeks. I had to continue taking the ibuprofen for that long. The bleeding is not that bad. It's the same amount as it was before. I've had a heavy flow before the IUD and it's still the same. I use the overnight protection pads. Overall, I'll give it a 7."

• ade...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 28, 2017

For Birth Control "I had the ParaGard IUD inserted Dec 18th, 2015. I followed up to make sure it was inserted properly and would check my strings every month after my cycle. On August 13, 2017, I discovered I was pregnant. When I went to the doctor, not only did I discover I was 6 weeks pregnant, but I also discovered my IUD is still in the proper position and the doctors are unable to remove it because it is right next to the pregnancy. I also have a cyst on my ovaries that's bleeding. To top it all off, I will never be using an IUD again because not only did it not work, but now I have an at-risk pregnancy all because my IUD is still in the right position but failed."

• Mon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2019

For Birth Control "I got the copper IUD a month ago, I had no pain and barely any spotting. After 2 days, I had some days of bleeding. I didn't get my period and had 3 negative pregnancy tests. After 2.5 weeks (with no complaints), I experienced the worst pain and started bleeding extremely. I thought my IUD was expelling. I went to the provider 2 days later, and I was told that I was pregnant, the screen showed something in my uterus that looked like a baby. The doctor removed my IUD, and I had to go to radiology for a better ultrasound of the baby to see what is going on, I went straight away. They sent me to the hospital by ambulance because that thing in my womb, that they thought was a baby, might not be a baby after all, and the excessive fluid buildup in my pelvic area was very concerning. Turned out I was okay and that 'baby' in my womb was a side effect of the copper IUD. I am not pregnant, it is the lining of my uterus that formed a sack with blood and huge clots in my uterus. It still has to come out."

• KEM...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 5, 2018

For Birth Control "I had used so many other birth controls before this one. The Depo shot made me incredibly irritable and gain a lot of weight, Nexplanon made me bleed like crazy, and so did the Skyla. So I chose ParaGard because it was non-hormonal. Ever since, regular periods, no weight gain, no mood change, and happier than ever. Plus it lasts 10 years. I’m so glad I finally found something that works for me. The only thing I noticed was that my cramps were a little worse. Not the intensity necessarily, just the frequency."

• 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."

• Lch...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 14, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had ParaGard for over 14 months now. 26 years old, never been pregnant, but have major mental health issues, which didn't sit well with the pill or Depo. Was excited to get ParaGard because of hormone-free, long-term protection. (My boyfriend and I do not want children.) Insertion was EXTREMELY painful (I have a pretty high pain tolerance) and needed muscle relaxers and naproxen for the next month. Cramps are worse than I have EVER experienced in my life, and bleeding is heavy (and I mean heavy!) and constant. I spot and cramp literally all month long. I am constantly nauseous and exhausted. It's sometimes hard to get out of bed (or wake up) at all. Was fired from my job due to nausea and fatigue affecting the quality of work and being on time in the AM."

• Anonymous
• January 20, 2019

For Birth Control "10 it’s effective, that’s not the issue. I can’t begin to explain the cramping I get a week before my period and then in the beginning of my cycle. I never experienced bad cramps before until having this IUD. It feels like someone is taking my ovaries and twisting them. It makes me lose my breath, and I find myself huddling over the floor. Then when I get my period, it’s the heaviest I have ever had in my 26 years. Having this for a couple of months was the worst thing I could have ever done to my body. Putting the IUD in was the most painful thing, and it made me bleed for days. Needless to say, I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone unless they want to feel unbearable cramps and bleeding for weeks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I was really nervous to get the ParaGard IUD inserted after reading a bunch of scary reviews online. But I decided to go through with it anyway because I wanted a birth control with no hormones. The insertion was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be, just minimal cramping. I bled lightly for about a week after, and now I feel totally back to normal."

• Frf...
• September 26, 2018

For Birth Control "I am 34 years old. I'm actually on my last 6 months of the 10 years you can use it for. I will not recommend this to you if you are not a person that enjoys going to the doctor every 2 months for BV, acne, weight gain, mixed emotions, bad cramps, heavy bleeding, unexpected bleeding. If you are very fertile (go ahead). I am getting it taken out and getting my tubes tied."

• Frf...
• September 26, 2018

For Birth Control "I am 34 years old. I'm actually on my last 6 months of the 10 years you can use it for. I will not recommend this to you if you are not a person that enjoys going to the doctor every 2 months for BV, acne, weight gain, mixed emotions, bad cramps, heavy bleeding, unexpected bleeding. If you are very fertile (go ahead). I am getting it taken out and getting my tubes tied."

• Cyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2020

For Birth Control "I had nothing but constant complications, pain, terrible menstrual cramps, pelvic infections, and yeast infections from this IUD! Why any female would want to put a foreign object up into her uterus that's made of copper is beyond me! If you like pain, infections, heavy bleeding, and then a possible hysterectomy, then go for it!"

• Juj...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 23, 2020

For Birth Control "I've had ParaGard 3 times after having babies, and all 3 times I had the same side effects: horrible bleeding for 3 weeks after it was put in place and cramps. It caused me severe anxiety, depression, hair loss, weight gain, rage, and brain fogginess. When I had it removed the 2nd time to try to get pregnant, I wasn't able to get pregnant for 5 months, and this is abnormal for me. Every month, I got a positive pregnancy test, and then within a couple of days, it was gone. For some reason, they were not implanting correctly, and this was due to ParaGard. Copper increases estrogens and does impact your hormones."

• not...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 22, 2020

For Birth Control "I had a great experience with ParaGard until I didn’t. It was a good contraceptive for four years, but suddenly I started bleeding a lot. Something had caused my ParaGard to yank out of position. Yes, probably sex. I had the device removed two days later only to find that a piece had embedded in my uterus upon removal. After an ultrasound, we actually found the piece had broken in two and were now located in two different places in my uterine wall. This resulted in an expensive hysteroscopy to “scrape” these pieces out of me, as my doctor so lovingly put it. This, quite honestly, has scarred and scared me from ANY IUD. They said it was likely the IUD actually embedded upon insertion over four years ago."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 19, 2016

For Birth Control "After my 2nd child, we were pretty sure we were done. But getting fixed was too permanent! I've had ParaGard for six years, and overall, I'm happy with it. I've tried every kind of BC pills from low to high hormones. I also used NuvaRing and the Depo shot. My body can't handle any kind of hormones! For me, the insertion was not painful. The first two years were heavy bleeding, spotting all the time, and bad cramps with a period of 10 to 14 days. It's a little better now, but I still have 7 to 10-day periods, and 4 to 6 days of heavy bleeding. But for me, the cons are worth not getting pregnant!!"

• Jen...
• May 23, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had ParaGard since March of 2015 (it's now May 2016) and am looking to have it removed. Pros: It's hormone-free (huge plus if you're a breastfeeding mom and don't want your milk supply to decrease). And the insertion process wasn't so bad. Some cramping afterward and bleeding for quite a few days after. Cons: I constantly have discharge and have to wear pantiliners on a regular basis. And I'm not talking light discharge. It's thick, gooey, and mucousy. I have gone to two different OBGYNs regarding this (to make sure I didn't have an infection) and both said it's a normal side effect. It seriously grosses me out and this is the main reason I am getting it taken out. My periods are also heavy and last 7-10 days. It's awful! Time for a new BC."

• Noe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm sharing my experience with the full understanding that everyone will have different reactions, pertaining to their body, from any medications. I used the Mirena for 10 years (2 separate devices) between my son and daughter. I loved it, but I thought the last 2 years it was causing hair loss. So, after my daughter was born in 2018, I chose to use the ParaGard instead and see if the hormones made a difference. This was a big mistake for me. It has been placed for over 13 months and I have been bleeding heavily, every day, for the entire time. My doctor put me on the Depo injection to try to help, which it did. But then I gained 60 pounds in 6 months and was still bleeding every day, just much lighter. Now it is a new year, my insurance has covered the switch, and today I went back to the hormonal IUD! I'm hoping that soon things will go back to normal and I won't be bleeding anymore. I know the ParaGard works well for some people... but not for me!"

• Gin...
• August 13, 2019

For Birth Control "The insertion of ParaGard was not painful at all. I was expecting it to be very painful based on the online comments, but it felt like a regular Pap smear. I was a bit nauseous afterward, but it went away. It’s great “forget about it” birth control. It’s in, I can have sex, and that’s it. My partner can’t feel it at all. Zero added discomfort during sex. It’s not hormonal, so I have zero of those types of side effects. Zero weight gain, mood swings, cravings. Only 8/10 because it’s not perfect! There are some side effects that are bearable for me, such as extremely heavy period, longer lasting period, and slightly worse cramps. My period now lasts 7-8 days instead of 4. On one of the days, I do usually have bad cramps, but I’m able to manage them with ibuprofen. As far as the heavy bleeding, I manage it with a Diva cup! So much easier than going through tampons. One of my friends uses the Flex Disc with her ParaGard, and that manages the bleeding better as well."

• Anonymous
• January 15, 2016

For Birth Control "Don't get one. I had mine for 3 months, and the experience was awful. My periods were extremely heavy (soaking through 2 pads) and never-ending. I just had it removed because I have been bleeding for 3 weeks."

• Don...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 22, 2017

For Birth Control "After having my daughter in Feb 2010, I received the ParaGard IUD. After almost 8 years, I finally had it removed this week, Nov 2017. Basically, it was horrible, bleeding heavily, cramping horribly was how my past 7 years have been. It never subsided like I was told it would. Lots of painful ovulation that had me on the bathroom floor, and my pain tolerance is substantial, or so I believe, as I'm covered heavily in tattoos. Anyway, it was so bad, super plus tampons/overnight pads combined only lasted 20 minutes before bleeding through. I was bedridden monthly. I have had tons of medical issues I've now found out are due to copper toxicity. I now suffer from infections, cysts on ovaries, hormonal imbalance, and toxicity."

• sho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2018

For Birth Control "I have never had children. Prior to the ParaGard, I had the Skyla IUD, which did not work for me. I have had the ParaGard for two months and am enjoying it! I make sure to take my multivitamins with iron to prevent anemia. My periods were slightly heavier, which were totally manageable with the help of OB tampons. I had heavy bleeding for 4 days and 2 days of barely existent bleeding (I had 10 days of bleeding with the Skyla, and 5-6 days is the normal duration of my period). I have not had any pain with this IUD other than right after the insertion. I love not feeling hormonal changes. I also did not feel breast tenderness prior to my period (? not sure if it's related). It's a good decision, I think! I also have not gained any weight and actually lost 2 lbs. No bloating either!"

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm a 34-year-old with no children and thought ParaGard was a good choice because of the no hormones. The instant my doctor inserted the IUD, I had the most uncomfortable pain in my life (and I've had kidney stones and have a high pain tolerance). I felt like I was having the worst period of my life with stabbing pains from my pelvis shooting through my vagina. The pain and bleeding lasted 2 weeks. I had to miss work some days it was so intense. My doctor assured me it would get better in 3 months, that my body had to adjust to it. But every period lasted 2 weeks or longer! The pains were sharp and literally took my breath away at times. THIS WAS THE WORST PAIN IN MY LIFE!!!!"