ParaGard and Mood Swings: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Lau...
• August 25, 2019

For Birth Control "ParaGard did protect me against pregnancy for the full 2 years I was on it, but at what cost... I didn’t want to have it removed because it’s “non-hormonal” and I can’t take hormonal BC. At first, it was great, I didn’t mind the really long and heavy periods and cramping. I started developing severe PMDD and cystic acne, which I’ve never had before. About 2 weeks of the month, I was an emotional, paranoid, dysfunctional wreck with heart-palpitating anxiety, on the verge of panic attacks constantly. I blamed this on hormonal imbalance from the mini pill. I more recently started to get really bad headaches, nausea, brain fog, and dizziness. I even passed out at work one day, even though I had breakfast. I thought I was becoming anemic, so I had blood work done, but my results were “fine.” I thought people who claimed this IUD gave them copper toxicity were quacks at first, but I truly believe it was ruining my body."

• Rag...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 15, 2019

For Birth Control "Well, good for 10 years, effective for 10 years, hormone-free - sounds fantastic, right? HA! That's what I thought. I had this godforsaken IUD put in after my second daughter (around Feb. 2018). From the get-go, I've had very painful cramps, ovarian pains, mood swings, higher anxiety, more depression, SEVERE UNCONTROLLABLE RAGE AND ANGER OUTBURSTS, very, very heavy bleeding with clots, spotting between periods as if pregnant, very long periods, back pain, bruising and anemia, increased thirst, migraines, extremely itchy legs with some small blisters (just like it did when I was pregnant), vaginal odor like copper. I'm planning to have this THING removed soon. Which sucks because I can't take hormones due to severe migraines. Condoms it is again. P.S. I also know someone who got pregnant and gave birth while on ParaGard."

• Rod...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 4, 2018

For Birth Control "Got it right after I had my son (2 months after) and immediately regretted it. Terrible cramping. Painful periods. Excessive bleeding. I'd fill a super tampon and leak through to fill a liner within an hour. Then the hormonal changes started happening: mood swings, migraines, depression, anxiety, panic attacks. Fatigued. Anemic. So fatigued!"

• Que...
• November 18, 2017

For Birth Control "The ParaGard is bad. The insertion didn’t hurt, but the side effects of copper toxicity are hell. Hair loss, brain fog, anxiety, depression, fatigue, mood swings, headaches, nausea, and the list goes on. I hate this thing, and every time I think about it, it makes me sick. I can’t wait to have mine removed. I’ve been begging my insurance and doctor’s office for over a year now to take it out. My second child is 2, and I feel like I haven’t been able to thoroughly enjoy her for living in hell."

• Tha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 5, 2017

For Birth Control "2 years with the ParaGard IUD. Side effects progressively got worse, and eventually, unbearable. Heavy menstrual cycle, severe irritability, mood swings, depression, anxiety attacks, anger issues. About a year and a half into ParaGard: severe headaches behind eyes every single day, extreme fatigue. Listed symptoms progressively got worse. Sex -- only good part: the ability to have sex when I want without the hassle of having to remember and constant protection against pregnancy. However... I had no sex drive. Very painful."

• Nat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 6, 2017

For Birth Control "To be honest, I had ParaGard in under 4 months and had horrible experiences. Severe stomach cramps, which felt like labor pains, hair loss, severe depression, which led me to self-harm and overdose. Mood swings were very bad to the extent I was lashing out and getting arrested, heavy bleeding where it was going through my clothing, and suffered many migraines. After having the ParaGard removed, it's taken over 6 months to get where I am now, which is I am in more control with my moods, the bleeding is back to light, no more cramps, and my hair is now back to long and thick. My depression is now controllable."

• 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!"

• Sav...
• June 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had 2 ParaGard put in, the first was in for 10 years and the second one was in for 3 years. I've been experiencing hair loss, mood swings, memory loss, urinary tract infections. I was hospitalized for a cyst on my fallopian tube that was about to burst. Constant migraines to where I can't function the whole day. Severe scalp pain that causes blurry vision. I've told the doctors, and nobody will believe me or even listen. Helpless."

• 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."

• Par...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2022

For Birth Control "I had my copper IUD inserted three and a half months ago. Insertion was fine. I had a heavy period that lasted 16 days, accompanied by extreme period pain, diarrhea. After the second period (16 days) ended, I began to experience mood swings and deep lows. My cystic acne began. After 20 years of clear skin, and almost no mood swings, the non-hormonal IUD was throwing my body into disarray. Ridiculous bloating and pain continues. My skin is getting worse. I believe my body is rejecting the copper IUD. This is definitely not for me, and I am getting it removed ASAP. Do not recommend!!"

• Rmo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2021

For Birth Control "Horrible experience! ParaGard is a non-hormonal birth control, but it messed me up. I was not myself at all. Brain fog, mood swings, depression, bloating, cramps, sciatic pain, and constipation, to name a few side effects. I had it taken out about two weeks ago. I'm glad I had it removed when I did. My IUD was starting to embed itself into my uterus. If I had waited any longer, I would have needed it surgically removed. I feel like myself again now that it is out. Listen to your body... if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't! ParaGard is not worth it!"

• 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!"

• 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."

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

For Birth Control "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!!"

• Mer...
• December 13, 2019

For Birth Control "Got ParaGard 1/2019. The pain was horrible! After only a few months, I noticed I started to have SEVERE mood swings. When I say mood swings, I mean I became a completely different person! I started to think something was wrong with me because I would get so mean that I almost ruined my relationship with my boyfriend. I tried to do several things to correct my behavior, but over the past 11 months, nothing worked! I talked to my Dr. who said IUDs are linked to several things, including BV and PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). Unfortunately, I waited an entire year before I thought to ask my Dr. about why she thought I might be feeling depressed, extremely angry, and just not myself. However, after she told me this information, I went and had the IUD taken out today! (12/12/19). And I know this probably sounds insane, but I feel like a normal person again and like all the side effects immediately went away! I will NEVER get a ParaGard again! One of the worst experiences of my life!!!"

• Anonymous
• December 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I received this after having my son on 12/15/17. I started having mood swings, and my weight gain was horrible (I’ve always been small). Then I started having really bad headaches, and my hair was falling out in globs. Eighteen months after having my son and going through all these side effects, I started bleeding badly. My husband took me to the ER, and they gave me a pregnancy test (it’s required). It came back positive. They sent me down for an ultrasound to get some more info on if the ParaGard was still there or not. Come to find out it was still there, and I was five weeks pregnant. They took it out and told me there was a high risk of a miscarriage. We went back two weeks later to see if they could see anything or if I just had an empty sac. They found a yolk sac. I am now luckily 27 weeks pregnant with a healthy baby boy (our miracle IUD baby). I would not recommend ParaGard for anyone as a contraceptive, as it didn't work. I would mark zero if I could. I have stressed my baby this whole pregnancy due to some “supposed to be 99% effective.”"

• ran...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 1, 2019

For Birth Control "STOP! Do not use ParaGard! You can thank me later after reading the horrible reviews. My symptoms were (just removed today at 10:40am Yeah!) to name a few: severe burning sensation on the left side of my throat, pain occurring all over my body at different times, horrible mood swings, kidney issues (bubbles in my urine), insomnia. I had ParaGard for 2 years. 3 hours after removal, I felt 50% better. I requested my gyno to give me a copper test, and she did-waiting on results. I'm slowly getting to be me again."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 15, 2019

For Birth Control "After my second child, I wanted a birth control I did not have to worry about. I decided to go with a 'no hormone birth control,' as I felt I was moody on the pills. I was on the ParaGard for approx. 2 years. The first year, my period lasted longer than usual. The doctor informed me throughout the first year my body has to adjust. My periods lasted 2 weeks max., with really bad cramping. Going into the 2nd year, my periods never went away. I literally had my period for months. It really took a toll on my life. I became upset, moody, and angry. My doctor checked the IUD and said it looks fine, she does not understand why my period is lasting so long. I decided to remove the IUD as the doctor tried to convince me to get a new one put in. I refused. My period went back to normal right away, and I became my happy self again. My husband and I use condoms. We both agreed birth control has its pros but many cons that can harm the woman's body."

• Cry...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I had many symptoms that are not mentioned. I first started having heavier bleeding and horrible cramping during periods. The other problems I had gradually became unbearable, and some I didn't link to the IUD instantly. I started having hip pain that I couldn't link to an injury and odd ankle pain when beginning to run. I began having severe tailbone pain over a month into having it. The stomach cramping started my last period after the period was done. I also had bacterial vaginosis. I became very emotional. The worst was the tailbone pain. The doctor said it probably wasn't my IUD. I had it removed. Within 1 hour, the tailbone pain was gone. I have an appointment tomorrow with the OBGYN to discuss all of this. I am not sure at this point how the ParaGard caused this, but I am researching it. Doctors constantly said the IUD is most likely not causing all my symptoms, but they all went away promptly when it was removed."

• yog...
• December 19, 2018

For Birth Control "I first started ParaGard in 2012. The first couple of years, I didn't notice anything other than the usual side effects. My periods got really heavy, and I became seriously anemic. Around 2015, I began having extreme mood shifts right before my period. It was getting worse as time went on, so I went on an antidepressant, but it didn't do much with the PMS depression crashes. By 2017, my period was heavier than it had been in the past. I was also bleeding much more frequently. The extreme moods were so much worse. I was near suicidal whenever I would have PMS. Just to be totally accurate with this review, I have a history of depression and anxiety but had never experienced anything like this. I began reading reviews and other experiences with the ParaGard and heard similar stories. About six months ago, I got the ParaGard removed. My period went back to normal immediately after removal. The mood episodes are almost non-existent."

• Ann...
• December 9, 2018

For Birth Control "DO NOT RECOMMEND. I just removed ParaGard after 2 years of having it. In the beginning, everything seemed to be fine, apart from heavy bleeding, which I was prepared for. Most of the days of my period, I had to have a tampon and a pad in order to stop the bleeding. In the past year, I had reoccurring yeast infections almost every month. I tried changing my diet, taking probiotics, without any change. However, the real problem was of the mental kind. Over the years, my mood swings and depression got much worse, with episodes of intense anger, anxiety, and sadness days before my period. It all culminated last month when I felt deeply depressed and suicidal for no apparent reason – I finally decided to have the IUD removed. The removal was terrifying because the ob-gyn couldn't find the device, so she had to use the ultrasound and apply 3 anesthetic injections to my cervix during the removal. I'm so happy that I did it, I feel so much better and calmer now."

• 31Y...
• July 23, 2018

For Birth Control "I had the copper IUD for about 3 weeks, and I finally got it removed this morning. First, I got it inserted, and the first week I was having contractions and bleeding blood clots. Very heavy bleeding. It was so bad that I would get chills from the pain. Second, I started to have panic attacks, and my anxiety felt off the charts. Third, my brain felt super foggy. My brain felt like I was off on a cloud, and I couldn't focus at work. Fourth, I felt depressed and moody. It was like my emotions were up and down, and I couldn't help it. Fifth, I felt bloated and fatigued. I was told numerous times that this IUD didn't have hormones, but it sure had something in for me to get symptoms like this. I know that every woman is different, but with my experience, I would recommend the Mirena IUD over the ParaGard IUD ANYTIME. I had both, and by far, Mirena is better. For now, I'll stick with the old school birth control - 'The Pill.'"

• Kri...
• September 5, 2017

For Birth Control "This was the worst decision of my life. I have been dieting and exercising, cut over 1000 calories a day and gained weight. ParaGard may not contain hormones, but it creates an inflammatory response that leads to water retention, inability to lose weight, and mood swings. My fingers are so swollen I can't get my rings off, and I bleed and spot 3 weeks out of the month. I am miserable and have an appointment for removal in a week!"

• LAM...
• June 1, 2017

For Birth Control "I had the ParaGard inserted 3 years ago after my second child. Heavy period, headaches, bloating, mood swings, and weight gain about 15 pounds. I had it removed last week. Felt better almost instantly. I wouldn't recommend. Also tried the Mirena, that was even worse."

• Ril...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2017

For Birth Control "Always do research before putting anything in your body. My doctor said it was safe with no symptoms except heavy periods, which were crazy heavy! The actual procedure isn't bad. However, I had extreme hip pain for weeks afterward. My stomach was always bloated, and depending on how I moved, I would get a sharp pain in my lower stomach. I had extreme anxiety and depression. I couldn't sleep, and I was tired all the time. I had to take sleeping pills. And holy mood swings! I cried because I ran out of hot water in the shower... The worst part was my hair falling out in clumps! After 2 1/2 months I was done. I've been off of it for a month and I feel so much better. My mood is better, no pain, and I'm able to sleep without pills."