ParaGard and Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2014

For Birth Control "I got ParaGard as my first form of birth control because I didn't want to deal with hormones. I went through 2 models within 5 months. It turned out that my uterus was too small for the IUD. While I was on it though, the only side effects I had were a slight increase in my period (two days longer and a little bit heavier) and a more sensitive cervix. If my boyfriend even slightly hit my cervix, it would send a jolt of pain up my spine. I really didn't mind it, and I wish I could still be using it. I wouldn't worry about the copper. And because it's hormone-free, there is very little risk of having symptoms caused by chemicals (like moods or weight gain)."

• Do ...
• March 8, 2016

For Birth Control "This 'experience' is coming from me personally. Woman to woman. So, let me break it down for y'all. Pros: 1.) One and done-ParaGard only takes one doctor's visit to insert. Then, no worries for 10 years! That's right, 10 whole years. 2.) No hormones! Now I've never taken hormones but know their effect they can have on one's life, which made my choice in birth control fairly simple. 3.) Little to no side effects after a couple of months. If inserted correctly by your awesome doctor, you won't even feel the ParaGard. Now, the cons. 1.) The pain is real during and after the procedure. The worst cramps you've ever had times 56 :( If you have the option, have someone drive you home. And take two Advil before the procedure/invest in a heating pad. GL!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 30-...
• September 26, 2019

For Birth Control "The cramping, good lord, the cramping. I would compare it to early to mid-labor contractions. Sometimes they would hit me so hard I would literally double over. For a solid week, every month. Flow, so heavy. Beyond what a super plus tampon and maxi pad could handle for more than a couple of hours. For a solid four days, with what I would consider normal flow for the next three. Now, I know this is non-hormonal, so it may have to do with my body rather than the actual IUD, but my mood swings were outrageous. Like a solid week of being sad, a solid week of being angry, a solid week of insomnia, a solid week of physical pain, repeat. Sometimes one of the first three would be swapped out (or accompanied by) heartbroken. I've been in a steady relationship for almost five years and just at random I would start to question everything about him and his motives. Before ParaGard, I didn't have any kind of emotional swing month to month, so I blame it, but it could also be me aging and my hormones changing."

• Ash...
• March 1, 2017

For Birth Control "There are some pretty crazy reviews on here, but I love my ParaGard. Mine was free (thanks, Obama!). I don't think I ever want to have kids someday, and I don't want to deal with hormonal birth control, so this was a perfect choice for me. The side effects rocked my world for the first 3 months. You definitely need to have tolerance for pain, but come on, us women do. But after that, everything is back to normal. Got it checked out today (4 months later), and it's still in the right place. I'm addicted, and I'm so glad I finally have one now after a good year of searching."

• Mon...
• December 13, 2020

For Birth Control "Recently got the ParaGard put in after avoiding birth control for 10+ years. I didn’t want anything with hormones and was terrified of birth control altogether. I did a ton of research and asked my OBGYN a million questions before finally deciding on ParaGard. The insertion was WAY less painful/uncomfortable than I was led to believe. Minor cramping for about 30 seconds and that’s it. She warned me about a “pinch,” but I didn’t even feel it. Other than the first few days of bleeding/spotting, I barely remember it’s in there. No changes to my skin/mood/etc. I consider myself very lucky after reading all the reviews, but everybody is different. It’s worth a try to see if it works for you because at the end of the day, they can just take it out if it doesn’t work for you. The first few periods weren’t exactly pleasant, but what period is? I’ve read over time the additional pain/added days go away, which IMO makes this no-hormone option well worth it."

• Anonymous
• September 11, 2017

For Birth Control "I have had the ParaGard for about two months now. A month before my wedding, I had the ParaGard inserted and thought my non-hormonal birth control worries were over. My goodness, was I wrong. The procedure was painful, I was bent over in pain for the next few days. I got my period on my honeymoon. I am a very active person. My period is usually very light: 4-5 days, no cramps, and done! Not with the ParaGard. I was on the floor of the shower in so much pain. It felt like my insides were being ripped apart. I had to constantly take pain meds. I had to use a heating pad constantly! I bleed so much. I was literally gushing blood! On top of all this, I am newly married and have absolutely no sex drive. It's horrible. I hate the ParaGard."

• Nan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 20, 2019

For Birth Control "I was never one for taking pills, and I wanted something that was non-hormonal. My periods have never been long, heavy, or that painful. I was in a long-term relationship and really wanted to find a birth control that worked for me. When I was researching online, I found out about ParaGard and was immediately interested. I spoke to my doctor about it and set up an appointment to insert the IUD. I really didn't know what to expect for the insertion, I've never been pregnant. It does hurt tremendously afterward, I had trouble walking and was in pain like I've never experienced. Thankfully, that only lasted for 1 day, and I did spot for a little. My first period was pretty heavy and painful, but by the following month, everything was back to normal. This has been the best decision by far that I have ever made for myself."

• Vic...
• February 8, 2020

For Birth Control "I had a copper IUD inserted after breast cancer rendered hormonal birth control no longer an option for me. I would not recommend it to anyone. Insertion was painful. I was on bedrest for about two days. I have a very high pain tolerance, and I was miserable for the first six months. I got my period twice a month, for 7-15 days, and I would get cramps so painful that I couldn't stand up straight, and I was bleeding so heavily that my menstrual cup was overflowing every few hours. Usually, I have to empty it once a day. Since then, things have only gotten moderately better. The bleeding has eased up, but my cycle is still very irregular, and the cramps have not gotten any better. I was in fantastic shape when I got my IUD. Since then, I have put on a considerable amount of weight because the pain I am in for what amounts to about two weeks out of each month is preventing me from keeping as active as I would like. I'm considering getting it removed."

• Con...
• February 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm male, so obviously I don't have this, but I witnessed what my girl went through, and this thing is definitely not safe! I was with her from early 2017 till late 2018. She had days where she could function to what seemed normal, but she had been in so much pain for so long she had learned to deal with it. But a lot of days she was in bed hurting. I worked on the road and was rarely home to help her. She got really sick before she had it removed, like I was worried she could die, she seemed so sick. I read some of you were talking about a brain cloud. I believe it because something just wasn't right. We ended up arguing over things I had no idea why we were fighting about - none of it made sense, and in the end, we didn't make it, and I believe this has a lot to do with it! Anyways, she's getting better daily, inside and out, and I'm happy for her to be able to finally look forward to her future. But please, nobody take this - it affects everyone.... I didn't cover all her symptoms, but it was so bad."

• 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."

• 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!"

• Fla...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I had my ParaGard for 7 years and loved it. Had no issues, periods actually seemed to be the same as before, with little to no cramping. This is my first cycle since removing it, and boy, is it painful."

• Liz...
• January 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm currently 22, and I've had my IUD for close to four years (March). I love it. I do have to warn, though. It does cause heavier periods for the first few months. Mine went from three days to about a week long. There will be cramping. It is painful some days. But I've never had cramps to begin with, so this was new. If you can get through the first 4-6 months of this, it is the best form of birth control. I always recommend it to my lady friends."

• kt1...
• November 16, 2015

For Birth Control "I read tons and tons of reviews and was terrified to try ParaGard, but my gyno told me that one of the causes of my frequent yeast infections was my NuvaRing. I am terrible with pills and loved the idea of having something inserted once and never having to worry about it again. My gyno gave me a pill that dilated/softened my cervix that I took before along with 3 Advil. To be honest, it was very painful. I do, however, have a very, very small pain tolerance, and it was super quick, literally, the entire process was done in under 2 minutes. I felt a little achy after that, but that was it. It has been 5 months, and I love it. To be honest, my periods are much heavier and the first two were kind of rough, but they are still very consistent-5 days, no more."

• Pai...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2022

For Birth Control "After having my daughter, I tried ParaGard as a hormone-free solution to birth control. It was one of the worst decisions that I made for my body. The doctor told me that it was virtually painless and that I wouldn’t feel it. I can tell you that I felt it every second, and it caused pain and discomfort. After a month, I returned to my doctor and told her that I was in too much pain to even be intimate with my husband. She told me that I had to wait a few months before she would take it out. By the time she agreed to take it out, I had my period the entire time. Heavy menstrual cycles that would cause me to be so fatigued, nauseous, and have accidents all the time. Finally, when it was finally removed, I was relieved of the pain, but it took a very long time before pelvic inflammation resolved, and also my periods never went back to normal."

• 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!!"

• 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!"

• Ano...
• July 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I have had my ParaGard for almost 7 months. I am 20 years old, no kids. Before the ParaGard, I was on a low dosage birth control, and it was horrible for my body. The pill made me gain an incredible amount of weight, I had terrible mood swings, and lost hair. My gyno suggested the ParaGard because it was hormone-free and lasted 10 years. Getting it inserted was one of the most excruciating experiences of my life. I threw up immediately after and almost passed out. The next two days I couldn't get out of bed due to the horrible cramps. Besides the first few days, I absolutely love the ParaGard. My periods are normal, and I'm back to my old self. I suggest it for anyone who's thinking about it, but just be ready for a few days of pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2017

For Birth Control "The implant was painful but not nearly as bad as anticipated. The cramps afterwards are like medium-heavy period cramps. Easily dealt with with Tylenol, etc. I believe it's worth it. Don't let other people put you off, babies are much worse."

• Joy...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 31, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm 25, a single mother to 8-year-old twins. An IUD was my choice of birth control. I've had ParaGard for over 5 years already, and I can say it's perfect. Haven't gotten pregnant, period lasts about 3 days, no mood swings, no pain, no heavy period. I love it, and I'm happy I chose ParaGard. I had used other birth control methods and hated them. If you're not planning to have kids soon, this is the best method to avoid having any, lol."

• Ray...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 18, 2019

For Birth Control "ParaGard and copper toxicity? Seriously, you need to read about it, the copper problem. I had a heavy metal hair test, which confirmed it. Copper raises estrogen, and even though doctors will tell you this is 'non-hormonal,' it will mess with your hormones, thyroid, weight gain, as well as the neurological responses. Too much copper caused tremors in my hands and pain in my arms, feet, and hands. Don't believe doctors that there is no connection. All my excess copper symptoms went away when the IUD was removed."

• mec...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 10, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had my IUD implanted for about 5 years now. After realizing how long it's been, I decided to see what others were saying about it. Reading these reviews reminds me that everyone is very different! I LOVE THIS IUD, it has been great for me since the start, and it works for me. The placement is painful, it can be described as a strong pinch on your insides, and obviously that area is extremely sensitive, so yes! It's painful, but you can tolerate it. You are sore for the remainder of the day, and you sure won't want to be touched. My doctor advised me to refrain from intercourse until I felt better, but recommended it to adjust the placement of the IUD. Yes, in the beginning my partner felt the string, but in months' time it went away."

• mec...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 10, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had my IUD implanted for about 5 years now. After realizing how long it's been, I decided to see what others were saying about it. Reading these reviews reminds me that everyone is very different! I LOVE THIS IUD, it has been great for me since the start, and it works for me. The placement is painful, it can be described as a strong pinch on your insides, and obviously that area is extremely sensitive, so yes! It's painful, but you can tolerate it. You are sore for the remainder of the day, and you sure won't want to be touched. My doctor advised me to refrain from intercourse until I felt better, but recommended it to adjust the placement of the IUD. Yes, in the beginning my partner felt the string, but in months' time it went away."