ParaGard and Pain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Chl...
• December 16, 2019

For Birth Control "I got my IUD inserted in March of 2017, when I was 19. I had never been pregnant. Insertion was the most painful experience of my life. I took ibuprofen and Valium. I could barely walk afterward, and my boyfriend had to drive. I had severe cramping and pain. I bled like crazy, and my periods have lasted 2+ weeks since then. I get cramping 3/4 weeks per month with the IUD and pain on the left side. I cramp at the beginning and end of my period, and the ones at the end are worse. I am left stuck in bed with a heating pad, writhing and sweating. I get pain from my IUD before, during, and after sex as well. I have gotten terrible cystic acne on my cheeks, which I never had before, and extreme PMS. I have had joint pain, UTIs, and yeast infections. I will be getting it removed ASAP. My strings disappeared within 2 months of insertion, so I may need surgery to remove it. I'd rather find out I'm pregnant than deal with another month of this BS."

• CJa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 19, 2019

For Birth Control "If you are like me, then you may love this birth control! I have tried everything... pills, patches, the shot, hormonal IUDs. Every single hormonal BC has resulted in severe mood swings for me! I get severe PMS without birth control, and hormones just make it worse. The good thing about my body is that I have very light periods and no cramps. I have not had any changes in my PMS symptoms, and I have been using it for about 6 months. Downside: getting it inserted was excruciating for me. I have not had any children, so that probably made it worse. I felt painful contractions for several hours. Had mild discomfort for a couple of days. I do have a heavier period now, but the trade-off is worth it for me. I have not gotten pregnant and have a regular sex life with my husband. This birth control has been a godsend for me. I think it is a great solution for people who don’t have physical period symptoms and who suffer more from PMS. The temporary pain was worth it for me."

• No...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2017

For Birth Control "So it's been 6 days since I had ParaGard inserted, and let me tell you, I'm doing a helluva lot better than day 1. The insertion was a pain I'd never felt before and had me thinking it's been placed incorrectly. I had chosen to get the insertion 4 hours before I was due in for work, but inevitably ended up calling out. I laid on that table for over an hour trying to get the room to stop spinning so I could make the drive back home. Once I could finally stand, I went straight home and curled up with a heating pad, ibuprofen, and a glass of wine. I spotted the next day, which led to me bleeding heavily for two days. The bleeding has now pretty much stopped. I was able to have sex with my partner with no worries or pain. So far, so good (:"

• Ste...
• October 24, 2019

For Birth Control "10/10. I have had it for 9 1/2 years!!!!! No problems whatsoever. I have always had cramps and heavy periods, so no change there. Can't say it affects my weight since I have been the same weight since childbirth, lol, but it has saved me thousands by preventing pregnancy 100%, lol. I never have to worry about taking pills or wearing condoms (I'm married). I didn't feel any pain when it was put in, but then again, my cramps are bad, so that pinch was nothing. I will be having this IUD placed again once this one expires in a couple of months. Highly recommend."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 9, 2017

For Birth Control "When I had the ParaGard inserted, it was the worst pain of my life. I had a panic attack, and I was screaming and crying. I had it inserted at Planned Parenthood, so there was no pain medication, no dilation, not done on my period. I've never had a baby, so that might have made it worse for me. Cramps and lingering pain lasted a few days after that. After the pain went away, I loved ParaGard for my birth control! Until I started getting yeast infections every month, sometimes twice a month! I had to change just about everything about my life to avoid getting yeast infections since I was now so prone to getting them. After one year, I decided enough was enough, and it was removed."

• Kat...
• October 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 27, no children, was on HBC for 10 years. I've had ParaGard for one week, and I could not be more pleased so far. Insertion was unbearably painful, but I went to Planned Parenthood, and they give you nothing for pain or to open your cervix, nor did they feel the need to schedule the insertion during my period. I had a panic attack from the pain, and my doctor couldn't care less. Glad I had my husband with me!! Anyway, though, the ParaGard itself is amazing. After the initial pain subsided, I spent the night with a heating pad and ibuprofen. I had cramps for the next couple of days, then it stopped. I got my period 3 days after insertion, no cramps, not heavier than normal, and it was over in 3 days. I wish I had found this sooner!"

• Sad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 10, 2020

For Birth Control "ParaGard #1 failed, left me in pain, a miscarriage, then expelled. Doctors claim it was so rare to have these side effects, it must be a coincidence. ParaGard #2 partially expelled, left me in extreme pain. It was removed, and I had a miscarriage the next day. A very tiny, tiny baby fell out of me as I lifted my laundry basket. I will forever be devastated by the pain this thing caused. It's time for ParaGard to reevaluate the frequency of side effects and honestly report to the public. This thing ruins lives."

• Cla...
• January 14, 2020

For Birth Control "At first, the pain when I first got it inserted was bad, and periods so heavy and long. Every two weeks I bled, cramps I have never experienced in my life, and a tender stomach. I pushed forward as they said symptoms get better over time. Not so. Symptoms for me got worse. I ended up trying to counteract the pain and cramps with the pill to stop the pain. After 12 months with constant dull aches in my lower abdomen and painful cramps throughout the month, and periods I only could describe as feeling like acid and irritating my skin on my vagina, I spoke to the doctor, and he thought I was bonkers. The last straw was having sex would just feel like knives up near my cervix. My boyfriend said to me one night, 'Did you put chili in you?' I said, 'No, why?' And he said his penis was on fire. I couldn’t believe it! I didn't think it could burn his penis! So, I went straight to the doctor and explained this to him, and I got it removed and have a scan on my uterus to see if any damage."

• Les...
• May 14, 2015

For Birth Control "Before I went in to get my IUD, I decided to look online and read what some women experienced while they went in to get their IUD. Upon reading the reviews and experiences, I have to admit that I was reluctant and nervous to go on with the idea of using ParaGard as birth control. I read internet horror stories, how painful the procedure was going to be, how some women had their IUD misplaced and surgically removed. I was freaked out by the idea but proceeded to the doctor to have my insertion. Honestly, it was not as bad as I had believed. Don't freak yourselves out, ladies! Eat breakfast/lunch, take 800 mg of ibuprofen before your appointment, and remember to breathe during the insertion. It should be quick and easy, make sure to rest after."

• Van...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2019

For Birth Control "Horrible pain with insertion. I have a high pain tolerance, but this almost made me pass out, it hurt so bad. Heavy, heavy bleeding. Sometimes, two heavy, long periods a month, with spotting in between. Weight gain and hip joint pain. I just got it removed today, which was almost painless, thank goodness."

• Fir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I had ParaGard inserted 8 weeks after giving birth. I had read reviews saying it could be a painful process. Honestly, I barely felt it. My doctor told me I would feel a pinch, and then cramp-like pains because he needed to open my cervix. I kept waiting for the initial pinch, and then he said, “Okay, we’re done here.” This could be due to time since I’d given birth; it could also be pain tolerance. I took the recommended 800 mg of Advil beforehand, so I’m sure that helped. I recommend taking what you know of your body and pain management style and using that to determine what you can expect. I didn’t bleed much afterward (you can have spotting for 3 months), but instead, it tapered off into what I would compare to a normal pre-period discharge. I love the fact that it’s non-hormonal so it won’t mess with my body in that way. The other IUDs had a risk of ovarian cysts which wigged me out. Bottom line: this product works. Very pleased with the process and product."

• 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!"

• Val...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 18, 2018

For Birth Control "After my second child, I decided to get the IUD copper, but once it was inserted and time passed, I had pelvic pain every time I menstruated so bad it hurt to walk. Caused high anxiety, no sex drive, bad depression, always tired, ate healthy and exercised, but weight didn’t change, brain fog, couldn’t think straight, it was a mess! I thought this was my postpartum depression, so I took care of it like my firstborn when I had issues with postpartum before, but nothing helped. Not knowing it was the IUD, I thought I’m just a struggling, stressed-out mother. My doctor removed it and I told him if these symptoms had to do with the IUD, and he said, oh no, no hormones. This is probably postpartum. Three days later, I feel like myself again for the first time in ages. This wasn’t postpartum, this wasn’t just a new life as a mom - it was this IUD. So many women struggle with this and it made me realize I wasn’t alone."

• Col...
• June 11, 2017

For Birth Control "Good, but it's like the first car. It needs a redesign that is more flexible. Pros: It's nice to not worry about pregnancy or condoms with my SO. In a way, it allows for more intimate sex without the conversation of BC. I have had the ParaGard for 4 years after trying other hormonal BC. Cons: I traded mood swings for pain. Right from the start, it is trouble when the nurse tells you to take an aspirin before the insertion, but she should have prescribed a real painkiller for the procedure. There have been a few times when I almost had it taken out. I never had cramps before this. Every month, I take a minimum of 600 mg of ibuprofen. There are cramps after ovulation in the middle of my cycle, as well as more intensely before and during my period."

• Hor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2019

For Birth Control "I had the ParaGard IUD in for 16 days, never once used it with the husband. I was having some pelvic pain and had to go in for an emergency check-up. I was given the most painful vaginal ultrasound that made me cry. Then I got my OBGYN to check, which was also painful with her using various tools to dig inside. She then tells me it’s missing! So I was sent to a different hospital down the street to get an X-ray done. I waited for like 3-4 hours and got a call that I had to have emergency surgery the next day. So I was told the surgery would be 30 minutes, but it ended up being 6 hours because it got wedged between my liver and gall bladder."

• Med...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 1, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had the ParaGard for 10 years, having it removed tomorrow because it's time. I'm not replacing it because I no longer need birth control. I'm apprehensive about the removal because putting it in was excruciating. Mind-bending pain during insertion. But it was worth it. I've had 10 years of worry-free birth control that I didn't have to think about. I would absolutely recommend ParaGard to my daughter in the future."

• AB6...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I decided to try ParaGard IUD to eliminate the use of hormones. I had this IUD for 2 years, and it was a very brutal experience every month during my period. Normally, my periods are about 5 days, but with this IUD, they would be 12 to 13 days every month. Not to mention, I would be folded over in pain with cramps, and there would be so much blood I would fill up a super tampon every 4 hours. Since getting this IUD out, it has been a difference of night and day. I feel like I finally have my life back, my periods are half the amount of time and half the amount of blood, and I barely cramp. I would not recommend the ParaGard at all."

• Ang...
• September 2, 2018

For Birth Control "I only gave the ParaGard two stars because I did not get pregnant while I had it. However, the experience from the insertion to removal was a pure nightmare. Insertion was extremely painful (I feel like I was not fairly warned for the amount of pain I would experience). For the days following, I experienced horrible cramps and heavy bleeding. The first few months I was always crampy, and my period lasted for 9 days. The first few days of each period were a nightmare. I would soak through a super tampon in under an hour. At my follow-up appointment, my gyno assured me my body would adjust and it was in place. I waited for my body to adjust for two years. These two years were filled with cramps that left me on the couch for days, no over-the-counter pain medicine offered any relief. I had constant pressure on my uterus as well. Each period, I passed blood clots the size of golf balls. I finally had the IUD removed and am not lying when I say I felt instant relief."

• MsM...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I had ParaGard inserted in October of 2018. After insertion, my bleeding jumped in length from 6 days to 10 days, my cycle length became erratic, ranging from 30-40 days, the cramping was constant throughout my cycle, fluctuating between an annoyance and excruciating pain, and at some point, I noticed my hair thinning and falling out (which, according to the pamphlet, isn’t a symptom). I finally opted to have it removed in October 2019 after sex triggered a particularly bad episode of cramping, where I was paralyzed in pain on the floor for 45 minutes. I’m happy to report I am now IUD-free and can inhale as deeply as I want without experiencing stabbing pains in my uterus! Be prepared for the worst if you try this form of BC:("

• Lis...
• May 27, 2017

For Birth Control "I have had the ParaGard for one year and one month. The insertion was uncomfortable and painful, which was expected. I bled for the first three months straight. My period lasts 10 days, and I have two weeks in between. I get cramps that feel like contractions that make me almost fall to my knees or faint. I can't use tampons because I bleed too much, and I have to change my overnight pad every hour. I get cramps throughout the month even when I'm not on my period, and sharp shooting pains on my left side when I try to sleep. I have also developed cystic acne, which responds to nothing, hair loss, and mood disorders. I have had it checked by a doctor, and they said I'm fine. I am going to have it removed next week."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 11, 2019

For Birth Control "For ParaGard, you have to manage your expectations. It took about 6 months for my cycle to regulate itself. The pain was horrendous upon insertion and a few weeks after, but this is to be expected. I cannot take hormonal birth control, so this was my last option. It is effective, but if your pain threshold is low, I do not recommend this. I have to take Aleve before lifting weights because my uterus becomes irritated and I will experience bloating and intense, sharp pain. Outside of these few times of pain and bloating, it feels like nothing. I check the strings once a month, get it regularly checked on every few months in my OBGYN office, and I think maintenance is minimal yet very important. I am 23 and have never had children, so it may be different for people of varying lifestyles."

• Fre...
• July 1, 2015

For Birth Control "21, no kids, had ParaGard inserted yesterday. I read hundreds of reviews beforehand that led me to believe I'd be writhing in pain the whole time. Yes, it hurt, but only for 20 seconds total out of a 5-minute ordeal. I think for me at least, a lot of what I was registering as pain was more shock at such a completely foreign sensation. I immediately had what felt like my usual period cramps but a bit worse, but those went away after 5ish hours. Now, less than 24 hours after insertion, I feel fine. Every so often I'll get a dull cramp, but that's it. Here's hoping it continues to be a positive experience (for the next ten years!!!?!)"

• Ann...
• April 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I had constant pain for a full year, and I bled all but about three days every month for the entire while. My body hated this IUD. I have a mood disorder and thought, no hormones, awesome! Not when you're thrown out of whack by a constant period anyway. I didn't get pregnant, and the method itself would be convenient if it didn't cause you to cramp and bleed all the time (and I'm talking clots the likes of which I have never experienced in my entire life). I basically stopped having sex at all for a year because who wants to when you're always on your freaking period? After months of various ob/gyns telling me 'Ooooh, just stick with it, it'll even out!' I finally did what I should have to begin with and got this stupid thing removed. The next day, my stabbing pains had stopped, and so had my bleeding. I'm back on Junel 21, and my PMS wasn't debilitating. Do yourself a favor and really weigh the pros and cons before you get the ParaGard."

• Ace...
• September 13, 2017

For Birth Control "The ParaGard has worked perfectly for me. I think much of the frustration I read about is the natural discomfort the body goes through adjusting to a foreign object. In some cases, people's bodies reject it, which seems like a pretty natural side effect to me. I had pain the first few weeks after insertion, and ibuprofen worked wonders during that time. I also experienced bad menstrual cramps the first 3 periods after insertion, my flow was heavier at first but mellowed out with time. I used to be on a 5-week cycle, and now I'm on a 4-week one. I love my IUD. I've had unprotected sex with a long-term partner and never had to worry. I still wear condoms with new sexual encounters because STDs are a real thing. But my IUD has been great for 3 years!"

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 12, 2019

For Birth Control "Worst pain of my life. I experience contraction-like cramps every period. At times, I have to lay on the floor and deep breathe. Tonight, I was in tears, feeling like I was going to vomit from the pain. I had to pace around the room and do squats like a woman in labor. I don’t know if it was the naproxen sodium pain meds or hot bath that finally helped the cramps to subside, but had they not stopped, I thought I would have to go to the ER and have the IUD removed. It might be effective to protect me from pregnancy, but this monthly pain is NOT worth it."