ParaGard and Spotting: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Tay...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 17, 2019

For Birth Control "So the ParaGard IUD gets a 9/10 rating because it kept me baby-free for 6 and a half years after easily getting pregnant twice with two children and not wanting a third. I cannot take hormonal contraceptives due to high blood pressure, heart palpitations, and mood disorder. So the reason it loses one star is because all of a sudden - after more than 6 years of minimal side effects - I developed BV and constant spotting between periods - for 2 months! The BV wouldn’t go away despite multiple antibiotic treatments. So I listened to my body and had it taken out, and my symptoms cleared up within 24-36 hours. No more spotting after 2 months of it. I would definitely say the ParaGard is worth a shot - but listen to your body. I loved it while it lasted and may get it replaced after I give my body a break."

• Cho...
• October 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I chose ParaGard because I didn't tolerate hormonal BC well. I am 21 and have never given birth. I was nervous about the pain--even pelvic exams are uncomfortable--so I obtained tramadol because a study found it was the only thing that reduced insertion pain. I had no cramps from the misoprostol; my doctor said I was one of the lucky ones. I took tramadol 1 hour before. I would've also taken Aleve to help with the cramps, but I can't take it. I HIGHLY recommend tramadol--my insertion pain was maybe a 3.5 and lasted an instant when they measured my uterus. I had no pain with the IUD or any other part of the process. I had cramping and spotting after for about 3 days, and now I just get an occasional one. I have not had my period yet."

• 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."

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

For Birth Control "I got my IUD in March 2017. So far, it's been 3 months, and I really like it. The only downside is my period is longer, about 2 more days than usual, so a total of a week long. I start with spotting and finish spotting and cramping. And now the new thing is I have bad mid-stomach pain that hurts when I walk, and I get diarrhea on the 3rd or 4th day of my period, which is really annoying. But as soon as I'm done with my period, I'm back to normal. I had a bad experience with birth control pills, so I would rather deal with bad period symptoms than with cystic acne and being depressed most of the time. Hopefully, the periods get better soon."

• Man...
• January 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 19 and never had kids. I had the copper ParaGard IUD inserted 3 days ago. The insertion was a breeze. I took 800 mg of ibuprofen an hour before getting it inserted. I felt light cramping during the insertion and felt fine afterward. I continued taking ibuprofen for the following day. I have light spotting that is beginning to stop. I just wore a panty liner. I recommend it because it's highly effective and hormonal-free. I love the fact that there are no hormones in this birth control, it also lasts 10-12 years, and when you want to get it removed, you are able to get pregnant right away. I recommend Planned Parenthood. I didn't pay anything. I think it's worth a try."

• ARe...
• February 9, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had the ParaGard for about a month. I've had no problem with it. I had a C-section 11 weeks prior to insertion. Insertion didn't hurt, other than cramping while they were measuring how far to put my IUD. I had light cramping for about two days and spotting and bleeding for about 5 days, which is expected. After that, everything was great. Checked the strings, everything in place. No problems. Now, before I got pregnant, I already had heavy periods, and ParaGard does not help with that at all. I can't take hormonal BC due to a blood clotting mutation. When I got my first period after insertion, flow was heavy, which is normal for me. Cramping, on the other hand, was more than expected. Nothing I couldn't handle, though. I give 9 out of 10."

• Kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2016

For Birth Control "I was very nervous about getting the copper IUD after reading reviews, but it was much better than I expected. Insertion was definitely painful, but not excruciating. It wasn't much worse than a bad menstrual cramp. One thing that REALLY helped: I listened to my favorite song on my phone during the procedure! Seriously, do this!! Focusing on the song and taking deep breaths made the experience so much easier. My doctor suggested this, and I can't thank her enough. The cramps for the first two days afterwards were pretty bad, but 800 mg of Ibuprofen worked well. It is now the third day, and the cramps are totally gone. I'm still spotting a little bit, nothing a panty liner can't handle. All in all, the discomfort was well worth it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2017

For Birth Control "I was really worried based on some of the reviews, but my Dr. assured me I was a good candidate for it. So I got the ParaGard today, and the process was very quick with zero pain (recently gave birth though) due to my Dr. using ultrasound to make sure he placed it correctly. So far, only experienced light spotting with no cramping. Only took less than a minute to place it. Right now, I will give it a 10 based on experience today. So far, I feel completely normal, and it's been about 10 hrs since I had it placed, but if anything changes, I will be back with an update."

• bea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I was able to have ParaGard inserted under G.A. along with a polypectomy (removal of a polyp). When I awoke from anesthesia, I had such mild cramping I wasn't even sure if I could call it that, a 0.5 on a scale of 1 to 10. It continued like this for 24 hours. I felt almost normal. Periods have been longer, with spotting for 2 days prior and post. Cramping has also intensified and lasts about 2 days off and on, but is in no way debilitating and can be easily managed or avoided with 1 or 2 Advil in the course of a day. Before the IUD, I would only get cramps every 3 or 4 months. Never have I ever 'felt it inside me.' I questioned whether it was really there, to be honest. I have a hard time feeling the strings because they wrapped around my cervix within the first 2 weeks after insertion, and my boyfriend has never felt them either. Regarding spotting between periods, I don't think I have that issue, though I do notice extremely light spotting right around ovulation time for 2 to 3 days. Then it disappears again."

• D R...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had ParaGard for just over a month. I felt compelled to write a review because I feel like people only review things when they have a bad experience, and there aren't enough good reviews out there. I read horror stories about the insertion. But to my relief, it barely hurt. The most painful part was the speculum being removed. I did not have any cramping after, and I went to the gym the next morning. The first two weeks were great. No side effects at all. About ten days before my period, I got cramps on and off and a little spotting. When my period finally started, I was expecting the worst based on the horror stories. Day one was pretty heavy, but after that, it was lighter than usual and only lasted five days. I love my ParaGard so far!"

• AST...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I have two kids - both born vaginally. Needless to say, my cervix is used to being stretched. I decided on the ParaGard (due to it being hormone-free and my pre-existing mental health problems) shortly after I gave birth a year ago, but it took me a year to overcome the horror stories. I'm here to tell you that yesterday, I bit the bullet and got it done. It was easy. In less than a minute. The little tube the IUD slides through to deploy into your uterus looks big and painful, but take 800 mg Motrin beforehand and you shouldn't feel anything more than a scrape and a pinch. I had a minuscule amount of spotting, and a day later I still have mild cramps, but it's nothing I can't handle. Highly recommended!!!"

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2015

For Birth Control "Okay, I got my Copper IUD 3 days ago. I took 1 Aleve at 9:30 am, then a couple of ibuprofen at 11:00 pm. My appointment was moved to 2 pm, so I ate breakfast, then napped and took a couple more ibuprofen at 1:20 pm. During the insertion, I knew I had to relax or my walls would tighten up. So I did the breathing thing you see pregnant women do. It was painful but short. The pain felt like a pinch, not a cramp. It lasted about 5 seconds. I started to cramp about 15 minutes after the insertion, so I took some more ibuprofen every 2-3 hours (I did not get high or feel dizzy. I normally have 800 mg (4 pills) when I am on my normal period, so I just added 2 pills). I had sex 5 hours after, which was fine. He and I both did not feel the IUD. I spotted 3 times that day, twice the following day."

• Swe...
• July 8, 2015

For Birth Control "I am 34 years old, and I have had two children previously. I was so nervous yesterday when I went in to have my ParaGard inserted. I had read so many online reviews, and I was terrified. My doctor mixed up my appointment, and my consultation actually became the day of insertion. I was nervous because I was not on my period, and I had not taken any medicine for pain. As my doctor started, I was breathing very heavily to try to relax. Once she started, she asked me if I was okay, and by the time I knew it, it was over. I had one cramp and one small pinch, and that was it. It was not that bad for me. I had immediate bleeding, and I am having a little spotting today, but nothing I can't handle. I just got it, so I give it a 9."

• 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."

• Mel...
• March 9, 2021

For Birth Control "I've had mine for 3 years. The first 2 years were amazing, I loved it because it’s no hormones. But as I’m moving on to my 3rd year, I'm feeling a lot more discomfort, random cramping in my uterus and cervix, especially around ovulation, and spotting around ovulation as well. Not sure if that’s normal, but it kind of scares me. I plan on removing it soon, it just doesn’t feel right to me anymore. I feel like there is a foreign object that shouldn't be there. So bummed out about going back on a birth control with hormones."

• Mar...
• June 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I had a ParaGard for about 9 1/2 months. For the first six months, it was great-no hormones, no issues. Other than intense random cramping, I was extremely happy. Then, at about 6 1/2 months in, I started spotting randomly every day, and it did not end until my ParaGard expelled itself at 9 1/2 months. It was also after six months that I experienced cramps and backaches so severe that at times I had to use a heating pad for my back. The backaches were the worst-they made me vomit at times. My OBGYN said the spotting and cramping were normal, but after six months they seemed to just get worse. Honestly, I was happy when my IUD expelled-I was already done with it after spotting nonstop for three months."

• PZa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2018

For Birth Control "Please do not base your decision on these reviews! I literally almost backed out of getting the ParaGard because of posted experiences. I reminded myself my body hates hormones and may react differently, and I am so glad I trusted my instincts. Upon insertion, I experienced about 30 seconds of slightly above mild discomfort while my cervix was being dilated. A sharp, piercing pain was maybe a second when he put it in, and for the remainder of the day, I didn't even experience cramping or pain. I could tell there was a different feeling, but nothing that required medication. I have barely spotted since it's been in, but a couple of times I have bled similar to menstruation while using the restroom. Overall, and beyond pleasantly surprised thus far with my experience and feel free knowing I no longer have hormones being pumped into my body. Medicine is not a perfect science, so do your research, know your body, and talk with your physician. So glad I took the plunge and did this."

• New...
• July 26, 2019

For Birth Control "This cannot be a full review of ParaGard because I just got it yesterday, but as soon as I got it done, I thought that I needed to come online to share my insertion experience because I was TERRIFIED to get it done based on what I was reading online. I know everyone has a different experience, but for me, insertion was not NEARLY as bad as I expected based on what I'd read. I have given birth before to one child, and my doctor offered an injection 'blocker,' which I'm sure helped - I got it placed in one area (she said they could do up to three injections). The pain was very bearable - I would say a 2 out of 10 at worst. Since then, I have had extremely minor cramping and barely there spotting. If you are concerned about pain, talk to your doctor, but I was nothing short of relieved and felt obligated to put a different narrative out there online!"

• 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!"

• Ana...
• March 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I am 28 with one child who is now five years old. I decided to try an IUD after becoming tired of having to take a pill every single day to prevent unwanted pregnancy. The insertion was EXTREMELY painful for me (I should note, however, that I do have a very low pain tolerance!) and I almost passed out. I had to lay on the table in the doctor's office for 15 minutes before I felt well enough to drive home. After insertion, I felt some mild cramping and spotting, but nothing ibuprofen couldn't take care of. I have now had the ParaGard for 5 months and am so happy with it. My first 2 menstrual cycles were very, very heavy, but they are now more normal and only last 3-4 days. I am so happy I got this IUD, no more hormones!"

• Mrs...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 16, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm 32, and I've had the ParaGard for 6 years now. I got it after having my daughter at 26. It was recommended to me due to blood clotting issues and hormones. I went in to see my GYN, and it took about 5 minutes. It was inserted 6 weeks after having my baby. It didn't hurt, it just felt like a pinch. It works GREAT! My husband and I love it! The heavy periods and spotting occasionally are worth it. Recently, I have experienced some back pains, but it goes away, and it doesn't happen often. I totally recommend it. #ThumbsUp"

• Fee...
• August 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had this device for about a year and a half. When I first had it put in, I did cramp for almost a week. Really bad cramps, and I spotted the entire time. I finally had a cycle, and I thought I was hemorrhaging. I'm 32, and I have two kids. I didn't even bleed that much after I had given birth. It was the scariest thing I've ever experienced. I had to wear adult diapers along with super plus tampons because there was so much blood. My periods were lasting up to two weeks. They are now down to about eight days with two days of very heavy bleeding. My vagina starts to have a funny smell, and there is discharge for about a week. As for this birth control being effective, I would say 100%. It's the side effects that are a pain."

• Mad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm 22, never had children. When seeking birth control, I wanted something non-hormonal as I struggle with an eating disorder and was deathly afraid of weight gain or worsened depression. ParaGard was the only option. Insertion was quick and painful, but bearable (no pain meds or anything). An hour later, I was fading in and out of consciousness in the worst pain I'd experienced yet. I have put up with severe, drop-you-to-the-ground crying cramps increasingly over the last 4 years. I have pain and spotting throughout the month. About three-quarters of my life revolves around when I will be bloated, bleeding profusely, and in ER-level pain. Sex is painful, and my fiancé and I are struggling with that. The bleeding is so heavy I have become severely anemic and have finally had enough. It was nice not having to take a pill, but my experience was awful. I'm done missing classes and work and swimsuits and intimacy."

• Bga...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2016

For Birth Control "Insertion is painful, but quick. I spotted for two or three days following the procedure and only cramped the day of. I'm breastfeeding, so I have not yet had a period, so I can't comment on whether or not it's heavier than normal yet."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2019

For Birth Control "ParaGard is a godsend. I chose it because it has absolutely no hormones and couldn’t be happier with my decision. Insertion was extremely easy-some pressure and light cramping. I cramped for a few days after insertion and spotted for a few weeks. My period is definitely heavier and more crampy than usual, but nothing unbearable. And I am hoping this changes after a year or so. Don’t let the negative reviews scare you-try it for yourself. ParaGard got me off hormones and changed my life for the better!"