ParaGard and Spotting: What Users Say (Page 4)

• sus...
• May 31, 2016

For Birth Control "I am writing this for girls who have Crohn's disease and a low immune system due to the medications for Crohn's. I was on a very low dose of birth control, and it simply was not for me! I became very depressed, I bled during sex, as well as experienced a lot of discomfort and had spotting for the entire 8 months I was on it. I got the Paragard inserted two months ago. I really have to say I love it, and I am glad I made the decision to get one! I only had periods that lasted 3 days with no cramps, and so far, I have only experienced cramps one week before and after my period and have not required any ibuprofen. If you think you are a good candidate, try it out. It's been great."

• cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2016

For Birth Control "I had my Paragard inserted about 3 weeks ago without pre-medicating (I was suggested to take 600-800 mg of ibuprofen beforehand, but I forgot. DO NOT MAKE THIS MISTAKE). I think I have a high pain tolerance, but the pain I experienced during insertion landed on my top 3 most painful experiences. It's 2 of the sharpest, most intense cramps you'll never want to feel again. Anyway, I spotted fairly lightly (I have light periods) for 3-4 days and mild to moderate cramps. Nothing that ibuprofen can't handle! I can feel the strings if I really look for them. My boyfriend hasn't noticed it, and I haven't had my period on it yet. But after the cramps and spotting subsided, my (sex) life improved thanks to no more worrying! :)"

• Akb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 11, 2016

For Birth Control "For me, I chose ParaGard as a hormone-free birth control. I've had mine for almost 5 years. I love it! Insertion was quick and easy, felt like a cramp, but was gone moments afterward. The first few days I had mild spotting and a few cramps. My periods are now heavier for a day or two of my cycle, but have gotten less heavy in the past 6 months, and I occasionally have light cramps. My periods are regular (4-5 days of bleeding) and come as expected each month. I honestly forget the ParaGard is there for the most part. My husband never 'feels' a thing, and we don't stress about accidentally getting pregnant. I am 25, no children, no past pregnancies."

• Kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2019

For Birth Control "Positive review! I had ParaGard inserted four days ago. I read way too many reviews online before my insertion and was nervous. I tried not to let those sway me from trying this contraceptive. All bodies react differently. I would say the insertion was a breeze. Sure, it was uncomfortable at moments, but pain scale maybe a 4 of 10. I took ibuprofen before and after. I did feel slightly crampy the next two days, but a heating pad and ibuprofen helped. I still was able to go to work, and day two I was back in the gym for a mostly light workout. I’m still slightly tender and achy in the morning, but overall, very manageable. I have not had too much spotting yet, so we’ll see how my first period goes next month as far as heavier and worse cramps. Hope this helps!"

• Dre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I was scared when I saw all of the bad reviews on ParaGard, but my DH pointed out that the people who write reviews are usually those who don't like it, and all the people who have no problems just get on with their life and never think of it again. So I decided to review it after actually experiencing it. For me, the insertion didn't hurt much. There was pressure (obviously), and it hurt a couple of times, but just a prick and not the whole time. Some women bleed, I didn’t. I was prepared for the pain and heaviness of my periods. The first time I got my period, it hurt VERY badly for about 1 hour or 2. I took a hot shower and a Motrin, and it went away. My period is irregular when it used to be to the day. There is 1, sometimes 2, days/period when my flow is very heavy! I go through super tampons in 1 hour. I sometimes have wicked cramps, but not every period. I usually spot a little days before and after my period. We still use condoms around the time that I am fertile just to be careful. This isn’t necessary, but I REALLY don’t want to get pregnant. We decided to use the ParaGard because it doesn’t have hormones, and I highly recommend it!"

• Chr...
• June 1, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had an extremely positive experience with ParaGard. The procedure was quick and a slight pinch upon placement, a little bit of spotting after, but other than that, my period has remained unaffected. Sometimes I do feel the strings, but that is no biggie. Ever so often, I have a partner who says they can feel it but has not created difficulty. I am happy with it. I got mine placed at Planned Parenthood for free because of my financial status, but I did make a $50 donation."

• Jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 14, 2018

For Birth Control "The first 2 years with ParaGard were good. I did experience insanely heavy periods (bleeding out of a super tampon and pad within 2 hours). I was able to lose weight and loved the idea of non-hormonal birth control. Fast forward to year 2 - 2.5 with the ParaGard and would not wish any of the symptoms I experienced on anyone else. I developed cystic acne (something I never had, even as a teen), which left me still to this day with scarring on my chin. It increased dark hairs and spotting on my chin/lip area. I also will have to blame the IUD on some incontinence issues that were immediately resolved when I had the IUD removed."

• Reb...
• April 14, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had the ParaGard for a month now, and I absolutely love it! I got it inserted 3 months after having my son, and I didn't even feel them put it in. Afterwards, I had mild cramping and spotting for a few days, then it went away. I am breastfeeding, so I have not gotten a period yet, but my cycles have always been heavy. I would have a heavier cycle than get pregnant again so soon! Or deal with synthetic hormones! The only complaint I have is the increase of discharge I have constantly. Other than that, I love it and would recommend it for any mother."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm in my mid 40s and never had kids. I've used the pill and condoms for years. I wish someone had advised me to take painkillers before getting the IUD put in. My GYN said it would hurt me more since she had to dilate my cervix. It was very painful, but the whole thing took 5-10 minutes. I felt dizzy afterward and was cramping and spotting for 2 days. My 1st period was longer, much heavier, and the cramps were absolute torture. Now in my 3rd month, it's shorter and less painful. For those who aren't sure, I'd say it's worth getting the IUD if you know what to expect and are willing to deal with it."

• Jpi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 30, 2016

For Birth Control "I am a 21-year-old college student and first went on a hormonal birth control (Lutera) when I was 18 to help with irregular periods-and after almost a month on it, I was a raging hormonal maniac. I was too traumatized for a while to look into other options, and then I thought a non-hormonal IUD would be the solution to my birth control woes. My first insertion went relatively smoothly-I psyched myself out beforehand, but it was just uncomfortable, not painful. Unfortunately, 3 months after insertion, the IUD partially expelled. A month later, I had a new one put in, which I've had for a year now, and though I still get painful, heavy periods with some spotting between (a trade-off I can handle), I really am happy with my decision to get ParaGard."

• Sma...
• August 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had ParaGard for 3 weeks. Insertion was not that bad, people, come on now. The doctor made me very comfortable and she had the cutest, most open face ever. So, after the procedure - first two days spotting, then period, which lasted quite long (but I haven't had a period in about 6 years, so ja). Due for my 6-week update in a few weeks, but I love my ParaGard. My husband and I have no problems with anything... and people, seriously, the longer periods are something that can be dealt with way better than an unwanted pregnancy. Ok, so update after 6-week checkup. Oh yeah!! Everything is 100%, IUD still perfectly in place. No worries about anything. Just get over the first 4-6 weeks, then you will be okay."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2017

For Birth Control "I got my ParaGard about two months ago now. I love it! The only negatives I've encountered because of it are very intense cramps during the first four days of my period and occasional spotting while I'm not on my period, both of which I've never had to deal with before getting it inserted. As for the cramps, they're terrible (and I would describe myself as having a high pain tolerance), and can leave me short of breath if I don't keep up to date with Midol and Pamprin for the first 4-5 days of my cycle. If I do, it's completely manageable!"

• Fit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2017

For Birth Control "I am 21, never had kids, have regular periods that are light-medium, and am very active. I recently got the ParaGard inserted. The insertion was only painful for a brief 3 seconds (I also forgot to take ibuprofen before my appointment). The next few days consisted of some strong cramping that came in cycles, but it only required one dose of 400 mg of ibuprofen a day to help with that. I only have some light spotting that requires panty liners, however, the cramps and spotting are decreasing with each day. Had sex on day 3, and everything felt normal! It is now day 5 for me, and I have resumed working out with moderate intensity. Don't listen to the horror stories, you may be one of those lucky people (like me) that have a good experience!"

• NoB...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 24, 2015

For Birth Control "I am 20 years old and have never had kids. I've had ParaGard for 6 months now. Insertion was awful, despite the fact that I took 800 mg of ibuprofen before. Worse than the insertion was the excruciating pain I felt for the next 4 days. I also had continuous spotting for about a week. Up until my first period after insertion, I would randomly get cramps. When I got my period, I did have cramps, but nothing unbearable like before, although it was super heavy and lasted much, much longer (about 6 days total). Now, on month 6, I no longer get random cramps. My periods are still much heavier and longer than before, but they're almost painless. Sex with my boyfriend is great, and I haven't gotten pregnant lol, so I definitely say all the earlier pain was worth it."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2018

For Birth Control "I had the ParaGard inserted in October 2018. I was told multiple times that it takes 3 months for your body to adjust to the IUD. It's been 2 months, and I'm still experiencing severe pain. My cramps have amplified tenfold, it seems as if spotting NEVER stops, and I'm actually bedridden when I fully bleed. The insertion was very painful, and now when my period comes around (I used to be VERY regular), not only do I cramp, but my lower back hurts so much that my entire midsection feels as if it's trying to sever itself in half. This is the worst pain I've experienced... and I've had an abortion. I'm giving it one more month, but if my symptoms don't change, I am eager to get it removed."

• Mor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2018

For Birth Control "I had the ParaGard inserted almost 5 months postpartum after being on the pill for a few months and experiencing negative hormonal side effects. I read horror stories about the insertion and was completely terrified-DON’T freak out. It did not give me the “worst cramps of my life” or anything remotely close. Just breathe through it and get a good doctor who has done these often, and it’s a breeze. I had minor cramps the first day and even less the following day, nothing super noticeable. I spotted for about four days afterward and then was done! So far, I love this IUD. I’ll update after I get my first period (who knows when that will happen though as I am currently nursing)."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I shared my experience when I first got my ParaGard, and here is my 3-month update. I absolutely LOVE it! I had some annoying cramps and spotting the first couple of weeks after getting it in. Spotting has since slowed down tremendously. My periods are heavier for sure, but it seems like the blood is lighter and thinner. I never had cramps before and now have a day where I get one or two relatively hard cramps with pain on my left side, but it is totally manageable. There is a price to pay, and I'd say it's worth it."

• Sic...
• April 11, 2018

For Birth Control "I did not get pregnant, so the ParaGard was effective. However, I did suffer many side effects: hair loss, bloating, even when I didn't eat, heart palpitations, intense anxieties and depression, migraines, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, all the time, thirsty (dry mouth), yeast infections, pain during sex (my man would get poked or scratched by it), spotting either randomly or after sex, super super light periods, joint pains (sciatica, my neck, wrists, and knees), red dots on my face, which were never there before placement of IUD, loss of appetite, vagina smells like copper (pennies), I lost my sense of taste, loss of interest in sex, literally. I couldn't feel anything down there. It was like my clitoris nerve was murdered. I was never wanting to have sex, so I would never initiate it. I would get annoyed or stressed when boyfriend wanted to have sex. Copper toxicity is real!"

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had my ParaGard for three months now, and I LOVE it. I was terrified to get this put in, as I had never been on birth control before, and after reading all of the reviews about the insertion process, I was practically shaking in the OB-GYN office. Not one bit of it was painful for me. It just felt a little funny, but when he inserted it, there was a tiny baby cramp that went away almost instantly. For the record, I have not had any kids, I am tall and thin, and have 3-day medium flow periods, which haven't changed since getting on this, and I only had spotting the first month. I had bad cramps once when I wasn't wearing proper shoes at a job where I walk on hard brick all day, but they went away with 2 Motrin."

• 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!!"

• Anonymous
• November 9, 2015

For Birth Control "After years of different birth controls messing me up, I didn't want anything with hormones. I had Paragard put in 2 weeks ago, and I didn't take anything before insertion. Got cramps within a few hours. A few days of spotting, and then my period started. My first period lasted about 6 days, with severe cramps, so I had to use a heating pad (didn't have to use one before Paragard). I also had lower back pain like I had while in labor with my only child (back labor). After reading comments, I'm hoping my cycles will be back to normal in a few months. Don't want to spend my last years before menopause worrying about longer periods or birth control, and didn't want to get tubes tied unless it's the only other option, so I'll give it some time."

• LJO...
• June 20, 2019

For Birth Control "I've had ParaGard for about 3 years now. - Insertion: Easy, quick, uncomfortable. Felt crampy for the next 24 hours. Get a heating pad to help. - Side effects: My acne was unpredictable the first year as my body got accustomed to no hormones (took the pill for 10 years prior). Now my skin is nearly perfect except for hormonal acne around my period. No weight gain. Large improvements in anxiety/mental health compared to the pill. I personally love how I feel without any hormones. Some cramps and spotting during/after sex. My partners have rarely been able to feel the IUD during sex. - Periods are heavy and crampy. They seem to have gotten heavier, longer, and more frequent over the 3 years. I now have a 27-day cycle, a full period for 5-7 days, and spot for a few days before and after. I feel like I am basically on my period all the time now, which is why I am going to look into replacing my ParaGard with another option (perhaps Kyleena)."

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2019

For Birth Control "Just wanted to add my experience on here since I almost decided against the ParaGard after reading the negative reviews here. Thankfully, I’ve actually had a pretty good experience with the ParaGard so far. I had it inserted a month and a half ago and have had 2 cycles of my period so far. I haven’t had any children, so insertion was a bit uncomfortable for me, but it lasted a total of 5 minutes. My periods have remained normal, and cramping has been minimal. The only negative side effect I’ve experienced so far is spotting a few days before my period and a few days after (I never had this issue pre-insertion). I’m hoping that diminishes after a few months, however. Overall, I’m very pleased with the ParaGard and would recommend it."

• Mon...
• March 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had ParaGard for eight years and feel the need to write a review as I am researching reviews on hormonal IUDs to replace my ParaGard. After 8 years, I started having lots of spotting, and my doctor said the IUD is embedding itself into me. So, I have to have it removed and replaced. I am intrigued by the low/no periods with a hormonal IUD, but the reviews are scary. ParaGard has been good to me! Yes, my periods are heavier, and I have to take about one dose of ibuprofen each month for cramps, but that is very manageable. I tried the arm patch before ParaGard but had it removed quickly because of the side effects. For me, I will stick with ParaGard, which has very manageable side effects instead of risking the side effects of hormonal IUDs."

• ash...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 3, 2017

For Birth Control "I wanted to love this so badly, but it honestly was the worst choice of birth control for me. Since I had already tried the Mirena, I was already aware of how painful the insertion was going to be, so I was prepared. But every month around my period, my cramps were even worse than the ones I got during insertion. It was always the first day. I had 10-12 day periods each cycle, but there wasn't a single period I had without some type of leak happening, and I wound up having so much spotting I would occasionally have 2 periods a month. About a year into having it, it actually started making me physically ill. I would have unpredictable vomiting episodes that got especially worse if I hadn't eaten. I got it out, and immediately felt 100 times better."