ParaGard and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• kra...
• February 7, 2018

For Birth Control "My periods were 10-14 days long. I could no longer work full time because the bleeding was so bad there were no pads or tampons that could hold it back. Menstrual migraines, debilitating cramps, blood clots. As a result of the bleeding, I became anemic despite taking lots of iron. I became sick, obese, and psychologically miserable from the IUD. I began having panic attacks, I couldn't sleep through the night, and it seemed my body was constantly trying to attack the IUD as if it was a virus or something else bad to be killed. When I decided to get it removed after 2.5 years, the doctor said it was 'out of place' and confirmed that many women see her every year for the same issues. My IUD has been out for 3 years, and I've finally lost weight, but I will permanently be on supplemental progesterone for the rest of my life. In addition to the other health issues the IUD caused, it caused my ovaries to stop making progesterone entirely."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 28, 2021

For Birth Control "My first 2 times having the IUD, I had no issues that I remember. 3 years ago, I was at my 10-year mark and got it replaced. Since then, I have had constant BV's, weight gain, and anxiety. After reading all of these comments, I am happy to know that I am not the only one going through this. I believe there was some change made over the years to the BC."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve had the copper IUD for 2 years. For a year now, I’ve not been feeling well: fatigued, weight gain, joint pain, back ache, struggling to walk far, insomnia, depression-the list goes on. In April, after a scan, I was told it wasn’t in the correct place. I’ve had three doctors/gynaecologists try with no success, now waiting for an operation for removal. I now struggle to work. I’m in the UK."

• Noe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm sharing my experience with the full understanding that everyone will have different reactions, pertaining to their body, from any medications. I used the Mirena for 10 years (2 separate devices) between my son and daughter. I loved it, but I thought the last 2 years it was causing hair loss. So, after my daughter was born in 2018, I chose to use the ParaGard instead and see if the hormones made a difference. This was a big mistake for me. It has been placed for over 13 months and I have been bleeding heavily, every day, for the entire time. My doctor put me on the Depo injection to try to help, which it did. But then I gained 60 pounds in 6 months and was still bleeding every day, just much lighter. Now it is a new year, my insurance has covered the switch, and today I went back to the hormonal IUD! I'm hoping that soon things will go back to normal and I won't be bleeding anymore. I know the ParaGard works well for some people... but not for me!"

• PTY...
• October 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I've used ParaGard for 9 months. But since then, my weight has been going up. I've gained 4 kg after the insertion. I know it is claimed that ParaGard is non-hormonal and will not cause weight gain, but I really need to check around if any of you experienced weight gain like me. My periods are better than before, though, shorter and lighter."

• Nic...
• January 20, 2016

For Birth Control "Insertion was a breeze; I didn't feel anything. The first year went fine, besides the ridiculously heavy periods. But some side effects I had were yeast infections, fatigue, weight gain, migraines, cramping, dizziness, nausea, racing heart, brain fog, hair loss, eye sensitivity, brain pressure, and brain shakes. They probably say little or no copper makes it to your bloodstream. But I believe plenty does, and when that happens, when your blood has enough copper in it, it can begin storing copper in your organs and tissues in your body, causing tons of bad side effects, while also not showing on a blood test that anything is wrong. I got this IUD taken out a few days ago, and I feel like the old me again, with my side effects lessening each day."

• 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!"

• KCa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I had to have my ParaGard removed and reinserted because it slid too low in my uterus. I almost fainted from pain the second time. Both times I had to take the rest of the day off. I agree with the other reviews that my period got crazy, heavier and more painful. And it took 6 months to return to semi-normal. But once over that hump, it’s been worth the years of protection."

• Ray...
• May 12, 2021

For Birth Control "I've had ParaGard for over 2 years now, I got it when I was 17 as an affordable and long-term birth control option. I think because I'm older, my acne isn't as bad, but one of the main reasons why I didn't want to do hormonal was for not wanting weight gain and acne. I tried the pill for a few months before I got the IUD, and it wasn't for me. The insertion wasn't too bad. It just kind of felt like a sharp pain in a sensitive area or a really bad period cramp. Before I got ParaGard, my periods were really short, and I never had cramps, and now my periods are pretty heavy. I had to get a menstrual cup in size one and two to be able to hold the amount of blood. My periods are about 5 days long: 2 mild, one extremely heavy (60 ml), and three extremely light. They said that your cramps and blood flow would go back to normal after 3 months, but mine haven't, and I'm fine with that. I am comfortable and trust the IUD to let my boyfriend, you know... in me."

• Ken...
• January 13, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on birth control pills from 17-23, and it was awful for me! I would get super nauseous 6 hours after taking the pill, and I gained 20 pounds the first year. I was tired of hormones, so I decided to get the copper IUD. Come insertion day, I was SO NERVOUS from reading all these comments, and I was freaking out. I had the insertion during my period, and I did take 800 mg of Advil beforehand. I must say the insertion process was the most unbearable pain ever, but it was SUPER quick. 15 minutes, maybe less, and the horrific pain was only 10 seconds! After that, I only experienced spotting for like 2 days that month, yay! My period is also SO MUCH less painful than my normal period on birth control (just more blood). The copper IUD is incredible, I will recommend it to everyone! The only thing is my orgasms did feel weird at first, but after my first normal period, they were back to normal! I feel so much better being off birth control! I feel so much happier, and I never need to think about birth control for another 10 years!"

• War...
• August 24, 2016

For Birth Control "I had Paragard for a total of 5 weeks. Never felt so miserable in my life. I bled for the entire time I had Paragard, with 2 heavy periods and constant spotting in between. I gained weight (I was back in my skinny jeans 5 weeks after giving birth but had to wear yoga pants again while on Paragard because of serious bloating that made me look 5 months pregnant). I developed anxiety, depression, panic attacks while driving (I'm a professional driver), bloating, cramping, feeling extremely fatigued all the time, constant back and neck pain, major hair loss, anger, headaches (I never suffer from headaches because I hydrate all day). Had it removed yesterday and already feeling so much better and happier. Neck/back pain is gone..."

• Ail...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 13, 2018

For Birth Control "No, I have not gotten pregnant while using ParaGard. But I did suffer from bleeding lasting 12 days, abdominal pain, terrible cramps, weight gain, and bloat since having this device put in. I cannot wait to get this thing removed from my body!"

• Sar...
• May 29, 2018

For Birth Control "This IUD was my only option because hormones apparently give me blood clots (not fun!). I went to the gyno during my period and after taking the uterus softener pill, and she put the device in. The process is very crampy, but not what I would describe as painful. It's also SUPER quick, so you have those cramps for 1 minute, then nothing. So, I waited a couple of days, had sex, and my boyfriend goes, 'Ow! It poked me!' Well, when I went to follow up with the nurse, she said it had slipped partially out. She inserted a new one then and there (no softener pills, no period, but still only slight cramping), and I have been good to go for a year! I haven't seen any difference in my period, I didn't have any weight gain, no mood swings, no side effects at all. I cannot recommend this enough now that it's fully in (and trust me, we could tell when it wasn't). A quick 5-minute process for 10 years of no babies? 100% worth it."

• Hgl...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 3, 2022

For Birth Control "I was on ParaGard for 4.5 years. Prior to this, I wasn’t on birth control and had light, painless periods. Getting it inserted was uncomfortable but bearable. While on it, I had heavier, longer periods, but they became more manageable after 1 year. I liked ParaGard at first because it was convenient and free with insurance. However, after 2 years, I began bleeding during sex, feeling anxious, gained 10 lbs, and got persistent cystic acne. I kept ParaGard in 2 more years because I didn’t realize those issues were linked to my non-hormonal birth control. Then an ultrasound revealed that my ParaGard had been displaced and was sitting too low to be fully effective. My OB-GYN said this happens a lot. When I got it removed, we noticed half of the copper coil had dissolved/fallen off. After removal, all symptoms disappeared in a week."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I got this IUD in Feb 2017, and I got it removed today, July 2017. As soon as I walked out of the doctor's office today, I instantly felt better. In those short months, I experienced extreme hair loss to the point where I had to vacuum my carpet every day because there were hairballs EVERYWHERE. I had extremely heavy periods with blood clots, bleeding through my maxi pads and almost used a whole pack in a day. My period lasted over half of the month, and after my period, I had a strong fishy odor. I completely lost my sex drive. Sex was not pleasing, I felt numb inside. I am breastfeeding, eating healthy, and exercising, and I have not lost a single pound. On the contrary, I gained weight. This contraceptive just wasn't for me."

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2017

For Birth Control "I love my ParaGard! It's the best decision I ever made. I wish I would have known about this method of birth control sooner. Was on the pill for 18 years prior, and did not like the side effects that were developing. My periods are about the same, maybe a little heavier."

• ELA...
• September 13, 2017

For Birth Control "Ok guys, sure, having something forcibly shoved into my cervix was literally the worst pain I've ever been in, but guess what, now that it's there and the initial shock is over, my periods are only slightly heavier/crampier and I don't have to worry about getting pregnant for the next 12 years. That's amazing. No surprises for me. #worthit. Just plan on taking a couple of days off after having it inserted."

• AWM...
• September 28, 2017

For Birth Control "I have had the ParaGuard for over two years. It has done a great job being a contraception. It has, however, created a lot of problems, which is why I'm getting mine removed in four days and will never use it again and warn my friends to do the same. My first symptom was migraines with the onset of menstruation. Within a year, I had gained 15 pounds. I had a rash on my face that my dermatologist couldn't diagnose. At 18 months in, I was diagnosed with severe depression and put on antidepressants. And, the entire two years, I had a week of bleeding before my period, extra discharge (I had to wear a panty liner every day), and painful mid-cycle cramps called mittelschmerz. I am amazed that this product hasn't been more carefully studied."

• Sie...
• July 29, 2017

For Birth Control "This has been the worst experience ever! I've had it for almost a year and will have it removed soon. The cramps all throughout the month alone are enough for me. Yet I also have the constant spotting and odd color discharge. I have gained tons of weight, and I've had BV constantly since having this placed. Who wants to have sex when your odor is embarrassing? Can't wait to have this thing removed."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2018

For Birth Control "I had this inserted 10 weeks post-baby. Insertion hurt, whenever I sat down/driving/couch/bed. I was breastfeeding, and not only did my supply dry up quickly, it never came back even though my appetite on this was the most unreal. I was never able to get that full feeling you get when you eat too much, I literally ate all day long, gained 20 in 2 months, and my whole milk supply dried up. My hair became dry and broke off, developed several bald spots that came back after I got it removed 4 months later. It was heartbreaking, my supply was gone. I pumped round the clock for weeks on end to get my supply going. After I became anemic (it increases bleeding), it was removed."

• Anonymous
• May 19, 2017

For Birth Control "Was effective, but was the worst thing I've done to myself. Gained 30 pounds, mood swings like crazy, many other reactions that the doctors swore weren't because of it. I've had it out for three months, and I finally feel normal again!"

• Ala...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I respect all of the stories shared here and have no doubt that some women have issues with it, but I’ve had ParaGard three times and always go back to it. Hormonal birth control turns me into a fruit loop of emotions and causes me to gain weight while killing my libido. ParaGard just gives me a few extra days of bleeding. I’d say my period is 5-7 days versus 3-4 like it used to be. If you’re prone to anemia, you will most likely not respond well to it. If copper toxicity is a concern, then take a methylated folate vitamin. All birth controls have pros and cons. You ultimately have to find one with pros and cons you can tolerate. A lot of women here are complaining of side effects that occur when you stop using hormonal birth control (PCOS, acne, moods, etc. can start when you change what you’re taking.) I also believe that the experience each woman has also depends on how good the provider is who placed it. For me, it’s the best option I have found, but not perfect."

• Bul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2019

For Birth Control "I absolutely love mine. Getting it put in and then the first period after was honestly very painful, but after that, it's been wonderful. I think my period is a teeny bit heavier, but that is about it. I have not had any weight gain or increased acne breakouts due to this BC, and no issues with mood swings. Occasionally I can feel the implant if I stretch a certain way or on my heaviest period day, but I honestly do really love my ParaGard."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 23, 2016

For Birth Control "I chose the ParaGard since it was hormone-free and a long-term birth control option. Insertion wasn't very painful, but I did bleed for 4 days afterward. The first 6 months, my periods were extremely painful and 7-8 days long. After 6 months, the cramping wasn't as bad, but the length of the period remained. I've had it over a year and have noticed some extreme differences in my life. I feel fatigued often, have gained 10 lbs without a dietary change, my mood swings are crazy. I can't prove that ParaGard is the cause of these, but I have a great reason to believe that. I am having it removed this week, and I cannot wait."

• RDa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I had the ParaGard inserted, and first came the UTIs. Never having them before, I know it was from the IUD. Then in the same year, I bled heavily for a month straight, and my doctor said he didn't know why. Had an ultrasound to see if it was out of place. It wasn't. They left it in. At year 2, I was diagnosed with hypothyroid and given medication. In the last year (year 4), I've been having so many headaches, weight gain from being exhausted all the time, dry hair, dry skin, night sweats, and absolutely no energy most days. My thyroid levels were way off, and my doctor said it didn't make sense because we had adjusted my medication a few times. He ordered an MRI to rule out a brain tumor. It came back normal. I've been researching, and I know I'm suffering from copper toxicity and anemia due to bleeding so much. That's why I'm exhausted and have headaches. Copper can really mess with your thyroid as well. So I made an appointment to have this thing removed next week! We aren't told about all the complications an IUD can cause."