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

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm a 34-year-old mother of one and had my ParaGard in for a year and a half. The only positive thing I can say about this IUD is that I did not get pregnant. That being said, the side effects were so awful that I just recently had it removed. My periods were almost unmanageable. Think super plus tampon with a pad, and bleeding through both within 2 1/2 hours for the first few days. Please believe me when I say this is not an exaggeration. I also experienced painful cramping, spotting between cycles, weight gain, acne (not usual for me), and horrible bloating. I only give it five stars because, as I said before, I didn't get pregnant. However, I would never recommend this IUD to anyone and am very anxious to feel like myself again."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm on week five with ParaGard, and I understand that it does not contain hormones. However, I have been gaining weight every week since I've been on it, an average of one pound a week. I have put myself on an all-protein diet and worked out, but the results still remain the same. I read in other threads that some people have also gained weight and feel bloated in the midsection, and some have expressed that some women might be allergic to copper. I will have to contact my doctor. Otherwise, the insertion was not too bad. The cramping isn't too bad either, and having peace of mind for ten years is a plus!"

• cra...
• July 21, 2015

For Birth Control "I am 20 years old, never been pregnant, and got the ParaGard last year. Insertion was painful but bearable, and I was sore for a day or two after. I love how low-maintenance it is and that it lasts so long and doesn't use hormones, but ever since I've gotten it inserted, my periods have been longer, heavier, and crampier. The doctor said that for some people, it may go back to normal after about 4-6 months, but my periods have remained pretty annoying. I love IUDs but not so much the ParaGard. Thinking about switching to Skyla."

• Kar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 6, 2021

For Birth Control "I have had the IUD for almost 10 months now, and I am debating getting it taken out. I was prepared for more cramping and heavier periods (those are common side effects), but I wasn’t prepared for sharp cramping almost all the time. Before the IUD, I had a very predictable cycle every 35ish days and got cramps the first day or two of my period. Now I feel like I get a period randomly every 2-3 weeks, and there is no way to track when I will be bleeding/cramping or not. I feel in almost constant pain. Then I’ve also felt much more anxious, depressed, and irritable and have gained significant weight. There may be no way to know whether these symptoms are actually caused by the IUD or other things going on in my life, but they seem to have appeared right after insertion and are similar to other reviews. It’s hard to decide whether to get it removed because if I get it out, I have to try another option, which may have similar side effects anyway. Bleh :/"

• pbh...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I had Paragard IUD for about 5 years. Starting around year 2, I started getting very, very heavy periods that lasted for well over a week at a time and came back every 3 weeks. I felt like I was always bleeding. That was the main reason I had it removed, but afterwards, I realized that there were a lot of other effects that I didn't make the connection until now. I felt a lot more lethargic, depressed, and gained over 30 pounds. I never had PMS-type symptoms before, but I would rage when I had Paragard. I had it removed and replaced with a hormonal IUD this October, and I already feel so much better."

• Jha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 29, 2018

For Birth Control "Painful intercourse from friction from string. It was an extremely painful insertion. I had fatigue, always 'feel' something inside me, mood swings, and weight gain."

• Suv...
• March 5, 2017

For Birth Control "I had Paragard inserted 8 weeks after my 2nd baby was born (2 years back). The process was not painful but uncomfortable. Paragard has helped me in having no pregnancies-so it does what it's supposed to. But at the cost of what! I was 5'3'', 120 lb when I got it. I started gaining weight, not sure whether Paragard is to blame. My periods are so heavy that I can't use tampons and have to change the thickest pad every 2 hours for 2 days out of 5 days. My blood tests show I am anemic despite the fact I am particular about my diet. I have had constant yeast infections, 1 episode of UTI, which I never had before in my life. There is a constant discharge, and a pantyliner is a must. I'm getting it removed. Pattern-most bad reviews are by people who had it for a while."

• 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."

• fun...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 3, 2023

For Birth Control "I had ParaGard for three years. I want to post about my experience with the hope of validating anyone reading this. If you have the copper IUD and you’re experiencing water retention, weight gain that seems impossible to reduce, cystic acne, mood swings, decreased sex drive, gut issues, bowel movement issues, joint pain, and overall less quality of life… you’re not crazy, you’re not imagining it. I was never once told that perhaps my copper IUD could be the root cause of symptoms, and I could probably go to college again with all the money I’ve spent on medical and dermatological bills. Yes, the IUD prevented pregnancy for me, but at what cost? Trust yourself and what your body is telling you. So far, it’s been 10 days since the removal. The dull ache in my abdomen is subsiding, my brain feels like an anvil, my mood is lifting, and my mid-section is noticeably less swollen. Also, my bowel movements aren’t a liquid nightmare. I hope things continue to improve."

• lol...
• October 5, 2019

For Birth Control "After terminating an unplanned pregnancy, I was advised to get the ParaGard coil. Having had regular and fairly light periods for years and maintaining a healthy weight, it was difficult to get used to the bloating and heavy bleeding. The coil felt like a constant, low-level pressure, and I often had the taste of metal in my mouth. My appetite increased. Despite exercising more, my weight increased (my face got chunkier and my belly and hips got wider). I couldn't keep on top of the pain and was taking painkillers six days a month. I decided to take it out six weeks ago, fed up with waiting for a couple of days' respite where I might feel normal. I have dropped about a quarter stone in that time - probably the amount I put on during the five months I had it in. There's been a chemical shift in the time I've had it in - I now get tired more easily, and even small amounts of alcohol leave me drained the next day. Hope this helps anyone else feeling similar things."

• 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!"

• Frf...
• September 26, 2018

For Birth Control "I am 34 years old. I'm actually on my last 6 months of the 10 years you can use it for. I will not recommend this to you if you are not a person that enjoys going to the doctor every 2 months for BV, acne, weight gain, mixed emotions, bad cramps, heavy bleeding, unexpected bleeding. If you are very fertile (go ahead). I am getting it taken out and getting my tubes tied."

• Ari...
• August 27, 2018

For Birth Control "I had this IUD inserted two and a half years ago. At first, I had mild cramping, heavy periods, but I got used to that. Constant, copious discharge was inconvenient, but I wore panty shields every day. But after a while, I just found myself constantly ‘coping’ with the symptoms. I started to gain weight no matter what I did, still not suspecting the IUD until I started thinking back to when I began to have unexplained weight gain. I had it removed 5 days ago, and I’ve lost 4 lbs, no longer feel bloated all over, and my blood pressure is now back to normal instead of the unusually high reading on ParaGard. NEVER AGAIN! For those of you who think we are being mean for posting a negative review, it’s not meant to be harmful but helpful to other people suffering the same way. Everyone is different, just sharing my experience so other people are aware, as I wasn’t for 2 and 1/2 years."

• Ale...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 25, 2018

For Birth Control "So I’ve had 2 ParaGuards in my life. The first one made my skin break out like crazy. Took it out and got pregnant. The beginning of my pregnancy, I had severe bleeding for the first 2 months, such that doctors advised me that my baby wouldn’t make it through the pregnancy. Thankfully, my baby did. Fast forward, I got another one inserted. By the 2nd year, I started breaking out like crazy. By the 8th year, I started having severe and long 15 days plus periods. Gained about 50 lbs and can’t seem to lose weight no matter what. Will finally get it removed next week. Never again."

• Lol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2018

For Birth Control "Great birth control. I chose a non-hormonal IUD because I don’t want to add anything more to my body post-2 kids. It turns out, my entire body was reacting to the “inflammation” created by this IUD: brain fog, memory loss, swelling in extremities, weight gain, fatigue, dizziness, numbness, and tingling sensations in my hands, wrists, and arms, low BP. I thought the symptoms were heart-related, had vials of lab work done. Everything came back normal EXCEPT my ESR, which indicated a low-grade inflammation. My naturopathic MD said any inflammation is a cause for concern. The only change in my lifestyle was the addition of this IUD a few months ago. I am taking it out. Listen to your body!"

• HBI...
• April 24, 2018

For Birth Control "I miss the peace of mind. Periods were mild for 4 days. They changed to 6-7 days of heavy bleeding plus 5-6 days of it getting dragged out for too long. I was constipated and bloated all the time, found myself sleeping 12-hour days and napping on my lunch break, hair loss on my temples, 25 lbs gained over the course of 3 years. Smell and consistency changed, had 4 known bouts of BV, which I had never had pre-IUD. Menstrual pain went from 2 to 8 (crying and sweating doubled over, no productivity, no sleep, burning pain, sporadic sharp pains, and the 'normal' dull period pain). 3 years passed and I still couldn't handle the menstrual changes or the cramping. It's been a month since removal. I am happy that I no longer have my period 50% of the time and to have back my normal-looking menstrual fluid instead of the strangely thin, often brown, and partially coagulated IUD menstrual fluid. Listen to your body. If you feel like garbage, get it out. If you haven't had a kid, get a smaller one. IUDs are worth a shot."

• The...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 23, 2017

For Birth Control "After receiving my IUD 6 weeks after my daughter was born, I was just relieved I could not become pregnant and I was still able to happily breastfeed. Periods were not an issue other than breakthrough bleeding around ovulation time. My biggest issue with this IUD is the toxic reaction I had due to the copper. I am diagnosed with anxiety, but I had never felt anxiety so bad in my LIFE than on this thing. I avoided all and any social situations, I was unable to work and cope with life. I was placed on extreme anti-panic attack and anxiety meds that I could not wean off from. I went from being healthy and fit to gaining 50 lbs. After feeling frustrated, I looked up my birth control and sure enough this is COMMON!!!!!"

• 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."

• dem...
• October 20, 2015

For Birth Control "I just got my ParaGard removed after having it in for about 8 months. I wanted ParaGard because I'm sensitive to hormonal birth control, and right now, ParaGard seems to be the only hormone-free option. Unfortunately, the side effects were just too much for me and only seemed to be getting worse as time went on, instead of better. Some of the lovely things I had to deal with on ParaGard: - Painful cramps-not just around my period, but also whenever I would exercise - Long periods-they lasted about 2 weeks. Seriously. - Heavy periods-the jokes about the elevator scene in The Shining are completely accurate - Constant nausea, dizziness, and headaches - Weight gain. My body just didn't want ParaGard inside of me and made my life miserable."

• AMP...
• July 15, 2019

For Birth Control "It does prevent pregnancy, but I've had many problems with ParaGard. Ever since, my periods have been like night and day from what they were my entire life (I am 39 years old). I bleed 3 weeks a month, and my cramps are much worse. Today I made an appointment to have it removed. I chose to look up some info in the hopes of finding that others had gone through this, and relief is on its way. So many other issues I have read here are also things I've been dealing with. I've had depression and anxiety, I've gained 60 lbs. I've experienced vaginal odor that I never had before. I'm in shock that so many others have had these symptoms. I just thought I was going to get my normal periods back after it's taken out in 2 weeks. Now I'm attributing other serious issues to the IUD and hope so badly that things go back to normal in all areas. Not worth it! Do not get this IUD!"

• Cel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 5, 2019

For Birth Control "My personal symptoms regarding copper toxicity: heart racing, anxiety, insomnia, depression, lethargic, headaches, no energy, migraines so bad I couldn't see, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, memory loss, mental fog, loss of taste, metal taste in mouth, low sex drive, my body odor was 10 times worse underarms and vaginal, hair oils double, my eyes turned darker, dirty looking, the white part of my eyes turned yellow, my veins in my eyes ruptured, pain in my eyes, vision problems, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea once a week, weight gain (20 lbs), felt like my body was shutting down. Oh, and one more, got candidiasis."

• 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."

• kdg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 31, 2019

For Birth Control "I had a terrible experience with this IUD. It caused me major back pain and about twenty pounds of weight gain. It ended up dislodging itself at about a year and six months. The copper was oxidizing."

• Tal...
• September 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I'm 24. In the 2 years of having the copper IUD, I developed horrible lower back pain resembling sciatica. I went from being 125 lbs to 185 lbs despite regular exercise. Before, I always lost weight with no effort. My stomach bloated up, looked 7 mo pregnant all the time. I was fatigued and suddenly had problems with frequent vaginal infections. I was only 22, and I felt like an old woman. I had it removed, felt instant relief. Overnight, the bloat was gone, 'sciatica' gone. No more aches and pains. Weight has melted off. I'm looking and feeling like my normal self. Doctors told me my symptoms weren't possible side effects from the ParaGard. Copper resembles an estrogen in the body, an excess leads to weight problems. The IUD, by design, causes inflammation in the uterus, leading to high cortisol and a suppressed immune system. Excess copper doesn't show up on blood work, it is stored in the tissues. Tissue analysis showed that I had toxic levels of copper."

• 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!"