ParaGard and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Med...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had constant spotting for the last 3 1/2 months after I got it placed 4 months ago, and when the spotting stopped 2 weeks ago, I have not had my period since having it placed, just spotting. I did talk with my regular doctor, and she said a copper IUD can cause a hormone imbalance, and this is probably why I haven't had my period and have had hot flashes. The way to fix this, I would have to go on birth control pills, it completely defeats the purpose of having a non-hormonal IUD. I have constant cramps, pain during intercourse, gained 20 pounds (in 4 months), hot flashes, I smell like stinky fishing bait, and I'm positive I can feel it when I move the wrong way. I'm sick of smelling like a fish all the time. I need it out ASAP."

• Log...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 7, 2022

For Birth Control "Got this after having a bad experience with the pill (weight gain and moodiness). Insertion itself was okay- a strange feeling to have something inserted inside, but pain was gone within about 10 minutes. The weeks after insertion were extremely difficult, with the worst cramps I have ever experienced. I have since learned that this is a common reaction- not 1-2 hours of cramps as the doctor said. They eventually faded, and my monthly cycle began. 1-2 Extremely bad cramps needing medicine for all days 3-7. Heaviest flow known to man. 8-12 Unexplained horrendous hip pain, constipation, and trapped wind. 12-25 hooray! Feeling great. 25-28 Occasional cramps. Kept it in for 8 months. True to its word, it did get better over time. I no longer needed pain meds. I then became anemic because the blood flow was so much. Got an iron infusion, and it removed. Anemia isn’t worth it."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I have had the ParaGard for about 15 months and have gained 30 pounds despite working out and eating well. My periods are so heavy I now take an iron supplement, and my hair falls out in handfuls every time I shower. Having it removed ASAP. The only good thing it has done is prevent pregnancy."

• LAM...
• June 1, 2017

For Birth Control "I had the ParaGard inserted 3 years ago after my second child. Heavy period, headaches, bloating, mood swings, and weight gain about 15 pounds. I had it removed last week. Felt better almost instantly. I wouldn't recommend. Also tried the Mirena, that was even worse."

• Nom...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 17, 2020

For Birth Control "Awful experience. Had ParaGard in for 9 years. Had major mood swings (which I never had, even when pregnant), high anxiety, hair loss, weight gain, and heavy, heavy periods (like can’t go through the night with a super tampon without changing it). Had it removed, and my bloating, fatigue, and anxiety disappeared."

• you...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 21, 2017

For Birth Control "Was it effective in preventing pregnancy? Yes. Did it make me miserable every day it was in there? Yes. Extreme pain in the cervix every two weeks, bright red, super heavy periods that would fill a cup in two hours when it's supposed to last 8-10. Weight gain and bloating. Extreme PMDD symptoms."

• Bre...
• November 21, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm on my 3rd month and overall highly recommend this to women who have tried everything else. Pros: Nearly 100% effective. Does not affect my mood or sex drive (no hormones!). Partner cannot feel during sex. All-natural sex (with my monogamous partner). Do not have to think about BC anymore. No monthly costs. Lasts a long time. Does not affect fertility, can remove anytime. May have a protective effect against cervical cancer. Cons: Heavier, longer period. On average, 7 days and 4 of them heavy. (Before, mine were 3-4 days long and light.) Uncomfortable adjustment period (1-3 months post-insertion). Cannot control when periods will come, like you can with hormonal BC. If you already have heavy periods, this may not be a good choice."

• 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!"

• Ded...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had the ParaGard for 14 months now, and I am considering having it removed. I have always been a 4-day bleeder without cramps or heavy bleeding. Now I bleed for 6 to 8 days, and I bleed so heavily, and I cramp. I literally have to stay at home during my period because I bleed so heavily. I am constantly taking showers throughout the day because I continue to mess up my clothes. I am very depressed and have had a lot of weight gain. I'm going to have the IUD removed after reading about 'copper toxicity.' Please do your research before getting the ParaGard."

• 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."

• MsJ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2018

For Birth Control "I don't like using synthetic hormones in general, was really excited to get the ParaGard for the convenience and effectiveness. The insertion wasn't unbearable but a bit painful. I have a small uterus (was 24, no kids), so I could often feel the device. My period went from very normal 5-7 days, not much cramping, to heavier and a lot of cramping, crippling in fact much of the time. I had it two different times. It failed after a few months, and I ended up pregnant on it. Had another one placed in to see if the first one was just defective, but it also was crumpled and basically expelled from my body. Wish they would make a smaller one."

• Now...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 6, 2017

For Birth Control "I had ParaGard for 8 years. I was loving the fact there are no hormones. I did not have any side effects of weight gain, ache, or anything. However, about the 7th year, my cramps on my left side lower body were getting bad the week prior to the menstrual cycle, pain level an 8. But more recently, my pain was so significant that I was taking 600 mg at the bare minimum, twice a day. My muscles in my buttocks were knotted up down to my frontal thigh. Extreme pain. Missed days of work. I recently had it removed, already I feel SO MUCH better. Love & Hate ParaGard."

• Bel...
• August 28, 2018

For Birth Control "It’s almost a week ago that I got the ParaGard. I decided to switch to ParaGard from hormonal birth control pills because hormones made me gain weight. I also couldn’t tolerate the hormones anymore because I was depressed, my nipples hurt, and I had vaginal dryness. The insertion was very painful because my cervix was too small. My GP was also inexperienced. During the insertion, I felt massive cramps, and I also started to bleed, which lasted for 4 days. I took 2 Naproxen hours prior to the insertion. After 10 years of feeling like a zombie on birth control pills, I finally feel myself again. I’ve lost a little bit of weight, especially around my thighs, my nipples don’t hurt, and I feel less depressed. I also don't have massive food cravings like I did on the hormonal contraceptives. My acne is back, unfortunately, but this is manageable with acne skincare products. I also suffer from vaginal discharge with a little bit of blood, but in time, I think this will go away. I think my body needs time to adjust."

• Lan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 15, 2017

For Birth Control "I had my ParaGard fitted 3 months after the birth of my 2nd boy. I chose it as it was non-hormonal, therefore, very little side effects should occur. Since having it in, I put on weight, I got depression, and felt really tired all the time. I thought it was just because of life with 2 little boys plus full-time work. 3 1/2 years later, I decided to remove it as I was suffering constant BV and antibiotics were not helping. I booked the appointment and started researching, and I was shocked with the amount of women complaining about the weight gain, heavy periods, fatigue, and depression. I also read some lost weight straight away after getting it out. To my surprise, 3 days after getting it removed, I have lost 2 lbs and I feel much more energy. I wish I never had it in."

• Rac...
• June 14, 2017

For Birth Control "Everyone has a different experience with birth control methods, and mine was terrible. I got ParaGard inserted on June 27, 2013, and had it removed on June 12, 2017. The insertion pain was terrible, I took way too much Motrin to help with the pain, and it did nothing. My periods became heavy, bleeding and passing clots. The bleeding was nothing compared to the pain. I cramped for a full week before my period would arrive. They woke me up in the middle of the night, I would writhe in pain. All four years, my periods were regular, until my most recent period was 6.5 weeks long. All testing was inconclusive. I gained 50 lb with no change in diet, and it's hormone-free. Not sure why. I began getting yeast infections."

• IUD...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 10, 2021

For Birth Control "I had the IUD, and it was almost the end of me. I had it for just 2 years. Currently, I have side effects of nerve damage, insomnia, chest pain, high copper toxicity, body pain, hair loss, cystic acne, UTI, weight gain, brain fog, depression and anxiety, blurry eyes, deafness, metal taste, nausea, migraine. I can go on and on. It did not work for me because it's toxic to women. There is no benefit for this."

• Jes...
• May 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I got the ParaGard IUD about 7 months ago. The initial process of getting it inserted was pretty painful but so fast! I wouldn't say my experience with the IUD was terrible, but it has its downsides. I've always had bad cramps and a pretty decent flow. I knew going into this that ParaGard would only make these things worse. Honestly, I can deal with the cramps and 10-day-long periods. However, recently I'm discovering that I've gained about 20 lbs in the past 6 months. It's all happening in my midsection, and I've read other women's stories claiming the same. It wouldn't surprise me if it was the ParaGard. I've always easily gained weight on birth control, that's why I went with ParaGard. I plan to have it removed next week."

• Bir...
• April 13, 2021

For Birth Control "I got the ParaGard late August 2020. I had an ibuprofen 800 mg beforehand since I had some at home. The pain was INTENSE. I tried laughing it off during our conversation. It’s like they’re cranking you open. I had spotting & severe cramps for a month. I took hormonal BC pills for 10 years before giving it up to try this. I got over the first month. And I would have occasional waves of pain where I’d want to get down on the ground. Those came every couple of days. Some weeks worse. I was told it could be worse up to 6 months in, and I haven’t had any cramps in over a month BUT I also haven’t had my period in 31 days! I’ve taken multiple tests and all were negative. Now I feel nothing, so I’m not sure if it’s coincidence, but after 6 months it did get better. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I have no symptoms. No weight gain. No irritation. The first months are bad, but if you’re willing to push through it, it’s worth it afterwards."

• A...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 18, 2022

For Birth Control "I've had this device for 4 years, and for 4 years I've experienced symptoms that have kept me suffering more than any other period in my life. After my second child, the copper IUD was recommended by my gyno. The entire time, I have suffered from intense depression, extreme fatigue, uterine cramps, cervical pain, weight gain, hair loss on my head, excessive hair growth elsewhere, discharge, spotting, brain fog, and long, painful, heavy, clumping periods. I've been through several anti-depressants, on birth control pills simultaneously, and bio-hormones to address issues that I believe have been caused by copper toxicity and from the copper interfering with my natural hormone process. I could feel the device inside of me and my body begging for it to be removed on a daily basis. It's not as carefree and amazing as some people promote it to be. I'd rather be on pills than have another one of these things inside my body, blackening and rusting like the one I had removed was doing."

• Kay...
• November 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I have a blood clotting disorder, and this was my only choice. The insertion was so painful I blacked out. About 20 minutes later, I was still very cramped, and I went right to work. Now, 3 months into having it, I haven’t gotten my period. However, I do believe I’ve had an on-and-off UTI, as sometimes it’s painful to urinate and my urine smells pretty odd. Frequently, I think I’m peeing myself, but it’s just quite a bit of discharge, which my doctor prescribed antibiotics for. I am noticing a significant amount of weight gain. My entire life, I’ve never been more than 120 lbs, and I’m 24. Currently, I’m 146 lbs and trying my best to lose it. I exercise every day and work a lot, so it’s not a lack of exercise, and I eat fairly healthy. Aside from those few things, I believe this is the best option for me, and I’ll be leaving it in until something more concerning comes about. I would recommend it."

• chl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 14, 2017

For Birth Control "ParaGard was inserted July 2016 and removed June 2017 (almost a year!). The first week after it was installed, I had debilitating cramps for three days straight and constant bleeding. Every month, my periods were twice as heavy, twice as long, and 10 times more painful! I was told this would calm down after 6 months, so I persevered. If anything, my periods got MORE painful to the point where I couldn't leave the house in case I'd be hit by a wave of contractions. On a side note, I felt anxious, depressed, introverted, alone (I'm usually so social and confident!), worthless, and I experienced social anxiety for the first time! I also gained 20 lbs, which is definitely not due to a change in diet/exercise. If anything, I was eating better!"

• Cel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 6, 2017

For Birth Control "I have had the ParaGard going on 3 years now. The process went smoothly but did have serious pain afterward and took a good while before I could have sex. When we did have sex, both could feel it for the first 6 months. Now we only feel it every now and then. I have gained a lot of weight since and recently extreme pain even when I'm not on my period. I have to have a nap every day, I literally can't stay awake. I have been checked out and they say everything is fine. I thought it was a chemical imbalance and started taking extra vitamins and still everything is the same. Not sure if it is the ParaGard or just me. I know IUDs affect everyone differently, just make sure you take notes on any changes."