Copper topical and Bloating: What Users Say (Page 4)

• ang...
• October 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I got this inserted after having my twins in 2012. I really regret getting it. It's been three years, and I will have it removed November 6. I constantly bleed throughout the month, my stomach always feels bloated. I hate having sex afterwards. I feel horrible, my mood changes are horrible. I say different strokes for different folks. I would not get this again."

• onq...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "I really like the copper IUD. It hurt like absolute hell to get it put in, and the cramps after getting it were horrible for about a week. My only other complaint is my periods have become more frequent (although that is starting to change the longer I have it) and slightly heavier. I occasionally feel a little bit more bloated, even when I'm not on my period. That is why it doesn't get a 10/10. Otherwise, this thing is amazing. I don't even know it's there. I love that it has no hormones. I also like still getting a period because it makes it easier for me to know everything is a-okay in there. I recommend this, especially if you are like me and have a genetic predisposition to hormone problems."

• nob...
• June 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I just got mine inserted today. I went into Planned Parenthood without insurance, and my low income (thanks to being a college student) allowed me to get this without having to pay a dime out of pocket. Thank God, because I am terrible at remembering to take a pill. I hadn't done much research on other people's experiences, I mostly read about its effectiveness, pros and cons, and side effects, so I felt relatively prepared. However, I had taken no medication before, and no one had warned me it would even hurt until they were in the process. My OB-GYN was not a nice lady... she was kind of rude and very curt, which I believe contributed to the amount of pain I felt. I'm a little bloated and have had some rough cramps, but so far I'm doing good."

• Kri...
• September 22, 2015

Copper topical for Birth Control "Horrible. I was really hoping this would work out for me, but I am getting it removed next week. I have had this in for just about 6 months, and it's been nothing but a nightmare. Since I had it put in, I haven't felt like myself. I'm always bloated, and my periods are anywhere from a week to 10 days long. My breasts are always sore, and I have bad cramping 3 out of 4 weeks of the month. Everyone kept saying, 'Oh, it will get better.' Um... it hasn't, at all. I also noticed I have started getting terrible headaches again, which makes no sense considering this is non-hormonal, and this would normally happen when I took hormonal birth control. Either way, I am disappointed this didn't work out for me."

• Kpl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "I had this BC placed in Oct of 2017. The entire month that I had it in, I was constantly tired, extremely bloated, bled heavily, and had no energy. I realize this BC has no hormones (I specifically chose this BC for this reason), but I listened to my body. Please do not let anyone tell you that these symptoms are normal and not caused by the IUD. I never had these symptoms on Mirena. Listen to your bodies, ladies, and do not let the OB tell you differently! Got mine removed after a month and a half. So happy."

• Cal...
• October 16, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "I switched to ParaGard from my combination pill. The pill had so many side effects that were starting to take a toll on my daily activities, so I decided on an IUD. I've only had it for a month, but I'm certain I will not have it much longer. I anticipated discomfort and heavier periods. What I did not anticipate was the constant feeling like I was about to get my period. I have CONSTANT dull cramps, which in turn makes it necessary for me to get to the bathroom as soon as I feel like I need to pee or have a BM. I feel like I'm bloated 24/7 and have no energy to do any of the things I enjoy. I wanted this for peace of mind about pregnancy since I live with my boyfriend, but after reading reviews here, I'm not quite certain how it can claim to prevent them with such high effectiveness. I know people who have negative experiences are generally more inspired to post about them, but the amount of pregnancies and expulsions I've read about on here makes me feel like I've made up my mind."

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

Copper topical for Birth Control "The insertion of ParaGard was a sharp pain, but it was manageable. I spent the first month in extreme pain, constantly bloated to a painful extent, and I had such sharp, brutal period cramps that would take my breath away. I had never experienced pain or discomfort like that in my life. Everyone says to give it 3-6 months to adjust. I'm on month 8 now, and I quit. I kept telling myself, 'just give it time.' I wasted 8 months with this mindset. My last period was fairly normal. Then I got my current period. I took Aleve and still could not sleep. I had to breathe like I was in labor to be able to work myself through the cramps. I also believe that the bloating I get quite frequently and what feels like gas pain is from this IUD. I knew the negatives going into this - heavier periods, more cramps, etc. But as someone with a high pain tolerance, I figured I'd be able to handle it. I would give this lower than 4 stars, but it has kept me from getting pregnant, so it's at least doing its job."

• Mis...
• February 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm due for my period, but I'm 4 days late. Normally, I will have pain in my breasts and my nipples will be sore, but I don't have any! So it came on Friday, but super light and spotting. The pregnancy test was negative, the doctor was able to reposition the coil, but said it was only lodged slightly. He put the two strings in the right place. He said I got BV again, he gave me one week of antibiotics instead of the 5 tablets because maybe before it didn't clear up properly or the coil indirectly raised the pH level alongside having unprotected sex. He doesn't know why I had the light period. He said the next period should tell us if it was just a one-off cycle change or if it's a light period, then come back so we can investigate further because the coil is meant to give heavier periods and not light periods. Don't drink any alcohol as a precaution, but wait for the next period. Now I feel bloated, light cramps, and just feel super tired. I think it's time to take this copper coil out!"

• Sun...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 17, 2021

Copper topical for Birth Control "I had ParaGard inserted 8 weeks postpartum after my second child. I was excited about a non-hormonal BC option. My side effects included severe spotting, clotting, and bleeding between periods. I was having migraines and very heavy periods with painful cramping. I was very bloated all the time. My hair began to fall out in clumps, which I expected postpartum, but it continued for about a year. My hair was so thin and not growing back like it had after my first child. I was also bruising easily from bleeding so much and on iron pills. Finally, enough was enough, and I had it removed about 13 months after insertion. The side effects went away almost immediately. It was such a relief to feel like myself again. I opted to use a diaphragm as BC, which is only about 60% effective, and fell pregnant with #3 about 3 months after having ParaGard removed. ParaGard was horrible for me but led to a new baby in our lives. But now we say that ParaGard is why we have 3 kids."

• Cla...
• June 9, 2018

For Birth Control "I'm 10 months post partum (period not returned. Used natural cycle calendar for contraception before) Dr. convinced me to get a copper IUD as I'm so against drugs. Procedure was fast, pain-free. Took naproxen 20 minutes before. Lightheaded after for 5 minutes. Drove home, light cramping rest of day, no spotting. Thick, jelly-like, smelly discharge for 1 month. Still no period 3 months in but definite side effects making big negative changes in my life. I suspect copper poisoning. Seems like constant PMS. 1. Cranky, short-tempered, snappy 2. Zero life motivation. Before insertion I was kicking major business goals & family/household was running smoothly. Life was great. Suddenly I'm a different person. Depressed, no motivation, simple life tasks are a massive challenge. 3. Zero energy - I was working out regularly, not now, no energy or motivation. 4. Bloated - most days look like I have a massive pregnant belly when before completely flat. Not sure if these specific side effects are worth the massive negative life changes."

• Jad...
• June 16, 2018

For Birth Control "Desperate for non-hormonal birth control, I had a copper IUD inserted. I am nulliparous (no kids). The IUD insertion was excruciating, and for 4 months after it, I was bloated and had terrible cramps. The cramps (during PMS, mostly) slowly got better, but never even close to being as mild as mine were pre-IUD. They were debilitating for 2-3 days a month. I bled about 4 times as much with the copper IUD as before it and ended up with very low iron. Additionally, I was diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis and painful bladder syndrome (also known as interstitial cystitis) after having the IUD for a year. The gynecologist I went to for help said that both of these conditions were caused by the copper IUD and that he never prescribes copper IUDs because of the issues he sees with them. The bacterial vaginosis is resolved, post-IUD removal, after a course of antibiotics, but I still have painful bladder syndrome and have to take an extremely expensive medication to deal with the symptoms."

• mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "Insertion of ParaGard hurt like hell. After 6 weeks, I developed a horrible rash/hives (allergic reaction) that started on my chest and spread to my whole body. It took two weeks from the start of the rash to realize what was happening - I was allergic to the ParaGard - and then I had ParaGard removed. I am now one week out, and the rash has completely healed. I also experienced dizziness, weight gain, bloating, and more!! DO NOT GET ParaGard!!!"

• Sof...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 2, 2015

For Birth Control "This has been the most painful 2 years of my life. Every month, a week before my period, I get debilitating pain that will limit my ability to walk. I bleed for 8 days, terrible cramping and bloating. I need to change a super tampon every other hour on the worst day, it is awful. I was told it would get better, have been to my OB at least 5 times about it in the last 2 years, and I just can't anymore. If you like pain and torture, get this. I mean, I haven't gotten pregnant, so it works, but I would rather have a baby than this."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "I had a terrible experience with this birth control. Always feel bloated, fatigued, and losing my hair. Brain fog so bad I can barely function most days."