Copper topical and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• IM4...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 15, 2017

For Birth Control "1 is the lowest score option, but the ParaGard actually deserves a negative rating. It did its job for birth control but wreaked havoc on me both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, I didn't make the connection between my ailments (extreme fatigue, anxiety, depression, digestive problems, just to name a few) and the IUD until many years after insertion. After spending a fortune on doctors, tests, etc., to find out what was wrong, I still had no answers, except to be put on a variety of medications to treat symptoms. I did some research and finally made the connection-copper toxicity from the ParaGard IUD. Years of my life had been sucked away from me and my family that I can never get back. Symptoms still persist a year post-removal."

• Jan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 23, 2018

For Birth Control "Pelvic inflammatory disease. Ruptured uterus. Multiple abdominal abscesses. Emergency hysterectomy. Colectomy. Colovesical fistula. Postoperative stroke with seizure disorder. Seven months of IV antibiotics. Two open surgeries. 8-inch vertical scar. Depression. Anxiety. PTSD. Any other questions?"

• Suz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 18, 2021

For Birth Control "I had the copper IUD inserted as I had been on the pill for 5 years and decided to try something hormonal-free. I got put under local anesthetic, so can’t comment on insertion pain, but omg, the cramps were so terrible and heavy periods I had never experienced. I decided to push through, as they say it gets better. The IUD turned me from a healthy, happy woman to depressed, anxiety-nearly bipolar-like-with symptoms like I’ve never had and panic attacks I’ve never experienced-so terrible! My sex drive was nonexistent, I was at a loss, as I would have never thought my “hormonal-free” IUD would be causing these issues until I came on this page! My doctor told me I was suffering from chemically imbalanced depression/anxiety?? I had my IUD removed the next morning after seeing so many women going through the same thing. My depression has now gone, and I haven’t had a panic attack since (removed 2 days ago). I cannot stress this enough-don’t get the IUD."

• Liz...
• February 8, 2018

For Birth Control "Terrible! The insertion was horrendous. For hours afterward, my uterus contracted and tried to expel it. My periods got much heavier. I had to use a tampon and a pad so that I didn't leak through to my clothes. There are so many other side effects, though. There is a psychological component that isn't being investigated. You have a copper foreign object in your body. I had mine removed yesterday after two years. I struggled with the physical side effects and the emotional ones, too. Depression, anxiety, and then full-blown panic attacks and crying spells, brain fog, memory loss, cold hands and feet, heart palpitations, paranoia, feelings of doom, enlarged lymph nodes, chronic bacterial infections, discharge, fatigue, irritability, and bone spurs. Yes, it worked for preventing pregnancy, but it was not worth it to me. Not everyone has the same experience, but that was mine. I do not recommend it."

• Anonymous
• January 18, 2021

For Birth Control "ZERO STARS for this if possible. After having the copper IUD for six years, I got pregnant with the IUD in place! (I always checked the strings.) The IUD punctured my uterus. I had to have surgery-a medically necessary abortion (D&C)-and to have the IUD cut from my uterus. If the baby had been in my fallopian tubes, I could have died. The doctor was going to give me chemo to end the pregnancy if the D&C hadn't worked. Six years of birth control is not worth the physical and mental pain I have had to endure over the last three weeks. Please read about women's personal experiences before you get the copper IUD! Now that I'm reading them, I'm realizing I have been suffering from copper toxicity as well, causing increasing anxiety and depression over the last six years. My mental state is better every day now that my IUD has been removed. I'm starting to feel like my old self. I will never get another one. If you need a natural form of birth control, please Google Fertility Awareness Method."

• Anonymous
• March 16, 2019

For Birth Control "Effective for not getting pregnant! BUT really bad side effects. I’m 24 years old, and I was the most happiest person ever! Always so energetic, laughing, etc. Got this thing put in and started having really bad cramping and EXTREME anxiety and depression! I’m now even on antidepressants. Always in a bad mood, crying, not wanting to do things. I just got this thing removed!"

• Cla...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 24, 2019

For Birth Control "Absolutely horrid! 8 months and extreme nausea, depression, anxiety, terrible unstoppable thoughts, dizzy, constant infections since insertion. The list goes on. If you value your mental health, run far from this product!!!"

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2019

For Birth Control "My doctor told me I was getting Skyla, but she gave me ParaGard instead. I decided to try it because my doctor said I might end up liking it better. I’ve had the ParaGard in for about a month now, and it’s been absolutely the worst thing. Insertion was so painful that I almost fainted in the office, and the first week I was in excruciating pain. I was taking almost 2000 mg of OTC pain medicine (I tried Tylenol and ibuprofen), but it did nothing at all. The cramps have since subsided, but only to be replaced with a plethora of other issues. I have headaches constantly, my depression has gone from mild/moderate to severe, my anxiety is through the roof, I’m extremely fatigued, and I feel very weak. I’m also having the worst, most painful IBS I’ve ever experienced in my life. I’m getting it removed next week, and it cannot come soon enough. I would never recommend this to anyone."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 10, 2020

For Birth Control "I decided to get the copper IUD a year and a month ago. I have been reading some reviews on the effects of the IUD and can agree with many of them, which I did not originally think was the cause at the time. The main one being extremely moody and unpredictable. Around the 6-month mark, I was feeling depressed, overly anxious, and paranoid for no apparent reason. It has helped tremendously when it comes to preventing pregnancy, as I already have one child and was not planning for other children anytime soon. Currently, I’m debating whether I will be removing it but am not sure what to do, as hormonal birth control methods do not really do well with me."

• Ann...
• December 9, 2018

For Birth Control "DO NOT RECOMMEND. I just removed ParaGard after 2 years of having it. In the beginning, everything seemed to be fine, apart from heavy bleeding, which I was prepared for. Most of the days of my period, I had to have a tampon and a pad in order to stop the bleeding. In the past year, I had reoccurring yeast infections almost every month. I tried changing my diet, taking probiotics, without any change. However, the real problem was of the mental kind. Over the years, my mood swings and depression got much worse, with episodes of intense anger, anxiety, and sadness days before my period. It all culminated last month when I felt deeply depressed and suicidal for no apparent reason – I finally decided to have the IUD removed. The removal was terrifying because the ob-gyn couldn't find the device, so she had to use the ultrasound and apply 3 anesthetic injections to my cervix during the removal. I'm so happy that I did it, I feel so much better and calmer now."

• Ann...
• December 9, 2018

For Birth Control "DO NOT RECOMMEND. I just removed ParaGard after 2 years of having it. In the beginning, everything seemed to be fine, apart from heavy bleeding, which I was prepared for. Most of the days of my period, I had to have a tampon and a pad in order to stop the bleeding. In the past year, I had reoccurring yeast infections almost every month. I tried changing my diet, taking probiotics, without any change. However, the real problem was of the mental kind. Over the years, my mood swings and depression got much worse, with episodes of intense anger, anxiety, and sadness days before my period. It all culminated last month when I felt deeply depressed and suicidal for no apparent reason – I finally decided to have the IUD removed. The removal was terrifying because the ob-gyn couldn't find the device, so she had to use the ultrasound and apply 3 anesthetic injections to my cervix during the removal. I'm so happy that I did it, I feel so much better and calmer now."

• Ali...
• July 28, 2017

For Birth Control "Insertion was extremely painful. Two weeks on painkillers straight after. Pains in lower abdomen and groin still after four months. Heavy periods. Two times BV, one time yeast infection. Loss of libido. Worst of all: mood swings, anxiety, depression, including suicidal thoughts. Taking it out next week! Too much copper is toxic and, unfortunately, not well understood yet. Google 'copper toxicity.' Also, a foreign object in the uterus still messes up your hormones. Please don't get one, ladies! Be careful with what you choose, all contraceptive methods for women can be dangerous, even this 'non-hormonal' one - was even worse for me than the pill!"

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 30, 2018

For Birth Control "I have had this in for a year. I am 46. I did not become pregnant while using ParaGard, so that part worked. I have, however, had thousands of dollars worth of blood work, lost sleep, damaged relationships because of mood and depression, 20 lbs weight gain, foggy memory, anxiety, panic attacks. My most recent blood work indicates low cortisol levels, and I started researching the copper toxicity, and I was shocked to see every single one of my symptoms listed here. Of course, it could be that I am old, menopausal, and tired... but I was energetic, active, and much happier before this thing went into my body."

• Sis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I had my ParaGard for almost 4 years. I have been through a lot of trauma in my life and managed well for the most part. From the time I had my IUD placed on, I dealt with fatigue and brain fog like I've never experienced. My depression and anxiety were near impossible to manage. Copper isn't hormonal, but it still creates a hormonal response in your body. My body had a negative response that, had I been well informed, I would have found out if it could have been my birth control causing me problems long ago. But because of the way the information is presented to women, we go on thinking 'my depression couldn't be from my IUD.' The first day my IUD was out, I felt as if my brain fog had lifted. The second day, I had more energy, I could go on. I'm not saying this birth control wasn't effective. I just believe the side effects of this contraceptive should be reevaluated. There shouldn't be this much of an overlap in symptoms in women with the IUD. Ignorance isn't bliss for all of us."

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 10, 2019

For Birth Control "ParaGard birth control almost cost me my life. I have dealt with the most depression and anxiety that I have ever had in my life and finally came to the conclusion it was my birth control after exhausting all other avenues. I was so, so depressed and in such a bad place. It made me really dive into what was causing my depression when my life is not bad and I hadn’t dealt with it prior to 4 years ago. I read a review that a mother lost her daughter to suicide a few months after insertion and realized that I have had enough."

• Pep...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 25, 2022

For Birth Control "My body reacted to the copper by producing 3X the amount of hormones than regular birth control. I wanted to believe that the low risk of pregnancy was worth the emotional and mental pain I was experiencing. After several years, it wasn’t worth it anymore. It felt like it was getting worse and worse every month. I wish I had gotten it out sooner. I should have prioritized my mental health more. Just got it out, and I immediately feel better after years of mental agony that was becoming so severe I was debating going to a mental hospital. Only one OBGYN validated my experience and gave me the information about the copper causing my body to produce more hormones as a defense mechanism to having a foreign object in my body. If the fear of pregnancy is more important than your mental health, I guess it’s worth it. I’m excited to look into natural methods of B.C."

• PGS...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 17, 2019

For Birth Control "Paragard side effects were painful intercourse, depression, constipation, bloating, severe anxiety, irritability, and change in the vaginal ecosystem. Worst, most miserable choice of my life. I am and have always been a very happy and upbeat person. I got the IUD removed and was IMMEDIATELY back to myself. Don't waste years of your life with this horrible device!"

• Wor...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2018

For Birth Control "I had an IUD placed back in 2009 since I knew I did not want to get pregnant until I had finished college and was married. Well, life happened, and I ended up losing my brother early in life and going through an extended grieving period. I am now 36 and ready to make babies, so I went to have the ParaGard removed, and a piece of the IUD was missing when it was taken out. The removal was not painful, so I am thinking that it broke some time ago and I didn't know. I have been dealing with fatigue, anxiety, and depression and am now wondering if it was related to the copper all along. I have had two trans-vaginal ultrasounds, an X-ray, and a hysteroscope performed with no results. That little piece of plastic is still embedded in my body, and I am not sure what it will take at this point to get it out. DO NOT GET THIS IUD if you want to have children and/or avoid future surgery."

• Cra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 31, 2017

For Birth Control "I have had 2 ParaGard IUDs. Took the 1st one out to get pregnant, got the 2nd after my daughter was born. Both times, I had heavier periods, but it seemed better than hormonal birth control that makes me crazy. After 2 and a half years, I started having strange side effects. Lots of acne, dry skin, swollen lymph node, anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, hopelessness. My doctor said that my swollen lymph node is associated with the liver. My acupuncturist said she thought I had liver congestion. I researched excess copper in the body. ALL. MY. SYMPTOMS. Had it removed within 2 days. Felt immediately better. My acne started healing within a few days. Not feeling depressed anymore. It was great until it wasn't."

• Cra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 31, 2017

For Birth Control "I have had 2 ParaGard IUDs. Took the 1st one out to get pregnant, got the 2nd after my daughter was born. Both times, I had heavier periods, but it seemed better than hormonal birth control that makes me crazy. After 2 and a half years, I started having strange side effects. Lots of acne, dry skin, swollen lymph node, anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, hopelessness. My doctor said that my swollen lymph node is associated with the liver. My acupuncturist said she thought I had liver congestion. I researched excess copper in the body. ALL. MY. SYMPTOMS. Had it removed within 2 days. Felt immediately better. My acne started healing within a few days. Not feeling depressed anymore. It was great until it wasn't."

• Don...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 5, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve had my ParaGard for 9 months, and I developed severe anxiety/nausea from it. I felt depressed/panic attacks for a week before I realized it was this! I was put on medication to help, and nothing worked! I still felt the same. Get it removed before this happens to you. :( Praying for anyone who is currently going through this. It took a mental toll on me."

• Rmo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2021

For Birth Control "Horrible experience! ParaGard is a non-hormonal birth control, but it messed me up. I was not myself at all. Brain fog, mood swings, depression, bloating, cramps, sciatic pain, and constipation, to name a few side effects. I had it taken out about two weeks ago. I'm glad I had it removed when I did. My IUD was starting to embed itself into my uterus. If I had waited any longer, I would have needed it surgically removed. I feel like myself again now that it is out. Listen to your body... if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't! ParaGard is not worth it!"

• Val...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 18, 2018

For Birth Control "After my second child, I decided to get the IUD copper, but once it was inserted and time passed, I had pelvic pain every time I menstruated so bad it hurt to walk. Caused high anxiety, no sex drive, bad depression, always tired, ate healthy and exercised, but weight didn’t change, brain fog, couldn’t think straight, it was a mess! I thought this was my postpartum depression, so I took care of it like my firstborn when I had issues with postpartum before, but nothing helped. Not knowing it was the IUD, I thought I’m just a struggling, stressed-out mother. My doctor removed it and I told him if these symptoms had to do with the IUD, and he said, oh no, no hormones. This is probably postpartum. Three days later, I feel like myself again for the first time in ages. This wasn’t postpartum, this wasn’t just a new life as a mom - it was this IUD. So many women struggle with this and it made me realize I wasn’t alone."

• lil...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 15, 2018

For Birth Control "Paragard is terrible! Five years of living hell! Brain fog, anxiety, depression, personality shifts, cramping, week-long heavy bleeding, racing heart, adrenal dysfunction, food allergies. The worst! Copper and estrogen are tandem, so think twice! It will raise your estrogen levels! And cause copper toxicity in most women! Do your research."