Copper topical and Depression: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Ray...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 22, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "Had it 4.75 years. It was 100% effective at preventing pregnancy - its only upshot. My broad ligament needed massage to accept the foreign object. Increased bleeding throughout the month is no joke. I bled 7-10 days a month with IUD, very heavy. Could not go through the night! I spotted on ovulation and *every* time I had sex. It led to anemia. It makes your body double down on uterine lining - 2x as much blood to be shed each month. The symptoms of copper toxicity can be subtle! I could feel it in there all the time, like a sliver. Six of the last eight weeks before I had it removed, I had low back pain, 6/10, unable to bend my spine + extreme fatigue and was in such a depressed state. The pain only relented during my menstruation. It works by causing inflammation and disrupting your mineral balance. I would not recommend this form of birth control for anyone who struggles with inflammation, autoimmunity, anemia, or postpartum depression."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2015

Copper topical for Birth Control "Only rated a 9 because I haven't had it in for long! I got the ParaGard yesterday, and it was not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be! Don't be scared out of getting it from the bad reviews! It hurt getting inserted and when my cervix was clamped open, but the pain only lasted about 5 seconds and it was only a little bit worse than a regular period cramp. Definitely take some Advil before you go in to the doctor to get it. Day two, I haven't taken any painkillers and the pain isn't worse than a regular period. I didn't experience any cramping or lightheadedness immediately after insertion. I had bad mood swings and depression/anxiety from hormonal birth control, so this is a great non-hormonal option for me! & it lasts for 10 years!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 5, 2022

Copper topical for Birth Control "Just wanted to reassure any ladies thinking about this type of contraception. Personally, I’ve tried all different types of hormonal birth control, and all have made me emotional, depressed, and gain weight, plus giving me acne. I was expecting the worst pain ever considering these bad reviews, but I felt nothing, it was over in minutes, and I’ve not even had kids. So they said fitting my coil could be more difficult. I’m so happy that I no longer have to worry about getting pregnant, especially while I’m trying to study at uni! Take these reviews with a pinch of salt, remember different bodies react to things in different ways. I feel like I’ve been saved from a life of side effects being off hormones. I'm forever grateful."

• Jer...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 1, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "Severe constant cramping. Heavy blood flow - two super plus tampons an hour. Anxiety, depression, relationship issues... had it for two years. So yeah, it stopped me from getting pregnant, but at the risk to my health."

• sus...
• May 31, 2016

Copper topical for Birth Control "I am writing this for girls who have Crohn's disease and a low immune system due to the medications for Crohn's. I was on a very low dose of birth control, and it simply was not for me! I became very depressed, I bled during sex, as well as experienced a lot of discomfort and had spotting for the entire 8 months I was on it. I got the Paragard inserted two months ago. I really have to say I love it, and I am glad I made the decision to get one! I only had periods that lasted 3 days with no cramps, and so far, I have only experienced cramps one week before and after my period and have not required any ibuprofen. If you think you are a good candidate, try it out. It's been great."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 28, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "This IUD has a lot of mixed feelings towards it, but I wanted to give some happy news. I have never been able to take hormonal BC...makes me depressed, anxious, we're talking heart-racing/borderline paranoia. I spent about five years with condoms and a diaphragm (which honestly, underrated. If you're okay with getting in there, go for it.) ParaGard had always intrigued me, but all the hype was scary: the size, I've never had a child, the bleeding (already a heavy flow), toxicity! Eventually, I had enough courage to do the damn thing. Insertion was scary, but that was built on hype. It was not so much painful as it was a shock. Took about 4 minutes. I went shopping after. One thing I will say-- my cramps for the first five months were BRUTAL. But that's what Advil and a heating pad are for. I also knew it's temporary. Since then, it's sunshine and lollipops... I love it. And the fact that I don't have to worry about babies until 2027... wow."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "I just recently decided to switch from the NuvaRing that I had been on for nearly 2 years to the ParaGard. I was very anxious and depressed on the ring, so I am hoping that changes with this non-hormonal option. Insertion was insanely painful. During the procedure, I was seeing stars. The cramps I have had after insertion have come and gone. It's been a week straight of sharp pains every now and then with a constant dull pain. I am staying optimistic regardless of these awful reviews. Everyone's body is different, and obviously, the side effects will differ from person to person. My advice to anyone thinking about getting one is be aware of what can happen, but you never know what will happen until you try it."

• Que...
• November 18, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "The ParaGard is bad. The insertion didn’t hurt, but the side effects of copper toxicity are hell. Hair loss, brain fog, anxiety, depression, fatigue, mood swings, headaches, nausea, and the list goes on. I hate this thing, and every time I think about it, it makes me sick. I can’t wait to have mine removed. I’ve been begging my insurance and doctor’s office for over a year now to take it out. My second child is 2, and I feel like I haven’t been able to thoroughly enjoy her for living in hell."

• don...
• March 1, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "DON'T DO IT! I had ParaGard for a full year and thought about/researched IUDs for a few months before getting it. Yes, it's nice not having to take a pill every day or worry about getting pregnant, but the negative side effects FAR outweighed any benefits. I'm only fully functional half the time since having this IUD. At least two weeks each month, I experience emotional mood swings, anxiety, fear, and cramping that makes me double over in pain. Then I get my period, where I am bedridden and depressed for 3-4 days. I feel terrible - cramping, bloating, lots of pain. I usually feel so bad that I don't eat properly, shower, or take care of myself. Also, the strings do not soften. My boyfriend gets poked by them, which is painful for him, and it has made our sex life very stressful, uneventful, and infrequent - SPECIFICALLY because of this device. I would NEVER EVER recommend it to anyone. I cannot wait to have it removed and feel like myself again."

• Juj...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 23, 2020

Copper topical for Birth Control "I've had ParaGard 3 times after having babies, and all 3 times I had the same side effects: horrible bleeding for 3 weeks after it was put in place and cramps. It caused me severe anxiety, depression, hair loss, weight gain, rage, and brain fogginess. When I had it removed the 2nd time to try to get pregnant, I wasn't able to get pregnant for 5 months, and this is abnormal for me. Every month, I got a positive pregnancy test, and then within a couple of days, it was gone. For some reason, they were not implanting correctly, and this was due to ParaGard. Copper increases estrogens and does impact your hormones."

• goo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "I just got the ParaGard inserted on 12/4/18 while still on Depo-Provera. My next shot would have been due on 1/5/19, but I am not getting it due to having the IUD inserted. I was also on my period while I got it inserted. So far, everything is good, cramping after the insertion was really bad. I took 1,000 mg of ibuprofen, but the next day it wasn't bad, I only took 800 mg of ibuprofen in the morning that day and the following day. Now, on the third day, there's barely anything besides slight bleeding. I chose this specific IUD because I was tired of having a low sex drive, depressed mood, weight gain, and hair falling out on Depo-Provera. I got three shots and gained 10 pounds! I plan to keep the ParaGard until 12/2028, which is when I am supposed to get it removed."

• TJa...
• February 8, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "Fell pregnant after 6 months of having ParaGard IUD inserted. They told me it probably fell out. After severe pain in my abdominal region, sides, and lower back got progressively worse over the years to the point of being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and after a second pregnancy, pain escalated. After an X-ray, MRI, and CT scan, it was determined the IUD had perforated my bowel, and whilst awaiting surgery, I expelled it. My recovery has been said will take 18 months to 2 years, and I am due to see a specialist for ongoing pain since. It might be great at first (if you don’t fall pregnant), but it’s not a matter of if it will cause problems, it’s a matter of when - mine was realized 11 years later - weight gain, fatigue, acne, abdominal pain, depression... the list goes on."

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

Copper topical 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."

• Sun...
• March 15, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "I got ParaGard after my third child. The non-hormonal IUD and not taking the pill was a huge plus in my eyes. I immediately felt bladder discomfort, I thought it was just because I had a child. The PERIODS. Don’t get me started on that. Lasting for two weeks. A year into it, I started developing horrible acne. Year 2, it became cystic. I just never felt like me. Always in a fog, horrible periods, my face was awful, severely depressed, having to go to the bathroom ALL the time, and my hair thinned out. I’m Italian, that just doesn’t happen on its own. After 9 years of constantly feeling it, it was time to remove it. I felt euphoric upon removal. I didn’t have to go to the bathroom every hour, and my mood swings stopped. It’s only the beginning, but I can’t wait to get back to normal! Most of these people saying they love it are a couple of months in. You don’t just get over 1,000 women saying the same thing after getting ParaGard. I feel like I have my brain back now."

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2015

For Birth Control "I think it's great, got the smallest one, T360, I think. Hurt a lot getting it in but didn't last long! Cramps all night, could not sleep from pain! Next day much better, then nothing. Can't tell it's there! Except stomach bloated lots! For about a week, then went to normal. Felt a bit run down as well and a lot of discharge! And felt down, depressed! But after 2 weeks, fantastic! PMS symptoms before period but no spotting, yay, normally get a lot of acne on chin! Period normal, definitely recommend."

• Sar...
• August 29, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "I chose ParaGard based on recommendations from friends and OB, all whom love it. It's been 6 months, and I just made an appointment for removal. A year postpartum, the insertion wasn't bad, 4/10, I didn't have much bleeding. Cramping was 7/10 but only lasted a day. During the next few months, I started to feel unlike myself-melancholy, almost depressed, anxious, moody, short-fused. It started month 2 or 3 and has gotten worse. My lower back began to hurt as well. I kept being told that it's probably a culmination of having three kids under 5, working full time, etc., but my gut has been telling me otherwise. I've gained 10 lbs in the last two months, although my eating and exercise have not changed. I'm constantly bloated, and although the IUD is not uncomfortable, I know it's there, and it feels present. Ultimately, it's not for me. I would have had it removed a few months ago, but kept listening to others tell me it MUST be something else. Trust YOUR body."

• Anonymous
• January 15, 2021

Copper topical for Birth Control "I have had the ParaGard for 2 years now. It has been the worst experience. I kept waiting for it to get better, and things have only gotten worse. I get my period like every two weeks or sometimes less. I also get horribly sick on my periods with really intense cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and depression. There are also the recurring yeast infections, and recently I got BV. I am getting it out as soon as possible and really do not recommend it for anybody. I got it because my doctor did not tell me about these side effects besides the cramps and heavy bleeding, and in all of the research I did prior to getting it, I did not find many negative comments, but I probably was not looking in the right places. I really recommend you look for an alternative method of birth control. This one is really not worth it."

• Sic...
• April 11, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "I did not get pregnant, so the ParaGard was effective. However, I did suffer many side effects: hair loss, bloating, even when I didn't eat, heart palpitations, intense anxieties and depression, migraines, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, all the time, thirsty (dry mouth), yeast infections, pain during sex (my man would get poked or scratched by it), spotting either randomly or after sex, super super light periods, joint pains (sciatica, my neck, wrists, and knees), red dots on my face, which were never there before placement of IUD, loss of appetite, vagina smells like copper (pennies), I lost my sense of taste, loss of interest in sex, literally. I couldn't feel anything down there. It was like my clitoris nerve was murdered. I was never wanting to have sex, so I would never initiate it. I would get annoyed or stressed when boyfriend wanted to have sex. Copper toxicity is real!"

• KGa...
• June 21, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "I have been on ParaGard for 6 years, and initially, it was great. I always had difficulty with hormonal BC before, which is why I chose this method. I now have chronic fatigue, crippling depression for 2 weeks every month, anxiety, extreme irritability, and want to die for 2 weeks each month. My back pain is so severe that I have to deep breathe through it. I did not realize that ParaGard also has nickel in it, which I know that I am allergic to. I am having this removed next week and could not be happier about it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2015

Copper topical for Birth Control "I'm a younger woman (18), and I got my ParaGard IUD about 2 and a half months ago. I really psyched myself out about insertion, but mine was relatively painless, with a super quick twinge. On hormonal birth control, I experienced heightened depression and anxiety. I feel much more myself on ParaGard because there are no hormones involved. As for periods, I have experienced no cramping, but 3-4 extremely heavy days (soaking a super plus tampon every hour and a half) and then 2-3 very light days. I've heard periods get better the longer you have had the IUD. I'm about to be a college freshman at university, and I feel very confident in the efficacy of this device. Excited to be baby-free for up to 12 years. Recommend for teens & anyone on the fence."

• Jan...
• August 16, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "For starters, I’ve never had children, and I am a 22-year-old petite 5’0 small-framed woman. I went through every birth control option I could possibly go through, leaving me depressed, nauseous, sleeping all day. I finally went with ParaGard after 2 years off hormones, and it was the best decision I’ve made. Insertion was the scariest part, I took 750 mg of ibuprofen. It feels like your cervix is 80% numbed and being stabbed while they stick a cold probe in. It also feels like a giant period cramp. Afterwards, I was in extreme pain for 2 days. Like really bad pain where I couldn’t do anything, and ibuprofen wasn’t helping. I recommend if you have an insertion to have a weekend off. Otherwise, I’ve been normal since insertion. It changed my 3-day period into a 5-day heavy period. I was afraid my first period would be painful, but it felt just a little more crampy. I feel a lot of these bad reviews are from people who got off hormonal BC and went straight to ParaGard."

• Rit...
• November 2, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "I have had the ParaGard for 5 years now. When getting it put in, it hurt so bad I got dizzy, went home, and went straight to sleep. After about 1 year, I got a UTI. I have been to the doctor for antibiotics 6 times now, still have a UTI, meds are not working. I’ve gotten brain fog, depression, cramping bad, odor when I pee, very bad headaches, and still a UTI! Don’t get this birth control. I’ve had it, and my doctor keeps beating around the bush and won’t take it out. I’m going to contact a lawyer."

• Tha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 5, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "2 years with the ParaGard IUD. Side effects progressively got worse, and eventually, unbearable. Heavy menstrual cycle, severe irritability, mood swings, depression, anxiety attacks, anger issues. About a year and a half into ParaGard: severe headaches behind eyes every single day, extreme fatigue. Listed symptoms progressively got worse. Sex -- only good part: the ability to have sex when I want without the hassle of having to remember and constant protection against pregnancy. However... I had no sex drive. Very painful."

• Bra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 20, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "This thing was causing so many problems for me. I bled like I was hemorrhaging during my 10-12 day periods, with cramps so bad I could barely get out of bed to take care of my children. I was weak, exhausted, beyond moody, and struggled with depression. Not to mention my anxiety going to levels I didn't know existed for me. I had ParaGard for 2 years before reading about other women with similar issues and making the choice to get it removed. My reason for choosing ParaGard was all the issues I'd had with hormonal birth control, but the side effects with this were far worse."

• War...
• August 24, 2016

Copper topical 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..."