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

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "I’ve had it for about 3 months now and got it because hormonal birth control did not work for me. It made me extremely moody and depressed. I would gain 10-20 pounds and was constantly hungry. Finally decided to try this even though I was skeptical about the poor reviews. My period lasts about a week with heavier periods and definitely more cramps than I had, but nothing unbearable. In my opinion, no birth control is going to have no side effects, so it is worth it to me. I do have slightly more acne than normal, but I think it’s due to the lack of hormones my body is used to from pills. It’s been the best birth control for my body so far!"

• tev...
• May 3, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "Please do your research and pay attention to your own body. This IUD did not work for me, but it may in fact be amazing for you. I had it placed at 6 weeks postpartum. By 12 weeks, I was having panic attacks and anxiety. Flash forward a year, my anxiety and panic attacks are at a whole different level. I started having depressive episodes (all of this is new to me). In the past year, I have had two yeast infections (this also has never happened). I finally went to a naturopath who prescribed progesterone therapy for my low progesterone and my sky-high estrogen. I have constant fatigue, joint popping, and headaches. My lower back would throb constantly. I couldn't feel when I needed to pee. My libido is in the trash. After finding some blogs, I decided to have it removed. Immediately, my back pain was gone within 30 minutes, and within 24 hours, I could feel when I had to pee again. If you have a reaction to nickel or fake earrings, please do your research and make sure this IUD is for you."

• Mel...
• September 8, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "Destroyed my life! Worst decision ever! Had it less than 2 years and it wreaked havoc on my body and mind! Aged me 15 years, copper toxicity, over half my hair fell out, thought I was dying of cancer. Caused extreme anger, anxiety, depression, irrational fears, and personality change. Sadly, I've seen many others with similar stories. Beware!"

• AWM...
• September 28, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "I have had the ParaGuard for over two years. It has done a great job being a contraception. It has, however, created a lot of problems, which is why I'm getting mine removed in four days and will never use it again and warn my friends to do the same. My first symptom was migraines with the onset of menstruation. Within a year, I had gained 15 pounds. I had a rash on my face that my dermatologist couldn't diagnose. At 18 months in, I was diagnosed with severe depression and put on antidepressants. And, the entire two years, I had a week of bleeding before my period, extra discharge (I had to wear a panty liner every day), and painful mid-cycle cramps called mittelschmerz. I am amazed that this product hasn't been more carefully studied."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "When I was on the ParaGard, there was not one day I had zero bleeding. So annoying for 5 months. I have never been depressed, but when I was on this, I was feeling sadness that I've never had. I was SO irritable, it was crazy how fast I could snap. I had extreme pain 2 weeks after they put the IUD in, like it felt like I was dying. Got an ultrasound, and everything was okay... it was so freaking scary, though. I was constantly bloated. Sex was painful, like very painful, and I had zero sex drive. I was always tired. I think I may have had copper toxicity."

• Get...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 2, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "I had my ParaGard inserted in June 2015, just after we had our second child. I don't remember it being a painful experience. Over the last two years, I've noticed a change in my body and mind. I attributed it to my new body after pregnancy and 'mom brain,' and tried to get over it. I'm always tired, something always aches, and I get extremely terrible migraines, which I never had before. I have no desire to do anything (maybe depression?) or go anywhere. I feel like I'm just floating through life. I tried changing my schedule, my diet, my habits, but I can't get out of this funk. Then I started researching ParaGard to see if it could have anything to do with how I'm feeling. I'm getting it removed next week. I will update here in 1 month."

• Ale...
• February 16, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "I had this put in 5 months ago. I’ve never been depressed before for no reason. But after almost 3 months of depression, I’ve been having suicidal thoughts and crazy anxiety like I’ve never had before. It may be non-hormonal, but my doctor never once mentioned the possibility of copper toxicity. Along with 2-week periods, HEAVY periods (bleeding through supers in 30 minutes for 5 days straight), insane cramps, painful sex, and hot flashes... this thing is coming out TONIGHT."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 26, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "Copper toxicity, heart palpitations, uncontrollable cystic acne, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, bloating, prolonged spotting prior to period, lethargy, terrible cramping. Awful, awful birth control! I was not warned about any of these side effects prior to insertion."

• K E...
• May 19, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "I had the ParaGard placed shortly after my second son was born. I was teaching at that time. I moved over that summer and worked in another education-related field. I started getting difficulties with focus and concentration. I developed anxiety and depression. I tried to teach again, but my body could no longer handle stress. I went through years of therapy and doctors trying to give antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication. I had the IUD removed and was able to get pregnant after. Pregnancy holds onto copper, and I had PPD after this pregnancy. Depression and anxiety worsened. It was affecting my nervous system, causing electrical shocks in my hands and feet. I had high unbound copper and finally found the right doctor to help clear the copper and decrease inflammation."

• Bad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 29, 2021

Copper topical for Birth Control "Insertion was horrifically painful. I haven't gotten pregnant yet in the 10 months I've had this thing, so I guess it's doing its job… but I'm considering having it taken out. Sucks because this is my last option. Period blood smells of copper, 10-day long periods, random stomach cramps, anxiety, depression, dissociation (I had a bit of a breakdown a week ago), panic attacks, itchy vagina, rectum/pouch of Douglas pains, loads of discharge, achiness, tiredness, dry brittle hair, hair falling out more, really run down and catching more illnesses, heart palpitations, feeling like I'm gonna have a heart attack sometimes… this thing is awful. Don't get it."

• Wil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2019

For Birth Control "I had the copper IUD for one year, and in that time I lost so much weight, which has never happened to me before. (I went from 115 lbs all the way down to 85 lbs). I was horribly depressed and felt foggy and tired all the time. I talked to my doctor, and she told me weight loss and mood change couldn’t be from the IUD, but I had it removed anyways. I started gaining weight back within weeks, and my mood has since gone back to normal. I will never, ever use this product again."

• Hes...
• September 19, 2018

For Birth Control "I honestly got so sick from this IUD. My major symptoms included huge brain fog, depression, anxiety, constant urge to urinate, cold hands and feet, always bloated and 20 lb gain, and just generally always feeling 'off.' Then randomly I was watching YouTube videos where a guy was talking about how you are more susceptible to candida if you have a copper IUD. Because I had at different points assumed I might have a candida overgrowth, I decided to have the IUD removed and see if it improved anything. Honestly, within a few days all of my symptoms were gone. I can’t say whether an IUD is right for you or not, all I can do is share my story and reaffirm that we are all in control of our own personal health destinies. If something in your body doesn’t feel right, you can choose to have it removed!"

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 7, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "Well, it works for birth control, but I did have skin problems probably due to no hormones. But there were also changes to my mood in terms of PMS and depression. I always felt like I was in a fog and had anxiety. Recommend just taking the pill, at least you would have clear skin, and your mood will be under control and lighter periods."

• 31Y...
• July 23, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "I had the copper IUD for about 3 weeks, and I finally got it removed this morning. First, I got it inserted, and the first week I was having contractions and bleeding blood clots. Very heavy bleeding. It was so bad that I would get chills from the pain. Second, I started to have panic attacks, and my anxiety felt off the charts. Third, my brain felt super foggy. My brain felt like I was off on a cloud, and I couldn't focus at work. Fourth, I felt depressed and moody. It was like my emotions were up and down, and I couldn't help it. Fifth, I felt bloated and fatigued. I was told numerous times that this IUD didn't have hormones, but it sure had something in for me to get symptoms like this. I know that every woman is different, but with my experience, I would recommend the Mirena IUD over the ParaGard IUD ANYTIME. I had both, and by far, Mirena is better. For now, I'll stick with the old school birth control - 'The Pill.'"

• Kat...
• June 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I got my Paragard inserted about 2.5 months ago, and I love it! I started off trying different birth control pills for almost a year and hating every minute of it. My body reacts terribly to hormones, so one pill would make me break out really bad, and the next would make me depressed with low libido... I wasn't willing to settle on one because each had a side effect that affected my daily life. The thing about Paragard that attracted me was that it's non-hormonal. Not gonna lie, insertion really HURT, but it was SO worth it! My periods are heavy with bad cramping sometimes, but that's the only side effect. I feel great now that I'm not pumping fake hormones into my body. PLUS it was free with my insurance! I love it."

• Mim...
• June 29, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "Got the IUD after my daughter was about a year and a half. At first, everything seemed normal. I was stressed out, of course, being a new mom. About 2 years later, I noticed how crazy depressed I would get before my period. I would also lash out at everyone. I was extremely emotional. I ignored it. But several months later, I started getting panic attacks and anxiety. I used to get attacks when I was a teen, so I knew exactly how to cope, but it kind of started making me stressed out. Then, I started getting odd thoughts that didn't make sense and brain fog. It was creeping me out. I started Googling and realized I had Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which is severe PMS. I had no idea why I would have this. I tried working out and eating better. Nothing worked. Then one day, I typed in copper IUD and PMS. A thousand articles showed up. Women telling the same story as me. I called the doctor and had it taken out immediately. It's been 3 months now, and I feel better. Research birth control. The human body doesn't understand foreign objects."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 13, 2015

For Birth Control "I got the IUD after really bad experiences with different birth control pills, had weight gain, UTIs, swelling, mood swings, and sadness. So, the best thing about the copper IUD was there were no hormones and I felt relief. The downside was my period lasted 12 days and I had spotting. This may have been due to copper toxicity when estrogen feeds off of the excess copper, allowing there to be elongated periods because progesterone is decreased-the hormone that helps the period clear up and stop. Sometimes I experienced pressure when gassy. Once I took out the IUD, my periods shortened and I was able to get pregnant right away. There is no best hormone-free birth control, but the pros outweigh the cons. I didn't get pregnant and felt much better mentally and physically."

• Mar...
• March 31, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "The IUD perforated my uterus. It was discovered at my two-week string check. The IUD had traveled and imbeded in scar tissue between my left ovary and fallopian tube. I fear that I may never be able to conceive again. I experienced quite a bit of postpartum depression as a result. I had the IUD surgically removed roughly one month after it was discovered out of place. Interestingly, I knew something wasn’t right shortly after it was put in because I couldn’t sleep, had severe anxiety with red blotches on my chest and face from heightened anxiety. I had a number of other symptoms, such as trouble fully connecting with my new baby, which hadn’t been an issue early on. It was over a year ago, and I'm still having ultrasounds to check for fluid in my uterus, which continued to expand for about 6-7 months after it was removed. In summary, it was a big mistake, and I’m still paying for it due to excessive medical bills for therapy, psychiatric care, ultrasounds, surgical costs, etc."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "No, no, no. A piece of copper implanted into your body? I had it in for 1 month. In that time, I felt like I was always about to have a period, I never had cramps before. I experienced anxiety, racing thoughts, repetitive thoughts, empty feelings, extreme anger and resentment, extremely itchy labia and skin, tremoring vision, nausea, headaches, terrible back pain, sharp joint pains, earaches, sadness, and the worst TOTAL LOSS OF SEX DRIVE. Also, vaginal dryness. I basically couldn't feel myself on the inside. The stress of unplanned pregnancy is easier to deal with than this. Anything that causes this as it 'settles in' is just messed up. Just because the side effects may go away doesn't make it OK. It's your body numbing out to this hideous device."

• Lwo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 11, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "I just got the copper IUD removed after having it for 7 months. I am normally a really positive person with a happy demeanor, and I am convinced that the copper IUD threw me into depression and anxiety. I have NEVER had depression or anxiety, and every month my moods got worse. I would cry almost every day, I would snap at my bf or family for the smallest thing, and I felt rage almost all the time. I was trying to figure out if something else in my life was affecting me. I even went to my therapist and a depression care specialist. I finally read some reviews on the copper IUD and depression, and it seems pretty common. Drs will tell you it's not the IUD, but please trust your intuition. I also had a yeast infection & BV almost every month because of the IUD."

• cmd...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 7, 2023

Copper topical for Birth Control "I had ParaGard for exactly one year (to the day) before my body spontaneously tried to expel it. The insertion process was awful, honestly. It’s just going to suck, and that’s the reality. My periods went from being 5-7 days and light, with no cramps, to weeks where I would lose cups of blood per day and cramp so hard I would get nauseous and pale. That lasted for the first 6 months and then reduced in severity but still remained worse than before I got the IUD. My boyfriend said he could feel the strings stab him, and sex became less comfortable for me. I was always aware of my cervix and *things* that would hit it. I am not sure if it was related, but during this year I developed debilitating depression for the first time in my life, but again, this could be a coincidence. I also had 6 UTIs in the last 6 months of 2022. It became dislodged during sex last week and was so painful it had to be urgently removed."

• Not...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 17, 2020

Copper topical for Birth Control "I am planning on getting this removed tomorrow... despite recovering from a concussion. I want it OUT. Intense pain: over AN HOUR. The Drs gave me ice AND heat packs, and both helped. After March insertion: LIGHTER periods. November: they suddenly went from regular to coming every 2 WEEKS. Length of periods: okay, severity of periods: okay, mood swings: severe. I used to love attention from people, but now it feels like everyone is watching me. What was good: it decreased my frequency of yeast infections, but didn’t get rid of them altogether. Haven’t been myself since November: anxious and depressed. This has negatively impacted my studies. I recommend: hormones are better, but go to the gym often and eat plenty of greens/spinach to help iron levels if you have heavy periods. I wish I knew which hormonal IUD to switch to, to prevent mood changes and to help me prevent yeast infections, but I’ll see what the GYN thinks. Verdict: ParaGard is not worth it."

• CCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I got the copper IUD inserted with slight pain but nothing at all immediately after. Hurt a bit, but as soon as I sat up, it was fine. I had period pains for the first couple of days, but nothing bad. I've had normal bleeding but spotting for a few days before it actually comes. That was the only good thing about it. My negative side effects from this copper IUD are that I have been more depressed, anxious, and in more pain than I've ever had before. It has been absolutely horrible for my partner and me. I have no sex drive, it hurts when I pee and poop. I feel like my body is constantly trying to fight it. I've had so many really depressed thoughts, and back pain has been unbearable. Please make sure you do your research before you get this copper IUD! It's not worth it and ruins lives and relationships!! Women deserve better than to be told lies like this does NOT affect you!!! LIES, LIES, LIES!!!!"

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

Copper topical 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."

• Blu...
• September 5, 2017

For Birth Control "I had my Copper IUD inserted a few months ago. Over the course of the next few months, I noticed symptoms such as a lack of motivation, feeling tired, and the right side of my head feeling sore, as if my brain felt agitated or that my vessels felt inflamed. I had a bit of depression, and my anxiety was really bad. My periods were very heavy and unpleasant, I had constant spotting as well. My mood felt different as well, I felt more irritable and more impatient. I decided to have it out today, and I immediately felt a lift in my mood, and the weird sensation in my head settled. It felt like a relief in my womb, as if the coil was irritating my ovaries or something. My body definitely did not like having a foreign body in my reproductive region."