Copper topical and Heavy Periods: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Cap...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 3, 2016

Copper topical for Birth Control "I got the ParaGard inserted in May 2013 without thinking to read any reviews first. The insertion was quite uncomfortable, followed by very uncomfortable days. My periods became longer, more painful, and heavier for about 2 years, but they have finally evened back out to normal. I am 28 now and have not had children, so the biggest downside is the constant paranoia of, is it still there (the strings were cut too short for me to check myself). When I am not doubting the location of it, I love it. I enjoy the reassurance that I likely won't become a Mommy before I'm ready. There seem to be varying experiences here, so if you choose to try it, give it time for things to return to normal unless the side effects are clearly too severe."

• Ash...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 4, 2024

Copper topical for Birth Control "I've had my ParaGard for 3+ years. Yes, my periods are heavier. I had my iron levels checked and they are good and normal. But that's the only change. My period is regular, and I haven't had any other bad side effects like other hormonal birth controls. I'll take heavy periods any day vs. crazy acne, weight gain, anxiety, and mood swings. I'd say if you want to go the non-hormonal route, it's the best. If you're worried about your iron levels, just be sure to eat iron-rich foods."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 7, 2015

Copper topical for Birth Control "I have had the ParaGard IUD for 6 years now, and I love it. I have had no big issues with it. I got it 6 weeks postpartum and didn't feel anything when inserted, but I did have some spotting. Changes I've noticed since I have it: heavier periods and heavy cramping. I have spotting up to a week before my period and cramps that are really strong. I have had more vaginal discharge, like every day almost. And the vaginal odors are more noticeable, but not horrible. BUT all this is worth it because there are no hormones, and you don't have to worry about forgetting to take a pill."

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

Copper topical 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."

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 19, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "I have had ParaGard for about a year. It made my periods longer and a lot heavier, especially days 2 and 3. Before my period, I would get really bad cramps and fatigue, also terrible migraines, as well as after my cycle ends. I have had a lot of hair shedding, and I tried eating healthier, drinking more water, and taking care of my hair, but still shedding! I have gained 30 pounds, but I actually eat less than before I got the ParaGard, and got BV twice. I am getting it removed tomorrow because I believe the copper is causing these negative side effects. The only good thing is I never got pregnant!"

• Cla...
• January 14, 2020

Copper topical for Birth Control "At first, the pain when I first got it inserted was bad, and periods so heavy and long. Every two weeks I bled, cramps I have never experienced in my life, and a tender stomach. I pushed forward as they said symptoms get better over time. Not so. Symptoms for me got worse. I ended up trying to counteract the pain and cramps with the pill to stop the pain. After 12 months with constant dull aches in my lower abdomen and painful cramps throughout the month, and periods I only could describe as feeling like acid and irritating my skin on my vagina, I spoke to the doctor, and he thought I was bonkers. The last straw was having sex would just feel like knives up near my cervix. My boyfriend said to me one night, 'Did you put chili in you?' I said, 'No, why?' And he said his penis was on fire. I couldn’t believe it! I didn't think it could burn his penis! So, I went straight to the doctor and explained this to him, and I got it removed and have a scan on my uterus to see if any damage."

• Mis...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 25, 2020

Copper topical for Birth Control "I got the ParaGard 6 years ago. Biggest change on it was my period. I went from a light 4-day period every month to a very heavy 10-day period every month. I am so used to it now, I feel like I am always bleeding and on my period now. My doc wants me to get on the Mirena to help with the heavy periods, but I am declining it and giving my body a break from IUDs. I am having the ParaGard taken out in two days. Only thing I love about the IUD is not worrying about getting pregnant and taking something daily. Also note, if your insurance doesn't cover it, Planned Parenthood offers IUDs."

• abm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2016

Copper topical for Birth Control "After my son was born, my husband and I decided we didn't want any more children! I know myself enough to know that an implant, pill, or injection is not for me. IUD was the way to go. I was torn between Mirena and ParaGard. What ultimately drew me to the ParaGard was the hormone-free factor. I've had my ParaGard in for almost a year now, and I can't say enough how awesome it is. The only side effect that I have noticed is that my periods have gotten slightly heavier, but they also actually have gotten more regular and consistent. I'm not sure that that has anything to do with the ParaGard, it's just what I've noticed. It's low maintenance, obviously, and gives me the peace of mind I was looking for. Love it and will use it forever!"

• yan...
• April 13, 2016

Copper topical for Birth Control "I've had the Paragard in for 3 months, and so far, I love it. I was on the Implanon prior to this, and I didn't have a good experience with it. After a year and a half, I took it out and switched to the Paragard. I had stopped getting periods, and with the Paragard, I'm getting my period regularly again. They're heavier than I'm used to, but nothing too bad. Another side effect is the cramps, they're occasional, but nothing I can't tolerate. It does not interfere at all with mine and my partner's sex life. So far, I have nothing bad to say. I would choose this non-hormonal method without a doubt."

• BKa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 6, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "33 y/o with 1 child, ParaGard (copper IUD) over 2 years now. Originally chose due to non-hormonal option (had extreme nausea on the pill.) POSITIVE: had immediate nausea relief, no daily pill, no mood swings or weight changes. NEGATIVE: long, heavy, painful periods like never before and did not improve over time. 1-2 days became 7. Super Plus tampon each 45 minutes and lots of stained clothes. A simple tampon change on a 'ParaGard period' can make your bathroom look like a scene from Dexter. Hubs felt IUD string poking him until the doctor tucked it farther up inside the cervix. It served its purpose for a season of life, but now I'm willing to give hormones another try and switching to Mirena."

• Scr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "I had the ParaGard inserted 2 months ago and am on my 2nd period with it. I'm 33 with 2 daughters and cannot tolerate hormones, they make me angry and make sex painful. So far, I love the ParaGard. I was nervous after reading all the reviews about the insertion, and I even voiced my concerns to one of the nurses at Planned Parenthood. She told me she had the Mirena inserted during her lunch break and was able to work fine. She had no kids and said it wasn't bad, she also told me how many women she witnessed being dramatic during insertion, and that as long as I took the Aleve, it wouldn't hurt too much. Insertion went smoothly and painlessly. Now my periods are a little heavier but not longer, no other side effects."

• Lua...
• July 26, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "Honestly, my body did not respond well to it. Even though it’s not supposed to affect your moods, it affected mine. 99% of the time, I couldn’t explain why I was feeling the way I did or why I just felt like I was in a cloud or something. Before I got the ParaGard, I never experienced what I was going through. I got it removed a couple of days ago, and I’m hoping that everything goes back to normal soon. Also, my periods were super heavy, and the cramps were bad. I never felt nauseous when I was going to get on my period until I got the ParaGard."

• Ber...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "I had this IUD for about 8 months. I will not lie when I tell you the insertion process is pretty painful. Awkward and quick, but it does hurt. I also had severe cramps for the entire next day. The kind of cramps that radiate into your back and down your legs. Once that first 2 days passed, I was fine...until my periods came. I knew heavy periods were all part of having ParaGard, but this was insanity. Periods lasted about 2 weeks, and I would bleed through an ultra-absorbency tampon in an hour. The cramping during my periods was also unbearable. I also had consistent diarrhea the whole time I had the IUD. Almost as if my whole midsection was trying to get rid of it in whatever way possible. I wanted to love it. But I hated it."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 20, 2015

For Birth Control "I first had ParaGard inserted back in May of 2014, loved it, loved it, loved it. It was my first time off hormonal BC in years, and I was so excited for my body to have some idea of normalcy. Now, I have an issue with ovarian cysts, and by the time October 2014 came, I had two that burst. So I made the switch to Nexplanon (the arm implant mainly based with progestin) for the hormones to help prevent the cysts from forming. I was on Nexplanon for 6 months and hated every single day of it. I had mood swings, headaches, SEVERE weight gain, no matter how much I worked out or exercised. Four days ago, in April 2015, I switched back to ParaGard. IT'S GREAT. I couldn't be happier. Cramping and heavy periods are the only main things to worry about."

• Men...
• September 20, 2016

Copper topical for Birth Control "I've had ParaGard since 2012, and I've not had any pregnancy mishaps. I check my string regularly, and my cycles are normal. When I first had it put in, my periods were very heavy with more cramping. Sometimes it would be lighter, and at other times it would be so heavy I'd change a super tampon every hour and still bleed through! This has improved greatly with time. The only side effects that I have had are that I have a cyst that ruptures maybe 2 times a year, and I gained weight right before getting this put in, and I've still not been able to lose the weight. I will get this taken out in the next year due to starting a family, but I will get another one once we are done growing our family. I enjoy this product, and it's easy to maintain; no hormones, no forgetting."

• jve...
• November 9, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "I was on ParaGard for about 3 and a half years. Insertion didn't hurt at all for me. I had it placed after my second child was born. Everything seemed fine for a long time, except for the super heavy periods. I accepted the periods in exchange for convenient BC. However, the periods got worse. I was starting to lose my hair, and I had no energy. I got blood work done and my ferritin levels were crazy low. Doctor told me to take heavy-duty iron supplements. That helped my energy levels, but the hair continued to fall out. I also had a huge increase in anxiety, panic attacks, heart palpitations. I never had these kinds of symptoms in the past, and I'm starting to wonder if it was all related to the ParaGard. Just had it removed."

• CNa...
• June 16, 2020

Copper topical "I got my ParaGard a little over a year ago, and getting it inserted was not comfortable, but it was fast, so the pain wasn't too bad. I didn't have any cramping after it was inserted, but I did start my period the next day, and it didn't stop for 6 weeks. I've also had very painful cramps and super heavy periods ever since then, and had frequent UTIs for the first 6 months. My OB said they occur from bacteria climbing the IUD string, so I'm not sure if this is a normal thing for IUDs, but it's not fun. I would suggest having your OB check the length of the string a month after getting it because mine shifted down and was too long for my cervix, which caused pain during sex. Getting it trimmed was fast, but again not fun. Positives with the ParaGard are that it works, you don't have to think about it, and once it's in, you're good for 10 years. But consider the side effects before committing because it's a lot to go through if you're just going to take it out a couple of months after getting it placed."

• Zyn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 29, 2015

Copper topical for Birth Control "Honestly, this is the best birth control ever, and I had heavy periods and cramps, but heavy bleeding can come from having low iron. I had it for 9 months, and I forget I have it sometimes. The first few periods are heavy, but who cares? I'll recommend this to anyone."

• Que...
• January 11, 2016

Copper topical for Birth Control "Had it for 2 months (had to get it removed because it was sitting too low). Loved it while I was in. Insertion was very painful, but it did not hurt the week after. Period was heavy for the first 3 days, and I had to use a super jumbo tampon and pad. However, my once serious menstrual cramps were completely gone (no Midol needed). Would recommend to a friend. Wish it didn't sit low, would have kept it in forever. Don't be discouraged by the negative reviews."

• Anonymous
• July 7, 2016

Copper topical for Birth Control "When I first got ParaGard, my periods were very heavy for the first 9 months, and they lasted 9 days! Now, I've had my birth control for 1 year and 2 months, and my periods last 5-6 days and are moderate! Also, I had mild cramping in the beginning, and now I have no cramping at all! :D I LOVE PARA-GARD. The only birth control that works for me and is HORMONE-FREE!"

• CNY...
• May 17, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "I chose ParaGard because it is currently the only non-medicated birth control option in the United States. It's important to remember that each person experiences side effects differently, so keep an open mind. Initial insertion was the worst pain I've ever experienced and had to have prescription-strength pain relief prescribed... But after a few days, I was back to normal. I have now had my IUD for over a year, and the side effects are pretty consistent - I know what to expect now, and I stay prepared. Heavy periods, intense cramping, night sweats during my period. I always keep panty liners in my purse because this thing has a mind of its own. Is it worth it? Yes. If you can stand some pain, you'll be fine!"

• Sar...
• August 20, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "I had ParaGard for nine years, and it worked really well. I had it removed about a week ago since my husband had a vasectomy. I did have super heavy periods and heavy cramping during my time with ParaGard. I have light periods and never have cramps with my period. It was worth having such heavy periods as to not get pregnant. I can't take birth control pills due to hormones giving me horrible migraines (I tried many different types). This was such a lifesaver. I would highly recommend it to anyone."

• nwl...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 24, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "I had ParaGard placed over 2 years ago after constantly experiencing negative side effects from all other forms of birth control. Insertion was awful. Awful. It felt like I was in labor all over again and missed a day and a half of work because of how severe the cramps were. The side effects I noticed right away were very heavy periods and very painful cramps. Then, within a year, I noticed I had become very restless, moody, low energy, and constantly bloated. Thinning hair, tired, some weight gain, and unable to sleep. I just had my ParaGard removed over a week ago and already notice a huge, positive difference in my body and mind! I didn't hate ParaGard, but definitely won't get it again."

• Bon...
• September 8, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "I have gotten pregnant not once, but twice using the ParaGard. The only reason I even gave it a three is because it kept me not pregnant for about 4 years the first time and 1 year, 3 months the second time. The insertion is uncomfortable, but not extremely painful and only lasts about 30 seconds anyway. Periods will be heavier and maybe more cramping than hormonal birth control, but really not that bad, and it was great not having extra hormones in my body. If it kept me not pregnant, I would probably be giving it a 9 or 10, if that tells you anything! But it failed for me... TWICE!!!"

• Jen...
• October 1, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "I had an IUD for 6 years. My periods became very heavy and long. The IUD moved, causing it to go to a ten-day period. My Dr. then attempted to remove it and found that an arm had broken off somewhere at some point. They are now charging me for the surgery to find it. I do NOT recommend this product."