Copper topical and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Lea...
• April 4, 2021

Copper topical for Birth Control "Prior to using ParaGard, my sex drive was high and my husband and I had a very active and fun sex life. I got mine put in 2 months after my first baby was born and everything went downhill fast after that. I experienced depression, anxiety, hopelessness, cystic acne, severe PMS (I'd barely had any PMS prior), crazy mood swings, forgetfulness and brain fog, no sex drive whatsoever, and just a complete lack of interest in my spouse, pain during sex (not severe but uncomfortable and lingering), and overall I just felt like a wreck and not myself at all. It took a long time to figure out that my issues were coming from the IUD and copper toxicity. After 4 1/2 years of suffering, I finally had it removed 4 days ago. Tonight, for the first time in years, I actually enjoyed sex and desired my husband!! The sex was free from pain and discomfort too. While this IUD is great at preventing pregnancy, it's not worth losing yourself over. I'm so glad to be free!"

• fun...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 3, 2023

Copper topical for Birth Control "I had ParaGard for three years. I want to post about my experience with the hope of validating anyone reading this. If you have the copper IUD and you’re experiencing water retention, weight gain that seems impossible to reduce, cystic acne, mood swings, decreased sex drive, gut issues, bowel movement issues, joint pain, and overall less quality of life… you’re not crazy, you’re not imagining it. I was never once told that perhaps my copper IUD could be the root cause of symptoms, and I could probably go to college again with all the money I’ve spent on medical and dermatological bills. Yes, the IUD prevented pregnancy for me, but at what cost? Trust yourself and what your body is telling you. So far, it’s been 10 days since the removal. The dull ache in my abdomen is subsiding, my brain feels like an anvil, my mood is lifting, and my mid-section is noticeably less swollen. Also, my bowel movements aren’t a liquid nightmare. I hope things continue to improve."

• KLT...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 12, 2023

Copper topical for Birth Control "Insertion was extremely painful to me, but I was okay an hour later. I had it for one week before I wanted it out of me, the cramps were so bad I had to sit down no matter where I was, or I'd feel the urge to vomit. I kept it for 13 months, hoping it would get better, but it didn't. I was told to expect cramps and longer/heavier periods, but I didn't expect 10-14 day periods with spotting in between. I can count the days I didn't bleed on one hand. I had emotional issues with ParaGard as well. I was anxious, angry, and depressed, I had nothing going on in my life that would have caused the mental health issues, so I know it was the IUD. It claims to be 'hormone-free,' but it does affect hormones. Long story short, I hated ParaGard. I'm working on getting a refund and getting the side effects that myself and other people had listed in the pamphlet through the FDA."

• Tan...
• September 3, 2020

Copper topical for Birth Control "I used Nexplanon before and had terrible mood swings, so I thought ParaGard would be a better alternative, being non-hormonal. I had ParaGard for 4 months and noticed I was way more fatigued and anxious, with bad cramps, and my period was heavy, I was bleeding through an extra-large maxi pad in an hour. I went to get it out, and they said it was stuck and I may have needed surgery to get it out! It took three tries to finally yank it out a few days ago, and I already feel so much calmer and less in pain. Instead, I’m going to use natural family planning (apps like Lily allow you to track your cervical mucus and temperature and cycle to be more effective) with barrier methods like condoms or cervical caps during my fertile times. I’m really disappointed in this contraception method. I have PCOS as well and found it made my symptoms much worse than before. I wish I didn’t get it to save myself 4 months of anxiety and laying in bed with debilitating cramps."

• Mer...
• December 13, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "Got ParaGard 1/2019. The pain was horrible! After only a few months, I noticed I started to have SEVERE mood swings. When I say mood swings, I mean I became a completely different person! I started to think something was wrong with me because I would get so mean that I almost ruined my relationship with my boyfriend. I tried to do several things to correct my behavior, but over the past 11 months, nothing worked! I talked to my Dr. who said IUDs are linked to several things, including BV and PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). Unfortunately, I waited an entire year before I thought to ask my Dr. about why she thought I might be feeling depressed, extremely angry, and just not myself. However, after she told me this information, I went and had the IUD taken out today! (12/12/19). And I know this probably sounds insane, but I feel like a normal person again and like all the side effects immediately went away! I will NEVER get a ParaGard again! One of the worst experiences of my life!!!"

• LZk...
• October 27, 2015

Copper topical for Birth Control "I was on the pill for years. They made me emotional, killed my sex drive completely, and dried me out, so sex was incredibly painful. I finally gave up on it and relied on condoms, but I wanted something more reliable. Plus, condoms are kind of a killjoy and, well, just aren't the same. The only thing left was ParaGard. Yes, like many others, my periods started out horrendous, but eventually evened out over a year. Cramps, expect to take some ibuprofen and then maybe some acetaminophen. But again, they lessened with time. For me, it was totally worth it. I have an amazing sexual relationship with my husband. Totally worth all the cramps and heavier periods. For me, I felt like it gave me my life back."

• Bea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 28, 2020

Copper topical for Birth Control "I've had ParaGard since 2014 when my youngest son was born. Since then, I've had horrendous periods, PMS, mood swings, and joint pain every single month right before my period. It has also been impossible for me to lose weight at all. It has been an absolute nightmare for 6 years, and I can't wait to get it out. Would have gotten it out way sooner if I would have thought or even looked into the fact that the IUD was causing the problems. Don't get it!!"

• LSD...
• February 22, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "I got the ParaGard IUD six weeks after giving birth to my first child. I chose this birth control because it is non-hormonal, and regular hormonal birth control makes me nauseous, depressed, have mood swings, and gain weight. Overall, I'm very pleased with the IUD. Insertion was not painful, and I didn't even have cramping afterwards. I can't even tell that it is there, and I have no side effects at all."

• Kac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 28, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "I"

• Cry...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "I had many symptoms that are not mentioned. I first started having heavier bleeding and horrible cramping during periods. The other problems I had gradually became unbearable, and some I didn't link to the IUD instantly. I started having hip pain that I couldn't link to an injury and odd ankle pain when beginning to run. I began having severe tailbone pain over a month into having it. The stomach cramping started my last period after the period was done. I also had bacterial vaginosis. I became very emotional. The worst was the tailbone pain. The doctor said it probably wasn't my IUD. I had it removed. Within 1 hour, the tailbone pain was gone. I have an appointment tomorrow with the OBGYN to discuss all of this. I am not sure at this point how the ParaGard caused this, but I am researching it. Doctors constantly said the IUD is most likely not causing all my symptoms, but they all went away promptly when it was removed."

• 30-...
• September 26, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "The cramping, good lord, the cramping. I would compare it to early to mid-labor contractions. Sometimes they would hit me so hard I would literally double over. For a solid week, every month. Flow, so heavy. Beyond what a super plus tampon and maxi pad could handle for more than a couple of hours. For a solid four days, with what I would consider normal flow for the next three. Now, I know this is non-hormonal, so it may have to do with my body rather than the actual IUD, but my mood swings were outrageous. Like a solid week of being sad, a solid week of being angry, a solid week of insomnia, a solid week of physical pain, repeat. Sometimes one of the first three would be swapped out (or accompanied by) heartbroken. I've been in a steady relationship for almost five years and just at random I would start to question everything about him and his motives. Before ParaGard, I didn't have any kind of emotional swing month to month, so I blame it, but it could also be me aging and my hormones changing."

• Ana...
• December 26, 2014

For Birth Control "I got the Paragard in the spring of 2013 because I couldn't take hormonal birth control (terrible side effects of nausea, migraines, and mood swings). I'm so glad I got the Paragard. The insertion was a little painful because I've never had children, and the next few days I experienced moderate to severe cramps. Now my periods are longer and heavier, and sometimes I have cramping, but those are the only side effects I have. It feels great not to have to worry about getting pregnant for an entire ten years, and I consider the side effects of the Paragard minimal in relation to my experience with other birth control methods."

• SLB...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 30, 2015

Copper topical for Birth Control "Getting the ParaGard was the best decision I have ever made for myself. For the first 3 months, I bled much heavier than normal and experienced some severe cramps. However, by the 4th month, my bleeding and cramps significantly reduced. I have a moderate flow, heavier than I had before ParaGard, but it is very manageable. I cramp still, maybe once every four months. I do not like taking hormonal birth control. With ParaGard, your period does not disappear (something that worried me to no end), and you don't have to worry about missing pills or dealing with weird side effects like becoming emotionally unstable (pills made me suicidal) or gaining weight. Not to mention, ParaGard is probably the most cost-effective birth control available."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 15, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "After my second child, I wanted a birth control I did not have to worry about. I decided to go with a 'no hormone birth control,' as I felt I was moody on the pills. I was on the ParaGard for approx. 2 years. The first year, my period lasted longer than usual. The doctor informed me throughout the first year my body has to adjust. My periods lasted 2 weeks max., with really bad cramping. Going into the 2nd year, my periods never went away. I literally had my period for months. It really took a toll on my life. I became upset, moody, and angry. My doctor checked the IUD and said it looks fine, she does not understand why my period is lasting so long. I decided to remove the IUD as the doctor tried to convince me to get a new one put in. I refused. My period went back to normal right away, and I became my happy self again. My husband and I use condoms. We both agreed birth control has its pros but many cons that can harm the woman's body."

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

Copper topical 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."

• Par...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2022

Copper topical for Birth Control "I had my copper IUD inserted three and a half months ago. Insertion was fine. I had a heavy period that lasted 16 days, accompanied by extreme period pain, diarrhea. After the second period (16 days) ended, I began to experience mood swings and deep lows. My cystic acne began. After 20 years of clear skin, and almost no mood swings, the non-hormonal IUD was throwing my body into disarray. Ridiculous bloating and pain continues. My skin is getting worse. I believe my body is rejecting the copper IUD. This is definitely not for me, and I am getting it removed ASAP. Do not recommend!!"

• yog...
• December 19, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "I first started ParaGard in 2012. The first couple of years, I didn't notice anything other than the usual side effects. My periods got really heavy, and I became seriously anemic. Around 2015, I began having extreme mood shifts right before my period. It was getting worse as time went on, so I went on an antidepressant, but it didn't do much with the PMS depression crashes. By 2017, my period was heavier than it had been in the past. I was also bleeding much more frequently. The extreme moods were so much worse. I was near suicidal whenever I would have PMS. Just to be totally accurate with this review, I have a history of depression and anxiety but had never experienced anything like this. I began reading reviews and other experiences with the ParaGard and heard similar stories. About six months ago, I got the ParaGard removed. My period went back to normal immediately after removal. The mood episodes are almost non-existent."

• Ann...
• December 9, 2018

Copper topical 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

Copper topical 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!"

• Ano...
• July 15, 2016

Copper topical for Birth Control "I have had my ParaGard for almost 7 months. I am 20 years old, no kids. Before the ParaGard, I was on a low dosage birth control, and it was horrible for my body. The pill made me gain an incredible amount of weight, I had terrible mood swings, and lost hair. My gyno suggested the ParaGard because it was hormone-free and lasted 10 years. Getting it inserted was one of the most excruciating experiences of my life. I threw up immediately after and almost passed out. The next two days I couldn't get out of bed due to the horrible cramps. Besides the first few days, I absolutely love the ParaGard. My periods are normal, and I'm back to my old self. I suggest it for anyone who's thinking about it, but just be ready for a few days of pain."

• Anonymous
• December 10, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "I received this after having my son on 12/15/17. I started having mood swings, and my weight gain was horrible (I’ve always been small). Then I started having really bad headaches, and my hair was falling out in globs. Eighteen months after having my son and going through all these side effects, I started bleeding badly. My husband took me to the ER, and they gave me a pregnancy test (it’s required). It came back positive. They sent me down for an ultrasound to get some more info on if the ParaGard was still there or not. Come to find out it was still there, and I was five weeks pregnant. They took it out and told me there was a high risk of a miscarriage. We went back two weeks later to see if they could see anything or if I just had an empty sac. They found a yolk sac. I am now luckily 27 weeks pregnant with a healthy baby boy (our miracle IUD baby). I would not recommend ParaGard for anyone as a contraceptive, as it didn't work. I would mark zero if I could. I have stressed my baby this whole pregnancy due to some “supposed to be 99% effective.”"

• Joy...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 31, 2017

Copper topical for Birth Control "I'm 25, a single mother to 8-year-old twins. An IUD was my choice of birth control. I've had ParaGard for over 5 years already, and I can say it's perfect. Haven't gotten pregnant, period lasts about 3 days, no mood swings, no pain, no heavy period. I love it, and I'm happy I chose ParaGard. I had used other birth control methods and hated them. If you're not planning to have kids soon, this is the best method to avoid having any, lol."

• Bla...
• January 28, 2020

Copper topical for Birth Control "Got IUD inserted on 01/22/20. In June 2018, I had been pregnant and just had a miscarriage. After that, I got on the pills, Norethindrone to be exact, suffer from migraines, so this pill was recommended as it is less hormonal - IT WAS A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. Gained over 40 lbs, relationship was bad due to mood swings and crying. I heard about the IUD, never knew ParaGard existed. I did research and also spoke to a few friends that have it, they got mixed reviews and reading here kind of scared me still went for it. Day of appointment, took 800 mg Ibuprofen. I was on my last day of menstrual cycle so cervix was open. A bit uncomfortable felt like a contraction for a second while she measured me, then after, didn't feel anything. Overall, I had small cramps the same day and spotted until Friday. Friday I stopped my pills and I guess because of that, I started heavy bleeding Saturday night which went on until Monday morning. I'm now spotting again on and off. No cramps as of yet. Tomorrow will make 1 week since I had it placed. I just been suffering from the changes of stopping pills. I will update in 2 months."

• CJa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 19, 2019

Copper topical for Birth Control "If you are like me, then you may love this birth control! I have tried everything... pills, patches, the shot, hormonal IUDs. Every single hormonal BC has resulted in severe mood swings for me! I get severe PMS without birth control, and hormones just make it worse. The good thing about my body is that I have very light periods and no cramps. I have not had any changes in my PMS symptoms, and I have been using it for about 6 months. Downside: getting it inserted was excruciating for me. I have not had any children, so that probably made it worse. I felt painful contractions for several hours. Had mild discomfort for a couple of days. I do have a heavier period now, but the trade-off is worth it for me. I have not gotten pregnant and have a regular sex life with my husband. This birth control has been a godsend for me. I think it is a great solution for people who don’t have physical period symptoms and who suffer more from PMS. The temporary pain was worth it for me."

• Boy...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 21, 2018

Copper topical for Birth Control "I have had the ParaGard in for 6 years now and love it! I have tried other forms of birth control in the past and always seemed to have a hard time with the hormones. I have tried lower doses and I still end up with the moodiness, bloating, irritability, and major mood swings at random times. I have experienced none of that with this. Getting it put in was not the most comfortable experience... I did, of course, experience cramping for a couple of hours after, but then it subsided and I was fine. My periods were a little on the heavier side for the next 6 months, but after that, my periods went back to normal. I have had no issues whatsoever and am happy with the ParaGard. My sister-in-law was also on the ParaGard for 8 years and then decided she wanted to try to have another child. She had it removed after 8 years and was able to get pregnant within 2 months of having it removed. She also had a positive experience with it."