Comparing Annovera vs ParaGard

For Birth Control: I’ve been on Annovera for a little over a month. Initially, it worked extremely well. I started it on day 2 of my period, and it completely stopped my flow and my cramps. I did have a few mild headaches and nausea in the first week or so of using it, but nothing bad. The period week was a nightmare of heavy bleeding and excruciatingly painful cramping. It was much worse than my normal period. Since re-inserting the ring for the second cycle, I’ve been having mild to moderate cramping every day, and I’m so nauseated that I’ve completely lost my appetite. That said, I’m planning to stick with it because it has been extremely effective for my endometriosis and has already reduced the size of my Endometrioma. I would still recommend this birth control to anybody because you never know how your body is going to react to it. It’s so convenient that you don’t have to take a pill, and I haven’t experienced any change in libido like I have with other birth control.

For Birth Control: I’ve been using Annovera for one month so far, I’m going to give it another month to get a better idea of long term. So far I’m feeling much more depressed and fatigued than normal. I like that it lasts for a year and you don’t have to remember to take a pill everyday, but I’m hoping these unwanted side affects go away soon. I’ll update again when it’s been another month or 2.

For Birth Control: I had the copper IUD 9 months. Overall its a good form of birth control. However I got it removed because I think it led to horrible periods, not only more blood but also longer periods, up to 10 days, PMS depression and hormone related conditions. My hair also started falling out after 7 months, may be due to anemia caused by blood loss. I think it's not wise to leave it in too long.

For Birth Control: Really conflicted on ParaGard. For more than two years, I was happy to deal with the side effects (heavier periods w/ stronger cramping) if it meant safe, non-hormonal birth control. However, due to some recent HEAVY & fresh bleeding outside of my normal period, something didn't feel right, so I went to an OBGYN for an exam and an ultrasound. If you think something's wrong with your IUD, MAKE SURE YOU GET AN ULTRASOUND!! After the visual exam she said it seemed fine, but an ultrasound revealed that my IUD had dropped too low into my cervix AND was partially twisted, with one arm not fully deployed. They suspect when I got it inserted I wasn't properly measured, and my too-small uterus had been trying to expel it over time. The technician said that if it couldn't be easily removed in the office ASAP, they'd need to do it in a hospital. Thankfully, it came out with no issues. My doctor recommended Kyleena bc it's smaller but I'm not sure I'm keen on another IUD.