Comparing Apri vs ParaGard

For Birth Control Was put on this because of PCOS, did exactly what it was supposed to do. Got my period exactly every 28 days, no major side effects except for weight gain (part of which I blame for starting college at the same time). Didn't gain weight at first, then I gained 10-15lbs, and overall I gained 35-40lbs. It wasn't easy to lose the weight on this either, even with diet and regular exercise.

For Birth Control I've jumped around to many birth control pills through the years - some landed me in the hospital with severe blinding abdominal pain, some made me suicidal, and some made me nauseous. This is the first one that did not do that so I was thrilled. It also bettered my severe cystic hormonal acne to only about a blemish or two a month. However, it absolutely killed every ounce of my sex drive which used to be high and healthy. That's been very frustrating. Otherwise, okay pill.

For Birth Control Paragard was the first BC ever used at 27yrs old, after my second child. The first 3-6 months were horrible heavy periods but they adjusted to heavy bleeding the first 2 days of my period... Everything was going great until 2 yrs later, now 29 out of no where I started feeling heart palpitations, trouble breathing, sweating. I figured it was high blood pressure and scheduled an appointment right away. I'm perfectly healthy but was asked to get lab work done and also asked about my birth control....Doctor told me that IUD's cause heart palpitations. Lab work came back with mild Anemia, so now I'm really bummed out because I no longer feel safe with these BC options, but also after doing some research, heart palpitations may persist after removal.

For Birth Control I have had problems with hormonal birth control since I can remember. This IUD was a simple decision for me after having my first child since it isn't hormonal. The only side effect that I have had is longer periods. I do plan on having another child some day, just not now, and I can do that with Paragard.