Thread: Considering Paragard (copper T IUD)

lol surely hope so. I'll probably give an update on how I'm feeling tomorrow. I've just heard so many nightmares about IUD's that I honestly can't tell what's normal and what's not normal :/ I'm SOOOOO glad I found this place though that's for sure!

This has been such a useful thread! I'd heard nothing but horror stories about IUDs and had crossed them off the list without further research before I came here. I was/am considering sterilization as an option because I am so tired of the dryness and lack of libido that have come with the pill. I am excited to find all these posts in support of Paragard!

I'm going to call Planned Parenthood this week and set up my yearly exam, and when I get there I'm going to ask all about IUDs. I am a little nervous because of the mention that skin sensitivities might be an issue. I am sensitive to nickel though I wouldn't call it a full-blown allergy (it just makes me itchy, and raises a tiny rash in the contact area). I've never been tested for other skin allergies and rejecting the IUD would be a big concern for me. I am 24 and have never been pregnant.

Hi everyone I'm sorry to hear about the bad experiences that some of you are having. I go in for my first check on the paraguard tomorrow and I just have to say that I still can't believe with all of these bad experiences that I've heard that I'm one of the lucky ones.... I have ALWAYS been one of the unlucky ones and had adverse reactions to almost EVERYTHING (my family & friends all joke about being a hypochondriac lol...which I'm sure I am at times lol) I am SOOOO glad that I found this site because I had a chance to read both sides of things and I believe that I've made the best choice for myself that I could have ever made. I can see that not everyone is as lucky I can only say this : If you are thinking about the Paragurd don't make your decision based on other people before you do a lot of research about your own body first because what may be wonderful for one person may not work for someone else. I have always been a pessimist about things like this but this time I was more optimistic and I couldn't be happier about the decision I have made. Even though I have read the bad experiences I took chance that I wold not have normally taken and it has turned out very favorable in my situation...and since this I have taken more chances (not risky ones) than I would have before and I have learned that without taking risks You may miss out on things. You only live once and if it's a chance that is not dangerous to your health I think it's worth taking. But that is only MY opinion from personal experience. But with a positive attitude things seem to be easier to handle when they do get bad because you just say to yourself..."well they have to get better form here" I will continue to report my progress

I just found this site today and it's been quite helpful. I'm 19 and considering paragard..mainly because it's either that or mirena as my only options. I suffer from migraines with auras so my neurologist said I was not allowed to take estrogen based birth controls. Well, in December I decided to try the Depo shot..I was told it was my only option. Worst mistake ever. My migraines started coming on all the time, I've had 20 in the past two months and I've been bleeding since January 7th and my new ob/gyn said I may not stop for another 3-5 months and that's when he brought up the IUDs. I was intrigued by paragard because it's hormone free, my only concern is reading about all the heavy bleeding considering I've already been on my period for over 2 months now. I'm just not sure how the paragard will do with that..my doctor didn't seem to be concerned but I'm just wondering if you guys have any thoughts?

Originally Posted by marebo

I just found this site today and it's been quite helpful. I'm 19 and considering paragard..mainly because it's either that or mirena as my only options. I suffer from migraines with auras so my neurologist said I was not allowed to take estrogen based birth controls. Well, in December I decided to try the Depo shot..I was told it was my only option. Worst mistake ever. My migraines started coming on all the time, I've had 20 in the past two months and I've been bleeding since January 7th and my new ob/gyn said I may not stop for another 3-5 months and that's when he brought up the IUDs. I was intrigued by paragard because it's hormone free, my only concern is reading about all the heavy bleeding considering I've already been on my period for over 2 months now. I'm just not sure how the paragard will do with that..my doctor didn't seem to be concerned but I'm just wondering if you guys have any thoughts?

In my experience, I could not tell you what my normal period bleeding is like. I started hormonal birth control since I was 19 now 35. I stopped HBC almost 2yrs ago. Since HBC regulates your cycles you really don't know what is normal bleeding. On HBC I bleed like 3 to 4 days tops that's it. I have ParaGard and this is what I have known with my period bleeding with my iud. 2 days of slight spotting, 1 day of normal bleeding, 1 day of heavey bleeding then 2 more days of spotting. So a total of 6days. For me that's bearable.
NOw, you said that you have been bleeding for 2 months now and your doctor does not seem concerned about you getting and IUD especially ParaGard. I would be concerned because ParaGard does increase bleeding during your period.

Originally Posted by marebo

I just found this site today and it's been quite helpful. I'm 19 and considering paragard..mainly because it's either that or mirena as my only options. I suffer from migraines with auras so my neurologist said I was not allowed to take estrogen based birth controls. Well, in December I decided to try the Depo shot..I was told it was my only option. Worst mistake ever. My migraines started coming on all the time, I've had 20 in the past two months and I've been bleeding since January 7th and my new ob/gyn said I may not stop for another 3-5 months and that's when he brought up the IUDs. I was intrigued by paragard because it's hormone free, my only concern is reading about all the heavy bleeding considering I've already been on my period for over 2 months now. I'm just not sure how the paragard will do with that..my doctor didn't seem to be concerned but I'm just wondering if you guys have any thoughts?

Marebo, When I was 24 years old I got the Depo shot.... It is 11 years later and I still say it was the worst mistake I EVER made. I bled constantly. I had a mental meltdown. I gained 40 pounds. The hormones in that shot screwed up the chemical make up on so many physical and mental levels that I have been on HUNDREDS of different medications since then. I am one of those unfortunate people that does NOT do hormones well. I have had 2 periods since I have had the paraguard. The first one was a little rough because of the cramps but it didn't seem too much longer. The second one was longer. The first 4 days were light but I had about 4 pretty heavy days then 2 or 3 days of spotting again. But I have to say that for ME.... It was completely worth it considering everything the Depo did to me. I wold suggest letting the hormones clear out of your system before making ANY decisions about any chemicals you put in your body.... Even the paraguard so that you're not still feeling the effects of one thing thinking it is a reaction to the other.

I had mine put in Nov 18, 2009. I know we all have different pain tolerance levels and handle various types of pain differently. Not to freak anyone out, but this was the most painful thing I ever had done. More so than cervical biopsies, fillings without novacaine, etc. I nearly came off of the table, and dry heaved for a while afterwards. The pain was incredible that afternoon and evening, I should have taken the rest of the day off. I was ok by the next day. But that's just me. After insertion I bled for 29 consecutive days. Since then I haven't really had a regulated cycle, sometimes I bleed every other week, sometimes every three, maybe more time between. 2 of the days in my "period" are extremely heavy, but the others really aren't that bad. I had been on Depo for 5 1/2 years prior to paragard, so my body is coming off of all of those hormones.
It's really nice not to be on hormones. I am pregnancy-phobic, and eventually will probably calm down on this method. I will get it removed as soon as I can convince my doctor to give me a tubal ligation, as neither my husband nor I desire to have children. Aside from the screwed up cycle and initial pain I haven't had any undesirable side effects. I'd say that I lost weight since getting paragard, and after the first what-is-fishing-line-doing-in-your-girl-parts discussion with my husband(who was deployed during the first 3 months) sex and strings haven't been an issue.
Well I hope that didn't come across as just rambling and maybe helped someone.