New Paragard user, have a few questions for the other users

[Kai]

Okay, I just had the Paragard inserted last Tuesday (so 5 days ago). I have one child, the insertion was uncomfortable at times but not unbearable. I bled a bit after the insertion, then spotted for 3 days.

Strangely, the last two mornings I wake up fine, but just as I am getting out of bed I get sharp cramps for about 30 seconds, then go away. I have been taking Aleve or ibuprofen with my morning coffee, but none the rest of the day, and do not get any further cramps.

Okay, this part is kind of gross (at least to me, so thank heavens I am anonymous here). I have been using pantyliners, but am noticing a wetness going around them. I thought perhaps I was producing excess vaginal fluids, but to be honest there is an odor that is closer to urine! I am puzzled - could I suddenly be having a problem with leaking? Or has my vaginal fluids changed due to the copper? Anyone else have a similar experience? Which leads me to my next question...

My boyfriend lives out of state so this was the perfect time to get this inserted - plenty of time to rest up and get used to it. He highly enjoys performing oral sex (yay me!) - my concern is, will my "taste" change due to the copper? I will go get this thing yanked right out if someone tells me their partner tells them they taste like a penny now.

Thanks for reading, looking forward to reading responses.

[abcmom]

Gosh, I was hoping somebody had responded to your question...I have 3 children, all 2 years apart. I have a history of migraine headaches when I take any type of hormonal contraception. I am highly considering the paragard but my husband's and my main concern is the same as yours... Will I taste different? He also loves performing oral sex and he loves the way I taste... I noticed you posted this last year...How have you been? Was there a change?

[Kai]

Well it's been quite a year. I'll give you my experience and am happy to answer any other questions you have.

Before I had the implant, I got PMS about 12-24 hours prior to the onset of my period, and my periods lasted about 6 days... Since having the implant I was getting PMS symptoms up to 4 or 5 days prior to onset and my periods last about 7-10 days (1 day of lighter, 2-3 of extremely heavy, the rest tapering to EXTREMELY light).

I did notice something very interesting though - I moved last month, and it was right around the same time as my time of the month. I noticed that while I was doing the physical activity (going up and down stairs, hauling boxes, etc), my PMS was much closer to the onset - like it used to be - and my period was shorter.

As for taste - I have asked my boyfriend about it and he has not found any odd taste. To be honest, we were only together once before I had the implant, so he can't really judge a change in me. But he has not noticed any coppery taste or anything like that.

Hope that helps.

[Mes T]

I got my copper IUD about a month ago and have loved it thus far... I did have a much heavier period, though, the first time! I hope I'll be lucky enough to have it lighten up a little as time goes by...

Kai, do you have any more cramps?

[Kai]

No, the odd cramps have gone. I will get the usual cramping with the first day or so of my period but nothing unusual.

[abcmom]

Kai, thank you...It does help...I hope I can get it done...I just realized that I'm almost a week overdue...Waiting for my period...I have been through alot this past month, so, I'm kinda hoping the reason would be that...Until then...