Paragard IUD Experience (GOOD!)
Hi, I'm new! I just have to shout it from the rooftops...
It's been my experience that people who are unsatisfied with the outcome of something are much louder than people who are satisfied with the outcome of something. So, in an effort to balance out the bad press, here's my Paragard experience.
I am 28, one pregnancy, married. I have struggled with different forms of HBC for the last 5-6 years. I've gained a collossal amount of weight, chronic yest infections, regular BV infections (never had the infection problem before HBC) my moodswings have gotten much worse and I am now officially someone with generalized anxiety disorder and severe depression. I hit bottom a couple of months ago when I felt suicidal for what seemed like no good reason. I've pill hopped..only to get spotting, severe stomach cramps during that time of the month, IBS, just a total nightmare. I'm fed up. And I'm married, so, using condoms or other barrier methods just don't seem to make sense to me.
I made the decision to get Paragard about a month and a half ago. I went to PLanned Parenthood and they operate on sliding scale in my state. Paragard cost me nothing except a nominal donation. I went in for my consultation and I had plenty of questions for her, all of which she answered to my satisfaction. She seemed very confident that I was an ideal candidate for this form of BC. She explained to call for my insertion when my next period started and they would get me in in the 7 day window. She also recommended that I take 400-800 mg of ibuprofen before I went in. I was all set.
3 weeks later, my p came. I called, they fit me in (close call though as it was a holiday weekend!) right on the 6th day of my cycle. I took 800mg of ibuprofen (hey I'm a sissy) and went in first thing in the morning. They ran some tests (hemoglobin, pregnancy, STD) all which came out just fine. Time for insertion. The experience was much like going in for a pap. Undress from the waist down, here's your sheet, sit on the edge of the table. She inserted the speculum (fun), then clamped my cervix (even more fun. I'm warning you, this doesn't feel "good" by any means. It's uncomfortable) then she sounded me. The sounding was akin to having someone tugging on your intestines. It was very uncomfortable and didn't feel good. I had to take deep breaths and wiggle my toes to keep myself from squealing and squirming. That was over with pretty quickly. She inserted the paraguard applicator, I felt a very quick sharp pinch and some deep cramping. Then she took everything out, told me to get dressed and that was it. I don't mean to downplay the uncomfortableness of this, but if you can get pierced or tattooed, I think you could handle this.
I asked her when i could have sex again and she told me 7 days. I guess this is for a number of reasons. You are at a high risk of infection during this time because the ob/gyn or NP performing this basically swabs out all of the "good stuff" in there. Give your ladyparts time to repopulate their little friends. Also, your cervix will probably be very tender and sensitive from the trauma of this procedure. Also, you could quite possibly bleed. Paragard supposedly works right away, but they gave me condoms to use in case I HAD to have sex in this 7 day window just in case. Yeah, no way was that happening. I bled (kind of like a light period, spotting with a heavier day or two) for approximately 5 days following insertion. Mostly on and off and nothing that a pantyliner or thin pad couldn't handle. I felt deep cramps, although not severe enough to double me over or make me clutch my tummy. They feel more like when you do 100 situps (except lower) along with some back pain and gas (I think your abs get super active from doing all of that tensing up). Today is day 6, no bleeding, cramps are pretty much gone so I would say her 7 day window is pretty accurate. If you're considering having this done, give yourself at least a week to fully recover. Yes other women have easier experiences, but I would consider myself to be "average". I have taken a regimen of ibuprofen and vitamin E daily...2 ibuprofen in the morning with a 400 mg vitamin E softgel. That really seemed to help stop the bleeding and help with the cramps during the course of the week.
Now, I am excited to "test drive" my copper buddy (which I have nicknamed Trixie..hahah) but will give myself another day or two to finish healing and letting my lower abs relax. They really didn't like something being shoved in there! I haven't gotten my first period with paragard yet, but I am seeing a trend with other ladies who have it. Women who have had difficulties with their cycle, like heavu bleeding, spotting, heavy cramps...will probably have issues with paragard. My p was always pretty "easy", so a few more cramps and a heavier flow hopefully won't bother me too much. Also, I notice, a lot of women who have extreme issues the first few weeks on paragard are coming off years of HBC...which naturally screws up your normal cycle.
As of today, it's smooth sailing. If you are having issues on HBC and are allergic to latex or don't wish to use barriers, I would recommend the copper IUD. I guess women who have issues with their cycles do pretty well on mirena, but it wasn't an option for me since I have issues with the hormones. Again getting the IUD wasn't a pleasant or fun experience, but I think a week off is a small price to pay for 10 years of protection! I would suggest having someone drive you home and if you have someone at home to take care of you, get that lined up too. Treat yourself as if you are off sick for a day or two. Some women can return to their regular activities right away, but hey, why not milk it, right?
I also found getting up and walking aorund after the first day really helped with the back pain and cramping. Good luck ladies, and I hope this helped anyone who is considering this form of BC.
It's been my experience that people who are unsatisfied with the outcome of something are much louder than people who are satisfied with the outcome of something. So, in an effort to balance out the bad press, here's my Paragard experience.
I am 28, one pregnancy, married. I have struggled with different forms of HBC for the last 5-6 years. I've gained a collossal amount of weight, chronic yest infections, regular BV infections (never had the infection problem before HBC) my moodswings have gotten much worse and I am now officially someone with generalized anxiety disorder and severe depression. I hit bottom a couple of months ago when I felt suicidal for what seemed like no good reason. I've pill hopped..only to get spotting, severe stomach cramps during that time of the month, IBS, just a total nightmare. I'm fed up. And I'm married, so, using condoms or other barrier methods just don't seem to make sense to me.
I made the decision to get Paragard about a month and a half ago. I went to PLanned Parenthood and they operate on sliding scale in my state. Paragard cost me nothing except a nominal donation. I went in for my consultation and I had plenty of questions for her, all of which she answered to my satisfaction. She seemed very confident that I was an ideal candidate for this form of BC. She explained to call for my insertion when my next period started and they would get me in in the 7 day window. She also recommended that I take 400-800 mg of ibuprofen before I went in. I was all set.
3 weeks later, my p came. I called, they fit me in (close call though as it was a holiday weekend!) right on the 6th day of my cycle. I took 800mg of ibuprofen (hey I'm a sissy) and went in first thing in the morning. They ran some tests (hemoglobin, pregnancy, STD) all which came out just fine. Time for insertion. The experience was much like going in for a pap. Undress from the waist down, here's your sheet, sit on the edge of the table. She inserted the speculum (fun), then clamped my cervix (even more fun. I'm warning you, this doesn't feel "good" by any means. It's uncomfortable) then she sounded me. The sounding was akin to having someone tugging on your intestines. It was very uncomfortable and didn't feel good. I had to take deep breaths and wiggle my toes to keep myself from squealing and squirming. That was over with pretty quickly. She inserted the paraguard applicator, I felt a very quick sharp pinch and some deep cramping. Then she took everything out, told me to get dressed and that was it. I don't mean to downplay the uncomfortableness of this, but if you can get pierced or tattooed, I think you could handle this.
I asked her when i could have sex again and she told me 7 days. I guess this is for a number of reasons. You are at a high risk of infection during this time because the ob/gyn or NP performing this basically swabs out all of the "good stuff" in there. Give your ladyparts time to repopulate their little friends. Also, your cervix will probably be very tender and sensitive from the trauma of this procedure. Also, you could quite possibly bleed. Paragard supposedly works right away, but they gave me condoms to use in case I HAD to have sex in this 7 day window just in case. Yeah, no way was that happening. I bled (kind of like a light period, spotting with a heavier day or two) for approximately 5 days following insertion. Mostly on and off and nothing that a pantyliner or thin pad couldn't handle. I felt deep cramps, although not severe enough to double me over or make me clutch my tummy. They feel more like when you do 100 situps (except lower) along with some back pain and gas (I think your abs get super active from doing all of that tensing up). Today is day 6, no bleeding, cramps are pretty much gone so I would say her 7 day window is pretty accurate. If you're considering having this done, give yourself at least a week to fully recover. Yes other women have easier experiences, but I would consider myself to be "average". I have taken a regimen of ibuprofen and vitamin E daily...2 ibuprofen in the morning with a 400 mg vitamin E softgel. That really seemed to help stop the bleeding and help with the cramps during the course of the week.
Now, I am excited to "test drive" my copper buddy (which I have nicknamed Trixie..hahah) but will give myself another day or two to finish healing and letting my lower abs relax. They really didn't like something being shoved in there! I haven't gotten my first period with paragard yet, but I am seeing a trend with other ladies who have it. Women who have had difficulties with their cycle, like heavu bleeding, spotting, heavy cramps...will probably have issues with paragard. My p was always pretty "easy", so a few more cramps and a heavier flow hopefully won't bother me too much. Also, I notice, a lot of women who have extreme issues the first few weeks on paragard are coming off years of HBC...which naturally screws up your normal cycle.
As of today, it's smooth sailing. If you are having issues on HBC and are allergic to latex or don't wish to use barriers, I would recommend the copper IUD. I guess women who have issues with their cycles do pretty well on mirena, but it wasn't an option for me since I have issues with the hormones. Again getting the IUD wasn't a pleasant or fun experience, but I think a week off is a small price to pay for 10 years of protection! I would suggest having someone drive you home and if you have someone at home to take care of you, get that lined up too. Treat yourself as if you are off sick for a day or two. Some women can return to their regular activities right away, but hey, why not milk it, right?
I also found getting up and walking aorund after the first day really helped with the back pain and cramping. Good luck ladies, and I hope this helped anyone who is considering this form of BC.
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