[Chloesmama]

OK, so the Paragard is awful. Case closed, BUT everyones body acts differently. Most of the time, if you havent had a child a IUD is not a good option, u have a higher risk of expelling the IUD (meaning your body pushes it out) I had the Paragard because like you i am unable to take hormones because of a blood clotting disorder. I currently have the Mirena, its the 5yr IUD with hormones, I did get this approved by my Hemotlogist, he said the hormones are so LOW, and they only stay confined to the Uterus, so it is really safe, and it causes no pain. With the Paragard i had constant pelvic pain, i always thought i had something horribly wrong with me. Oh and i always.... always had BV (Bacterial Vaginosis) it was such a pain in the butt. Good luck to you, i hope you choose a method that works for you!

[MrsKenna]

Concerns about the copper IUD

Hi there, I had a copper T IUD inserted 11 days ago. When I had it inserted, I did experience the cramps and some little blood (was told it was normal). It was not a fun visit due to the pain, but I had no complications and the nurse and doctor was very sweet to me. It's now day 11 and still spotting and I am fraustrated because I want it to stop so I may have sex with my husband. I have been taking ibuprofen and noticed it is slowing the spotting and helping with the cramps just a little. I have checked and still have my strings, no abnormal pain, no fever. Is this normal? 11 days?

[lailat818]

I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THOSE WITH BAD Experience's WITH IUD s--
Simply put, I have a suspicion that problems may occur more frequently in people who have sensitive skin or common and unusual skin conditions [i.e. keratosis pilaris (small red bumps, frequently found on the upper arms of children and adults, no itching/other symptoms)]. I have these suspicions for a number of reasons all of which are enhanced by my schooling - BS in Bio and Masters of Nursing in process. So question is, IF YOU HAD A BAD REACTION DO YOU FALL INTO THE SENSITIVE/IRREGULAR SKIN CATEGORY?

I had a reaction to ParaGard. After having it for almost 3 years I started getting chronic yeast infections that were unbareable and never went away. I repeatedly asked my doctor if it could be caused by the ParaGard and he said no. I went to two additional doctors and got the same response. Finally I asked the third doctor to just remove it and within a week I was cured. I do not have sensative or irregular skin. I am considering getting another one inserted because it is the only non-hormonal method. Has anyone who has had a reaction had a second one? If so, what was your experience?

[LilJPB]

I have had a positive experience with Paragard (inserted 9 years ago) and will soon go to have it replaced. I was advised to take pain reliever beforehand, and it was pretty much like a pap smear. Felt a little "ping!" when the little arms popped open, and had a slight vagal (basically a very dizzy/lightheaded moment soon afterward taht goes away in a few moments) but no other problems. A little bleeding for the first few weeks and all systems normal since then. It's a great option SO LONG AS YOU ARE IN A MUTUALLY MONOGAMOUS RELATIONSHIP.

I am one of those who cannot use any hormonal method, and I am allergic to nickel so Essure is out. Since pregnancy at my age and with various health conditions would be risky, dh and I have decided that our one wonderful daughter is definitely it. He WILL NOT get snipped and I don't particularly want to go get my tubes tied (nor does insurance pay for this), so it'll be a copper IUD again, as that's pretty much the only other really reliable option.

I'm disturbed by all the misinformation out there on how IUDs work. If you look at the website of the National Libraries of Medicine and go to their journals records and type in IUD mechanism of action, you'll find that there are studies demonstrating that the copper IUD (1) makes the vagina and cervix inhospitable to sperm (2) affects the ability of eggs to be released and/or fertilized in the uterus, in addition to it not allowing fertilized eggs to implant properly. It is NOT an abortifacient in my opinion, as it prevents the two things necessary for pregnancy to be clinically confirmed: (1) fertilization and (2) implantation (you can't be pregnant if the egg isn't implanted!! yes, all those IVF embryos are POTENTIALLY pregnancies, but they require successful implantation to really be a pregnancy). (Of course the Mirena IUD has the additional protection of hormones, but that's not an option for some of us.)

[bonsai20303]

My not so fun ordeal.... but i will try again

I had a Paragard copper t IUD inserted on November 16 (7 weeks after delivering my 3rd and hopefully final baby). I had a tubal scheduled, but had complications during delivery of my baby that involved clotting. Therefore, the anesthesiologist and nurses felt it would be in my best interest to further discuss my options with my doctor at my six week check up. I did. It was then that I decided this was probably the best option for me. After 3 weeks I had to have it removed. Saturday I began vomit and experience flu like symptoms ( a sign of complications ). I went in to the doctors office and discovered that it had detatched and was off to the side of my vagina. I did start my first period just a fewe days earlier and had almost no cramping or pain. I am surprised at how many people took pain meds before the procedure. I really didn't think it was all that bad. The doctor says he won't reinsert for 3 months. They scheduled for 2 and a half and said doc would be okay with a little early. We will see.

[dholley1987]

Much like anything else, how a paragard works depends entirely upon the person using it. I have had mine for about six months now and I find myself riding the fence about whether or not to have it taken out. Although overall I haven't experienced any problems quite as severe as others I've read about, I have encountered problems. I am bleeding heavier (which in all fairness I was warned that I might). However, I used to experience light to moderate bleeding every 21 days for 3 days. Now I experience moderate to heavy bleeding every 14 to 17 days for about 5 days. I have also found that I am having some discomfort in my pelvic area. This is not constant nor does it happen on a regular basis but it does occur from time to time. There are also certain sexual positions I find to be uncomfortable now (some of my favorites actually). Although this all sounds terrible it's not as bad as it sounds. I have seen a doctor twice and both times He has assured me I am not at risk for any type of infection or disease as far as he can tell. He said the discomfort usually decreases with time. Since I trust my obgyn very much, I have decided to take his advice and stick it out for a bit to see if things get better. After all, the one thing a paragard does provide is peace of mind. It is nice to know that my birth control is taken care of for the next ten years without having to take a pill.

[Faerunner]

8 month update: Everything's been good so far! The first few months, bleeding was fairly heavy and I got periods twice a month for a few months but the last two have been on schedule and lighter again as I think my body's adjusting. No real cramps and no infections yet, either. I check on my strings with clean fingers every few weeks; nothing's moved yet! If the first 3 months were the worst that I'll experience, I will be a Paragard believer for life!

I am crossing my fingers though; I have read a lot of posts about BV/yeast infections starting up after a few months/years with an IUD, so I am going to try to keep eating well and drinking cranberry juice to put off any potential infections, and hope for the best!

[dancer9]

Pre-marital Paragard IUD insertion questions/concern...

Hello again everyone

My Fiancée and I are still trying to set a date for our wedding...we most likely will have it about a year from now. My question/concern is: when does any one of you ladies who have experience with the Paragard IUD recommend having it inserted? In other words, how long does it take for your body to REALLY adjust to having this foreign object inside. I am still a virgin and have never used any type of birth control but I know that this is what I will have to use. My thoughts are that I should go have it inserted at least a few months before my honeymoon...so I won't have to have the extreme cramps and bleeding on our special night. Thinking around 6 months prior...I would very much appreciate any and all advice you have...Thanks so much...

[mom2LJ]

I got the Paragard copper IUd back in November 2010. For me, it was painful at insertion and cramps started right away, along with bleeding. I also had it put in a few days before my period was supposed to start, so I ended up bleeding for around 10 days. Every woman is different and I guess since it's been so long since I had a child (7yrs) that it went a bit rough for me. The pain felt alot like labor and I was slightly dizzy, I had to tell them to stop at one point. And so far, now i've missed my december period and it's already the middle of january and still nothing. I've had on going cramps, some debilitating and stressed at this point. But never know, your body might just like it.

[linhovey]

I spent hours reading through this forum before deciding to get a Paragard IUD and just wanted to share my experience.

I say, if your only concerns are a little pain and a little adjustment period that your body will put you through, then go for it. I have had my IUD in for almost three months now. The insertion was of course not comfortable. I had it done at Planned Parenthood for $700. In my state, they do not offer any discounts for IUDs even though I am "low income". The key with making the insertion more bearable is to follow their instructions. I waited until I was on my period, took a prescribed cervical softening pill ($10) and 800 mg of advil before going in. The whole procedure took about 10 mins, but for me part of that was because the arms did not pop open the first time she inserted it, and she had to pull back and try again. Youch.

I have not had any children so I figured they would hesitate, but it was no problem. It is so small that its not a problem. I baked like 3 batches of cookies the same day I got it put in. I thought I'd be stuck in bed with cramps but it wasnt bad!

The hardest part for me for the first month was random cramps that would come on without any reason, and by the time my period started, yes it was very heavy and yes midol barely took the edge off the cramps, but they'll give you extra ibuprofen 800mg for that too. The cramps feel different, sometimes kind of sharp, probably b/c they are uterine contractions, and well, now theres a foreign object in there...

But heres the best part, my second period after having it inserted was almost normal. Bleeding a bit more heavy but not bad and it lasted about the same length as usual.

Overall, I would definitely suggest paragard. I cannot take hormonal bc because it exacerbates my migraines, so this was my last option. I am 26 but not planning to have kids for another 4 years or so, and I think the upfront cost makes it definitely worth it considering no pills no condoms and no preventative measures.