[2Bpositive]

Just a question for you, how long have you had the Mirena?
If you haven't had it for that long, I would suggest to give it more time. Give your body time to adjust to it. I suggest you google IUD Divas there is a wonderful community there.
Some info ,I am 35yrs and have a 6yr old. I decided o get of off BC pills because I was on them for about 15yrs up until last year. I didn't want to do Mirena because it contained hormones so I went with Paragard. Before IUD insertion I had periods like clock work and they weren't heavy either. I have had Paragard just shy of two months. I have no cramps, spotting at times, and periods are a little heavier (nothing I can't handle). As for weight gain......well, because of the holidays I haven't been able to control my bad eating habits and I too am a workout phanatic! I'm currently doing P90X, but the goodies have ruined my good eating habits. I cannot say that my IUD is making me gain weight, but my own fault for eating way too many calories. I haven't experienced any other side effects other than just the typical ones. So, far I'm soooo glad I'm off of BC pills and onto birth control that doesn't control me. I should have had it inserted 5yrs ago.

[Wixey08]

I had my IUD inserted about 2 weeks ago. No cramping or pain during insertion, but I have been bleeding since insertion. I had expected a few days of this, but two weeks? It is not a heavy flow, no cramping and am not expecting my normal period until next week. Anyone else have this problem after getting their IUD? I don't go back for my follow up recheck until mid January.

[Mes T]

^^ Everyone seems to have a slightly different story in terms of bleeding, but I think what you're going through is normal, certainly this soon after insertion.

In other news, I am happy to report that after three very heavy periods with the IUD, my fourth one that just finished was completely "normal," just like the kind I used to have before insertion. One day of heavy bleeding in the midst of a few days of spotting/light flow. I'm very pleased, as I was kind of expecting to have a heavier than usual period for the entire lifespan of the IUD.

[2Bpositive]

In my experience, after IUD insertion I did have mild spotting for about 1 week. I too think it's normal to spot after IUD insertion. Be patient, it will soon subside.

I too would like to report on my Paragard. It's been two months since insertion and so far no problems. I do spot at random times, but then it goes away. I have no pain or discomfort at all. My period is still trying to adjust. As for heavy flow, it's very controlable. No complaints in that department. I do not get cramps during my period. I'm hoping it stays that way.

[Mes T]

Okay I know there have been posts about this but I can't find them: What's that vitamin that someone recommended to take to offset the effects of the copper, like for hair loss? I'm not experiencing that or anything but would like to get it just in case, as I had hair loss while on the hormonal pill and don't want any chance of repeating the experience!

[bina]

I just got the Para guard IUD in about two and a half months ago. I had thought about mirena but i wanted to get away from horomones and i didn't wanna be missing periods (which is typical of mirena). Anyway i was nervous because i've heard so many bad things about IUDs, but I love it! It kinda hurt to get it put in because they have to measure your cervix with a stick thingy, but it was so so worth it! The first month, I spotted for about a week, which wasn't any big thing, and was kinda crampy every so often (about twice a week), but it was nothing a little Ibuprofen couldn't take away. My first period was pretty heavy, and lasted seven days, (mine usually last about 4). This last month i had no cramping except for once or twice when i was on my period, and this one lasted about 5 days.
Honestly i've been telling everyone about it. I love being off horomones and on my body's natural cycle again after three years of horomonal birth control. I wanted to point out that alot of girls body's behave differently after getting an IUD put in because they are switching from oral contraceptives. Your horomones need time to level out. Oral birth control can help take care of acne, or weight, which is why those things may change for you when you stop taking pills. Honestly, I would suggest para guard to anyone. Best decision i ever made! (you know, regarding birth control)

[35yrold]

I found this website last week when I decided to schedule a paragard insertion. THANK GOD ! I had heard sooo many bad things but this website had both and I took the chance and got one yesterday. I was supposed to be on my period but stress delayed that and Iv'e never had children so the Doc prescribed a pill to take the morning of. I was supposed to take 600 mg of ibuprofen but somehow I forgot that as well. For someone who is a big baby when it comes to pain I thought I was in for a mess. The doc talked me through all of it and she and the nurse commented on how much that prescription helped. I don't know if I'm supposed to mention certain drugs so I will just say to ask your doc about a pill that is used sometimes before insertion of an IUD. The most uncomfortable part was the measuring thingy that bina spoke of lol. I did have cramping and I am having some today but I have not started my period yet. But for someone that is as sensitive to pain as I am I'm still saying that at this point it has been worth it to know that I will not have to stress about an unwanted pregnancy. I will try to report more in the future but less that 30 hours have passed and I'm doin ok

[2Bpositive]

Hey from a 35yr old to another, thank you for posting your IUD experience! Yes, there are sooooo many horrer stories out there and soooo little positive stories out there! I"m celebrating (yeah) quietly on my 3rd month with my iud. So, far I have not had any problems at all. Actually I'm seeing that cycle is going back to normal.

Yes, insertion can be painful for some cause everyone is different. And for some insertion isn't as painful as they thought it would be.

I have a high tolerance for pain so I was expecting the worts. I did take some ibueprophen. The doctor didn't say anything about any other meds, maybe because I have had I vaginal birth. During insertion I didn't feel anything other than just a minor pinch and that was it. I thought I would have major cramps afterwards so I waited and waited and I thought I was not normal cause I haven't had any cramps. Go figure. HOpe it stays that way.

Keep us posted on your iud progress even if it's everyday!

[bottlepink]

I am also considering Paragard after having mood swings/lack of sex drive when I was on pills back in college. I was off them for about 3 years before getting pregnant. I'm now breastfeeding and I was wondering if getting this inserted before my period returns could cause any monthly problems like bleeding, cramping, etc? I'd like to avoid all that for as long as possible. :P

Also, how big is the string? How does it compare to the string of a tampon? Anyone else have an opinion on how it affects sex?

Thanks for all the helpful information you ladies have provided on your experiences!

[Mes T]

I am also considering Paragard after having mood swings/lack of sex drive when I was on pills back in college. I was off them for about 3 years before getting pregnant. I'm now breastfeeding and I was wondering if getting this inserted before my period returns could cause any monthly problems like bleeding, cramping, etc? I'd like to avoid all that for as long as possible. :P

Also, how big is the string? How does it compare to the string of a tampon? Anyone else have an opinion on how it affects sex?

Thanks for all the helpful information you ladies have provided on your experiences!

It can cause some bleeding and cramping for the first handful of months after insertion, so if you absolutely want to avoid that, then it might be a good idea to wait. and for me personally, it's caused cramps during bleeding which i've never had before, but... they're not too bad and imo it's worth it anyway.

the strings are not at all like a tampon string. first off they're of a different material (nylon, is it?), and secondly they don't hang out of the vagina like that. my strings are currently tucked in behind my cervix. i can feel them if i prod around with my finger, but my partner can't feel them at all. and we've done almost all positions in the book.