[CheneyRae]

Hello!
I know that there have been some older threads about this but not very many people seemed to respond. So I thought I would try again. I am looking into getting Paragard. There is a history of breast cancer in my family and also because it just seems more convenient. My mom had it three times, one of which was hormone responsive. I have been on a low hormone birth control pill and have no issues with it, but would like to be off a hormone all together. I am 20, engaged, and have never had children.
I have done a LOT of research on paragard and have read many experiences, almost ALL of which were horrible experiences. Has anyone had a good experience with Paragard? Thanks!

[TaimaPup]

Mine embedded in me and caused heavy bleeding, the string cut me and caused cramping, deep pain during/after sex and random shooting pelvic pains... I am also 20 with no children... The IUD should never have been placed in someone like us. Insertion and removal were the two most painful experiences I am ever going to have had, likely... Sorry, the only positive is being spontaneous. Your partner may not like condoms (or routinely break them..) And you eliminate the chance of human error (eg forgetting a pill....

[KTahoe]

I did!

I had an appointment on Monday to get my Mirena out and paragaurd in. I did not like the hormones in Mirena because I think it was affecting me negatively (no sex drive, and maybe some other things, but can't be positive it was due to the IUD), so after 2.5 years I wanted to try paragaurd. I was dreading this appointment because when I got the Mirena in, it was the most painful experience, oh my goodness! I took a cervix dilator (because I was 25 without ever giving birth), but lost the instructions and did it incorrectly, so maybe that is why. Anyways, I took 3 asprin before the procedure and get this, it was barely uncomfortable! I was shocked when it was over. Now I never ever take any sort of pain medication, so maybe it had an intense effect on me, but since my appointment this Monday (12/10) I have not taken any more pills and have had no cramps at all. I have been lightly bleeding ever since, but I haven't had a period in like 5 years (depo and Mirena pretty much stopped them) so I am almost happy about it. Before other birth controls I did not really have cramps during my periods and I was a 2 or 3 day heavy bleeder. I will be interested to see how this pans out for me. Since the bleeding is the only side effect (with the exception of the slight chance of it doing damage to the cervix) I will take it over the Mirena with the multiple possible side effects. Sorry if there are a lot of details, but I was searching around too before I made the switch and I was happy to find people that gave a lot of details. If you haven't gotten it yet, I can try to update you on how it is going! All the people at Planned Parenthood I talked to warned me of intense possible bleeding, but I think they just want to prepare you for the worst. Mirena you don't bleed or release eggs, which made my body not feel very womanly. Good luck!

****Also, I found a good amount of people with good experiences online. I also find that people are less likely to post about a positive experience, people love to complain!

Hello!
I know that there have been some older threads about this but not very many people seemed to respond. So I thought I would try again. I am looking into getting Paragard. There is a history of breast cancer in my family and also because it just seems more convenient. My mom had it three times, one of which was hormone responsive. I have been on a low hormone birth control pill and have no issues with it, but would like to be off a hormone all together. I am 20, engaged, and have never had children.
I have done a LOT of research on paragard and have read many experiences, almost ALL of which were horrible experiences. Has anyone had a good experience with Paragard? Thanks!

[HeatherRebecca]

Hello!
I know that there have been some older threads about this but not very many people seemed to respond. So I thought I would try again. I am looking into getting Paragard. There is a history of breast cancer in my family and also because it just seems more convenient. My mom had it three times, one of which was hormone responsive. I have been on a low hormone birth control pill and have no issues with it, but would like to be off a hormone all together. I am 20, engaged, and have never had children.
I have done a LOT of research on paragard and have read many experiences, almost ALL of which were horrible experiences. Has anyone had a good experience with Paragard? Thanks!

I agree with KTahoe, people ARE more likely to complain than to post rave reviews.

I can say this, I got it last Wednesday: I'm a chronic 6+ year migraine sufferer, which is why I am on paragard. My GYN recommended it - I am nulliparious, 23, non smoker, do not drink except maybe a few times a year. I can say the pain - is pretty bad. BUT! I would do it again. Pain aside, I am enjoying the feeling of being hormone free. I'm hoping it improves my migraines - even if not, I'm realizing that hormones could be a negative impact for some women, and I'd rather not risk it. I'm in a serious relationship so condoms aren't necessary for my boyfriend and I. I was on NuvaRing for about 6 months, BCP Junel a year or two before that. Never had problems on them as far as reactions go, just trying to weed things out for the migraines is all.

The pain was an intense cramping/pinching for me - even with the dilation meds - I almost passed out/ and threw up but I also did not have a good breakfast nor do I believe I took enough medication - so PLEASE make sure you eat a good meal beforehand AND take a good dosage (I should've taken 1000 mg of Tylenol so 2 extra strength capsules instead of just 2 200 mg capsules of Advil)

Best of luck in your decision - The cramping and the bleeding has subsided for me - every woman is different but I am feeling better about my decision. I am only concerned about developing pimples/acne since I haven't been off hormonal BC since I was in my teens - if that occurs I will have to look into something topical. I've read a multi-vitamin is beneficial to help keep things in balance as far as the copper, etc if that is a concern for you. I take the multi-vitamin to help with my topamax for migraines so it doesn't have any relation to the IUD but I figure it can't hurt.

[Pigeon]

I've had a paragard for about 8 months now, and with a few ups and downs I'd say it's been a great fit for me. It does take some leveling out at first.

Insertion was painful, but not unbearable at all. Being I've never given birth, I did expect some pain. My cervix is small and he had trouble measuring it. The measuring was by far the worst, putting the device in was nothing. I took four advil before, which definitely helped. I had no dizziness and went back to work. Had some slight cramping for a few days, but had sex the night of insertion and everything was great.

I'm already prone to painful, heavy periods. The first few were rough and long, but now things have leveled out. I can't say my periods are heavier or more painful, in some respects they are a little better! I do get some spotting and light cramping during ovulation and a few days prior to be period.

Last month I had a horrible period, I cramped badly for over a week after my period. I went to gyno and was diagnosed with "bad period."

This month was fine, dunno what happened but hopefully it doesn't happen again! Strings poked my boyfriend for the first time last week. Went away after my period, must have to do with cervix lenth so that should be expected from time to time.

All and all, it's great. I'm factor five so it's this or condoms, I'll definitely stick with this bc!

[CheneyRae]

Thank you all for your replies! I have recently been having issues with hair loss with the birth control pill I switched to. Yikes! So, I think I am going to go ahead and get the Paragard.

[danyell1201]

I had a hysterectomy at 29 due to the paragard being embedded. The string broke during attempted removal after a pelvic ultrasound showed it had move way down. During surgery the device broke and an arm from the device was left embedded. The dr removed the uterus do i would not be left in pain since
i came to him in pain he didn't want me to continue living with pain

[Savy254]

I love it!

Okay, so two days ago I was like you. I am 21, in a serious monogamous relationship, and I've never had kids. I can't handle hormonal birth control, so I decided on the Paragard IUD. I had read all the awful reviews about the pain and bad experiences, but I chose to trust my doctor and get it done anyways. I am now on day three of having it, and already I like it. If I said it didn't hurt that would be a horrid lie. It hurt, but not as bad as I had scared myself into believing. It was just like a bad period cramp. I took some acetaminophen and ibuprofen before and after I got it done, and I do believe that helped quite a bit. The evening I got it done was the worst. I kept a heat pack on it and didn't do a single thing except relax. I was able to sleep just fine and woke up with just fairly bad period cramps and some swelling. That was yesterday. Again, I took both acetaminophen and ibuprofen and it helped tons. Today I feel great. The swelling is still there with mild cramps, but nothing bad at all! Don't worry about it so much. When you get it done, just relax for a couple days afterwards and you'll be all good to go. It does hurt, but it's not crazy awful worst-you'll-ever-experience pain. Oh please.

[calibri~]

I'm glad someone has something good to say about paraguard. When I had one the insertion was uncomfortable but ultimately ok, no major pain the following days but then the horrifically heavy and painful periods started, for unknown reasons my acne got worse, my partners penis got scratched by the strings and then after experiencing pain that almost floored me, I discovered it had slipped down and imbedded in my cervix. I had to go to the hospital to have it removed, then was back a couple of days later because I got a bad infection. I'm never having one again, and I would not recommend to anyone young that has not had children.

[Ray22]

I don't know why the Paragard seems to have so many negative reviews. Honestly, I love mine. I recommend it to anyone and every female I know looking for a BC option.
I am 22 years old, and have never had any kids. I chose the paragard because I didn't want to take any hormones being as my moods were already all over the place and I've struggled with my weight my entire life and was afraid of the side effects of hormonal contraceptives so I opted for the paragard. I had tried the nuva ring and I had a HORRIBLE experience with is but I will spare you all the details. I got mine in March 2014 so it's been four months and the only negative thing I can say about the Paragard is that the cramps two or three days before my period are horrific. I literally have to down at least four advils/ motrin/aleve/ Tylenol or w|e else I can find! I try to take it easy on the pain medications but sometimes the cramps are that unbearable. I also put hot water in a plastic water bottle and place in where I have the cramps (Heating pad works just as fine!).
my experience getting it put in was simple and took no longer than five minutes. My midwife first felt with her fingers (To see which direction my cervix was facing) then she inserted the clamp. then she measured the depth. Next she cleaned the inside of the cervix and later she put in the IUD. All I felt was a sharp pain. It feels like a really bad period cramp. I was on my period when I got it done so I was already bleeding. after she finished I got dressed and went about the rest of my day. I bled the next day b|c of my period and that was it. the next month my period was heavier and lasted 7 days and the cramps were so bad, some days I would stay in bed. the second month my period was still heavier and cramps were still bad. the next month lasted five days. and now four months later its only 4 days long. The cramps are still HORRIFIC. but like I said, nothing some pain medication wont fix. Aside from the horrible cramps I love my paragard. I don't have to worry about any pregnancy scares, I don't have to stop what I'm doing to pop a pill at the same time everyday. over all it's super convenient. once a month right after my period has gone, I can do a self check and feel for the nylon strings to make sure its still in place. my boyfriend doesn't feel it during intercourse and we are both happy. I say go for it! It's totally worth it!