[amcalpin]

Hello All!

I am writing to share my experience with the Paragard IUD. It is because of my incessant googling right after insertion that I feel the need to write this. Anyway, here it goes...

Let me start by saying, I'm 26 with no kids or pregnancies of any kind. I had issues with hormone based birth control and was about to lose health insurance so my doctor recommended the hormone free, very long term option, of a copper IUD. She said all real issues I had to worry about had to do with insertion and she does a ton of them so I didn't have anything to worry about. She said it was easiest to put it in while on my period and also to take a Motrin 30 minutes before I came in. I was indeed on my period and my partner and I went. I took Motrin as I was told before I got there. Once there, I did a quick pregnancy test, then they had me disrobe and sit on the exam table. My partner held my hand, joked with me and distracted me a lot. She said this was very good. She explained what she was doing before she did it and if I had questions, she was happy to discuss. It came time, she did the thing that opens your cervix, which was by far, the worst pain in my life. It was so bad, it actually made me cry. I cannot remember the last time physical pain has made me cry, broken bones, deep cuts, bad burns, etc nothing compared to that. It was so intense. The doctor then said there would just be a little bit more pain and she'd be done. She finished, told me to take my time, said not to use tampons the rest of the day, gave me some pads, a little advice and was on her way.

It took me about 10 minutes to be ready to leave because I was cramping so severely, I felt like I had an extremely upset stomach. The rest of the night were a combination of intense cramps, gas cramps, and a feeling of upset stomach. The first night was awful. The second day, was a little better, just a little pain now and then, but nothing too bad. The third day, a little less, the fourth a little less.

Warning: gross details ahead
I've had the IUD for a week and a half and have one maybe two uterine spasms a day now and it's mild. I have a very small amount of light discharge, but not enough to make me crazy (which happens fairly easily) Also, The only way to describe the discomfort I've had is that it comes in waves, and feels like I'm very gassy and unable to pass it. Also, I experienced a strange mix of constipation and diarrhea the first few days. I felt like I had to go, nothing was there, and when I finally went, it wasn't entirely solid.

Now, less than two weeks later, I feel not just better, I feel great. Hormonal birth control was not a good solution for me and now I have 10 years of protection with no hormones, which is more reliable than nearly all of the other options. For me, a few days of discomfort is more than worth the reward for that trouble.

I think I've covered everything, but if you have any questions or anything, please don't hesitate. No detail is too personal. I have no problems divulging health related stuff.

[cmj]

I had my ParaGard inserted almost 6 1/2 years, also to get away from hormonal birth control. I have to agree that the insertion was uncomfortable but only for the moment and I did have slight cramping on and off for a few days following. The one drawback for me has been heavy periods which is common with the ParaGard. Every woman's experience is different. I hope it works well for you.

[JaneSays]

I've had it mine for about 8 months now. I've never had kids, I'm 29 and I had a similar exeperience with the insertion. It took awhile for me to not have that bloated feeling in my abdomen but it goes away. Excercise helped. I also noticed when I laid down at night maybe like a week after I had it I had some pretty severe cramping.

So far, I'm content with it as far as it being a tolerable solution to BC. I'd rather not deal with a pill or hormones. However there have been a few drawbacks.

My period is very heavy for about three days at the peak of my cycle. I use the ULTRA tampons and change it about every three hours. I don't want you to think you've made a bad decision but I also get severe menstrual cramping. It hurts so bad that I've actually became nauseated and have vomited from the pain. The stabbing pain in my uterus during these cramping episodes is usually followed by what I can only describe as a gush. There's no pretty way of putting it but at least I will know when I'm about to bleed through my tampon. At first I was happier with the heavier period because I almost didn't have one before. It's also been a lot more regular. I use ovuview {an android app} to track and I'm always on time now. I guess I never had cramps before. At least the most I felt of them was a general tightness and discomfort. I've never had episodes of stabbing pain. Completely fine one minute and the next I guess it's like a muscle spasm or contraction. Is this how people usually experience cramps?

The other drawback... You might notice an odor. I've searched other forums and I guess I'm not the only one. If the odor doesn't regulate after this cycle I'm gonna have to go get some douche. LOL. I actually haven't had intercourse in about three months and there are no other symptoms of an infection. I shower a lot. I carry scented wipes and wear a liner.

One last drawback.. if he hasn't said it yet he's being polite. He can probably feel the string. You should check for it every month but if he can feel it I guess you know it hasn't moved.

Overall I'm happy with it. I'm not in anything mongomaous at the moment so other methods are important along with it. I really like knowing there is no chance of a slip up and most of all having a sex drive again was important to me. The pill just kills it for me. So despite vomit inducing cramps once a month I can deal with it.