Anyone Use ParaGard IUD?

I have the Paragard IUD. I had blood clots in my leg with my 3rd child so my doctor does not recommend anything with hormones -Mirena or birth control pills. The first 6 months I had the worst cramps ever. I could tell what side was cramping too. I still get cramps before starting but not too bad. I had an irregular period before the IUD (I'd go 3 months in between periods). I don't know how but the IUD seems to have regulated my periods and have them monthly now. I also like that the Paragard lasts for 10 years compared to the Mirena at 5 years.

I have one and I really like it--I wouldn't say I LOVE it--but I really like it. It's my second. My periods are super heavy, but I found that they get lighter after the first year of having it (or did with me) I don't have spotting or anything else. I haven't experienced any cramping or anything else. I do LOVE not having hormones in my body making me sick and crazy feeling. I read a lot about Mirena and a lot of women who are sensitive to hormones end up having issued with it. And, of course your doctor puts in a 5 to 1 ratio if s/he is pushing one over the other--that's called a self-fulling prophecy! Anyway, I'm really glad that I have this option for BC!

I had Mirena for a year and HATED IT. I had the worst migraines of my life, and bloating etc. Yes period was lighter but who cares when your head hurts so bad you want to die???
I switched to Paragard and had that for 2 years, very happy with it. The periods were heavier for sure but not longer. No spotting. I had it taken out on August 16 2010 when I wanted to have another baby and got pregnant 2 days later - not kidding. I will definitely get this put back in once I deliver.
:-) PS My mom had paragard for many years and never had a problem.

I feel all forms of birth control suck!! I just got off the birth control pill due to no sex drive and I will never use a hormonal form of birth control ever again. I thought about the ParaGard, but read about possible complications online. Here is what it says (I am copying and pasting):

Possible Complications:
Serious problems with the ParaGard IUD are rare. It is critical to report any problems to your doctor right away to avoid further complications.
•Perforation: An IUD can, very rarely, be pushed through the uterus wall during insertion. Generally, this is discovered and corrected right away. If not, the IUD can move into other parts of the pelvic area and may damage internal organs. Surgery may then be needed to remove the IUD.

•Infection: Although there is some risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) associated with IUD use, the risk is small after the first 20 days following insertion. Generally, PID is sexually transmitted. You have a higher risk of getting PID if you or your partner have sex with multiple partners. Pelvic infection can be caused by bacteria getting into the uterus during insertion. Most infection develops within three weeks of insertion. Infection (due to the IUD insertion) after three weeks is very rare. Infection that occurs after this time is most likely due to exposure to STDs during sexual intercourse.

•Expulsion: ParaGard could partially or completely slip out of the uterus. This is more likely to happen in younger women, women who have never had a baby, and during the first few months of use (although it can also happen later on). If this occurs, you can become pregnant, so use a back-up birth control (such as a condom) and call your doctor. The ParaGard IUD must be removed if it becomes partially expelled. It is a wise idea to check your pads and tampons during your period to make sure that the IUD has not fallen out.

Reading that was enough to decide NOT to use the ParaGard, so I chose NFP (Natural Family Planning). You can read about it online or send me a private message and I would be happy to explain it to you). Good luck.

I had a ParaGuard for about a week.
Unfortunately for me, it seemed to slip in my uterus and was sitting kind of low. at the time, I was 8 weeks pp, and we are DONE having kids.

So I got a call from my OB suggesting that I use another form of BC due to the position of the IUD...and I freaked out, wondering if I could be pregnant again.
In hindsight, I learned - from ParaGuard directly - that as long as it's IN your uterus (aka: not expelled), you're protected.

I wound up going back on the pill during the whole freak out. But next time I go back, I'll have the ParaGuard put back in.

I've read too many horror stories about Mirena. "Crashes", insurmountable weight gain, fits of rage, migraines...I'm just not willing to deal with that. Espescially the weight gain. I worked too hard after 2 babies to get back in shape. No hormone issue is going to ruin that for me!

I have a ParaGaurd and love it. Yes, my periods are a little bit heavier, but I have almost no cramping. I get migraines with hormones, and I didn't want to risk it. I have heard of so many women having skin problems and low sex drive on Mirena, and I get none of that with the Paragaurd. I had it put in 10-12 weeks post-partum with my son, and have had it for 3 years with no problems whatsoever. Hope this helps!

I have the ParaGard IUD and love it.. really not having to worry about hormones.. I do get a a bit of a heavy period, but it only lasts for a couple of days and then it's done.. well actually it starts with a couple of days of light bleeding (more like spotting) and then a couple of days of heavy period and then it's done.. I can from time to time spot during ovulation.. I would recommend it to anyone..

Just wanted to add that, in the beginning (the first few months) it's much worse.. it takes awhile before the body kinda accepts it or something I'm not sure, but I had heavy cramping and heavy bleeding.. but now that it's been so long it is exactly how I describe it.. no much to deal with but yeah in the beginning it was a little rough..

I had the ParaGaurd because I didnt want the hormones..... and unfortunately - my Body Needed them. IF you had horrible periods when you first started to menstruate (ie. before you went on a BC pill) thats what they're going to be like. I never thought of it that way and Couldnt stand the cramps and heavy bleeding for 7 days - I felt like I was a teenager again -YUCK So look at it that way. I also had the mirena and just had it removed in Jan! I HATED IT, hated the way it made me feel (pmsing constantly , bitchy etc), hated the weight gain, the acne, the headaches etc. But you know your body better than anyone. Good luck !

I had my Paragard removed because of the heavy periods that were getting closer and closer to twice a month (for me). After another baby, I got the Mirena and LOVED it.
I turned out to be one of the few to get pregnant with the Mirena (though I know of two who did with the Paragard, too), and wound up with a ruptured ectopic.
Despite that, I'd get another Mirena in a heartbeat, if they'd let me. It's recommended that I don't, due to having an ectopic pregnancy!

I am breastfeeding too and just had the Paragard put in about 6 weeks ago. It was my first IUD. It didn't hurt being put in, and I only spotted for less than a week. I didn't want all the hormones either, and I could care less about having a period every month besides I won't get it back til after Im done breastfeeding. I really like it and have had no problems yet. Just bring a pad to the doctors office because you will bleed a lot!