Mirena Versus Paraguard

I had horrendous, debilitating SI joint back pain from the Mirena. I had it for 5 years, not knowing that it was caused by the IUD. I thought I had messed up my back from the delivery of my second child. Got it removed at the 5 year mark and it's gone! I would try it, but be careful to remember that any new pain or discomfort could be caused by the IUD. Wish I had thought of it myself!!

I have had Mirena since May of 2011. I am happy with it. The Paraguard was not a good option for me. It can cause periods to become heavier and since that has been a problem for me since I was 13 I went with the Mirena.

After I got it put in I had bleeding and spotting for quite a while, two months or so? I can't remember exactly, but since then I have had periods that get lighter each month.

I know women who have tried either one, some have loved them, some have had to have them removed. Talk to your doctor about why one might be better for you than the other.

I stay far, far away from anything with hormones in it. I'm super sensitive to hormonal birth control. Mirena has caused major issues for my sister, and I won't touch it. It's been known to cause migraines and other major health problems. Do your research.

I'd go with Paraguard. No hormones.

Luckily, my hubby had a vasectomy. :-)

I had Paragard for about a week.
No pain with insertion, no cramping, etc...
It fell out of place, for me. And given that were done with kids, I freaked out, unsure of the effectiveness (turns out as long as it's in at all, it's effective).

I've since gone with Essure, as I just didn't want to deal with it anymore.
But in the week that I had it, there was no spotting, cramping, etc...
I was excited about no hormones after years on the pill.
Gotta say, I'm loving it!

I'm with Cassandra ... I've had Mirena for over a year, and it's been great! A little adjustment period at first (a month or so), but overall no side effects and virtually no period. Totally awesome for me. But, of course, everyone is different. You might just have to try it for yourself and see. Good luck!

I've used Mirena since 2005. I love it. I have very light, sparse spotting once or twice a year and that's it. It minimizes what were PMDD symptoms and now they're more like normal, mild-to-moderate PMS symptoms around the times I ovulate. No problems at all with Mirena.

I decided against Paraguard because they're copper, and I have a metallurgical contact allergy. It's the same reason I can't use Essure (I believe Essure uses nickel in the fibers).

Mirena has been great for me. I had spotting for about 3 months (very light). And now I don't usually get a period at all.

I chose for the same reasons others have mentioned - paraguard can cause heavier periods, Mirena lighter.

Of course, I had been on birth control pills on and off for years and never had any problem with the hormones in them, so it made sense that I wouldn't be bothered by the hormones in Mirena either, and I'm not. I might have given more consideration to paraguard if I had gotten terrible side effects from the hormones in the pill.

I've had the Mirena for two years now and love it. I recommend it to anyone who will listen. I had no side effects and haven't had a period since the first month on it.