Paragard IUD? - Hayden,ID

I love my Mirena IUD. I am on my second (got it after each of my kids). I don't have a period but my cycle is completely normal. I know this because when I had it taken out to try for my second baby, my period started just as planned and I conceived the first try. I never worry about being pregnant! Its not copper. I have heard terrible things about copper.
Do some research on mamapedia. There is lots of other moms who love it too.

I did the paragard IUD after my last pregnancy, primarily because I didn't want to use anything that would affect me hormonally. It was a good decision. Initially after getting the IUD my periods were heavier for a while and lasted a little longer but eventually that normalized. It worked for us and we had no problems getting pregnant when we had it removed.

The only ones I know of are condoms, diaphragms and spermicides, but they all have higher fail rates than hormonal BC.

Hello K.,

I think in your situation and after what you and your family have been through you need to weigh your risks and benefits carefully.
What would be more devastating for you: another unintended pregnancy or dealing with the possible side effects of either hormonal birth control or a copper IUD?
I think you need a reliable form of BC, even if you may experience side effects - you'll just have to bite the bullet on that one.

Good luck!

on a side note: I am very happy with my Mirena IUD. It does contain a very small amount of hormones and I have way less side effects than I had on the pill - plus I can't forget to take it...

Hi K.,
I had the 'copper T' in for about four years. Initially it made my periods more heavy, but then they become much lighter. I never had it fall out. However, after a serious of antibiotics (it doesn't make much sense, but I think that's what happened) I did get pregnant with the copper T in place. =( Besides that, I really liked it and would have one placed again.

One thought I have for you is that there is an electronic ovulation sensor that is quite accurate called Ovacue. You place this little probe in your mouth everymorning and it tells you what your most fertile days are. It is usually used for getting pregnant, but I don't know why you couldn't use it for not getting pregnant. There is even a vaginal sensor that you can use that will tell whether or not ovulation has occured. you can check it out on their website or on early-pregnancytests.com

I know you mentioned that sterilization isn't for either of you, but you might consider a vasectomy..it really is quite simple for your husband and pretty much guaranteed.

Good luck to you.
-Jenn

I also had a copper IUD between my pregnancies and LOVED it. I was also done with hormonal methods but wanted something reliable. I never noticed any side effects and frankly forgot it was there for 2 years. When I wanted to get pregnant again I had it removed and conceived again within a week! I am due with this baby in September and will definitely be getting another one after birth as we think we are done with having kids and can count on it.

My experience has been great with Mirena as well even though I wanted a non-hormonal way to have have birth control. Towards the end of me taking it out I was having a lot of cramping which I was told was normal. I had the cramping early on, but I only had one period and then I was good for the 2 year+ that I had it. I have had 2 friends that had the one your asking about and one of them said she had so much bleeding and pain that she had it taken out while my other friend's IUD got unlodged and moved some how causing her so much pain she went to the ER and had to have some special procedure to get it out which is a risk for both. Results obviously vary and they may not happen to you, but I hope this info helps and good luck on your decision.

I too had trouble with hormonal bc and had tried everything else. I got pregnant for the second time with the diaphragm. The IUD sounded like a good option for me, even after reading all the scary stuff, AND hearing an awful lot of anecdotal stories about people who got pregnant with their IUD intact. I went for it. My periods were definitely heavier and I had some bad cramping in the beginning. But I thought, no big deal, since my periods were pretty light in the first place. But as time went on, they got worse and worse and worse. I had the IUD for about three years before I finally told my husband I couldn't take it any longer. I would miss days of work every month due to the excruciating pain. (I am a healthy person who exercises and eats well so I believe my body was just not happy with the IUD). I told my hubby we needed to talk about what we were going to do because I had made an appointment to get it out, and frankly, I was pretty sick of taking all the responsibility for birth control. I went through the list of everything we (or rather, I) had tried and why I no longer wanted to use them. We never really came up with a good solution, and soon after the IUD was removed I got pregnant for the 3rd time. After that baby came my husband got the snip. Best thing we ever did. I hope the IUD works for you, some people love it. Good luck.

K.,
I tried the Paraguard and I hated it. My periods were extremely heavy and the cramps were insane. It lasted about two months and I had my doctor remove it. I now have the Mirena and I haven't had any problems with it. Keep in mind that everyone is different and if you don't like it you can just have it removed. Good luck!

I also have a copper IUD and love it. A lot of the spontaneous expulsion is from women who have never given birth. It is NOT recommended for those women. But it has an incredible success rate for women who have carried a pregnancy to term (even if it wasn't a vaginal delivery). I had it put in 2.5 years ago and haven't given a thought to BC since. Awesome! And, although my doc warned me that my periods could be heavier, I really haven't noticed a change. Good luck!

K. if you are under 5'4'' IUD's are never a good idea. They will always make you bleed extra hard. That was my experience since I am short. I gave up and began using a diaphram. Not as easy but no heavy bleeding.

If you are sure you do not want to be pregnant again sterilization is the for sure method.

I gave up on hormonal birth control because of side effects, and decided this was the best option for me.

I have one, I have not had horrible painful cramping. The bleeding for the first two periods was way heavier and longer than my normal period. (which is pretty heavy) But it is closer to normal now. Used to be one day of spotting, two days of heavy bleeding often with a period of extremely heavy bleeding, one day of light. NOW it's two days of spotting, two days of extremely heavy bleeding, two days of medium, one day of spotting done. I have always tended toward anemia and the heavy bleeding caused my iron level to dip, if this issue continues I may have it removed. If low blood iron or a history of anemia are present take them into consideration.

All other hormone free methods are subject to user failure and are downers in my opinion. Condoms, diaphram, female condome, spermicide, sponge, all fail. All have a margin of user error. All create stress. If an IUD doesn't work for you AND you're sure about no more children, sterilization seems reasonable. Although I know women who've had hormonal issues after tubal litigation.

I also have the Paraguard IUD and haven't had any problems. I've had it for almost 5 years now. My only complaint is a heavier/longer period. I usually spot for several days and have one REALLY heavy day, then a few more days of light flow. But the pros totally outweigh this one con as I haven't had any other issues with it.

Sorry to be rude, but have you read the labels on any medicines or bc methods then? They all list worst case scenarios. The fda makes them. Heck even tylenol or asprin have scary ones.
I had the copper iud for 8 years and once i have the next baby am getting one back in will keep it in for as long as I need to worry about birth control.

A diaphram is another horomone free option.

I have the copper IUD and like it a lot! My periods are a lot more heavier now, but nothing too bad. Just like Marie posted, I start out for two days with light bleeding and then heavy bleeding for three days and then back to light bleeding for a couple more days. It could be worst! No major side effects, no cramping. The best part about this IUD is that it is good for 10 years. I love that part! Best of luck!

I am considering the Mirena, which does the opposite-cuts down on heavy bleeding. It is hormonal but the progesterone is local, so my ARNP said it wouldn't affect my moods. Also why is sterilization not an option if you are totally done?

I have the paraguard and only had heavy bleeding for the first 6 mons. or so. Its been a year now and I like it cause you know within two days when you're going to start and I don't have to worry about getting pregnant even on accident because of a condom breaking! I don't know of anyone that has had any hemorraging by being on it. Its the safest IUD out there, I think, because of no hormones, unless you are allergic to copper! I would ask the pharmicists, dr.s, etc. if you're still unsure. Get as many opinions as you need to feel fully informed about it and then decide! That's what I did! Good luck!

I have the copper IUD and I will agree with Dyreka, I LOVE it.. think it's a great BC method.. I cannot stand what hormones do to me. Hormonal BC carries a lot of side effects as well. I trust my copper IUD very much.. I have to say when they inserted it, it felt like a strong menstrual cramping. I had light bleeding for a couple of days and cramping. I haven't had much issues with harder cramps otherwise. My periods are a little stranger. I start off with a really light bleeding for a couple of days then all the sudden I will get a very heavy period for a couple of days and then a couple of days of extremely light bleeding. I can spot a little around time of ovulation.

I could only recommend the copper IUD, haven't had any issues nor have I ever met anyone that has had any issues. There will always be risks no matter what you choose, but they are very rare.

Hi K.,

I had a copper IUD put in 1 year after my daughter was born and taking out a year after that. It just has to be compatable with your body. I think my body was trying to release it, but it couldn't. I was bleeding off and on through out the month, then I would have a very heavy period. About only 1 week out of the month I wouldn't have any bleeding. Also, I had horrible cramping. Now, I'm not against IUD's, It just my body wouldn't agree with it. That doesn't mean it won't agree with yours, you should def. give it a try! I have a hard time with hormons from BC also, so my hubby and I are using condoms.

Hope everything works out for you !!

I had Paragard put in 3 mo after our daughter was born and loved it. The only issues I had were slightly heavier periods (not ever hemorrhaging), and an achiness in my lower right uterus/ovary when I would ovulate. This sensation went away over time. There was never a feeling of it coming out surprisingly, and I was quite comfortable with it. I had it taken out because we are planning a second baby soon, but would probably choose it again, though I think a vasectomy will probably be in our future. Good luck with your decision!