I had an appointment to insert Paragard yesterday. My doctor had said it "may cause some heavier bleeding during periods temporarily". As the only non-hormonal I.U.D., I thought it was the best choice.
When I got to my appt. it was a different doctor inserting it. While asking standard "are you sure, and why did you choose this" type questions, she corrected my "May cause some temporary heavier bleeding" info stating, "Usually causes much heavier bleeding AND cramps, often permanently". She then gave me a little more info about Mirena, her "most popular choice among clients," which supposedly has less hormonal impact than pills because hormones stay localized rather than coursing through whole body..?..and lighter periods if any change. She couldn't answer my questions about long term increased cancer risks, and she said she had not had complaints about weight gain, but I have a friend who claims it gave her weight gain.
Anyway, I chickened out to take more time to decide and did not get Paragard insert yet. I got leaflets about both Mirena and Paragard, but of course they're basically positive ad campaigns for each.
So, if you have either of the two I.U.Ds, what are your experiences?
Thanks so much for help and experience, everyone!
I had the Paragard IUD for 10 years and had no side effects at all until the 10th year. I rarely even remembered it was there. Then it somehow moved and got cockeyed. It was extremely painful, so I had it removed immediately. For 10 years it was a dream.
I'm not going to type a novella about Mirena. I'll just say I had it and it made me feel insane. Seriously. On top of that I constantly felt like I was pregnant. My husband could feel it poking him when we had sex. And I did gain A LOT of weight (while eating normally) when I had it in. I wish I had taken it out when symptoms started instead of suffering for as long as I did. Within 2 or so weeks of having it removed I was back to normal (except for the weight obviously).
I got Paraguard about 6 months ago. Before that was on Pill. I like it - but you have to give it at least 6 weeks before you judge it. I didn't have any random bleeding. Periods were definitely heavier, but for me that was going to happen anyway since I had been on the pill. I also notice when I do have cramps, it is during ovulation time, not really period time. The first 6 weeks though was random light cramping, lower backache, and felt really bloated and gassy. Overall though, it is good
I'm on my second Paragard - had the first one for 9 1/2 years and just had my new one inserted a month or so ago. I had heavier periods when I initially got it, but now my periods tend to last 5 days. I have one day that is usually very heavy (change the tampon every couple of hours) but certainly nothing I can't deal with. No cramping at all, but I can tell when my period is about to start (and maybe it's always been that way? I've had it so long I don't remember any different).
I originally got it because I was breastfeeding my son and didn't want the hormones. And as much as I love the thought of possibly no periods, I honestly would be in fear every month that I was pregnant! Plus I definitely like the way it lasts 10 years vs 5 years.
My sister also has had the Paragard for years now (longer than me since she was the one who recommended it to me).
I wonder why the other doctor was pushing the Mirena. It would be interesting to find out if she has had to remove Paragards from lots of dissatisfied customers or if there is a better profit margin on Mirenas...
I had the mirena for about 5 months and I hated it. It made me gain weight and have really bad back pain. I felt super blah and just not normal. My dr said it didn't have anything to do with it, but I told him I wanted it out. I felt back to normal without it. But my sister on the other hand had mirena for the full time and is now on round 2 and loves it. I would rather do the mirena over the paraguard though for the bleeding aspect.
Had the Mirana, loved it. No moodiness, no weight gain, and after the first couple of months, practically no period. It was great. My husband got a vasectomy after I had it placed so I had it removed when I did one final pregnancy as a surrogate and didn't have it put back because I don't need anything now but I wish I had used this instead of years of BCPs.
I have mirena. It's been great for me. I did not gain weight and my periods are very very light. I've had it for 4 years, and plan to get it again next year.
I had the Mirena for 5 years. I didn't mind it and I was researching the possibility of going for a second one, but found out that it was probably causing my debilitating SI Joint back pain. I had it removed and my pain went away completely.
I have had the Paraguard for about three years now, and I have had no issues with it. I tend to bleed heavily, but it's no worse than before the Paraguard. No pain, no side effects, no weight gain, and no pregnancies!
I have had a couple of friends who had problems with the Mirena. One actually had hers removed because she was tired of bleeding everyday for six months. And then she got pregnant with her fourth kid.
I have paraguard. Have since Feb of this year. I love it. My firstoperiod was hell. I bled super heavy and couldn't do anything for one day then I basically stopped. I do cramp but it's not bad. The first couple cycles were a little painful but nothing mydol couldn't handle. I will never go back to hormonal birth contorl. The first 3 months were the hardest. Now I bleed for 5 days normally my 2nd day is my heavest day and then I am good after that. Just spotting for a few days. I recommend paraguard highly
I've had the paragard for about a year and a half and love it. I have the same amount of bleeding and symptoms I had before I started birth control pills like 10 years ago--except no cramps. I just sometimes get a little feeling like I"m going to start my period (it's not regular with like an exact day, never has been.) No weight gain, obviously, and no dealing with hormones. I highly recommend it.
I had Paragard, and had it removed. But it was because it slipped out of place, and I wasn't convinced it was effective (I am/was DONE having kids...wound up with Essure.) My doctor warned me about heavier periods, but said nothing about it being temporary.
A friend also has is and has for years. Her periods last 10 days ever since she's had it.
I personally like the reassurance of getting a period, so I never chose Mirena, knowing that they would likely stop. I'm paranoid.
I was going to get paragard because I didn't want the hormones either. In the end, I heard terrible things about both and didn't do either.
I have had both. Hated the Paraguard and love the Mirena.
Chose the Paraguard because I was still breastfeeding and wanted no hormones. I swear I could feel it in there. Drove me crazy. I don't remember much of the side effects, if any, but I was still nursing so no periods either way. The doctor that removed it about 6 months later told me that there were no nerve endings up there, but perhaps it was just inserted poorly.
Another year later I got the Mirena because my periods were driving me crazy. 7 days long, every 28 days. The Mirena has been perfect. Only side effects are good ones. It took a full year, but I have no period at all. No weight gain or skin issues or anything along those lines.
I vote for Mirena, but it is obviously a very personal choice. Good luck!
