Paraguard IUD

It's great, have had mine in for 8 years now. I've never had any problems with it and I didn't feel anything when it was inserted either. I would recommend this to everyone, I would never take the pill because I don't want to mess with my hormones.

I have the mirena and I love it. There is only a little hormones in it and with the paraguard it does not prevent fertilization of the egg it just prevents it from implanting. so in essence you could be having an abortion every month. With the mirena it stops the egg from releasing and for a back up it will not let it implant.

I have the Paraguard IUD, got it put in at my 6-week postpartum appointment last May. I'm very happy with it. I opted not to do the Mirena because I'm not comfortable not having a period. Two of three pregnancies were result of failure of the pill, and I would often skip a period every few months on the pill, which meant the first of those two pregnancies went unnoticed until 12 weeks in. My cycles are still regulating since I'm still nursing, but I have not had awful PMS or cramps or excessively long periods, 5 days at most. And, I am prone to severe cramping with my period...that's why I started birth control pills in the first place at 15. No problems with the initial process when the IUD was inserted and have been able to find the strings fairly easily and never think about it otherwise. Highly recommend it.

I have the mirena. I too am breastfeeding and this is my second time having the Mirena, worked wonders both times even between pregnancy's. I had a really tough time with the hormones in BC pills but this doesn't affect me at all. I have a really good friend who had problems with cramping during her periods with the Paraguard and I am really prone to heavy cramping. I haven't had any cramping and I most of the time forget its there. Its so easy to get in, no matter which one you get, I just took 2 Ibuprofen and didn't feel anything (kinda like a pap). Good luck, I am a fan of IUD's no matter which one you choose. Don't be afraid I am the biggest wimp and it was easy for me :).

I have the Copper-T and I like it--I don't LOVE it, but it is the best option for me. I also had pretty severe reactions to hormonal birth control and am just done messing around with it. My periods have been pretty heavy, but I decided to get a "diva cup," a reusable silicone cup to use during your period, at my sister's insistence and for me it has actually make the IUD much less of a hassle. I have been tempted to get Mirena, but I didn't realize how much birth control affected me till I went off hormonal birth control and felt happier and calmer than I had in many years, so I was nervous to again put hormones in my body right after my baby was born and think I had PPD instead of realizing that it was the Mirena. I know many people say the hormones are so low they don't really affect you, but it does stop your period, so I don't know what it might do to my brain. Good luck with whatever you chose!

I am an RN that works in maternal/child at the local hospital and thought I should add a little information here. There has been some information posted that the paragard prevents implantation only, essentially causing an abortion every month. This is not accurate information. THe paragard is a small plastic T wrapped in copper wire. It is the copper wire that provides the birth control action as copper is a potent spermicide. The paragard is a very effective birth control method and most women are very pleased with it's 99% effectiveness rate. Don't be turned off by inaccurate information stating that it causes abortions - a common misconception. I agree that it is good to take Ibuprofen 30-45 minutes before insertion. Ibuprofen specifically because it is not only for pain relief but will reduce inflammation afterwards as well. Hope that helps!

Hi had the paraguard several years ago and really loved not having to take pills everyday. initially it did make my periods heavier with more cramps, but over time they lightened up back to normal. As a previous writer said, they got pregnant on theirs and I did to. Unfortunately, I didn't really monitor the fact that I didn't have a period until I was already about 6-8 weeks along. I ended up having to have the IUD pulled and a D&C. Sad. =( Despite this I would still recommend it highly!!

I have the Mirena. I was worried about the hormones, in the past I hated hormone pills. Anyway, I love it. No issues! Just wanted to throw that in. The hormones are so low, and are mostly located in the uterus, not circulating through the whole body.

I have had the paraguard twice (also because of concerns about hormones). I never could feel where it was or if it was in place or even still there. At first, that concerned me but I was reassured by an OB not to worry about if I could feel it or not so I stopped even trying to do the regular checks for it. Then I got pregnant with twins! Whenever women with an IUD hear that, they get this terrified look and I immediately reassure them that it wasn't the Mirena since that's what most women seem to get nowadays. So I don't know if that's a recommendation for the Mirena or just for checking for your IUD. Good luck!

I used a paraguard IUD for 2 years. It did cause heavier periods, but for me that was a small price to pay to have easy, nonhormonal birth control. When I had it put in, my doctor told me to check every month after my period to make sure it was still in place correctly. I did that at first, but not consistently later on. I should have. About two years after having it put in, and about 2 weeks after my period should have started, I checked and discovered that it was much lower than it should have been. I took a pregnancy test, which confirmed my fears. My doctor said this was a rare occurence, but not unheard of.

So I guess the main point is, it is an easy and effective form of birth control when used correctly. Just don't get lazy about checking to make sure it stays where it is supposed to be.

I'm currently on the Paraguard IUD, and I don't even know it's there. I've only had minor cramping, and my periods are normal. My nursing has not been affected. I'd say it's worth it.

Hi, I have a mirena IUD. I just wanted to let you know that I also had very bad experiances with the pill and the level of hormones in them, even had cysts rupture...I have had the Mirena twice now (after each pregnancy) and I LOVE it. The hormones in the Mirena are minimal and they dont affect me the same. I dont even notice it...also, I dont have a period, which is great, but when i got it out to try for my second child, it started right back up where it always had. My cycle continued as normal with it in, just didnt have that unpleasent once a month side effect!
That aside, I will share with you that not all women do well with the IUD (either kind) I have a friend who got one the same time I did and she had nothing but problems with it and had to get it taken out, so just know that there are some rare cases in which it isnt a good fit...
Good luck!

I also have issues with hormones, so I know just how you feel. I had the copper IUD for about 2 years and had my own challenges with it. It worked great for preventing pregnancy, but made my already heavy period heavier and caused random pains that at times would make it too painful to even sit. It felt like a hot poker was getting shoved up... My cramps were pretty painful and even had to take prescription pain meds for them. These were just my experiences. Yours may be very different and not have any problems. Good luck in your decision!

Hi K.,

After my daughter was born, I decided that I wanted to go with the Paraguard IUD for the same reasons (I actually was on the "mini" pill for about a month and then I felt like my milk supply was becoming affected eventhough they say that shouldn't happen). It worked great for me, I didn't notice anything at all after it was placed. The only thing that I would recommend for you to do is take something like motrin about 30 minutes before you have it placed. I was unaware of how uncomfortable it was going to be, but I think if I had taken something it would have been fine. Another thing, make sure that you go home afterward, I made the mistake of going shopping after I had mine placed and as I was walking through a store, I had to sit down and rest for about 15 minutes before I felt strong enough to walk back to my car. And, when you have it removed, it's really no big deal! Good luck!

I have the Paraguard IUD and mostly love it. I have to say that my periods are not "normal". They are long (usually 7-9 days) with several days of spotting and usually 1-2 days of super, super heavy flow (which is REALLY inconvenient). However, the convenience of the IUD has outweighed that one con. I also had issues with the horomones in BC pills and those issues are gone with the IUD.

I have had the Paraguard IUD since 8 weeks after the birth of DS with no issues (until now). Had a normal cycle every month, it didn't fall out of place, etc. And now I'm 6 weeks pregnant and had to get it removed. There was a less than 1% chance of getting pregnant. I had fibroid issues that were aggravated by bc pills prior to getting pg with DS so Myrena was just not an option for me due to the hormones, even at a low dose. I'd still recommend the Paraguard even though it failed on me. I'll probably go with it again after this baby is born. I'll just make sure DH and I avoid doing the BD on the days I know I ovulate.

I haven't had the Paraguard, I was going to get it because of the lack of hormones, but I talked to my doctor and she convinced me to do Mirena. I was nursing and hated bc pills too, but loved the Mirena, I had little to no periods and it never affected me like the bc pills. I successfully nursed for 2 years and had none of the side effects of other hormonal methods. Also, I never even knew the IUD was there, it was so easy. BTW, my SIL went with the Paraguard and hated it, really heavy, long periods and lots of cramping and PMS, she got the Mirena and loved it and had no problems. Not trying to change your mind, just my experience, but I will go back to the Mirena IUD after I have #2.

HI, I felt EXACTLY the same way which is why I chose Paraguard. I have only had it for 3 months and so far so good. Finally had a first period after breasfeeding and it was pretty heavy but managable. Good luck!

Honestly, I am terrible about reading everyone else's responses but I wanted to put in my two cents. I also had MAJOR problems with hormonal bc. I got the Mirena and LOVED it! 5 straight years of HEAVEN!!! I don't know about Paraguard...mainly cuz I got the Mirena and it was the last one I ever had...but if you are scared of IUDs...my two cents is GO FOR IT!!!

I would advise against copper though...everyone I know who has ever had copper ones has had issues around the 2 year mark. I was happy with the Mirena for the full 5 years...no complications...no problems. The way it was explained to me is that the hormones are so minimal and released so gradually...my body can't overreact to it. Course...that isn't to say someone else won't...but I didn't and I had serious issues my whole life with bc pills of just about every kind.

Best of luck to you though...I am sure once you find the right one for you...you will wonder what took you so long to go this route! ;-)

hello K., i have had the paraguard for the past 6 months and i love it and hate it. i love the fact that it can last up to 10 years bc we are not planning on having anymore children and i dont have to remember to take any pills or quarterly shots (depo) but my periods are unbearable. its like a faucet on full blast 7-8 days straight and during that time im sleeping on towels in my bed so i dont mess up my mattress. yuck! i never in my life had a period so heavy and tampons are out of the question and ive had to buy those long pads to wear, talk about unattractive. so right now im scheduled to get the paraguard removed and replaced with the mirena in an effort to reduce the horrible periods. but if the periods werent so bad, id be happy.