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4.1 Overall Rating

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Most voted positive review

48 People found this comment helpful

I am 27, have never had children or been pregnant and have had my paragard for 4 months now. I took 2 ibprofen before insertion and while it was painful, the worst of the pain lasted for less than 10 seconds. I had some mild cramping the week after and my periods were back to normal after two cycles (the first two cycles were 1-2 days longer and more crampy than usual. my partner does not feel it ...

Most voted negative review

16 People found this comment helpful

bleed the whole 2 year

Shared reviews and ratings

Chelsea | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
11/24/2023
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Insertion was literally awful. I have a very high pain tolerance and it was so bad. I ended up removing it myself (which I don't recommend) in the middle of the night because an er wouldn't do it and I could feel both strings. Constant nausea and constant back pain. I also have endometriosis and pudendal neuralgia which I'm sure complicated things. Just....screw that. Never again. I'm a telemetry nurse, have been for 9 years and this thing is a no stars for me.

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Anonymous | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
5/3/2023
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Awful experience. The insertion was one of the most painful moments of my entire life, and I consider myself having a very high pain tolerance. They advise you to keep it for a year before deeming it a failure - that was the most miserable year of my life. The damned thing is just too big for most girls(especially never been given birth beforehand) and OBGYNs should start taking it into consideration a lot more seriously. I felt it inside me every single day. After every workout, I had to take the daily max dose of ibuprofen. My periods were so painful, even the highest dose would not manage this awful pain. At times, I would just drop on the floor screaming from the sudden cramp. Please, please, PLEASE consider smaller options or at least require your OBGYNs to get sized prior. I just had another copper IUD inserted - Mona Lisa 5 mini.It mildly hurt for half an hour ,and now I barely even feel it. It's a miracle and that is how IUD process should be like. Good luck, ladies.Read More Read Less

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Cyn | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
3/28/2023
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I’ve had my Copper IUD for 10 years now and I gotta say. Aside from the painful cramps and heavy flow it is 100% worth it if you aren’t trying to get pregnant any time soon. I will be getting mine removed this month to start trying for a baby but my experience with it, definitely recommend.

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Rachel | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
3/9/2023
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I will start off with I am not able to take any type of estrogen BC. I have fibrocystic breasts and it makes them extremely painful (in any dosage). I will also add that I have tried the Nexplanon AND Mirena. My #1 favorite thing about this IUD is that it doesn’t have hormones. With Nexplanon & Mirena, I was always “surprised” and had unplanned spotting and bleeding. It was out of my control. I spotted continuously. My gyn explained that progestin-only forms were prone to causing this issue. I also still had my monthly period with Mirena. I thought if I’m going to bleed anyways, might as well bleed ONCE for a week than every day ??!!!!!!! And Paragard does just that for me. I know when to expect my period –not spotting in between continuously. I feel more like myself as well. TMI – but hormonal BC messed with libido. This does NOT. My anxiety and depression is much better now that I am not on Mirena. I have also lost the weight and bloat that came with the other forms of BC. Insertion was not terrible. However, I have given birth vaginally if that makes a difference. It felt like a sharp period main for 10 seconds tops. For the first 4ish months, I had pretty rough cramps and flow. A lot worse than I am used to. After those 4 months, it decreased, and it is much more manageable. Is it heavier than my normal? Yes. But if that is the only side effect I have… I’m staying with Paragard. I can’t say enough good things about it. Read More Read Less

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Bullamom | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
1/18/2023
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I had the IUD implanted in 2018 and had it for a little over a year. It was a nightmare. I liked the idea it was long term and hormone free. For me insertion was no big deal, uncomfortable, but its just 1 quick procedure, no worse than getting a root canal or stitches and quicker than both. The problem for me was pain and heavy bleeding throughout. My period before the IUD would last ~4days, and Id have extremely bad cramps only the first day that were manageable with high doses of advil. No pain after the first 24 hours. With the IUD, I bled nearly continually for the first 90 days, with constant debilitating painful cramps. When the bleeding finally improved enough I could have sex without turning my sheets into a crime scene, I had pain with orgasm, and dull cramps for 1-2 days after every time I had intercourse. My bleeding improved slightly over time but after 13 months, my period still lasted nearly 2 weeks out of every 4, was extremely heavy, soaking through boxes and boxes of super plus tampons. Cramps after sex the 2 weeks a month I wasnt bleeding and all day every day the two weeks or longer I was, and the aniety about the pain that came with every orgasm made sex barely enjoyable. It had a serious detrimental effect psychosocially, the lack of intimacy had a terrible effect on my relationship, and my mood was depressed and irritable. After a year of my doctor telling me everything is fine, this will get better, you have to give it time, I finally did some real research (not user reviews, but articles published in peer reviewed medical journals) and found out that is NOT the case. Removal in the first 12 months is nearly 20%, thats 1 in 5, and of those that kept it, 60% still had heavier than baseline bleeding at 2 years. Finally I insisted it be removed, and wouldnt take no for an answer. Your experience may be different, but if youre like me, I just want you to have the confidence to advocate for yourself with your medical professionals. It was a year of nearly unbearable social, physical and psychological suffering and isolation and I should NOT have allowed it to go on as long as I did. You do have to give it time, but a year of my life in this much pain was way too long. 6 months was plenty to know this was not the right BC for me.. although the bleeding stress and pain alone were effective at keeping me from getting pregnant because it was keeping me nearly abstinent! I look back at that lost year of my life, that lost relationship, and I still want to cry, especially that my medical professionals acted like I was making a big deal over what they considered minor and temporary inconvenience. 13 months is not temporary, nor was it minor.Read More Read Less

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Bri | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
1/16/2023
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Like most of you ladies, I have heard or know someone that had an implant in their arm. I've seen a friend's injury due to it "exploding" she was left with damage & the area around where the implant once was left bruised for over 5 months after being removed. I have family members that got gotten pregnant on the pill even though they'd take it regularly AND used condoms. Being that twins & triplets run on both of my parent's sides I'm scared to become pregnant again, due to the issues I had with my twin pregnancy. Almost lost my life & Drs were trying to convince me that terminating my pregnancy would be the safest route. Followed my heart & stuck it out, carried them all the way to 38 weeks (to the day) and they were both healthy. Anywho I've been using my copper IUD for 2 years. I had it inserted after I ended the initial cycle after birth. My OBGYN said it would be a little easier to insert it during my cycle, but I didn't feel comfortable with them being all up in there during that time of month. She laughed & said it wouldn't be an issue & she wanted to do what ever I felt most comfortable with doing. They called it a "procedure" because it technically is, but the time it took was MAYBE 2 minutes, I was awake & felt ZERO pain. I thought she was just check to see if it was fine to insert the IUD, but she said she had already finished. My first 3-4 cycles after my cramps were more painful before the insertion, but not to where I thought it needed to be removed. I was informed of all the possible reactions my body could have & worsen cramps is one. It has not effected me in any other way & it doesn't cause me to bloat up & feel uncomfortable like some contraceptives have done in the past. One thing my significant other was wondering he'd feel the little strings while we were intimate & he says he does not. He always jokes around & says if it weren't for my IUD we'd have gotten pregnant on several occasions. LOL I'm glad I chose the copper IUD & grateful it's side effects are not insane like unwanted weight gain, horrible acne breakouts, or headaches. Everyone is different so unless you're allergic to copper I'd 100% recommend. Best of luck ladies! Stay healthy & stay beautiful.Read More Read Less

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WC | 19-24 | Female | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
1/8/2023
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I got the Paragard IUD a few months ago and wanted to share my experience since reading reviews really helped me decide! I wanted a birth control method that was effective (since my husband and I do not want kids now, but do later), hormone free (I wanted to keep my body on its natural rhythm as much as possible), and low-maintenance, and Paragard checked all those boxes. The insertion is super quick (60 seconds max!). I am no medical professional, but I had read that insertion can be easier while you are either ovulating or on your period since your cervix is more open. I did go when I was ovulating, and can honestly say that the insertion for me was not bad. Felt like a quick pinch. However, about 5 minutes afterwards, I got the onset of some insanely painful cramps that lasted 45 minutes until my ibuprofen kicked in. My doctor was great and let me just lie on the bench/table in the doctor’s office until I felt like I could move again. I definitely recommend taking a day off from work if you can since you will likely feel queasy/crampy for a few hours. Since then I have been very happy with my IUD. I do have longer periods (usually 7-8 days instead of my 5-6 before) and my cramps are more intense, but usually only for 1 day of my period. But the worst symptoms did subside after 3 months, and overall they are still manageable. Of course, longer, more painful periods are not ideal, but since I already knew how to deal with both of those from menstruating for years before, I felt in control and able to handle it, which is just what I wanted.Read More Read Less

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Manda | Female | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years |
10/8/2022
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I had 2 Paraguard IUDs over the course of 9 years. If I had written this a year ago I would have rated this birth control method highly, as I did not suffer from most of the common complaints (my periods were normal and not heavy at all), I had no problems with insertions, and sex was great with it. However, I started having chronic utis, vaginal infections and constipation a few months shortly after my first IUD, and these were on and off over the years. At around 7 years in I started losing hair too and have anxiety attacks. I never had these problems with my birth control pill, condoms, or anything before. I took so many preventative measures, went through many tests, rounds of antibiotics and hormone tests and stumped doctors before I considered my IUDs were possibly linked to my infections. I finally got my second IUD out and felt better immediately. I haven't had a single infection since. My hair is growing back. Now in my late 20s I have to find a new method of birth control. Read More Read Less

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K Thompson | 19-24 | Female | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
10/6/2022
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

This is by far the best decision I’ve made for my reproductive health. I was on the pill for nearly a decade, and while I never had any crazy side effects on the pill, switching to a hormone-free option like Paragard was a game changer. I love that it lasts for so long, and even though my periods were a bit heavier and more painful in the beginning, my cycle length has stayed consistent and my periods are basically back to normal flow. I recommend using a menstrual disc if you’re able to while using Paragard as it will allow you to have ease of mind while maintaining a possibly heavier flow than you’re used to. I will never go back!Read More Read Less

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vinomadefied | 19-24 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
10/5/2022
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have Bipolar disorder and birth control pills really effected my mood swings, I had to be on heavier doses of the meds because of the pill (Risperidone 4mg, Tegretol 800mg, Nervium 5mg). After searching and talking to my mother and aunts, I decided to give copper IUD a try. Mine was inserted on April 2022, I heard on internet that it can be inserted anytime during the menstrual cycle yet my doctor insisted it to be inserted while I was on my period, the heaviest day, that way it would be easier and less painful for me. I did not take any medicine beforehand, the procedure was very quick and it only felt uncomfortable not painful. Not going to lie, the first month was really hard. I had so much cramp even when I was not on my period, I had to go to the ER couple of times. But after my first period with IUD, the cramps subsided and eventually disappeared. And the best part is that I am right now only on Tegretol 600mg. Read More Read Less

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aie | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
9/23/2022
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Sadly, I am one of those people that gets really affected by the use of hormonal birth control and was looking for a non hormonal option. This option had a painful insertion because it took a little longer but nothing 800mg of ibuprofen could not handle for a couple of years. After a month I can say I don’t feel it nor my husband does during sex and I have not had any crazy bleeding, my weight has also gone back to normal and I’m not getting any acne.

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KaySco | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
9/21/2022
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Got inserted about 3 months ago. The insertion was extremely painful and I was bedridden with a heating pad the whole day after the procedure. I could barely drive myself home but somehow managed. Taking Aleve/naproxen helped more than ibuprofen. After about 3 days, the intense pain subsided but I still was sore down there. After about 1-2 weeks, I no longer felt like there was a foreign object inside me and the uterine pain went away. I think having sex adjusted the device so that it was less uncomfortable, but just a theory. I've had it for about 3 months now and there is no complaints except my periods are much more painful. The cramps make me stop anything I'm doing just to ride out the pain. First 1-3 days of my cycle with the IUD is painful and HEAVY but on the 3rd day its super light and I barely need to use a pad. Again, Aleve/naproxen helps so much to manage this pain Overall it's my favorite birth control I've used so far because I don't have to remember to take pills everyday and it doesn't cause month long periods like nexplanon and depo did. Also it's hormone free which is another reason why I don't like the pill.Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
9/15/2022
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I decided to write this review because I read horrible reviews about it & almost didn’t get it but I also realized that most people are more likely to write a review about their bad experience so I wanted to share mines. I have four children & I didn’t want to completely get my tubes tied by I definitely wanted something that would help prevent me from having any, anytime soon. I have tried the birth control patch before & I got really sick on it. The experience was traumatizing & made me completely want to steer clear from birth control. I also have taken the bill but it wasn’t as effective because I got pregnant on it. Anywho, I had my last child and I was looking for an option for my husband so we wouldn’t get pregnant anytime soon. Before I went to get it put in, I took 2 extra strength tylenols. The initial insertion was uncomfortable but not painful. My started immediately after but I also just had a baby so i’m not sure if I was still post partum bleeding anyways. I bleed on a off for a month or so but now my cycle has started to regulate. When I first got it & was finally able to have sex it was very uncomfortable. I went back to see my doctors & they had to cut some more of the strings & now sex feels normal. I don’t really feel it or have any issues with it. So if you’re thinking about getting it, I highly recommend it.Read More Read Less

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Bloody Mary | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
8/21/2022
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I would not recommend this BC based off my experience. Insertion was painful, but over quickly. Was having uncomfortable cramping with monthly periods, but was tolerable with ibuprofen. If these had been the only cons, then I would give it more stars for the benefits of being nonhormonal peace of mind, but it for me it def wasn't. After 1 year on it, I started what I thought was heavy spotting between periods, but the light bleeding didn't stop. Was heavy enough to have to change a pantyliner 3 times a day, but not heavy enough to be a normal period, and made me not have a normal period altogether. My obgyn did an ultrasound after 12 weeks of me bleeding, said I was healthy, saw nothing wrong, and was told that the irregular bleeding may be caused by me having had had previous vaginal childbirths and that I was getting older. This shocked me, i had 3 kids and was 34 y.o., which did not seem extreme. Their explanation that I was the problem seemed off considering the ultrasound confirmed everything was normal and previous exams and bloodwork showed no irregularities. I asked if it could be the IUD, and they dismissed me telling me the IUD shouldn't cause these effects. The constant bleeding stopped 2 weeks after the ultrasound, and despite having been disturbed by the ordeal, i kept the IUD. After a normal 8 months, the bleeding started again, and again after 12 weeks of bleeding my obgyn did another ultrasound, and again told me everything looked normal, that the IUD couldn't be the cause of the bleeding, and again couldn't give a logical explanation. Still bleeding, I went for an annual exam with my primary, told her about my bleeding discomfort, my concerns that the obgyn couldn't explain the cause, and frustrations over the costs of the ultrasounds. To my surprise, my primary said she had heard of the paragard causing this before. Had the IUD taken out that same appointment, the bleeding stopped the next day, and am having normal periods since. Read More Read Less

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AW | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
8/19/2022
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have bipolar disorder and ahead 3 different Mirena for 10 years between children. The hormones were not effective for me. So I decided to give the ParaGuard a shot. So much better. No more additional hormone imbalances. Insertion was mildly painful but very brief. I had cramping that day and the next, but day 3 was back to normal. My periods grew shorter to 4 days. Day 1 is a heavier flow and days 2-4 I could get away with a pantyliner instead of a pad or tampon. Love that it is effective, long lasting, and effortless once in. Read More Read Less

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Oliver | 19-24 | Female | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Caregiver
8/17/2022
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Benefits: I did not get pregnant Cons: Debilitatingly painful insertion, horrible and painful periods, extreme bleeding to the point of iron deficiency and dizziness, painful intercourse I would NOT recommend this IUD

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copperreview958 | 19-24 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
8/3/2022
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I had the copper IUD for almost 2 years and honestly, it was my favorite! The only reason why i got off of it was because I was an athlete in college at the time and couldnt afford to deal with the heavy cramping and bleeding but I think now that I have a more sedentary lifestyle, I'd go back! I will note that for my periods I use "regular" tampons on my heavy days but on the paragard, I used the super ultra heavy tampons or whatever for like 8 days lol

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Justice | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
8/2/2022
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have bipolar take lamictal it interferes with a lot of hormonal based methods other that mirena which caused me (weight gain and acne). I switched to paraguard it works 100% as contraception. The procedure was super fast I didn’t take any pain meds or numbing etc it felt like a bad cramp for not even 5 seconds.My periods were longer I would say heavier at first, and my cramps at first were worse, however they have subsided. Just wait it out at first you may be worried about the longer bleeding or cramps however after I’d say 4-5 months your body adjusts. It’s worth waiting it out because it’s 10 years of contraception I’ve had no side effects no weight gain I’ve lost weight which was my main concern. I I’d rather have a heavier period than deal with the side effects I’ve had on progestin only iud. Read More Read Less

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SB*** | 45-54 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
7/28/2022
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Sadly my personal experience of the Copper IUD has been horrendous. It was fitted three weeks ago and whilst the procedure is relatively pain free the cramping afterwards was awful despite taking pain relief. I was advised that there would be spotting and heavier periods but I wasn't expecting 3 solid weeks of flooding (never experienced that before not even after childbirth ... twice). Contacted my surgery and it's being removed tomorrow.

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Anonymous246 | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
7/19/2022
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I had the copper IUD for 3 years and recently had it removed. For me, the IUD made my periods twice as heavy (to the point that it became very difficult to manage unless I was sitting at home) and my cramps were very bad (they took my breath away and happened for a full week before my period and during). This did not get any better for me over time, personally. I also fainted during insertion. I appreciated that it was hormone-free and it did not change my mood. Overall, I would never recommend but if you really are dead-set on birth control without hormones like I was, there aren’t really other options. Just be aware that for some people like myself, it turned a normal period that was uncomfortable and annoying into a 2-week struggle each month that I literally dreaded.Read More Read Less

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