User Reviews for ParaGard T 380A intrauterine

I'm 24 and I've never been pregnant. I have had my paraguard for about 1 week. The insertion was uncomfortable, but it was over in a few seconds. I had it inserted on the first day of my period. Afterwards, I experienced moderate cramping for about 2 days, like period cramps- I normally hardly ever get cramps, but with some ibuprofen it wasn't a big deal. I went straight to my waitressing job after the insertion and was fine. My period was on the heavy side, but not any longer than normal. I've been spotting for about 4 days but there is no pain and every day gets better. Oh, and the important part... I'm not pregnant and sex is wonderful and worry-free. I would recommend the IUD. Read More Read Less

Since the insertion of the IUD I bleed almost constantly. I have had about 4-5 weeks total where I was not bleeding at all. Bleeding ranges from light to heavy flow. My doctor said bleeding is the most common side effect and may persist for 6 mos. to a year. I am 28 and had been on birth control pills for 10 years and was starting to have negative side effects (increase in almost debilitating headaches) and was getting lazy about taking them. Have tried Seasonale, depo, but was on ortho tricyclen for the longest time with positive results. However I am currently contemplating IUD removal.Read More Read Less

I got my Paragard put in about a week ago. As a female that hasn't had a baby, I'm not lying when I say that the insertion process is uncomfortable. Don't let this scare you. While I did have 2 or 3 VERY intense cramps (took my breath away), they were very short (3 seconds?). I was given epinephrine (sp?) to restrict the blood vessels in my cervix, which I'm told helped a lot with the pain. The hormone made me feel weird for the rest of the evening (even though it wore off with 2 hours). If I had had the choice, I would have definately stayed home for the rest of the day (and the next day) to chill. Since insertion, I've noticed more uncomfortable sensations in the morning (nautous) or when I need to BM (due to possible pressure on uterus..?. As far as bleeding, I definately used both a pad and tampon at the same time the first day. For me, spotting has been minimal enough for me since day three to not worry about a tampon or pad. Overall, I'm definately very with my decision to try Paragard thus far. I haven't had any "personal" time with my man yet, but I don't expect there to be any problems. :)Read More Read Less

I am 25 and the reason why I wanted to use this type of BC is because I still want my monthly periods, I don't want my hormones altered, I don't want to take daily or weekly pills, and overall not have to think about it. I have never been pregnant before, and I also had to get an ultrasound to make sure everything was good to go down there. The doctor tried to insert the IUD twice...the second time successful-she had me go in while on my period (On the heaviest day). While it does seem kinda gross, it makes it A LOT easier to insert the IUD (Especially if you have never been pregnant) with minor pain and it took about five minutes. It's been over 30 days, and it hasn't hurt at all, however the last two weeks I have been bleeding everyday (Minor to medium flow), which is a normal symptom to have (As it says for common side effects for Paragard). So far I feel good about making the decision on using this type of BC, especially since I've never been pregnant. I would definitely research all options, as all women are in different circumstances. This one happened to be the best for me, and years down the road I plan on the option to remove it and go for future spawn :)Read More Read Less

I got my IUD inserted on Friday morning. My doctor recommended that I take some Advil before I went, so I took 800mmg. Because I had never had never been pregnant, it was quite painful. My cervix did not want to cooperate, so she had to use some sort of dilator to be able to insert the IUD. There was a lot of cramping during this process. Because of my nerves, I got really dizzy and nauseous. Once the process was done (about 20-30 min) she had me lay there for a little while. She wanted to take an ultrasound to make sure that the IUD was in the right place. I had cramping for about 12 hours afterwords, but today they are totally gone. I still have some light bleeding. I was on Femcon FE for about a year before I decided to switch to an IUD. The hormones from the femcon give me insomnia, headaches, leg spasms and raised my blood pressure significantly. I see the pain and discomfort from having the IUD placed a small price to pay to get rid of those other symptoms. I am told my first few periods will be difficult, time will tell.Read More Read Less

i've experienced alot of bleeding, and want to know what can i do to subside the bleeding

I had ParaGard inserted 4 days ago. And it was the worst pain of my life. I have never had children so that could play a part. I needed to be on a hormone free birth control, I was on the pill for 10 years and my cycle did not know how to function on its own. I took 6 Advil, and my doctor prescribed me a Valium to take prior to the procedure. It did not take very long to have it inserted but when the pain is that intense it seemed like forever. I have been spotting ever since it was inserted, and having cramps. I hope within the next couple of months I will come to like the ParaGard better but things will have to make a huge improvement, not sure I would do it again. Read More Read Less

I had paragard inserted January 15, 2009 about 2 months after the birth of my 3rd child. I am 26 years old. I took 800 mg of ibuprofen prior to my appointment. The insertion was uncomfortable but pretty painless, just a stinging for about 10 seconds. I had NO cramps or spotting whatsoever afterwards. I had read so many bad posts that I thought something was wrong. I had 6 heavy periods, bleeding so bad 1 day each cycle that you would have thought someone massacred me. But surpisingly this month, July, my period was almost like my normal one. The flow was much lighter, regular, lasted about 5 days. I am so excited, I hope this continues. I don't experience monthly cramps. In the first few months I would have some pressure like discomfort as if the blood was trying to get around the device (mainly a bloated type feeling). I am very satisfied, excited, and I would recommend this to anyone who has done their research and think that it might work for them.Read More Read Less

I am currently 34, married, and had my Paragard IUD (copper, no hormones un like Mirena) inserted four months after having my first baby. I've now had it for 11 months. I tried to have one inserted before I had a child, against my doctor's recommendation (because according to him the cervix opening is usually too narrow in women that have not had children). I fainted when they tried to insert it then-after I had my baby it went in immediately though, didn't even feel it, and had mild cramping afterwards. I absolutely detested the weight gain, water retention, and fatigue that came with the pill-not to mention the expense and hassel. I tried many types of pills, and the Nuvaring all with the same problems. The IUD has none of those side effects, was completely covered by insurance, and is almost like it isn't there. Until period time-those are extremly heavy for a day or two, even eleven months later-heavier than pre-baby, on or off the pill. Though the strong cramping everyone mentions only lasted about 6 months for me. I highly prefer it to any other form of birth control.Read More Read Less

I got mine put in about 6 weeks ago and it was pretty painful to have put in, but I love my dr. and it was as quick as can be- about 30-60 seconds. I was a little crampy for the first couple weeks, but now I feel NOTHING. Every day gets better. It's awsome- 10 years no worries- Go Get 1! Highly recomended by me.

I am 24 and I chose to get paragard b/c hormones were giving me bad side effects. I've never had any kids, so the insertion was extremely painful for me. I had some cramps afterwards, but ibuprofen helped immensely. I've only had it for a month, and I was warned about the heavy bleeding and cramping, but I was not expecting it to be this bad. The bleeding, though heavy, doesn't bother me, but the cramping is miserable. I get sharp pangs that last for about 30 seconds tops and then go away and for some reason is worse while I'm wearing a tampon. Overall, I'm very happy with my decision do to the lack of hormones. I'm feeling better already, and even though the cramping is bad, i feel it's a small price to pay in comparison to the hair loss, headaches, etc. that were caused by hormones.Read More Read Less

I got the IUD 4 weeks ago and OMG they were right about the heavier periods and the increased cramping. My DR said it may get better over time or I might just have to get used to it. I have spotting between periods and a strange increase in CM. I would still recommend this though because the peace of mind of not getting pregnant.

I had the paraguard inserted last year after my youngest child was born. I had been on birth control the pill form before that. I hated taking the pill because any pill i used i had a bad reaction. I was considering Meridian the other form of IUD. It has hormones so i did not want that one because i wanted to breast feed. The paraguard i researched for six weeks until i made the decision to get it. When they inserted it it went well i had no cramping just a little spotting after but it's normal. Now if you are alergic to copper or have a tiped uterus you may want to reconsider and your doctor should tell you that because you can have complications. The only side effects are having sever cramps, headaches, backaches, bleeding. I have been lucky and i have not had any of those side effects. This is a great method of birth control especially if you are going to breastfeed or are worried about having bloodclots due to regular birth control pills. It last for ten years and is easily removed if you want it out. I would recomed this to anyone but do your research be your own advocate and ask a lot of questions as you should do with any birth control. If you are experiencing sever side effects from paraguard like hair loss, weight loss something to that effect something else might be wrong. You could be alergic to the copper tubing. I have recently had the papraguard stings move on me but my doctor had to adjust it back into the correct place but i only had a light cramping sensation. It's fine now. Good luck to all Read More Read Less

I used two Mirenas for 7 years between our 3rd and 4th child. I've now gone to Paragard due to no hormones (breastfeeding) and longer effectiveness (10 yrs vs. 5 yrs. with Mirena). Though a little uncomfortable at insertion (take Motrin) I highly recommend either. We've used so many types of BCs and IUDs have been the way to go for me BY FAR! Just a monthly string check and a yearly pap? YOU CANT BEAT THAT! And what other BC can you get for that long for the price even if you have to pay full!

I had the IUD inserted on Feb. 19th 2009. I had already had a child and my husband and I didn’t want to have anymore children for a while so this seemed like the best route to take. I also didn’t want the hormones from Mirena. The procedure was very fast and not too painful, but I have a very high pain tolerance. Everyone’s body is different. First the dr. will measure your uterus, you will feel sharp cramping. Then the dr. will insert the device, again you will feel sharp cramping. Just take a few deep breaths and it will be over soon. As soon as the dr. was done the sharp cramping was gone. I drove myself home and even went to class that evening. I experienced minor cramping and spotting for the next few days as to be expected. I would recommend this for anyone seriously considering having an IUD. I will write more when I go back in 4 weeks for the check up. Read More Read Less

had my iud inserted after my second child and was the worst decision ever. had severe cramps for three weeks every month. the pain would radiate from the front to the back and was worse than labor pains. after a year and a half had it removed and was put on the pill since dr. said i would have the same problem with mirena. do not recommend to anyone.

I had Paragard inserted on January 6. I'm single and never had a baby so my doctor said the procedure would be uncomfortable. She was more than right! The pain from intitially measuring my uterus was easily an 8 out of 10 (truly awful!), and inserting the Paragard was a 7 out of 10. I took ibuprofen before and after the procedure. Did fine the rest of the day then the cramping and spotting started the next day which lasted one full week. It got better each day but the day after the procedure, I will admit I could hardly stand up straight due to the cramping and discomfort. From January 13 - 21, everything was fine - no spotting or anything and i was so relieved, but I noticed some mild cramping that I could easily forget about if I kept myself active. i still went to the gym and engaged in sex and everything was fine. On January 21, I was hit with an unbelievably heavy period which is still very very heavy after 7 days. Very little cramping but an incredible amount of blood. I have tried on several occasions to feel the threads but i cannot feel them at all. So between this incredibly heavy period that I'm experiencing, which was, by the way exactly one week ahead of time, and the fact taht i cannot feel the threads, I have been a little worried about what's been happening. But I'm really not in a lot of pain so I haven't gone back to my doctor yet. I want to "ride out the storm" and see how long the bleeding lasts. I go back on February 16 for a follow-up with my doctor. I do recommend the IUD because of the freedom from having to take a pill but the side effects have been a bit more surprising than I expected. I truly believe it will be worth it once things settle down and my body gets used to it.Read More Read Less

I've only had paragard for about 5 weeks.I got it because my mom had a blood clot on birth control and tested positive for factor luiden 5. I didnt get tested because i dont have health insurance. I was on the pill but had migrains with aura (blind spots), the dr. said that b/c of my mom having the blood clotting disorder that i should get tested but since it was $200 up front, he said that since i was interested in paragard, i didnt need to be tested right now for factor liuden 5, although i plan on it when i have health insurance.Ive never had kids so the insertion was just cramps that weren't that terrible. Afterwards I had spotting for around 4 days. I had one period one week after insertion and it was heavier and i had stomach cramps, which i never had before, just lower back cramps. Now I am on my 2nd period and the menstrual flow is a lot heavier than the first period. I definitely use a tampon about every 2 hours, before paragard i could use a tampon the whole day if i wanted to and i still wouldnt leak. Also, I have such terrible stomach cramps that sometimes they take my breath away and I feel like i need crutches to walk with, but thats without taking ibuprofen, which i dont like to use too much because of the long term complications it causes. Anyway, I'm hoping the bad side effects subside within the next 3 months, but if not, its still worth not taking hormones. For someone who can't take hormones b/c of migraines with aura/blood clotting disorders that could cause death, I feel much safer on paragard and I haven't had a migraine at all while on it. Yeah the cramps hurt and the period is long, but ibuprofen and icyhot soothe the pain away.Read More Read Less

I had paragard inserted 4 days ago. WOW it was quite painful. I almost passed out from the cramps. I've been cramping ever since and bleeding too. But, so far I can handle it. It's only been 4 days. I haven't gone off bc yet because i have to go back to the dr in 6 wks after I get my period. I am on seasonique and will take this until two weeks prior to my appt. So far i would not recommend this to anyone who has a low tolerance for pain. If you doctor tells you it will just be a little cramping, don't believe him! I had to have a ride home because i was in so much pain and light headed. I was also a little out of it. I will update in a few weeks to see if any of the cramping has gone away. Thanks to all the women who wrote comments. It definitely helped.Read More Read Less

I am the mother of two kids ages 12 and 5 and I recently miscarried twins that I got pregnant with while taking birth control pills. One was in my uterus and the other was in my tubes so needless to say that traumatic experience made me re-think my birth control method. I had read about the Paragard and decided to try it since I was advised by my doctor not to get pregnant for at least a year. My husband and I decided that we would hold off for more than that and I opted to try the Paragard. I had it inserted almost a month ago and so far so good! It was a bit uncomfortable going in - I had a heck of a cramp - but after that I was fine. I used my lunch hour to get it done and still had time to stop for a sandwich before going back to work! I also, loved the fact that I only had to pay my $25.00 copay and my health insurance paid for the rest! I also love the fact that there are no hormones involved! No more monthly visits to the pharmacy to pay for pills once a month - Yea! I hated that I had to be having my period to get it done, but the pros outweighed the cons for me. I'm going in to having a follow-up with my doctor in January. If anything has changed I will update on hereRead More Read Less