.

I love the Paragard! My period was heavier than it had been with the pill for a couple of months, but I think some of that was just regaining my period postpartum and not the Paragard. Now it's normal. Love that I never have to think about birth control. Love that it now lasts 12 years (according to my midwife in my most recent annual exam). Would definitely recommend!

Anonymous wrote:Love my paraguard as well. I had a more painful heavy period once I got it, but each period was progressively better for the first six months. Now, they are very close to what they were like before. I also liked that you are immediately fertile upon removal. My doctor never mentioned that with Mirena, it can take a few months to get full fertility back.

My experience with periods has been similar to this PP. I've had mine a year and half now and couldn't be happier. I am using ultra instead of super tampax now but I don't mind. I plan to keep it in for the full ten years.

Got mine 6 weeks after baby no 3. Insertion was fine, I was a little crampy for a day or two, but nothing bad. My periods are pretty heavy, but are better when I exercise. I used to get pretty bad cramps, but with the Paraguard they are pretty minimal.

I had it after my first son was born. Recommend having your husband or someone else drive you home after the insertion. I was fine but a little light headed and wasn't up for doing daycare pick up by myself right after. Otherwise loved it. Heavy periods when my period first came back and then the heaviness decreased over about 6 months and then basically returned to normal. So yes, very heavy in the beginning but then my body adjusted. Got it removed to get pregnant again. Now recovering from delivery, thinking about when I will get it inserted again. Super happy not to be on hormones.

I've had my Paragard since my 6 weeks postpartum check up, my DD is 14 months old. It has been great so far. I read so many horror stories before the insertion that I almost chickened out but since I can't use hormones any more I've decided to give it a try. It's great, I plan on leaving it for few yeas and if we won't suddenly decide on third child I'll get my tubes tied. The periods are killer but I only had 3 so far as I breastfed and I really have no idea how a real period feels because I was on a pill forever. The most important thing that I do not feel it inside a all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My experience wasn't positive, still interested?

I'm not the OP but I would love to here about both positive and not so positive experiences.

I got mine 2 years after my daughter was born. Completely healthy, never had issues with birth control...not very painful for insertion and went home.

6 hours later, I was a lot of pain. I have an extremely high pain tolerance and I was extremely uncomfortable for several days. Maybe 4?

I had heavy periods, of 10-12 days (all heavy) which required an ultra tampon and heavy pad for 5-6 of those days changing every 2-3 hours.

I couldn't swim or workout (leaking) but the worst part were the migraine headaches and extreme cramps.

I had it removed and got the Mirana. While my periods are still long (could be an IUD thing) they are so light I use no more then a panty liner and I have none of the other issues.

Good luck, I know some people love the Paraguard, but it was not for me.

I've had it for a year and am having super heavy periods that are closer together than before. Makes me iron deficient and changing super tampon every 2 hrs. Thinking of removing it soon.

Love mine. I got it right after I had my baby. No problems at all

Anonymous wrote:My experience wasn't positive, still interested?

I'm not the OP but I would love to here about both positive and not so positive experiences.

My experience wasn't positive, still interested?

I am on my third Paragard. Love it! I can't do hormonal BC and this works beautifully for me. First 2-3 cycles are on the heavy side and I do get more cramps, but nothing that a couple of Advils can't take care of.
I got pregnant almost immediately after removal with my first two IUDs and now plan on the current one to last until menopause.

I've had it for over a year and it's fine. I do have cramps now and a longer, heavier period, but I think my period was unnaturally light because of the pill. This month is annoying because I have been spotting for about a week. That's the first time this has happened, but it's a pain!

It's better than any other option, though. Sometimes I wish they made a pill for men so that my husband could be the one in charge of bc for once...

I've had mine for 3 years. I have a super heavy period every couple of months, but it's honestly not awful -- I just stock up on the Tampax Ultras. It's been an excellent decision for my family overall.

I know this is an old thread but I would love to hear more experiences with the Paragard. I really want to get one but I'm afraid of the side effects.