My dr seemed to speak highly of the IUD paraguard as opposed to mirena.
Has anyone used it? What did you think?
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I have paragard. I didn't have any experience with either of them prior. I was hesitant to get mirena because I didn't want something hormonal. I've had paragard a little over a year now and so far so good. BUT, my flow each month is super heavy! I'm constantly running to the bathroom. That's supposed to last a year or so I believe. I also had pretty strong cramps for the first several months during m.
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@BoogieBea: I did read that about periods being heavier. Are your periods longer now as well?
I like the idea if non hormonal since I think hormones can screw with fertility and I def want to have kids further on down the road (2 years min).
How was insertion?
Thanks for answering my questions
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No personal experience, but the thing holding me back from Paraguard is that it can make your periods worse, both bleeding & symptoms. Mirena on the other hand makes your periods light/easy or completely go away, but the hormones are a very low dose because they are localized and a "back up" to the IUD mechanism. I'm pretty sure I'm getting Mirena after this LO is born.
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I had one for about 2 years, I think. My periods got so heavy and the cramping was so bad I had to take it out. My doctor did offer to put me on a low dose progesterone pill as well to lighten my periods, but that seemed to go against the whole point of the Paraguard.
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My SIL has Paraguard and is literally writhing in pain each time she gets her period.
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I chose to get a mirena b/c I already had really heavy periods with strong cramping before bc. I am extremely happy with the mirena, even though I had been worried about the hormones, so I'm happy I decided against paraguard in the end.
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I opted for Mirena because a good friend of mine has Paraguard and said she gets super heavy, long, badly cramping periods.
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@Mrs. Pen: The peak is still only 3 days or so. I sometimes spot for up to a week before heavy flow comes in. That can get a little annoying too because I feel like I'm wasting pads.
Insertion was pretty painless. It's just a slight pinch.
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@daniellemybelle: yeah I've heard that.. although I think I like the idea of a period because I would have a better idea of knowing sooner if I were to get pregnant (low chance I know, but it's a risk...).
I suppose I could always start with paraguard, give it a few months and if I don't like it, switch to mirena.
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I did and you don't even wanna know. I started to get arthritis-like symptoms as a reaction to the copper, my hair was coming out in chunks, I never had a period on it (had it inserted 6 weeks pp and had it out about two months later), and it caused minor discomfort (like I could feel it in there) pretty much all the time. Plus I was paranoid about using a menstrual cup because of stories about the suction pulling them out. But I do know of and have read many stories of people with positive experiences. I feel VERY confident that I was in a very small unlucky minority!
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@Mrs. Twine: oh my!! that's so scary. Birth control is so hit and miss and there is no perfect option. It's SO hard to decide.
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@Mrs. Pen; I wouldn't let it discourage you, really. Like I said, I'm pretty sure it was a freak sort of thing. But you are totally right about the same thing not working for everyone. I'm still trying to get Mr. T to go in for his vasectomy, but he's not sufficiently motivated yet.
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I had a paraguard and loved it. My flow was a little heavier and long but not by much. Flow of 5 days with 2 days spotting after. Never had to use a tampn heavier than a "regular." Spotting for a couple days before period but it was Super light.
Before and after IUD period was 2-3 days flow and 1-2 days spotting after.
The insertion was a couple pinches. Getting it removed didnt hurt at all.
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I have it now. I had it placed five months PP. I like it because I never have to worry about BC but it's annoying because my periods are heavier and longer than when I was on the pill. I also get a lot of CM (like a lot), which is apparently normal and will eventually go away after a year or two. If I weren't done having children, I would probably go back on BCP but I really don't want to have another baby so this is the solution until I can convince my DH to get snipped
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I had Paraguard and I really liked it. I was wary of the hormones in the Mirena and would much rather have a heavier flow than something with hormones. However, my period was always relatively light before getting Paraguard so it wasn't bad to be a little heavier.
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I had it for a few years before TTC. I loved not needing to think about birth control. My periods were heavier and longer at first but went back to my normal (I'm guessing within 6 months to a year but I can't remember very well). Insertion was not a big deal--my doctor had recommended I take the afternoon off work just in case, but I went straight back to work, no problem. It may help to have someone experienced insert it. My doctor asked her patients to rate pain levels after insertion and she thought they were going down as she did more of them. I also used a menstrual cup without any issues.
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