Who uses a Paragard?

[snipsnsnails]

Yeah, yeah, I know, you never pay attention to these things until you need to.

So, who likes it?

I want a non-hormonal BC and I will die if I have another newborn. So, whatcha got, ML?

[verypunny]

I have it and was told it would make my periods heavier. I haven't gotten a period since my 17 month old was born since she is still nursing so I'm not much help. I will say the first time I had it in it fell out of place and my husband could feel it. I had to have a new one put in and he still says he can occasionally feel it.

[beachykeen]

I'm a lurker, but I got paragard after my daughter was born in November.

My period stayed away as long as I was nursing and has only recently returned. I don't notice a difference in pain level or flow.

Insertion was a breeze, only slightly uncomfortable the next day and I don't even remember I have it.

My favorite part is feeling completely normal and not having to think about bc in any way. I highly recommend it.

[poppyseed]

I have one. I like it. **TMI Warning** I had ridiculous discharge for probably the first 3-4 months after I had it inserted, but none since then. My doctor said ParaGard doesn't regulate your periods like Mirena does, but I've had two periods post partum, and they came exactly one month apart. I haven't had any spotting or bleeding either.

[phdprocrastinator]

I have Paragard and it's been fine. I got it at my 6 week pp visit. I did have to go in to get the strings snipped as they were poking me (they weren't terribly painful, but it felt weird). My first few periods were super heavy (SUPER heavy), but I don't know if that's because they were my first post-partum periods or if it was related to the IUD. I also had more mucus for the first few months. I've had it for over a year now, and my cycles are back to normal.

[beachykeen]

I was also told by my dr not to even mention or ask my husband if he could feel it. He has never mentioned it. She said as soon as you mention it, he'll be thinking about it lol

[mmmomof2]

I had it inserted when DD2 was a few months old. Some cramping and spotting for a few days, but that's it. I just got my first period on it (Dd is 16mo), and it's been long and heavy. No cramping, but I'm on day 10 (first few days were just spotting) and this morning I've soaked through 3 tampons.Blech. I've heard it regulates after awhile, but right now I'm not impressed.

Eta- For awhile after insertion I had greenish mucosy discharge. Dr said that's normal.

[snipsnsnails]

Thanks, all. I think I'm going to talk to my OB/Gyn a little bit more about it. Sounds like a decent option despite the possible side effects.

[MrsStark]

I got it in January. My first four periods were super heavy, seven days long and every four weeks to the hour. There's been a lot of discharge and...TMI I guess, but it smells differently. Not like I'm sticking my nose in it, it just has a noticeably different scent. My period is 2 days late, but I just weaned, so I'm thinking my hormones are freaking out. I'm definitely in pre-period mode though. H hasn't noticed anything different.

[mrs.jacinthe]

I had it for five years (just pulled it in April). No complaints here. When I first got it, I could sort of feel it during AF (like it was poking from the inside or whatever) but that resolved in like 3 months and I haven't had any trouble since. I also had the strings trimmed REALLY short at my 1-month follow-up because R could feel them, and he's noted occasionally that he could feel it, but it apparently doesn't bother him much.

[papie]

Remember my pregnancy and miscarriage last fall?  yeah, I had a paragard.  I don't recommend them.  I guess that is an understatement. 

[Deleted]

I've had it in for a few months. Insertion was not nearly as bad as I was anticipating. Cramping and a little discomfort for the day but then I was fine. My period is heavier than I've ever had to deal with before and lasts longer. I just got over an 8 day period. They used to only be about 3 days.

H says he can feel the strings sometimes during sex but it doesn't bother him enough to not want the sex.

[berbles]

I liked it ok while I had it, but I realized way too late that it was masking the glaringly obvious signs of endometriosis. I ended up with stage 4 endo and had surgery to remove it. I'm positive that the reason it got so bad without my noticing was because the paraguard side-effects are really similar to endo symptoms. It wasn't until I had it removed for a year and my "side-effects" hadn't lessened that I realized something was wrong.

That said, I REALLY enjoyed not having crazy hormone issues for 5 years.

[bex1973]

I got one about a month ago & besides the gross discharge no complaints (so far). I like others didn't expect the ummm "level" of discharge - it was so much so that I actually asked a friend who has one if it was normal! I've had 1 period on it and it was no different than normal.

[messykitchen]

I had one. It got sucked into my cervix and perforated my uterus. I know this is very rare coinsurance. Now there is so much scar tissue in there I probably won't be able to have more kids. The cramps were viscous, I bled like ALL the time, and I could always feel it. I don't know if it wasn't inserted right, or if I am just really sensive.

Anyway, sorry for the horror story. It works wonderfully for so many people, I know I am just a weirdo.

I would probably get that little implant in my arm now if I wanted bc I didn't have to fuss with. I am not sure what that's called but someone else will! (sorry you said non hormonal, but leaving this here in case it helps someone else)

ETA: I had it in four years and had to have surgery to remove it. 

[joshlyman]

Anyone get it who has not had kids?

I can't take hormonal BC and now that I am single and ready to mingle I was thinking about this. Condoms are a must, but I want some back up :/

[snipsnsnails]

Ugh, papie, I do remember. I'm sorry, friend. I was trying to remember if you had the Paragard or Mirena. xoxo

Thanks again, everyone, for answering. I know it seems like a logical choice for someone interested in non-hormonal BC, but I'm still not ready to pull the trigger for some reason. : /

[ProfessorArtNerd]

I have one, it's great! I'm thinking of removing it soon, because my periods have become very frequent. My doctor says this can happen- usually around the four year mark (exactly where I am). previous to this, no complaints whatsoever. I get migraines from hormonal bc.