Paragard vs Mirena IUDs

[blndsnbrdr]

Talk to me.

I've had the Paragard since October 2008, so just over 5 years. Its good for another 5 but I don't think I can handle it. The crazy fluctuation in hormones is killing me and I'm absolutely terrified that I'll get my ass kicked the week of my 100M race (the dates align for an ass kicking). 

I can go from one month of minimal pain/hunger/exhaustion, to a month of boobs that hurt so bad I double sports bra them + hug them when running (I have baby boobs, this should not happen,  to a month with three days of ODing on ibuprofen/Tylenol and still curling up in a ball from cramping, to a month where moving my upper body hurts my back so bad...

So yea, its crazy. And super annoying. And not just one day - I'm taking 3-5 really bad days + 7-14 days of PMS ick.

Anyone have experience with both the Mirena and Paragard IUD?

I originally got on the Paragard for the lack of hormones...but, eff that! I've gone from "maybe kids are cute" to "never, ever" so the hormones are really of no concern to me.

Is it worth the pain of extraction/insertion + money to switch to the Mirena IUD?

[sitnspin]

Both, no.  But, I have had my Mirena for almost 4 years - problem free.  The 10 second insertion sucked (I don't have kids though), but it was over quickly and well worth it.  I have had no bad side effects from it and bonus - no period anymore!

[wambam]

Well paragard has no hormones so I'd really look into why you're having hormonal shifts. That sounds not right. You can put a HBC bandaid on the problem, but this might be an indicator that something is wrong.

[emilyj]

I have had both. I have endometriosis & adenomyosis, so I had my own set of issues while I was on Paraguard. I never had the crazy hormone issues you are describing though - I actually never had hormone issues on it - no PMS, no bloating. Just crazy heavy periods and pretty tough GI issues during my actual period.

I have had Mirena now for about a year and half, and I looooooooooooooooooove it. I haven't had a period since I got it in October '13 (a couple of instances of spotting, and that's it - like, less than a day). Sometimes my nipples get sensitive around when I 'should' get a period. I haven't gained any weight. I have no issues with PMS, hormone swings...nada. I still have some residual issues with endometriosis and adenomyosis, but that's me.

I would get Mirena again in a heartbeat over Paraguard.

[finallykrisb]

The horrible AF that lasts 10 days is why I would never go back to Paraguard. I have no experience with Mirena but the extraction of my Paraguard was a piece of cake.

[chw57]

I've had mirena for a year and a half with zero periods and zero problems!

[osulori]

I haven't had Paraguard, but got a Mirena at my 6 week postpartum appt. Insertion was easypeasy b/c of the whole postpartum business, but I've had zero issues so far. No period (but I'm BFing so that's probably playing a part too), no cramping, nothing. I did have a week of heavy spotting starting a week after I got it placed and lasting for about a week, but that could have been a re-occurrence of postpartum bleeding.

[mrsjthompson]

I had the Mirena for a year up until December. I hated it. I had terrible cramps and the mood swings were awful. I felt like crying almost every single day. On the up side I didn't have a period.

[Wines Not Whines]

Do you think hormonal BCP will help keep your hormone swings in check? I've had Mirena for 3 years and I have no complaints. It's incredibly easy. I haven't had a period in 2.5 years, which is a nice side effect.

[skwcm80]

I got Mirena in June 2012. My periods are lighter and much less painful, but are completely unpredictable. I used to have a textbook cycle before then. That being said, I don't regret getting Mirena for one second,

And my periods before I had an iud were very heavy, so i wouldn't have considered anything that might have resulted in a heavier period.

[mcc]

Paraguard has no hormones so I would talk to your dr about that.

I'm scheduled to get one next week and can't wait! A lot of women complain about heavy periods after Paraguard but I think it depends what your pre-IUD periods were like.

[blndsnbrdr]

Mar 3, 2014 17:56:33 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

Do you think hormonal BCP will help keep your hormone swings in check? I've had Mirena for 3 years and I have no complaints. It's incredibly easy. I haven't had a period in 2.5 years, which is a nice side effect.

I had TriCyclo(?) BCP and then The Ring for years before I got Paragard and gave people a blank stare when they talked about hormones and periods -- I only ever had a 3 day super light period, no pain, no sore boobs, no crazy emotions...nothing. 

That is why I'm toying with going back to hormones -- they made my life so much easier!

[blndsnbrdr]

Mar 4, 2014 7:19:54 GMT -5 mcc said:

Paraguard has no hormones so I would talk to your dr about that.

I'm scheduled to get one next week and can't wait! A lot of women complain about heavy periods after Paraguard but I think it depends what your pre-IUD periods were like.

I had BCP pre-IUD and holy shit, the heavy periods post-IUD are no joke! I switched to the Diva Cup just because tampons weren't enough. It sucked...especially after years of pansy ass 3 day light periods!

I don't regret the Paragard IUD - I love having an IUD and it was 100% worth the 3 attempts to insert it (kid-less). I'm just sick of what my body is doing without any hormonal balance and based upon my experience with HBC in the past I think it'll help, a lot.

[Wines Not Whines]

Based on your follow-up posts, I'd talk to your doctor about Mirena. It sounds like it might work really well for you.