Not sure where to post this..thinking about getting a Paragard IUD. Thoughts/ experiences?

nofrogs

I have been trying to find the right method of birth control since the birth of my daughter 9 months ago. Anything hormonal is out, as my endocrinologist says it would likely impact my thyroid. I have tried the diaphragm, but it did not work for me (UTI/ unbearable pressure). As of right now, we are really bad condom users, but not ready for another baby.  I used the femcap prior to getting pregnant and was really happy with it, but now it causes too much bleeding, which my Dr. said was just related to breastfeeding. My main issue with the IUD is the horror stories I read all over the internet. It also bugs me a little that the IUD works a number of ways, one of which is preventing implantation of a newly fertilized egg. It bothers me, but I don't think I have another option. 

Anyone have a Paragard? Curious what other people think. 

flummadiddle85

Have you looked into NFP/FAM (natural family planning/fertility awareness method). It's not the rhythm method, and is based off interpreting your bodies various fertility signs. Taking Charge of Your Fertility is a good book if you're interested. There are many benefits.

nofrogs

Is there a way to track fertility, when I haven't had a pp period yet?

flummadiddle85

It is, it's just trickier. And you do needto track before your first PP period, as it's still possible to ovulate and get PG. It certainly helps if you are already aware of your fertility signs. It's not impossible to start now though. You just may need to exercise more caution if ou are TTA.

 The book does have whole sections for the PP time, pre-menopausal, and when coming off of BC. We used it even after DS was born, and I could see my fertility patterns still. Even after your first PP period, things can still take a bit to regulate, especially if you're BF.

We also took a CCL class, and we have a local teaching couple we can ask. Questions, show charts, etc. Just be aware that CCL is religious based (we don't use artificial BC for religious reasons). The book I mentioned is not, and FAM you would just use some sort of barrier method during fertile times. NFP you would abstain during fertile times. 

But it sounds like you've had quite a time trying to find a BC method that works for you. It may be worth looking into the NFP/FAM methods. No side effects, you learn your body better, can see exactly when you ovulate, can help diagnose any problems with your cycles, cheap/free. Doctors just may not be supportive of it though, as they don't always understand the effectiveness.

July18Bride

I had the paraguard put in about 3 weeks ago....it was removed yesterday. I, like you, have a tough time with any estrogen/hormones in birth control- which is why I went this route. The placement wasn't too bad, although I cramped for a few days. But 7 days ago I got my first period with it placed, it was TERRIBLE. It kept getting heavier and heavier, I was soaking thru tampons/pads/underwear (sorry TMI) overnight. It ended up that the device had moved due to the high blood flow, so I was going to need it to be removed and replaced. But likely the same would occur next month since it takes the body usually 6-9 months to adjust properly. I was not prepared to deal with that for so long- so I had it removed and we plan to use condoms/timing method, which was our method prior to both kids (which were both planned). Eventually DH may get snipped- but that seems so permanent too. Sorry- not too much help here, but I am in a similar boat to you!

flummadiddle85

July18Bride said:

I had the paraguard put in about 3 weeks ago....it was removed yesterday. I, like you, have a tough time with any estrogen/hormones in birth control- which is why I went this route. The placement wasn't too bad, although I cramped for a few days. But 7 days ago I got my first period with it placed, it was TERRIBLE. It kept getting heavier and heavier, I was soaking thru tampons/pads/underwear (sorry TMI) overnight. It ended up that the device had moved due to the high blood flow, so I was going to need it to be removed and replaced. But likely the same would occur next month since it takes the body usually 6-9 months to adjust properly. I was not prepared to deal with that for so long- so I had it removed and we plan to use condoms/timing method, which was our method prior to both kids (which were both planned). Eventually DH may get snipped- but that seems so permanent too. Sorry- not too much help here, but I am in a similar boat to you!

Timing method? The calendar/rhythm method? That can only be somewhat reliable if your cycles are consistent. It is not as effective as observing your fertility signs, and determining when you are fertile. Also, the calendar/rhythm method would be fairly useless I would think for someone who has not even had a PP period yet.

jazmynlaraine

I would NEVER recommend an IUD. Ever. The reason is as follows:

-Too much interference wih bodily functions, i.e. hormones, period, etc.

-Really high risk of health problems such as it wandering and becoming ineffective

-My sister had the Paragard and got pregnant.

-I had the Mirena and it was put in incorrectly, it became embedded in my uterus and caused pain. The only thing it did right: I didn't get pregnant.

-It can be VERY painful to get it put in and even removed. Especially if it's been embedded,.I was screaming when they pulled mine out. Not joking, I felt like I was in labor when they put it in and when they took it out.

-The IUD can make you seriously feel pregnant. I was really feeling so pregnant I took a test every week because there were so many symptoms. Like fetal movement, nausea, etc.

-The IUD can also make your hormones imbalanced, which can affect you mentally. I became depressed, and have read about others who did as well.

All in all, it's not worth it to go with the IUD. It can travel, embed itself in your uterus, and it can also perforate make a hole) in your uterus. Paragard and Mirena. I don't want to scare you, but if you really want to know how they put it in, search it on youtube, they actually pinch your cervix with these sharp tongs to make it "straighten out" which I'm sitting here cringing about...ugh....

It's not as safe as they say. The stories are true. It happened to me and if we don't speak out, it'll happen to others. If you still get it, don't sign anything leaving the doctors legally untouchable.

Best Regards,

Mirena Survivor

Rachallkins

Long post alert...

I just had my paraguard removed a couple months ago after having it for 5 years.

Getting it put in took 4 tries (OUCH! but not terrible) because I had never been pregnant before. They said its much easier after having had a baby.

I loved it despite the fact that after insertion I bled for 9 months straight (super annoying, this was also blamed on my lack of previous pregnancy.)

My periods were crampy and moderate to heavy flow, but nothing unbearable, pretty similar to the periods I had before starting contraception methods. 

I had it removed because about a year after I had it inserted I began getting BV very regularly, it turned into me having it more often than not for the next ~4 years.   I tried everything out there to cure it.  I was so sick of it and desperate at the beginning of this year that I had my OB/GYN remove it as my last ditch effort to cure myself.....  AND WHAT DO YA KNOW, I haven't had BV for the past 2 months since it's been out!!

I found very little online linking the 2, but I had to try, so glad I did.

But seriously, despite my issues I had with it, it was great, so easy, VERY cost effective too.

My fiance and I use NFP (charting BBT and CM) now.  My cycles are very normal and my periods are SUPER light now that I'm off it, so I don't think it has affected my body negatively.  Next year we will start TTC, we'll see what happens with that

GL

nofrogs

Thank you for everyone's thoughts and opinions!

jessalynn521

I have the paragard and have since 6 weeks pp ( so about 6 months).

I think the insertion was a breeze. My doctor said most women complain of a pinching cramp, but I had no trouble. My first months flow was crazy heavy, but each month it has gotten lighter and by 4 months post insertion my periods are essentially the same as they were before pg. 

Because the paragard is non hormonal I have had no issues with pg symptoms. I think everyones experiences are different, but for me it has been the best choice I could have made.

kelseypie

jazmynlaraine said:

I would NEVER recommend an IUD. Ever. The reason is as follows:

-Too much interference wih bodily functions, i.e. hormones, period, etc.

-Really high risk of health problems such as it wandering and becoming ineffective

-My sister had the Paragard and got pregnant.

-I had the Mirena and it was put in incorrectly, it became embedded in my uterus and caused pain. The only thing it did right: I didn't get pregnant.

-It can be VERY painful to get it put in and even removed. Especially if it's been embedded,.I was screaming when they pulled mine out. Not joking, I felt like I was in labor when they put it in and when they took it out.

-The IUD can make you seriously feel pregnant. I was really feeling so pregnant I took a test every week because there were so many symptoms. Like fetal movement, nausea, etc.

-The IUD can also make your hormones imbalanced, which can affect you mentally. I became depressed, and have read about others who did as well.

All in all, it's not worth it to go with the IUD. It can travel, embed itself in your uterus, and it can also perforate make a hole) in your uterus. Paragard and Mirena. I don't want to scare you, but if you really want to know how they put it in, search it on youtube, they actually pinch your cervix with these sharp tongs to make it "straighten out" which I'm sitting here cringing about...ugh....

It's not as safe as they say. The stories are true. It happened to me and if we don't speak out, it'll happen to others. If you still get it, don't sign anything leaving the doctors legally untouchable.

Best Regards,

Mirena Survivor

Lol, dramatic much?

OP, I got Paragard at 6 weeks pp. Didn't hurt at all going in, though it was pretty soon after birth, which helped I'm sure. I did have to go back after a few weeks to have the strings trimmed down, but it was no big deal. I cramped and spotted for 3 or 4 days after getting it, but other than that it's like it's not even there.

I hear periods are rough with them, but I BF and haven't gotten AF back yet so I don't know personally. GL!

08summerbride

I got the paraguard becuase of the non-hormonal benefits as well. I had no issues with insertion, and have had no real period issues either. 

WashingtonQueen

I had the Mirena and I didn't like the hormonal side effects. I now have the Paragard and I love it. Insertion is easy and no hormones. Periods were heavy at first but that's no big deal. They have gotten lighter every month so far.

Unknown

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