Paraguard reviews - Mirena vs. Paragard IUD

[julie128]

I have a Paragard (non-homonal IUD), which I used to be quite happy with. However, I have been bleeding off and on for going on two weeks now, no cramping. My new doc put me on the mini pill to stop the bleeding, but it might take the full four weeks to stop. Has anyone used both types of IUD? Would taking out the Paragard and putting in the Mirena help? Did you like one better than the other? Thanks

[IamCoupongirl]

Sigh. Nope, I haven't had both IUD's, but I'm interested to hear from anyone who has.

I've had the Paragard since February, and I'm sick of heavy, 10-day periods! And, um, does anybody else have more than the usual amount of CM? Ever since I got the Paragard, I feel like my vagina has a head cold.

P.S. What did your new doc say about the bleeding? Oh, hey, I just realized we live in the same county.

[AnnMarie]

I had the Mirena and had to have it removed a few weeks after getting it. First I got an infection and then I kept having horrible pain. I do NOT recommend IUDs. I've heard too many complaints about them as well as having a bad experience myself.

[Amberlyn]

Sorry I have no advice on this as I am TTC, I was reading as my sister is suposed to get an IUD in a week. So just trying to get some ideas for her..

I just wanted to say I love your quote Julie!!!!

[Eman'smom]

I've had/have both, I had Paraguard between kids, and have Mirena now.

Lets see, no periods yet, though I do seem to have a day a month of "colored" CM not a period though.

I liked the non hormonal angle, but no period is nice too.

I really haven't had any side affects from either.

I'm naking but feel free to ask more questions,

[3_opihi]

Hmmm...interesting. I'm anxious to hear what people say.

I haven't tried either, but after I have the baby I'm getting a paraguard. I asked my midwife about the Mirena, and she said she wouldn't do it, because its relativeley new on the market and little is known about the long term effects. The Mirena will probably stop the bleeding, because it gives a low dose of hormones. Actually, I think it might be progesterone, which is the same as the mini pill. Don't quote me on that, though.

I have heard the paraguard has heavy bleeding and such for some people. That's the only bummer.

I'm from San Jose originally too. Well, not exactly San Jose, but that area

[majazama]

I asked my doc about getting the IUD with progesterone in it, and she said that it would probably not be to good as I'm BFing still. I have a prescription for the paraguard, but haven't got it yet. I'm still wondering about these little contraptions (but definatly exited about perhaps not having another baby for as long as I want)

[milkymama]

I had the Mirena for 2 months when ds#1 was 10 months old and did not like it all. I am really sensitive hormones and felt like I was on the pill. I also had lots of crampy (body trying to rid foreign body???) and spotting the whole time. Now ds#2 is 10 months and we are really struggling with the birth control issue.

[Undercover Hippie]

I haven't had both, but I did have the paragard and had lots of spotting like you described. The month before I had it removed, I spotted or bled for 19 out of 28 days. Very frustrating! I think I personally would try the Mirena if we decided to go that route again and I was done BF'ing... but those dang hormones... I dunno. Good luck, I feel for you!

Tara

[HomeBirthMommy]

I've got the Mirena. I've had it about 2 1/2 months and everyday I get a little more "used" to it. I must say the side effects have really bothered me. I have acne now like I've never had it before. I've never had more than a couple of pimples at a time, but now I am so embarassed of how my face looks. I know it sounds shallow, but it's that bad, even to the point of hurting sometimes. I've also put on about 6-10 pounds (fluctuates) that I can't seem to loose. I was losing weight when it was put in and continued my routine, but about a month after it was inserted, the weight just came and stayed. : I did have some cramping for the first week or so, and spotting for about a month. Also, my last period lasted two weeks. I have always tracked CM until I got the IUD, but now, I feel like I don't "know" my body as well.
I do feel like I'm getting more used to having it and probably in the long term it will be a good thing. I had not anticipated this adjustment period, though. Dh and I have talked about having it removed, but (OK, this sounds really bad) we spent so much money on it (about $650 including insertion) that we just can't bring ourselves to have it taken out so soon. I'm going to give it a year trial, and then after a year, we will re-evaluate.

[mamandelance]

I have an appt. to get Mirena later this month. I have a friend who had placed during her 6 week postpartum visit and she continued to breastfeed w/ no problems. She LOVES it! She said that is one of the best decisions she ever made. She stopped having periods and had absolutely no side effects. This seems to be the case for many people, at least the stories that I have read online. i was very concerned to go with an IUD, but after going on vacation and forgetting my BCP and having to resort back to condoms and IUD seems like a wonderful option! I hope that i have the same positive effects as my friend and will surely post the result once I have it placed!

[eddiesmom]

I've had a paragard for about a month. Insertion was sort of painful but not too bad, I took alot of ibuprofen before I went in. Cramps were bad for about 4 days and I took alot of Ibuprofen those days too. I got a yeast infection and that wasn't really pleasant but my body is so sensitive I figured it would have to adjust to the alien implant (paragard I don't notice cramps being worse at period time and I don't notice bleeding being any worse. I decided on Paragard because I get serious migraines and every birth control that I have tried with hormones makes my headaches worse. Even though the paragard has taken some adjustment I haven't noticed any kind of mood swings, or headaches , or anything like I have gotten on birth control pills with hormones. I haven't tried the Mirena because of my headaches so I dont know which one is better but I do like the paragard alot because I dont even notice it is there.

[CarolynnMarilynn]

I have a Mirena. I really did my research before I got it. It HAS been around for a long time - in Europe. Over ten years actually. And it is compatible with breastfeeding because the blood levels of progesterone in someone using it are very, very low. Much lower than the mini-pill. The progesterone just works locally. I haven't had too many side effects -- I have had it for 3 years. The first month was lots of spotting, but since then scant or no period. I do feel like my cycles are wonky and about 2 weeks long and for this reason I am getting ready to remove it. I want my period back! I have had intermittant cramping, including down my leg (sooo unpleasant), but less than monthly periods in total. Spontaneous sex = only chance I have! LOL

Carolynn

[mainegirl]

Just chiming in about the Mirena...I've had it for about seven months and overall it's been a good experience. It hurt being inserted (don't let them fool you, it does feel like an intense labor contraction) and I had some wicked cramps the rest of the day. After that I had spotting for about a month which was more annoying than anything.

Since then I have 2-4 days of very light spotting every month and sometimes this is preceded by cramps. Otherwise my health is fine and I am still breastfeeding my son.

My only issue (and I started a thead about it) is that I can feel it. My midwife claims this isn't possible and has confirmed that everything looks okay with it (just had my appt on Tuesday), but I swear I can feel it. It creeps me out.

So...the jury is still out. It is very convenient as we don't have to worry about condoms or pills, but I can't help thinking about the fact that I have a piece of plastic inside my body that doesn't belong there.

- Jen

[mamangazelle]

I've had my Mirena for about a year and am very pleased with it
The pain at insertion was not that bad (dd was in my arms and nursing while the doc did it)
I've had light spotting for the first month, and then... NOTHING!!!

[!Qazxsw2]

I had a Mirena IUD for the full 5 years, starting when I was 23 with no kids. I spotted every day for about 3 months, which was mildly annoying but no big deal. After that, I had no periods for the remainder of the 5 years-woo-hoo!!! Towards the end I was getting random PMS-ish symptoms. I highly highly highly recommend Mirena to everyone.

I just switched to a ParaGard IUD, b/c I want to get off hormonal contraceptives completely. Insertion hurt worse than with the Mirena (which was about as bad as my cramps had been on the pill). This time I just about passed out and/or vomited about 15 minutes later--laying down helped. I had horrendous cramps for about 4 hours--I just slept. Since then, though, absolutely no problems.

I'm curious to see what's going to happen with my period. Mine had always been messed up--badly--so I'm concerned about how it's going to be now. Any words of advice on what to expect with ParaGard?

[Alana]

I just got my Paraguard a couple weeks ago. I had my period when I got it...it hurt, but not horribly...just a bit crampy. My period lasted maybe 2 more days...wasnt very heavy either. I have not had any issues since...I was all prepared to non stop spotting, and havent had any.

[moms3kids]

I've had mirena for 2 years almost (in oct) and had no problems at all dd just self weaned ( i think hasn't asked to nurse in about 2.5 weeks ) and i got my period back only after she cut down to 1 nursing a day and it did only last 6 days which is what it was normally, that was about 5 weeks ago and still no period, so we'll see what happends from here.
It was very very uncomfy when it was placed, it needed to be cliped (string) a few times before the nurse prectioner got it right, that wasnt to bad though, i cramped about 5 days or so after wards. Also durring sex dh could some time feel the string so it needed to be adjusted some times (this is only done but pusing the string to the side with your finger not a big deal at all) and it's hasn't bothered either of use in atleast 1.5 years or so...
i need to go back to my N.P. to an exam in about a month and we'll see how things go!

[lasergirl]

I got mine about 9 weeks PP and love it. I breastfed for 18 months with no problems. I have only very minor spotting.
Insertion was uncomfortable, but not horrible-- not bad enough for me not to have it done again.
We are probably going to TTC next year-- but after baby I will definately get another one.
I love it

[Elyra]

I have had the Paragaurd for just over a year now. The placement was mildly uncomfortable for me, my midwife placed it and did it quickly and without complications. She had to stabilize my cervix for a moment and that was the uncomfortable part.

I have had the heavy bleeding early on when I first got the IUD. I had long periods and they were pretty heavy. They have lightened up quite a bit but they are longer than before I had the IUD put in. I do have much more spotting then I ever did, but it is just an inconvenience more than anything. I love the Paraguard, I have had no problems with it.