Paraguard reviews - Mirena vs. Paragard IUD - Page 11

[chanita frazier]

I had the paragard for about  a month and a half i had no cramps a lilspotting  its great i love it myboyfriend love.

[mayendo]

I had a Mirena for two years after ds #2, and got another put in four months ago after ds #3. I've loved them! Both times I had pretty heavy spotting for almost a month; it tapered off, and by 6-7 weeks was gone. With the first Mirena, I would have a very, very light period for a day or two. So far nothing with this new one. I had both inserted 8 weeks postpartum and had absolutely no pain. I did take some Ibuprofen at the dr's office, in case of cramping afterwards, and never experienced any.

The Mirena does not interfere with bf'ing. It is progesterone only, like the mini-pill, and should not affect milk supply; and the hormone (supposedly) is localized. I bf'ed ds #2 for 2 1/2 yrs with no problem, and have had no problems since getting the new Mirena. I'm not wild about the whole hormonal thing, but I'm also not wild about an unplanned pregnancy! My midwife was of the mindset that at least with the Mirena it's a much lower dose, confined to the uterus.

Hubby wants to get snipped, so we'll probably do that in a few years--which is a whole other discussion! Just need to make sure I'm absolutely 100% positive that this.is.it!

[Yaliina]

I'm in the Mirena camp and LOVE IT!!  I got my first one about 6-9 months after DS1 was born at the recommendation of about all the women in my (mainstream) mom's group at the time.  I had begun cycling again, despite nursing on-demand (read: around-the-clock EBF) at 3 months PP, and was having insanely heavy and long periods.  After the IUD, they were immediately noticeably lighter, and became progressively lighter and longer until I had just some vague spotting for about 16 days about 4 or 5 months later (I think).  Then I didn't have another drop (period) until the day I had it out 4 years later.  My period came back THAT DAY and was "normal".  We purposely avoided conception for one month following removal ("normal" cycle), and then I got pregnant immediately.  This time, my first question to my OB after birth was "when can I get my Mirena back?"  He put it in at my 6 week check. I had spotting for 3-4 days triggered by the insertion, then one very light period the next month.  Then nothing!  :D  I'm BFing DS2 on-demand at 8 months now, and never noticed any side effects of the Mirena other than contraceptive bliss!

ETA:  Oh yeah, I almost forgot:  The insertion was really like a pap with an extra sting that felt a lot like a shot does.  No biggie, and certainly less painful than (take your pick) labor, period cramps every month for the next 5 years, unplanned pregnancy...  I had basically completely forgotten it by the time I was dressed. :)

[cat13]

I know there are already a ton of replies, but I thought I'd add my experiences as well...

I have tried almost every type of BC out there with mild problems from all of them so I kept on trying new things after about 9 months or so on each. The Depo shot gave me non-stop bleeding and the 5-6 types of pills I took and the Nuva Ring all gave me break-through bleeding, horrible acne, weight gain and moodiness. Eventually, I decided to go with the Paraguard.

I had to ask 2 doctors to give me the Paraguard, since I had not been pregnant before, the first didn't want to give it to me. The insertion was painful, but not too bad. I just took a bunch of Ibuprofin all day and it was ok by day 2. Overall I really appreciated the Paraguard because I didn't have any of the annoying symptoms that I had with hormonal BC. But after about 4 years I was sick of having extra crampy 8 day long periods so I decided to switch it out for a Mirena.

I ended up with the Mirena for about 3 years and really loved it. Only two downsides: my cycles were about 25 days long (annoying) and I spotted for 1-2 days in the middle of them. Also, DH said that sometimes he could feel the string. I asked how bad it was and he said it was less uncomfortable than a condom... which was going to be our last resort if Mirena didn't work out!  

I got my Mirena removed last September because we were ready to start TTC, and I got pregnant right after Thanksgiving! My doctor laughed when I went in for my first PN visit saying that I was the 3rd mama he had seem in the last month who got pregnant immediately after IUD removal. 

My only concern has been when to get it again after having this baby. So thanks to all the moms who posted about how the Mirena has or hasn't affected their milk supply. Still have to think about it...

IMO, each woman just has to do a trial-and-error to find the right BC for herself. 

[Gemini13]

I had a Paragard for 5 years.  I just had it removed last month so I can start TTC.  I was extremely happy with it.  It was a little rough in the beginning- I haven't had kids, and insertion hurt like hell.  Then my periods were heavier and crampier than usual.  Over the course of about 6 months they gradually leveled off.  They were still longer and heavier, but not painful, certainly nothing I couldn't handle.  If I was planning to wait longer between babies 1 and 2 I would definitely get it again.  As it stands, we'll see... I keep thinking of the insertion, but I know it will be different if I've delivered vaginally. 

[GoBecGo]

I've had both.  I got the Mirena in December 2006 after having DD1.  I had it removed to TTC in May 2009.  I had the Nova (copper with silver core) IUD inserted in September 2010, after DD2.  I have tried many kinds of BCP (and my supply was absolutely affected by the mini-pill!) and the depo shot too.

Mirena:

Pros:  

• Light periods (mine never stopped but ended up being like 1-3 days of spotting midcycle and 4-6 days of spotting for AF)
• Very effective
• Didn't change CM noticeably

Cons:

• I spotted every day for 2 months, then for 20 days a month, then 15, and so on until after 8 months i got to the bleeding i described above.  It was worth it because i knew i wanted it in for a good while, but for shorter term use it would have been very annoying.
• light periods continued after removal, and i had 2 miscarriages which i believe were related to poor implantation in my insufficient lining.  I took "baby" aspirin for one cycle and got pregnant, and stayed pregnant, with DD2.
• Very sore breasts from the mid-cycle spotting to the AF - EPO helped a little, but it was pretty bad by the time i had it taken out.

Copper IUD

Pros:

• No hormones - as someone who only chose Mirena because of how low the hormones were, this is a major plus for me.
• Much less spotting after insertion - my cycle is more or less as it was, slightly heavier but it is a slight difference, not a massive one

Cons:

• Changed CM - as someone said upthread, it's like my cervix has a headcold!
• Worry about failure - Mirena is incredibly unlikely to fail this is slightly more so, and i do fret about the decisions i'd need to make if we did in fact get pregnant despite the IUD.

So far i prefer the copper one, but the main things that put me off the mirena were the sore luteal phase breasts (which took about 18 months to come on) and the miscarriages after removal (which could have been unrelated, i had 2 losses before DD1 too).

[Orangey]

Does anyone have any experience with an IUD after a cerclage?  I have been thinking about an IUD but I'm wondering if my previous cerclages will affect it. (I had a cerclage with my last 2 pregnancies). I can't seem to find anything online and my doctor hasn't gotten back to me yet.

Thanks!

[Azadehhast]

Originally Posted by Gemini13 

I had a Paragard for 5 years.  I just had it removed last month so I can start TTC.  I was extremely happy with it.  It was a little rough in the beginning- I haven't had kids, and insertion hurt like hell.  Then my periods were heavier and crampier than usual.  Over the course of about 6 months they gradually leveled off.  

Same for me--Actually, I didn't eat before I had it put in, and I actually passed out on the table with all the tools inside me. Scary! So eat first! 

And after a few months, my periods dropped off, and now they're really short, only one day of real bleeding, and about the usual amount of cramping. I am convinced that I can always feel it though, like right now, nudging on my cervix, and sometimes sex is a bit painful when it wouldn't otherwise be--I could also just be neurotic about having this foreign thing in me.

Also, I'm sure that last summer, I conceived, despite Paragard--I was 8 days late, and I started leaking milk! (Never been pregnant before, so this was strange!) But then on the 9th day, AF arrived, and the IUD did its job, and I was quite relieved.

I'm getting it out in a few weeks, though, to TTC. Yay! 

All in all, I'm so happy with my IUD--it's simple, dummy-proof, and effective--and I'll definitely get another after having babies.

[an_aurora]

I have a Mirena that I got about a month ago.  I was really hoping it would help with my heavy, painful periods.  

The insertion was very easy, and felt much like a regular pap.  There was the teeniest bit of cramping right at the insertion but that was it.  I spotted slightly that day and the next (not enough to require a pad or even a panty liner).  My cycle was very short and my first AF was very very light spotting for 10 days.  So far I'm very happy with it.

[Gemini13]

Originally Posted by Azadehhast 

 Same for me--Actually, I didn't eat before I had it put in, and I actually passed out on the table with all the tools inside me. Scary! So eat first! 

And after a few months, my periods dropped off, and now they're really short, only one day of real bleeding, and about the usual amount of cramping. I am convinced that I can always feel it though, like right now, nudging on my cervix, and sometimes sex is a bit painful when it wouldn't otherwise be--I could also just be neurotic about having this foreign thing in me.

Also, I'm sure that last summer, I conceived, despite Paragard--I was 8 days late, and I started leaking milk! (Never been pregnant before, so this was strange!) But then on the 9th day, AF arrived, and the IUD did its job, and I was quite relieved.

I'm getting it out in a few weeks, though, to TTC. Yay! 

All in all, I'm so happy with my IUD--it's simple, dummy-proof, and effective--and I'll definitely get another after having babies.

You know, I didn't pass out, but I do remember feeling really woozy on the subway afterwards (and it was rush hour so of course I had to stand the whole ride).  I guess it was the combination of the endorphins and lack of food.  I had eaten a decent lunch, and also taken Advil beforehand- but I wound up having to wait close to two hours to see my dr!  One of the OBs was at a delivery so the other drs were taking her patients, and they were really backed up.

Anyway, you'll be relieved to know that the removal was NOTHING like inseration.  My dr said "it will feel like a strong cramp", which scared me, because she said that when putting it in, too!  She took it out right after she did my pap.  It was so fast that I thought "ooh, that pap really pinched" before I realized the IUD was out.  I had a little cramping and light spotting the rest of the day, but nothing major. 

[GoBecGo]

They warned me both times after insertion and after my Mirena removal that touching the inside of the cervical canal can prompt a shock response with low BP, fainting or faintness, and bradycardia (slow heart rate).  

[camprunner]

I had a paraguard for years and believed it was the best thing ever.  However, the longer I had it, the sicker I got.    I did some research to see what creates the unhospitable environment and it turns out that the copper IUD does alter hormones eto create the right environment.   I eventually went to the doctor and found out I was estrogen dominent, hypothryoid, and could not tolerate gluten.  It turns out that copper toxicity is related to gluten intolerance and high estrogen creates all sorts of problems.  Just an FYI, though I have no proof, I do feel that the copper IUD could have caused a lot of the health problems which have steadily gotten better since I've had it removed previously the only thing (including thyroid medication) that was improving my situation was a gluten free diet.

ETA: I also had a miscarriage with the Copper IUD and did not realize I was pregnant until I passed an embryo (not a sustainable pregnancy most likely with lots spotting throughout).  It was the last straw. As soon as I figured out what was going on, I had it removed.

[Thandiwe]

I had Paragard for about 6 weeks or so after the birth of my third baby, and I hated it.  I bled constantly, nearly every day.  I cramped and was bloated.  I didn't feel very good with it.  I ended up taking it out by myself at home, and there was a big chunk of bloody fleshy stuff attached to it.    Immediately afterwards, I had relief.  I haven't bled since, and it was in May/June that I removed it.  Not a drop since! 

My sister had the Mirena after the birth of her son, and she wasn't happy with it either.  It was crampy, she had break-through bleeding, and she had it removed after almost a year.  She's glad she had it removed.

[MJB]

I had a paragard for 3 years after the birth of my middle child. It did cause heavier periods but that was the only drawback, IMO. 

My husband got a vasectomy when I was pregnant with our third, so I don't need an IUD for birth control now but have considered trying the Mirena to try and get rid of my period. I'm so over it now. 

[PearTreeMom]

Mirena VS Paraguard ::

I am a mom of 3 ... I had the Mirena placed after my 3rd child. Decided the pill was just not for me...but the Mirena still has hormones in it...albeit slightly less I was told. The insertion was no biggie (after having 3 kids -- what's the big deal anyhow, really LOL) ... I do recall some spotting. The best part about it...looking back...is scant to nil periods !! I had it removed after the 5 year mark. Then...I decided No Hormones For me....perhaps due to weight fluctuations and a waning sex drive....but I also got a divorce so I clearly did not want to get pregnant by any means. So I opted for the Paraguard IUD. Its been almost a year and a half later with this IUD. I am FED UP with this thing!! I am now experiencing more cramping every month. My periods have been about 24 to 27 days apart (sometimes even 21 days!!) and guaranteed to last at the very least 6 full days. Talk about a pain. Its like playing beat the clock every month...I am very sexually active and "its" usually at a standstill during THAT WEEK...which totally throws me off kilter. Just not for me anymore is all I am saying. Thankfully, I did not have to pay alot for mine as I went through Planned Parenthood at the time because I had no real insurance coverage.I believe I will be opting for the Mirena again for the mere fact that I wont have to deal with the ongoing constant period I "seem" to be on!! I have got to think of the $$$ I will be saving on tampons/pads and ibuprofen, right????

[pureperform]

Good afternoon ladies! I know this thread is kind of old, but I'm still hoping some of you may be around to share your experiences with the Mirena and Paragard IUDs.  I am 38 years old and  had the Mirena inserted about six months ago in Oct. of 2010. after the birth of my youngest. I have three children, ages 16, 3 and 7 months. My youngest was 2.5 months old at that time I got Mirena, and I was still losing some of my baby weight. I am normally a very small/petite person, around 115 lbs. I was 125 when I got the Mirena (due to still carrying and few baby pounds) and I am 125 today - six months later - despite MUCH effort to drop some weight. So I haven't gained on it, but it seems like it has been impossible to lose. I am a competitive runner and even ten extra pounds on my body affects my racing performance time greatly. I know how to lose weight and have never had trouble doing so in the past - but I cannot seem to lose weight no matter what I do. I realize that I am not overweight, but I am heavier than I am accustomed to and do not feel good about my body. Not only that, but I feel depressed, irritable and moody and I am very snappy to my family members. My doctor has suggested that maybe I have post partum depression, but I highly doubt it. I never felt like this with my other kids this long after birth. Other than these things I've mentioned, I have enjoyed the Mirena... I don't get a period and I like not having to think about birth control. Today, I had a consultation about Paragard and made an appointment to have it inserted on Monday. Still, I am super nervous about starting this whole process over again when the Mirena just got settled in.  Part of me thinks, what if the paragard is worse???? I keep reading these message boards and changing my mind back and forth! LOL  If anyone has any help or feedback, I would very much appreciate it! HELP!

[XPINKIEPIEX]

I've had my Mirena in since Aug 06. At first I liked it, period went from heavy with severe cramps to just spotting no cramps, to nothing at all. Now its approaching that time to where I have to have it removed and I do not think I am getting it again.

I have gained more then 25lbs since having it put it, I have mood swings that I did not have before, my sex drive went down, I get headaches more often now then before more like migraines actually, I now have worse acne then before as well and I always feel bloated which are all common side effects.

I am not sure about paragard either since I had bad period and cramps before an IUD and researching paragard that is a major side effect that everyone complains about. I am awful about taking pills, and with a pill I would believe you have to take it every day at the same time or it gets missed up.

Any advice, suggestions, comments would be greatly appreciated.

[GoBecGo]

Copper IUD and CRAMPS:

I had DD last June and had the Nova (like a paraguard) fitted 11 weeks PP.  I have now had 3 periods (on a 49-51 day cycle right now, as still BFing).

Honestly, the first month was a bit crampy, the second was not so bad but i definitely had a day of backache and low pelvic cramping, i recently gave up sugar for Lent and this time it was TOTALLY pain free!  I am totally shocked, but a lot of other things have improved since i gave up sugar so it kind of makes sense.  If i hadn't happened to have been off sugar i might have never known the effect it was having and gone on thinking that the IUD causes cramps and that's that, so i'm really glad i was!

Copper IUD and BLEEDING:

The first cycle i had was very bad - 50mls loss on 4 days, 80mls on one day and 3 days of 2.5-5ml loss (i use a mooncup and it has measurement markings on it so i can measure how much i'm losing).  The second was much lighter, maybe 100mls overall, and this time was more like about 85-90mls loss.  Now, that still counts as "heavy" (i believe 10-80mls is "normal") but it really isn't so bad i'm feeling drained or anything.  Perhaps if i had a 28 day cycle again that level of loss would be too high, but at the moment i get 7 weeks or so to recover each time so i'm fine.  I also think/hope they will continue to get lighter until i'm back to normal (which for me is 40mls loss the first 24-36 hours and then 30-35mls over the following 5 days).

Copper IUD and WEIGHT:

I too found it harder to lose weight with the Mirena, not impossible, but hard.  I was someone who had been overweight for years due to un-dx thyroid problems, and then lost a ton during pregnancy (i was never obese, BMI 29 or so) and i didn't find the Mirena made me gain, only that if poor eating habits had me gain the Mirena made it hard to lose again.  HOWEVER, i am BFing right now and have not lost a lb since DD was 8 weeks old (ironically, BMI is 29.3 again!) despite exercise, eating very sensibly and healthfully and lots and lots of BFing.  It's not the Mirena this time - i think the hormones might be to blame and i'm trying not to worry about it until the baby is weaned (in like 18 months or something! LMAO!).

I was getting PMT symptoms for up to 2 weeks every month with the Mirena and that has stopped with the Copper coil.

[lyndiloo]

Hi, I first had the Mirena and always had problems with pain and discomfort, and always got Bacterial Infections easily, not to mention since the Mirena has extra Hormones ( which I thought was too much) and it always made me feel Crazy around that time of the month. After three years of having the mirena, it became dislodged and was just floating around in my Uterus, they had to retrieve it and remove it!!! Now I have had the ParaGard, and I've had it for a little over a year now, My periods are a little heavier and painful, but No hormones to make you feel Crazy, although I haven't had many problems with this IUD, I do have some Ovarian Cysts, not sure if it's due to the IUD or not? Has anyone else had painful Ovarian Cysts? I'm trying to figure out if this is another IUD problem or not? 

I would not recommend any IUD, too many problems, and it worries me to know that too many problems with one can cause Infertility altogether!   

[Kandice]

I am on my second Paragard. I had my first removed to become pregnant with my second daughter.  Midwife did have some trouble removing it, but I believe that was because I have a tilted inverted uterus & had recently switched midwives, so she wasn't familiar with my anatomy.  Other than that, I've had no problems with the first one or the one I currently have.  It didn't even interfere with breastfeeding.  I have actually had shorter periods (3-4 days) but they have been extremely heavy.  Cramps were strong for the first few months, but then disappeared completely, even during my period.  I have noticed an increased amount of CM.  I am happy wth my Paragard & am ecstatic that  don't have artificial hormones running through my body.