Paraguard reviews - Mirena vs. Paragard IUD - Page 3

[vlasta216]

Ok, I'm scared...!

I just got the ParaGuard... my baby's only 3 mos so no af yet (and hopefully not for anytime soon!!!). I really didn't want hormones PLUS I often get ovarian cysts so my mw didn't recommend Mirena.

I heard ParaGuard can make my periods more painful and I already get EXTREMELY painful periods every so many months (i mean before i got pg pf course) w/ cramps that feel like early labor. They basically debilitated me for a day... but then I never took any meds until it was too late.

So I'm curious to see how they're gonna be now...

I just hope this iud works right. It's scary b/c it's just *there* kwim? The last thing i want is to get pg so I NEED this to work! Pills failed me last time so I'm a bit untrusting of any bc but I won't go abstinent.

BUT here's my critical question:

**How do you check the iud?**

This may be a "duh" question but i tried to check for it and i don't know if i could feel it. I don't think my mw properly explained how to do it...

[kapatasana]

Originally Posted by vlasta216

Ok, I'm scared...!

I just got the ParaGuard... my baby's only 3 mos so no af yet (and hopefully not for anytime soon!!!). I really didn't want hormones PLUS I often get ovarian cysts so my mw didn't recommend Mirena.

I heard ParaGuard can make my periods more painful and I already get EXTREMELY painful periods every so many months (i mean before i got pg pf course) w/ cramps that feel like early labor. They basically debilitated me for a day... but then I never took any meds until it was too late.

So I'm curious to see how they're gonna be now...

I just hope this iud works right. It's scary b/c it's just *there* kwim? The last thing i want is to get pg so I NEED this to work! Pills failed me last time so I'm a bit untrusting of any bc but I won't go abstinent.

BUT here's my critical question:

**How do you check the iud?**

This may be a "duh" question but i tried to check for it and i don't know if i could feel it. I don't think my mw properly explained how to do it...

I think it's usually easiest to feel the string when I'm sitting on the toilet, when I've tried it standing up or lying down I've had a hard time checking, but sitting down seems to be the best angle to feel for the string (it feels just like fishing line).

[Junegoddess]

I have had both IUDs... let me share my experiences.

I had the Mirena inserted after my son was born, 3 years ago. It was soooo highly-touted by my medwife. As expected, I had no periods. I was breastfeeding, so it wasn't a surprise. I had a few instances of spotting, about a year later, and it seemed to be cyclical, so I thought maybe my periods were coming back. My son was still nursing, but... I got my period back at 6 months after my daughter. Anyway, I started feeling very tired and nauseous all the time. Started thinking I was pregnant. Wasted sooo much money on HPTs!! But I really felt pregnant. I googled it, and found out it was possible. My milk was suddenly drying up, too. I became obsessed (literally... I was not mentally-stable) with the idea that I was pregnant, but somehow not making HcG. I finally had the Mirena removed.

I started to feel a bit better... still didn't have any cycles... but my son was still nursing a lot, despite being almost-2 at the time.

Fast forward... my cycles returned, dh returned from war (early... got wounded... so I didn't have time to go in for another IUD) and I got pregnant. Our daughter was stillborn, 2 weeks before dh was going to go in for his vasectomy. We were going to be done for good. I want to leave the door open... (he still feels done) so I got the Paraguard. I did NOT want to mess around with the crazy am-I-pregnant crap I'd done before. I got the Paraguard in February, and my periods have been MUCH worse. But at least I had periods.
Now my period is 3 days late, HPTs say "not pregnant", and I'm having tons of cramps. But no bleeding.

IUDs suck.

[raversangel]

Well i thought i would put in my two cents...LOL...I got the paraguard and LOVE it! I got it put in and was sore for two days and since then no problems Normally I have HEAVY periods and cramping, more than after I have my children. Now with the paraguard in my periods are actually lighter and shorter and i cycle right on time For *me* the paraguard works WONDERFULLY! To check it i just have my dh check for it after i'm done w/my period...there is NO WAY i could check for that on my own...LOL

[ShwarmaQueen]

I don't know if this helps, but I had the Mirena for 2 1/2 years before getting it removed due to hormonal imbalance and during that time I found it easiest to check it's location by squatting and touching the strings with a finger (or spouse can do it!)
Good luck!

[Jane]

June Goddess, I'm so sorry about your baby.
Have you considered storing sperm and him getting a vas? It's also a good method to cover "a few" years while you guys get really sure.

My Paragard has made my periods heavier and more irregular. I still think it's a great choice for me. I'm willing to suffer the cramps in order to have a method that feels reliable, easily reversible, and hormone-free.

[Junegoddess]

Originally Posted by Apricot

June Goddess, I'm so sorry about your baby.
Have you considered storing sperm and him getting a vas? It's also a good method to cover "a few" years while you guys get really sure.

I hadn't even thought of that, which is odd, because I wanted to do it before he deployed, but we just didn't have enough time. I think it costs about $1000, minimum, too. I doubt I could talk him into spending that.

We think our daughter died from a blood clot. I've had one test that said I have antiphospholipid antibodies, but apparently a follow-up test is needed to "prove" it. I haven't had that follow-up test yet.

[Patriotsgrl84]

Paraguard

I was wondering if anybody has had the same issue I'm having. I had paraguard put in about 9 weeks after I had my son, he was born in December, and just last week I checked to see if it was in place and I can't feel the strings. They were fine 2 weeks ago. Other than this, I love paraguard. My periods are heavier, but they only last 4 days on average.

[Ummy]

I have the Nova-T IUD (*copper) and it is only for 3 years as with the paragard it is 10 years I believe. I enjoy it so far but AF hasn't returned since I had it done 8 weeks postpartum. I had cramping for a few days and some bleeding but it seems to be okay right now.

Anyone have this form of IUD? I think most european countries as well as Canada use it.

Any insights on the Nova T IUD?

ummy

[threadbey]

throwing in my 2 cents - i have the paragard (inserted at 7 wks pp) and haven't had major issues with it. i found insertion to be only mildly uncomfortable, maybe because so soon pp my uterus was still kind of relaxed? i spotted only a little for a few days. since then, no spotting between cycles. my period is heavier than it used to be, but doesn't last any longer and actually it feels shorter because there are only about 3 heavy days (when i use a diva cup) and then the rest is light enough to just use pantiliners. (used to be more slightly less heavy days = more cup or pad days). i like that.

i am considering the mirena after our next child (hoping to ttc fairly soon - how quickly has anyone here gotten pg after removal?) because i have had worsening pms since ds was born (i don't think *caused by* the paragard, but i was hoping the mirena would even things out and i'd feel better). the couple of stories here about psychotic pms scare me, though. maybe i'll get the paragard again and take the minipill for hormone regulation. obviously, i need to get a knowledgeable doctor to discuss this stuff with.

i love that i don't have to think about bc on a regular basis. i agree with pp, though, that i don't love knowing there's a little plastic and copper thing hanging out in my uterus. and i worry about possible pg complications, though i think statistically that's unreasonable.

[maiaminna]

Originally Posted by LilMommy

I read on one site that you could still get pg with IUD: higher chance of eptopic pg, fertilized egg not attaching to uterus, miscarriage. Does anyone know anything about this?

I've seen those articles too. They cite statements from the AMA (albeit from the seventies) and various other sources, like the following:
""Subclinical pregnancy has been reported do occur in 12 to 44% of cycles in women wearing intrauterine devices," reported a study by Dr. Markku Seppala of the University General Hospital Helsinki."
The only sources saying otherwise I found (planned parenthood, for instance) were very vague, claiming doctors "don't really know" how IUDs work and not providing sources. It looks fishy to me.
Someone else mentioned an .01 chance here - I'd like to see a reference on that. Right now I have no idea what I'll use for birth control once this baby is born, and I've avoided IUDs for the above reasons.

[Belle]

My last two experiences with hormonal birth control have not gone well so I opted for the Paraguard. I took the patch for a year before we first started TTC and it was horrid. I took the mini-pill after dd1 was born and I got pregnant on it.

I got mine put in 7 weeks postpartum. I took a few ibuprofens before insertion and it hurt. The Nurse Practictioner said I could handle it because I had a homebirth. I let that slide.

I cramped for a week and spotted for a month after. I've also had continuous CM. I mentioned this to the NP when I went back for a follow-up visit and she misunderstood me. She said I was probably ovulating and it was a good thing I wasn't relying on breastfeeding for birth control. I knew it wasn't ovulation though because it was like having constant EWCM. Its been like that ever since. I'm 9 months postpartum and its like I've been ovulating the whole time. Still no PPAF. I don't really cramp that much with it.

[PurenoisWife]

[MomofTwobeachkids]

Hi I have had the Mirena for about 5 years now. At the beginning I had light spotting for the first couple months, not a big deal, and from then on I only get my very light period 4-5 times per year! I have LOVED it. yes I have noticed my face breaks out more than it ever did before, and I have also had weight fluctuation of about 5-10 lbs, thats really annoying because I work out 3-5 times a week and I eat very healthy foods. Anyways tomorrow I am suppose to switch the paragard because I am sick of having a low sex drive, weight gain, and acne. I just hope I am making the right desicion. I will keep you all updated. Wish me luck!

[3_opihi]

I've had my mirena for about 7-8 months now. I haven't had a period in about 6 months, and haven't had any other noticable symptoms. i've gained about 5 pounds, but was underweight anyway so it's been fine. I love my mirena.

The only downside, and sorry this is TMI - I notice that if I have multiple orgasms with my partner I'll sometimes have very bad cramping afterwards. I think I may have a cyst which is a known side effect. I need to go get that checked out...

[Junegoddess]

I wanted to update on my copper IUD... I've had it for about 6 months now and... we're finally getting along. LOL! I'm using maca to regulate my cycles, and it seems to be working, so... can't really blame the chaos on the IUD. I have very few cramps, never need more than three CLOTH pads per day, and basically forget I even have an IUD. Which is great.

I recently had hair mineral analysis done (which has many detractors, I don't know if it's all that accurate for things other than heavy metals), and my practitioner thinks I have "hidden copper toxicity" from my IUD. I can see her point, based on symptoms, but... I really do not have any other options right now. It's either this copper IUD or my husband gets snipped. And I really want to talk him into one more pregnancy... in several months.

So, maybe my body is absorbing too much copper from the darn thing, maybe it's all a load of hooey, I don't know. But I wanted to encourage other women to give it a fair shake. I hated it at first, but was blaming it for things that it wasn't causing.

[j309]

hello all! I've had the paragard since 1995. I just had it removed this week--yes I know, it's been 13 years! Never had any problems, however the last 5 years my period would come every 20 days instead of 28 days. Normal periods, some months bad cramps--other months no cramps. I go back in the end of August for another paragard. When I left the dr.s office a couple of days ago, I left with alot of information on other forms of BC. I was seriously thinking about going the Essure route. I've decided against it because: you have to wait 3 months to make sure it "took", requires major surgery for removal, only 3 years of data available. I also thought of the Mirena--but then again that has a hormone, only good for 5 years, and actually has more side effects than the paragard. Since I've been on the ParaGard I know how my body reacts to it so I won't have any surprises there--also the day they put it in you can rely on it.

41 year old mother of 17 and 13 year old boys, married 21 years.

[Ummy]

Wow so long!! Congrats. I guess the Paragard really worked for you!!
So does the bleeding/cramps naturally subside after the 1st year and no copper toxitity in the body right? I have another form of copper Iud called Nova..it's only good for 3 years but I heard it is good so it is not so heavy on the body..

[j309]

Honestly it's been so long I really can't remember that first year. I've never had a problem with copper toxicity. I just like the fact that it last 10-12 years! Since I'm 41 that'll put me at 51 when the next one needs to come out. I figure this is the best route to take since menopause will be right around the corner and also if I develop a problem no surgery is required for removal unlike the Essure.

[anabellee]

I had the Mirena for a month and it killed my milk supply. the doc thought I was nuts because "it rarely ever happens" but within a few days of taking it out, my milk came back up and my baby was happy again. It also hurt and constantly made me bloated and uncomfy. I just think all moms should know that just because the hormones are a low dose, it CAN affect your milk supply. I felt terrible that I had done something to interfere with feeding my son and even worse that no one told me.