Mirena VS Paraguard

[PeacefulSeams]

I am having an IUD put in. I have had the Mirena but it was removed because we were TTC. We have since decided that my DS will be an only child.

Some of the things I liked about the Mirena were no period the whole time I had it in. Dislikes included breakouts, gaining weight, no sex drive and mood swings.

Please tell me about the Paraguard. I've hear it makes cramps worse and mine are already really bad as it is.

Which one would you choose?

[polyhymnia]

You're not as likely to have breakouts, mood swings, no sex drive with Paraguard cause it doesn't have hormones. You're likely to have heavier cramping, maybe heavier periods. It's a personal thing I guess, maybe your doctor can advise?

[~Megan~]

I had the Paraguard and it was terrible. I bled so heavily, I went through a super plus pad and super plus tampon each hour for the first 1-2 days. The cramps were as bad as labor too. My periods were so irregular. I would not recommend it at all.

[prairiechild]

I have the paraguard and have been relatively happy with it.

I did start having periods that were extremely heavy and I bled for 10 days. However, I read that paraguard users often become anemic due to the bleeding and then the anemia causes worse bleeding. I started an organic whole food iron supplement from new chapter organics and periods are much more normal and down to 5 days.

I definitely recommend an iron supplement with the paraguard.

[snitker79]

I have also been fairly happy with the paraguard. I do bleed fairly heavy for a few days and sometimes the cramping is painful, but mine haven't been anywhere near labor, thank goodness.

Good tip on the iron. My periods come very predictable every month, but sometimes I bleed for 10 days, which sucks. I'll have to try the iron supplements. How much is safe to take while bfing?

[PeacefulSeams]

I think I'm gonna try the Paraguard. If it gets to be too much for me to handle, I can always have it removed and get the Mirena again.

[~Megan~]

The Paraguard is expensive so look into that. I had mine in and paid almost $400 for it and felt bad wanting to get it taken out almost immediately. I did end up waiting till my next annual exam and had it out then.

[Bensmommy]

***Important Paraguard TIP***
Before having it inserted, buy a cheap copper bracelet and wear it for a week or two. The Paraguard is made of copper and can cause a reaction if you're allergic. I had mine placed, loved it- did have heavier bleeding, but the cramps were no worse than my regular- then the rash took over. It was horrible. I googled and found a lot of other women had the same problem- rash, nausea, overall sickness- once the paraguard was out, all the problems resolved within a few weeks.

I really liked my Paraguard and would recommend it- just be sure you're not allergic first!!!!!!!!!!

HTH

[Leta]

I had both. Paraguard pre-pregnancy, Mirena post-pregnancy.

The Paraguard caused me mild cramping for the first 3 months or so. (Remember, I hadn't been pregnant ever when I got it.) After that, it was fine until about three years in. For the last several months that I had it, I had helacious periods. Super heavy, lots of cramping, etc.

After DD's birth, I got the Mirena. It did make me break out for the first several weeks. I had it for about a year. I got it out because I was starting to feel like I was about to get my period all.the.time. yet I never got it. Also, I suspect that it was part of the reason I have been having SUCH an impossible time losing baby weight.

If I had to do it again, I'd get the Paraguard, FWIW.