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Para Gard?

Hi, I am considering using the IUD para gard which is hormone free, and I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with it?  Thanks for any info!
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After reading all of the horror stories, I pray there is a happy ending. So far, so good. I just had my IUD inserted today which took about 10 minutes tops! Although, i have a 5 year old son, i still needed to have my cervix dilated. There was some cramping during the procedure and don't get me wrong, the tools used for the procedure look intimidating but it all went smoothly. There is a slight pinch, and 3 sets of cramping (the last one is the actual insertion of the IUD). then, it was over. There was slight cramping afterwards and then heavy cramping, to the point i needed to lie down and take ibuprofen. It would have helped if i took it before the insertion but i didn't. I am now worried about my body rejecting copper, gaining weight, and hair loss. But, if this occurs, the IUD is a 'gonner'. My periods are heavy to begin with so i expect that and will monitor.
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Avatar universal
I just wanted to post something because I read all of these horror stories prior to and after getting my Paragard inserted. I have no children, 26 years old. I am on Paragard due to another medication that conflicts with the pill.
The day I got the Paragard inserted was no picnic. The actual insertion was SEVERELY painful, due in part to the fact that I've had no children. (I had taken something for pain beforehand!) Afterwards, I almost fainted and my husband the the staff at the DR's were incredible at giving me water, cooling me down, etc. After I went home, I was a cramping mess. The pain was terrible and I wondered if I'd be able to go to work. The next morning, it was a huge change. I was cramping, but nothing like the day before. A little  Advil and I was good to go. I've had light spotting since then (It's been a couple of weeks) and a pantyliner works just fine.
I'd like to stress that I have NOT  had a period yet, and I am anticipating a longer, heavier period. But, I am here to tell you that I know everyone is different, but don't be afraid to try it for yourself. It's been amazing, worry free and my husband loves it too!
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Avatar universal
I am a little surprised at the comments on here. I think if I had found this site before I got my iud, I may have been scared out of doing it. But I am glad I didn't because honestly, I have had a pretty good experience. I got mine about 8 weeks PP ( in August 2011) with my first baby. I do want more children, but I don't want them right away, and I also didn't want hormonal bc due to past blood pressure problems and gaining tons of weight when taking hormonal bcs. My obgyn told me to expect bleeding for up to a couple months, but I only had some for a couple weeks, and it wasn't very heavy. I am still breastfeeding and that has caused me to not have my periods until January. But that first one (even after 6 months of having the iud) was heavier and longer with spotting a couple days before and after and the cramps were much worse than normal... but I wasn't sure if that was just post-baby or post-iud or if it was just because I don't remember what my cramps were normally like.
Then in February I didn't have a period. But I had cramping throughout. March I had another period, but the cramps weren't as bad and it wasn't as heavy although it still lasted longer. The only reason I even was researching is because I have cramps a lot more often and not even around my period times and I was wondering if it was normal. But they aren't super bad, but just there. I also have been having headaches for months and thought it was because I needed new glasses, but after I got new glasses a few weeks ago I am still having the headaches and now I am wondering if it is caused by the iud since some others have talked about having migranes or headaches after having it.... hmmmm. That's interesting.
About the weight gain, I have maintained my weight since about 2 weeks PP, which ***** because I still need to loose 20 lbs to get back to prepreg weight and need to loose another 30 on top of that to really get to a normal weight. I attributed this plateau to breastfeeding so I hope that's the case and when I start to wean my daughter I will start to loose some of this weight. I want to get my iud taken out once I get back to prepreg weight and don't want to wait too long so my babies are close-ish in age.
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Avatar universal
I just had the pg inserted today.. All I can say is I hope the pain goes away and a pain pill before insertion is a must.. I can still hear my screams echoing the hospital corridors:/
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Paraguard= weight gain, acne, loooong periods, heavy periods, pain ...lots of pain...fatigue. I have had it for a year and i plan to get rid of it asap..I'd rather have a 4th child than live like this.
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Avatar universal
Ive had my copper IUD (para guard?) for a few months maybe 3 or 4 and its been okay.  During insertion which took less than 10mins there's only one time where it hurts bad for like 2 seconds but thats it! pain for 2 seconds and no more kids for 10 years!woohoo! Okay anyway, I bled for a whole month after the insertion (2-6days my a**).  And I'm a person that never really cramped, it was rare and my periods were 3-4 days long. Well with this IUD i do cramp one or two days before my period and the whole time I have my period. From a 1-10 I'd rate the cramping at 5, where before normally it was a 1 or 2. Make sure they prescribe ibuprofen!!!*  And my periods now last a full 6 days. Sometimes i spot like brown discarge once in the month or right before and right after my period. My husband thinks we shouldn't have intercourse and feels grossed out if I tell him I have discharge and rather not have intercourse and I always laugh. BUT I do not care, I'm not removing this IUD unless any of these side effects are unbearable. I have a 6 and 3 yr old and I don't plan on having more. Before the IUD i used the nuva ring and it was awesome, it was just a hassle to have to take it out every month and have to buy a new 3-pack when I was out.
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