Non-Hormonal IUD - Garden Grove,CA

Hello! I have had a non-hormonal IUD since I had my second child 5 years ago. I absolutely love everything about it except for one thing - I have VERY long and heavy periods with it. My periods last on average 7-10 days which my doctor said is a side effect of the IUD. Other than that, I don't even know it's there. It was a little uncomfortable getting it inserted, but nothing I couldn't handle. Overall it's great! Hope this helps, and good luck!

Hi H.,
I've loved being on the IUD. I had my first one put in when I was 27 years old after my second and had it for 11 years! (Yes, I went a little over the recommended 10 years - Yikes!) And, I didn't get pregnant. At first, I was scared and actually walked out of the office. I went back and when it was done I said, "That's it?". Take a couple of Advil BEFORE and you should be fine. I just had by 3rd after 12 years and chose to get the IUD. No change. All good. Initial cramping, first couple of periods heavier than usual, then back to light, no cramping, and spontaneous sex! Good luck!

I was so scared about having an IUD put in as well. It turned out to be just fine. It is similar to a pap smear. There is a little 'tugging or pulling' feeling (the best way I can explain it) and it's over. First they measure you so it fits just right (and they don't ever-extend it), then they insert it, then they clip the string. I had a little cramping that day (in fact, the nurse recommended I take aspirin or tylenol before the procedure). I have not felt it and have very rarely had some minor cramping that I just blamed on it. Overall, it is very pain-free and convienent. Hope this helped.

Hi H.,

I have had the Paragard in place for close to 5 years. I LOVE IT!! It make life SO much easier.

It was a little unconfortable when my ob/gyn inserted it, but that lasted less than a minute. Since then, my periods are heavier but shorter. I do have spotting for about a week prior to my period and a week after, and that is kind of a drag, but not having to worry about birth conrtol .. it makes all of it totally acceptable.

As far as side affects, aside form the spotting .. no problems. My doc suggested beginging to take an Aleve a day or two before my period begins and continue through until the last day, she said this would help with the heaviness and with any cramps. I don't get cramps, and she did say that it was very possible with the IUD, that I may begin to experience cramping.

All in all, to me - it's a great method of birth control. I've heard the US is one of the few countries that doesn't push this method.

I hope my rambling helps :)
W.

I'm on Mirena. did not hurt. It is a lower dose of hormones than the pill or likewise and has a higher prevention rate.

I do understand your desire to go non-hormonal though. My friend didn't do well with hormonal measures and went with the copper IUD. She got pregnant anyway within one year and now has a beautiful baby girl.

I have one. The insertion wasn't bad. Just a bit crampy during and following. Nothing a little ibuprofin didn't take care of. The next several months were a bit gnarly. Really, really crampy before and during my periods. And the flow was way heavier. After three or four months of that, the cramping got better, but the flow has not improved. I've had it over a year now and my periods that used to last maybe five days last at least a full week (sometimes more) and I often overflow the super tampons. Just my experience; of course, everyone is different. My strings curled up inside and the only way I know it's still there is that I've had a couple of ultrasounds done. Good luck!

Hi H.

I would reccomend the copper IUD for sure! I've had mine for about a year now. It hurt a bit to put it in and then I had terrible cramps for a few days. I wish I would've arranged for help with my kids for the day after. I bled a lot the first month I had it but after that my periods were actually lighter than normal. That doesn't make any sense to me but I am sure not complaining! I forget I have it most of the time which is so awesome as the hormonal birth controls I've used left me completely out of balance.

Hi,

I've had 2 non-hormonal IUDs. (with pregnancy in between). I had some cramping when they went in. My period for the first 4 - 6 months was pretty heavy, but after that it went back to normal.

It was great for me!

Hello. I have had a non-steroidal IUD for about six months now.
There was some pain involved in the insertion, but not much.
But after about an hour or two I had a lot of cramping and bleeding.
This went on for almost 5 weeks.

But after that everything has been fine.

Hi there. I read some of the other responses and just thought a different story would help you decide. I had a Paraguard inserted 3 years ago and thought it was great. I had an ultrasound to check placement and everything was fine. After 8 months of having it my husband and I found out we were pregnant. My IUD somehow dislodged itself and moved up into my uterus. None of us had a clue. My doctor said it happens more than you think. I had to go my whole pregnancy with it since it was too far up to remove. The stress of what complications could occur where enough to unnerve anyone. Luckily my daughter was born perfect but even at her birth the IUD didn't come out. An x-ray after her birth couldn't determine whether it had punctured my uterus and was lodged in my pelvis or not. So I had to wait another 6 weeks and have a painful probing procedure (with the threat of surgery) to get it taken out. We're not sure what the long term side effects of the IUD have been on my uterus. I had some bleeding during pregnancy and the doctors weren't sure whether it was just the lining being irritated or a puncture. I will not be getting an IUD again but that doesn't mean it won't work out fine for you. I just think it's always to hear the bad stories along with the good. Take care.

I had one in for 7 years and had no problems. There was a bit of cramping when I first had it put in but nothing advil did not take care of. When I had it removed it was not painful at all and I was pregnant within 6 months of having it removed. Good luck!

Hi H.
I have used a non-hormonal IUD for 4 years now and I have had zero complications. The insert was a slight pinch feeling (hard to explain, but didn't bring tears), but I did feel some cramping later at home for about 5 minutes and that was it. As a nurse I have seen some doctors in clinics not take the care in placing the IUD that my OBGYN did and some of the clients were in some pain. Just beware and try to be calm and relaxed about the whole situation. As far as the long term....my periods are very predictable and actually shorter in duration than pre-IUD.
I think the bottom line is that everyone is different and responds differently. Hope this helps

I have the paraguard and I love it. It allows my body to cycle normally, so it doesn't interfere with what my body ought to be doing on its own to keep itself healthy.

After having DD, insertion was a breeze. I expected it to be a lot more painful, but it wasn't. More like one big cramp and that was it. It doesn't have any hormones with it, so none of the nasty side effects from hormonal birth control.

This is my second paraguard IUD, and it continues to be the ideal method of birth control for me.

I had mine for 7 years and loved it to pieces. If we weren't planning on having another little one soon, I'd have another now. I had very little problem with insertion or removal; I found insertion a little bit more painful, but nothing that Advil wouldn't fix. My husband could feel the string, but that only really became an issue on the, uh, more adventurous days. My flow didn't increase, although I was slightly more crampy while I had it. It did take me about 6 months to conceive after having it removed, but my husband and I were also working on a cross-country move so I feel that the stress levels and the very limited amount of time together were the largest factor in that. It was also quite cheap when compared to other forms of BC. Granted that I got mine a decade ago, but without insurance it cost me $350 when it was inserted ($50 for the appointment and $300 for the IUD itself), and there was the cost of the appointment to have it removed, but that was it over the course of seven years. I can't think of anything else that would cost that little, especially anything nearly as reliable.

As I said, if I weren't planning on having another child in the very near future, I would get another one in a heartbeat. It was cheap (when factored over the time I had it in), low side effects, practically unnoticeable when I had it in, no worries about missing a pill or inserting a diaphragm wrong, highly effective, and the best BC I've ever used.

I have the Para-guard non-hormonal IUD and have had very few problems. I highly recommend it! By FAR the easiest birth control I've used. Having it inserted was a tad uncomfortable, maybe a pinch or two and some bleeding afterwards. But girl, after labor, it was nothing! :) The only problem I have with it now is some painful cramping during periods, but it's not horrible and I much prefer some cramps to taking hormones. The first few periods were also quite heavy but they have since lightened up a lot. For the most part, I don't even think about it.

Hi H.,
It was interesting reading all these responses. I have had a copper IUD for 33 years! Only way to go! I am currently on the 3rd and last one which is ready to come out. I have probably had this one for 15 years or more, but with all my different doctors blessing over the years. I have it checked annually and up until this last year I had many ultra sounds as the string was always up there. I always checked out good. So, they tell me it's fine and I'm good to go for another year. This year the new doctor said he felt the string and I was shocked. I can't tell you what the other women have about symptoms upon insertion because I can't remeber ever having any. But I do recall having a couple removed and replaced that I likened it to a sting, like falling on a bar of a boys bicycle. I was 22 when I first had mine put in and had not had children. When I met the man who would become my husband he already had 3 childrend so we chose not to have anymore. So I have had it continuiously for the 33 years. Best form of birth control bar none as far as I am concerned. (I always had issues with pills.) It allows you a spontanous sexual freedom not having to worry about stuff you do with other forms of birth control. As with anything, all people are different and their are possible issues like Riley J mentioned but not a high percentage. It's definately worth the try. Go for it. Good luck. C. D.

Hi. I have one too. I had it put in at my six week appt after my last baby. I'm SO glad I was warned that you can feel it for the first few days/maybe a week or two. It's uncomfortable but then you forget about it. My husband, too, complained about the string, but not anymore. Every time I have a cramp or something I blame the IUD, but it's still there and fine. Periods are heavier (two full flood days), but I forgot to contribute it to the IUD. Not any more cramping for me (thank goodness).

Good luck! It's a good choice. On a side note since it was after the baby and six weeks of nothing - I went home and told my husband we'd have to wait another six weeks! We didn't of course, but it was really funny the look on his face. Because of the cramping/uncomfortableness, we only waited a day or two.

I have had a Paraguard IUD for 18 months. I wanted to go non-hormonal, but in retrospect, I should have just gotten the Mirena.

The insertion was not painful at ALL. My OB said that he has inserted well over 1000 now, so he's gotten "good at it". Talking to friends, I think the more experience your OB has, the less pain you feel.

On the other hand... my periods have been EXTREMELY heavy-- much heavier than normal. I thought that would subside in time, but 18 months later, it's still like Niagara Falls for three days each month. I have to change a super tampon every 2 hours. I know not every woman has that experience though.

My advice--try it! Give it 6 months. If you don't like it, you can have it removed at any time.

Just make sure you balance your zinc levels because copper will deplete the zinc in your body.