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Thread: Questions about Paraguard

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    Veteran Member Lola_sinn's Avatar
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    Default Questions about Paraguard

    Hey ladies. I am thinking of getting a copper IUD put in but I'm a little nervous. I'd like to hear from those of you who have one or have had one in the past. I have a few specific questions but any information is appreciated.

    I'm especially interested in the amount of discomfort it causes, during periods and at other times. I know everyone's experience is different. Did/does it make your period heavier or more painful? Is it something you get used to over time? Is the pain debilitating or is it manageable? Is the implant itself comfortable? Can you feel it inside you at all? If you can, does it hurt?

    Aaaand...has it ever been a problem during sex? How uncomfortable is the insertion? How long does it take for any pain or discomfort to fade? Have you experienced any complications from the insertion or afterwards? (My regular gyno refuses to give me an IUD because I have never had kids. He says the risk of infection/sterilization is too high)

    Thanks in advance!

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    Veteran Member Autumn Lily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Questions about Paraguard

    Ooh ooh! I'm getting Paraguard too! I can help!

    I had the Mirena (the hormonal one) in for two and a half years but had it removed in August because I was having reactions (NOT typical of Mirena users; I just happen to be very hormone-sensitive). The Mirena does contain a very VERY tiny amount of Progesterone (less than 1% of that contained in the pill) and you can experience some typical BC side effects such as weight gain, decreased libido, lighter or nonexistant periods, and lighter cramps. Personally I experienced about 15lbs in weight gain (I've lost 10 since coming off of it 3 months ago) and a lighter period, but the period did last about twice as long. Also cramps were lighter.

    Personally I am going to get my IUD put back in here in about a week, only this time I'm going with the Paraguard. It is true what they say about Paraguard: Bleeding will be heavier and cramps can get stronger, but my physician did tell me that not all women experience these symptoms. Other than that, Paraguard is just as effective, and twice as lasting, as Mirena.

    As for your specific questions:

    ADJUSTMENT:
    They say this for both paraguard and Mirena: It will take about 3 menstrual cycles for your body to fully adjust to it. During those three months, periods may be heavier than usual, you may have erratic spotting, and your cramps may be more intense. With Mirena, my periods remained the same and I didn't have spotting, but my cramps were INSANE, and they're normally not bad. After the 3 month mark though, my body did adjust and I didn't have any problems. It was easy to get used to it.

    INSERTION:
    Oh boy. I strongly, STRONGLY urge you take a friend with you to get it put in, just in case. And take some ibuprofen (IBUPROFEN, not advil or aspirin) before going in.

    The reason I say this is because the insertion does hurt. Worse than any cramp you've ever felt, unless you've had kids (I haven't, so that's why I say it's the worse cramp I've ever had). First they will measure the depth of your uterus with a uterine "Sound", which is just a rod they stick in your cervix. That usually is about as uncomfortable as a standard PAP smear.

    Next is the insertion of the device, and I strongly recommend RELAXING and trying not to think about it. It will hurt. A lot. It is a stabbing, burning sensation in your cervix. They first have to massage your cervix to open it, then shove the IUD in. Your cervix is a very tight muscle, so forcing it open will be uncomfortable. Doctors usually recommend going in right after you've finished your period because typically your cervix is just a little bit looser.

    The pain only lasts as long as they are inserting it though. As soon as they pull out the rod they use to insert it, the pain is immediately over. Now you will have some pretty bad cramps for the first day or two as your uterus adjusts to suddenly having a foreign object forced into it. This is where the friend comes in. When I had my Mirena installed, I was fine for the ride home, but when I did get home, I had some typical symptoms of shock: cold sweats, fever, sudden fatigue. I fell into bed, and didn't wake up for 17 hours. Bring a friend so that they can drive you home so you don't have to risk this happening.

    DAY TO DAY LIFE WITH YOUR IUD:
    The OB-GYN will cut the strings long at first. This is so you can feel it for a couple of days and decide if they need to be trimmed. If you feel them poking your outer labia or run your fingers just on the edge of your vaginal opening and can feel them, then they need to be trimmed. Just go in and tell them you need them trimmed.

    A good OB-GYN will trim them just a little shorter, but not too close to the cervix. If it is too short, then you wont' be able to feel it when doing your inspections to make sure it is there, and your sexual partner will be more likely to feel it poking the head of his penis. Not fun! A medium-length string will naturally curl up and nestle next to your cervix, and you won't even know it's there. I'm serious, after the cramps and spotting went away after the insertion, I totally forgot it was even there.

    It is recommended you check at least once a month with your finger to make sure you can still feel the string. If you feel the string (it's like a very fine fishing line string) then everything's fine. If you don't, then most likely your body has expelled the IUD (aka it's fallen out). It is HIGHLY unlikely that it has disappeared into your uterus, but your doctor may want to Xray you just in case.

    LOVE LIFE:

    Again, if your OB-GYN cut the string properly, it will not be felt at all, by you OR your sexual partner. I had two sexual partners while on my IUD and neither of them complained.

    Libido should not be affected too much, at least after your body gets used to it. If anything it will be more spicy - you can literally have sex anywhere and don't have to worry about pausing to put on a condom. It's awesome!

    BUT I HAVEN'T HAD KIDS: WILL THIS STERILIZE ME?
    NO. NO NO NO. Kick your OB-Gyn in the nuts or punch her in the twat! The stigma that IUDs can cause sterilization or infection is a bunch of lies!

    The origin of this fear was that, in the 60's when the IUD began to become popular, the material it was composed of was not resistant to bacteria or infection. As such, many women would contract infections and become sterile because bacteria would travel up the string, past the cervix and directly into the uterus. Since then, the medical science behind the IUD has increased tremendously, and risk of infection and sterilization is incredibly low.

    Your risk for infection will only increase if you are not a monogamous person. Don't engage in sex with any more than one partner per menstrual cycle, use condoms if you're really worried. Infection risks increase with how many sexual partners you have.

    A lot of doctors also refuse to put an IUD in women who haven't had children because their cervix will be insanely tight and very uncomfortable to put in. If you are okay with the idea of hella-cramps, then assure your doctor that it will be fine.

    I HAVE NOT HAD CHILDREN EITHER AND MY DOCTOR PUT THE MIRENA IN ME. She knew I was hormone sensitive and I do have breast health issues which is why I could not use any more serious hormonal birth controls such as the pill, shot, ring, etc, but I didn't want to use condoms for the rest of my life. Now I did still end up having a reaction but it took 2 years for that to happen. I'm going back to get the Paraguard put in and she still has no problem doing it with me.

    Tell your OB-GYN to read up on their history of medicine. The risk for virgin uteruses is extremely low.

    Wow. That's a lot of info. I sound like a fucking pamphlet. But if you have any more questions, let me know! I'm a huge advocate of the IUD!

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    Default Re: Questions about Paraguard

    Not the OP, but that was great info! Thanks! I assumed you couldn't use an IUD unless you've had kids. Might be something to look into...



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    Veteran Member Lola_sinn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Questions about Paraguard

    That was great info! And yeah, I'm pretty much done with my gyno after that. He's really my mom's gyno, I've just been going there since I was 16 and never bothered to find a new one. Most of his patients are much older than me and I don't think birth control is really his area of expertise; he's always just forced the pill on me. I'm actually going to make the instertion appointment at a local abortion clinic instead, lol.

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    Veteran Member setian's Avatar
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    Default Re: Questions about Paraguard

    Actually in my opinion, that fucking clamp thats used to steady the cervix is the worst, not like screaming pain, but like sucking in breath I'm so shocked and speechless wtf wtf wtf kinda pain,

    seriously all i kept saying during insertion was "whoa, whoa, whoa, omg omg"

    it's all done in 5 mins though. i experienced no change in amount or intensity of period issues after and loved the sexual freedom.

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    Veteran Member setian's Avatar
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    Default Re: Questions about Paraguard

    Oh btw, since you're in philly, go to the downtown planned parenthood, there are two. Although i would say if you go to the gayborhood one ppl will think you're going for an abortion. I used the chesnut st one, much more discreet and quiet

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    Default Re: Questions about Paraguard

    Quote Originally Posted by Lola_sinn View Post
    Hey ladies. I am thinking of getting a copper IUD put in but I'm a little nervous. I'd like to hear from those of you who have one or have had one in the past. I have a few specific questions but any information is appreciated.

    I'm especially interested in the amount of discomfort it causes, during periods and at other times. I know everyone's experience is different. Did/does it make your period heavier or more painful? Is it something you get used to over time? Is the pain debilitating or is it manageable? Is the implant itself comfortable? Can you feel it inside you at all? If you can, does it hurt?

    Aaaand...has it ever been a problem during sex? How uncomfortable is the insertion? How long does it take for any pain or discomfort to fade? Have you experienced any complications from the insertion or afterwards? (My regular gyno refuses to give me an IUD because I have never had kids. He says the risk of infection/sterilization is too high)

    Thanks in advance!
    I had an IUD. I had the Mirena. I had it for a year. My period stopped after about 4 months until I had it removed. It was painful when they put it in and I had cramping for about a day. There is a string that hangs down that you can feel if you feel up there. If your partner notices it they can cut it shorter. I didn't notice any difference during sex. Before my period went away, it got progressively lighter.

    Keep in mind a few things. As you know, it does not protect against any STDs, and if you get one, even one that is easily treatable, you are at an extremely high risk of infection with IUD, which can lead to serious complications, including sterilization.

    Hope that helps. Also, don't know if you are planning to use your insurance, but they usually won't cover an IUD if you havent had kids.
    "I believe you are the girl, when you touch the sea, you leave pearls at the shore."

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    Veteran Member beckatron's Avatar
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    Default Re: Questions about Paraguard

    I have a Paraguard and love it. My period became extremely heavy but it only lasts a day or two now, which is more convenient for my life anyways.

    It hurt a little but its over so fast.

    I'm pretty sure your ob-gyn is full of it.
    Toronto-based, very rough draft, constantly asking for input!

    Our bodies, our rules.
    Stand together or fall apart.

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    Default Re: Questions about Paraguard

    Hell no I do not recommend paraguard. I have posted this before but the pain and intense cramps and heavy heavy heavy bleeding were unbearable. The pain would wake me in the middle of the night. I had that bastard taken out.

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    Default Re: Questions about Paraguard

    Had the paraguard, toke it out 6 months ago, loved it but did bleed a lot

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    Default Re: Questions about Paraguard

    Quote Originally Posted by beckatron View Post
    I have a Paraguard and love it. My period became extremely heavy but it only lasts a day or two now, which is more convenient for my life anyways.

    It hurt a little but its over so fast.

    I'm pretty sure your ob-gyn is full of it.
    I've had mine since 2003 and love it as well. My periods have always been really light (I can only use the "lite" tampons, otherwise they never "fill up" and can hurt to remove.. sorry TMI) and don't last very long, and I haven't noticed any differences.

    Before my insertion they gave me two tablets of misoprostol vaginally to soften my cervix. I didn't feel a thing! Very light cramping for 2-3 hours afterward but nothing Tylenol couldn't handle. I don't have any kids, and they didn't measure or "sound" my uterus beforehand, just ultrasounded me afterward.

    Mine expires in 2 years, and I'm getting Essure, but my IUD was single handedly the BEST investment I ever made.

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    Default Re: Questions about Paraguard

    ^Im interested in Essure as well but am settling for the Paraguard insertion in actually... 2.5 weeks and did not expect it to come up here. I've read that to reduce pain you should really push ahead of time for misoprostol - particularly if you're receiving an insertion at a random time & have not given birth before. Glad to hear it made insertion easier

    http://iud-divas.livejournal.com/ is a great resource for first person accounts as well. I can also post my experience in a few weeks.

    My ob-gyn won't allow me to do Essure (too young, have no children, you know the usual) - but Im gunning for it post Paragard





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    Default Re: Questions about Paraguard

    I just got my Paragard a month ago. I'm sure when I'm totally used to it, I'm going to LOVE it! The insertion hurt like hell. I totally though that since I've got a high pain tolerance I'd be fine but I was jerking around (don't do that!) and cursing at the nurse. I didn't get any cramps until the next day and they were nasty.

    Also, they put me on Doxycycline (hardcore antibiotic) for a week which made me super nauseous. That was worse than the cramping. Bad cramps lasted about a week. Bending and twisting made it worse, as did sleeping on either side, back, or stomach. That sucked.

    Also, two things my nurse practitioner totally neglected to tell me: the Paragard rejection rate is something like 10% of women, while the Mirena is about 2%. Of course, after being on BCP for 10 years, I am SOOOO ready to stop pumping myself full of hormones. Also, the lady said I could start having sex right away which is actually a pretty bad idea. You'll want to wait at least a week or you can dislodge the IUD because it's not fully settled in.

    I'll be getting my period in a couple of days, so we'll see how much that sucks. And DON'T FORGET, YOU CAN STILL GET KNOCKED UP WITH AN IUD!

    And yes, my partner can feel the strings. If I had about $10,000 to blow I'd just get a damn hysto. The kind where they leave your ovaries in so you don't go through menopause but you also don't have a period. Sounds fucking perfect to me!

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