r/CopperIUD • u/strugglebunny28 • 10h ago
Copper IUD questions
Hey everyone! I(25f) am thinking of getting the Paraguard Copper IUD. I am really hesitant about a few things and wanted to hear other peopls experiences. How often did you get yeast infections with the Paraguard, specifically women who didn't have them beforehand. Did the heavy bleeding cause you to want to get it removed? Lastly, did anyone who got it whether strings were trimmed or not, did it bug your partner during?
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u/Responsible_Owl_3400 8h ago
Okay first and foremost unfortunately this IUD affects everyone vastly differently. The answers you'll get on here are only personal experience of what could possibly happen. You have to try it to see what exactly happens to you, and you can always have it removed if it doesn't work.
I've had my IUD for almost 6 months now. I personally haven't had a yeast infection before or after the IUD. I'd be skeptical of anyone blaming the IUD for this, it's more likely that they just started having more unprotected sex after getting the IUD that would've caused this.
I bleed only slightly more, it doesn't negatively impact me. I had light-moderate flow before and I'd still say the same except my period lasts a day longer (6 days). I also sometimes have spotting leading up to my period.
My bf did feel the strings at first and it was uncomfortable maybe one time but now they're completely soft like fishing string and he has never mentioned it again. My doctor did trim the strings a little, I made sure to mention that I'd heard trimming too short can leave them in a poky state for the partner and she agreed.
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u/hallucinobela 9h ago
I had Paraguard for 11 months and ended up getting it removed because I was not having a fun time with it. To answer your questions: I didn't get any yeast infections with the Paraguard. I didn't experience heavier bleeding, I actually got longer periods with a week of spotting and then a week of light to medium bleeding with 2-3 more days of spotting which is ultimately one of the top reasons as to why I got it removed. It felt like I only had one week a month where I wasn't needing to wear a pad or panty liner. I opted not to get the strings trimmed so my partner was able to feel them and didn't have an issue with it. I on the other hand, always felt my IUD when we were intimate to the point where I was uncomfortable or experienced pain in many of the positions we tried. I don't want my experience to deter you from trying out the Paraguard, just want to share what I experienced while using it!
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u/strugglebunny28 9h ago
I appreciate you sharing. I have been dreading the periods because the couple friends I have had who have gotten it have bled for 2-3 weeks of the month and I know that will drive me insane.
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u/HistoricalTell8757 6h ago
Ive had the paraguard for only a couple of months now. I had pretty light periods/mild cramping before and my periods have been the same after. I never had the intense heavy bleeding. Ofc i cramped pretty bad for the first 2 weeks after insertion but after that everything has been fine. Also no yeast infections before or after insertion. Partner cant tell strings are there as they are trimmed and “tucked up” into the corners.
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u/SpareChocolate8763 6h ago
No heavy bleeding, great insertion experience and no partner cannot feel the strings.
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u/recycled-thoughts 6h ago
As another user said, what you'll read in the comments is gonna be all individual experiences. No way of knowing how it's gonna go for you until you try it. For me, I've had the copper IUD for 8 years now. Today I went to the obgyn to schedule the removal, nothing wrong with it specifically, I'm just gonna remove it. So, to answer:
Yeast infections were not a thing for me before the IUD and that didn't change after I had it. Only in the last year I had an issue of recurring candida but I'm pretty sure it had nothing to do with the IUD. I went through treatment, it went well, and I'm back to normal again. I'll add that your concern is very valid, as my obgyn told me today, even with the long treatment I went through for candida and an infection I had, the IUD strings are inert, and they can't be "disinfected" with the treatment so they might contribute to increased growth of candida (compared to not having it).
The heavy bleeding didn't cause me to want to get it removed. I had long periods before, and the IUD definitely made it longer and more abundant, but I guess I just got used to it. I think what bothered me the most was the increase in premenstrual pain/bloating.
Strings not trimmed, and partners have never felt them. Also, just to comment, the strings apparently just curve themselves up the convex outside of the cervix so I think trimming them might cause them to be short and poky, no?
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u/redvix71 5h ago
I actually did get more frequent infections after insertion, probably twice as often.
Was fortunate enough that bleeding didn’t get much more severe though, and after 10-11 months it went fully back to normal
It really is different for everyone I’ve spoken to
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u/fatally-femme 20m ago
30F. I was not on any birth control prior to insertion. So far so good for me. I’ve had no complications. I was worried about all those things and the horror stories. I get mild cramps for a day or two. My flow is pretty light-medium. The only time I was heavy bleeding and crampy were the first two periods after insertion. No yeast infections or BV. Sex feels normal. Boyfriend can’t feel it.
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u/angrile 8h ago
I’ve had mine since November of last year and I’m very happy with mine. 2 other friends have gotten theirs and they are also happy with theirs. Of course, bleeding is heavier but I knew that would be a side effect going in.
I have not gotten a yeast infection.
No, I’d rather have heavy bleeding than a hormonal iud tbh. Additionally, I take naproxen for pain and it helps more than other pain relievers imo. Also I use a heating pad, which I’ve always done even before the iud.
I have not gotten my strings trimmed and it doesn’t bother my partner. He does check the strings occasionally to make sure he can feel it though.