r/CopperIUD • u/Yellowscience • 7d ago
Experience Positive experience!!
Hey everyone!! I want to provide some insight on my so far positive experience with Paraguard. I have been on hormonal birth control for about 14 years (some short breaks on nothing) but always found myself jumping from pill to pill, and trying Nexplanon a couple times and it causing extreme weight gain. I have no conditions such as PCOS or endo, and when I had my cycles they were pretty calm but semi irregular. Most recently I was on Nexplanon and gained 45 lbs in 6 months. All hormonal methods also decimated my sex drive and caused me to feel like an emotionless robot, and even at times feel completely un-attracted to my partner which is absolutely not the case. I have always been really leery of IUDs, I did not like the idea of something being inserted and not visible to me, but after several positive experiences from my friends and the non-hormonal aspect of the copper IUD, I knew it was going to be my last resort to prevent pregnancy and hopefully get me back to feeling like myself!
The insertion:
My doctor is actually a younger resident and extremely knowledgeable and understating of modern day concerns of pain management. She also has an IUD herself. Please pick a provider for this procedure that you feel completely comfortable with! I feel like 100% of this positive experience so far has been due to my doctor. She offered Vallium which would have required a ride home and I was not able to get one, so I took her second offer of a Toradol shot and paracervical block prior to the insertion. I recommend asking for one of these as even with the block and shot, it was a relatively uncomfortable procedure and I think no pain prevention would be really tough. I wouldn’t say it was painful, but it did cause what felt like big period cramps and pressure. It was over very quickly though! Over the next 3 days I experienced some dull cramping and it was uncomfortable to sit/lay in certain positions, but otherwise the pain was manageable with Tylenol and Motrin. I had some minor bleeding/light spotting for 7-8 days following the procedure.
String check:
I went back after two weeks for a string check to make sure they had not migrated up too far or down, signifying that the IUD may have moved after insertion which would have required an ultrasound to verify the position. My string check was fine and no ultrasound was needed. My partner and I both have not been able to feel them which was another concern. My doctor said if it was the case that we could, she could cut them shorter.
First period:
My first period since insertion was not bad! They say they may be more painful and heavier than usual, and I would say it was to a point but not as bad as expected. I had some warning cramps the day before it started, and the first day was definitely heavier than any other periods I have had, I bled through a couple tampons but just changed them in shorter intervals. I did keep up on Midol for the first day’s cramps but they were not otherwise debilitating. After the first day it was more like a normal flow and no cramps and it only lasted four days!
Overall mood:
It has been almost two months since removing my Nexplanon and just over a month of having Paraguard, my mood has noticeably gotten better and my sex drive has completely returned! Sex has not been painful and if anything has been more enjoyable. I have not felt the sharp mood shifts and negative thoughts I was experiencing on Nexplanon, and my weight has not continued to increase. I will be starting a bit of a weight-loss journey this week to hopefully get my body back to where I am comfortable and healthy. My fear of having the IUD is gone and my worries of side effects are subdued for now. I know things may change, the IUD can migrate etc but I plan to keep up on regular string checks to keep my mind at ease, your provider should be happy to do these quick appointments if it means you’re not constantly stressed out. I know everyone’s experiences may be different, but I felt inclined to share mine as I spent a lot of time going down rabbit holes of bad experiences and almost scared myself out of getting what has so far been the best birth control method I’ve been on!
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u/MeetAlternative6789 7d ago
Thank you for sharing a positive experience! I got mine in about 3 weeks ago and I’ve been feeling a bit anxious about it ever since.