ParaGard for Birth Control User Reviews

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2021

"I understand everyone’s body is different, but after reading reviews on drugs.com for multiple things, I’m convinced people only really write reviews after a really bad experience. As my gyno told me, people don’t write reviews when they are content. So I’m going to write a review to say the copper IUD is 1000% the way to go if you are looking for non-hormonal birth control. I spent years on the pill that gave awful side effects. I have had zero side effects from the IUD. Yes, my first period was heavy. I’ve had moderate to heavy periods for most of my life accompanied with cramps, it’s nothing that is not manageable. If you are looking for peace of mind for ten years without risking the horrible side effects of hormonal birth control, get this."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2019

"My 19-year-old daughter, with no history of self-harming/suicidal behavior, began experiencing progressively worse neuropsychiatric symptoms after her ParaGard insertion due to copper accumulating in her neural tissue and her body's inability to eliminate the excess. We never thought the 'natural' copper ParaGard could be the catalyst for the onset of her debilitating anxiety and despair, but six months post-insertion, she took her own life. We ordered hair and tissue analysis tests after her death and received results showing toxic levels of copper. ParaGard does not warn patients of this possible adverse event."

• Loa...
• June 17, 2020

"I’ve been on ParaGard for 10 months now... where do I even begin... (I’ve always had horrible cramping on my periods but this is different cramping). I read a lot about this and have yet to hear anything about the cramping that I have. It’s not this severe all the time but it literally takes my breath away. It’s normally just the first 2-3 days but it’s like a stabbing pain in my uterus... and here’s the real weird part, it’s not just my uterus. The stabbing, breath-taking pain shoots up my butthole... Yes, you heard me... it makes me feel like I’m constipated with severe, shooting gas pains that might explode. So, I had an ultrasound/internal exam and they said everything was fine. I’m still on this... because there really aren’t many birth controls left that I haven’t already heard horror stories (even though this is one) or have tried. But hey, I’m not pregnant so I guess it’s effective. Let me know if you get these pains..."

• Dee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 24, 2020

"Don’t let these reviews scare you, try for yourself & see how you feel!! Insertion was very painful for me, but I am always in pain with any cervix procedure or check (even during labor). So I knew that was a possibility for me personally. Afterwards, I had cramping the entire day. A week later I got a very heavy period with heavy cramping the first day, it lasted about 14 days. I have had the ParaGard for 6 months now, my periods are back to normal after the first 4 months and I never feel it inside. I had light periods before insertion & they are still light after. I’m very happy with mine, try for yourself before letting these reviews scare you. Most people only review if something goes wrong. There are tons of women who are happy with theirs who do not think to come online & review it."

• KCo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 3, 2020

"I got my ParaGard out after 9 years of having it in. I was experiencing copper toxicity and wonky hormonal shifts. Symptoms: ovarian cysts (very expensive appointment to confirm through sonogram), cystic acne, liver started to struggle (vitamin blood test proof), easily got sick, body pains, dizziness, panic attack, trouble sleeping, daily diarrhea (not even docs or my mom could figure this out). After dramatically changing my diet to cater to reducing cysts and cystic acne, no dice. I was still in incurable pain at random (ibuprofen, magnesium, CBD, hot pad all did not work). It wasn't until I shared my story online that I found the cause was my IUD! Total spent over this issue is likely anywhere between $2K-$5K total. I just want awareness spread more than anything."

• All...
• January 30, 2020

"I got the IUD after having bad reactions to hormonal birth control. On paper, ParaGard sounded great: no hormones, no long term side effects... no problems. Immediately after insertion, I began having horrible lower back pain accompanied by excruciating menstrual cramps that left me curled up in a ball on the floor. My periods lasted for 2 weeks with spotting for a week after. Then came the insomnia, anxiety, and crippling depression. I totally lost interest in everything I used to like and found myself having suicidal thoughts, which was an absolute first for me. My doctor said there was no connection between the IUD and my symptoms, so I kept with it long enough to experience daily migraines, extreme joint pain, painful bloating, hair loss, constant exhaustion, and insane brain fog. After an entire year of misery, I finally got it removed. I am pretty upset with the lack of information available about this product. I would NEVER RECOMMEND this device to anyone."

• Non...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 27, 2020

"I was petrified to get this ParaGard put in. I had passed it up the first time and then decided I was over hormonal birth control. My sister had a good experience so I finally made the appointment. I read people have taken ibuprofen beforehand so I did. I felt nothing but a poke. And when she said she was done, I said, 'That’s it.' It took 5 minutes. No cramping during or after. Guess I got lucky. On a pain scale of 1-10, it was a 0. I spotted for 3-4 days then it completely stopped. I got my period on my normal expected 28th day. No more bleeding or cramping than the norm without this. 10/10 recommend you try it. Reviews are to be taken lightly as everyone’s body is different."

• Gab...
• February 5, 2021

"I was on Mirena and I needed to get off of hormonal birth control. I was scared of cramping and bleeding too much on ParaGard, so I was skeptical. But I really love ParaGard. I feel like I can have carefree sex with my partner. I haven’t experienced any cramping whatsoever (but I never have cramps). And my period is only a day or two longer than usual, but not unmanageable or worrisome. We have different experiences with different types of birth control, and it’s not for everyone, but trying ParaGard was worth the risk for me. I feel a lot more like myself, my anxiety is gone, I’ve lost a lot of weight, and I feel great. I would definitely give it a try, and I want to stay on ParaGard until I have kids."

• All...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 21, 2020

"I expected to get worse cramping and periods the first 6 months or so after insertion of ParaGard, which is fine. After about 2 years of having it in, I started getting hormonal issues (low thyroid, loss of period for up to 6 months at a time, recurring BV, horrible bloating, water retention, and fatigue either the week before or during my period - sometimes this lasted 2.5 weeks). I do think the BV is related to the IUD, but I'm not sure about the other symptoms. Can anyone else relate?!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 23, 2020

"I came on here to read reviews before getting my ParaGard. For some background, I have no children and have been diagnosed with PCOS. Some of the things people said had me scared and ready to cancel my appointment. I am so glad I went through with it! The insertion felt like a quick menstrual cramp. I couldn't believe how easy it was. As far as the side effects go, I've had none aside from one day (day 2) of a slightly heavier period and there was slight cramping for a few hours after insertion. I've had it for over a year now and have had no issues whatsoever. Remember, people rarely share their good experiences. You won't know how it affects you until you try it out for yourself."

• RCa...
• February 5, 2020

"I got a ParaGard IUD 8 weeks after giving birth to my 3rd child. 2 weeks after insertion, I started having really bad pain in my lower left abdomen. My OB checked and couldn't find the strings. A sonogram was ordered and showed the IUD had moved and was stuck in the uterine muscle. I was referred to a surgeon to have the IUD removed, but by then, my pain had gone away. I had another sonogram, and this time, only a few weeks later, the IUD had fully perforated the uterus and was now near my ovaries. I had to have laparoscopic surgery to have it removed. I did my research, and I know for a fact the manufacturer isn't being upfront about warnings on the label. Three quarters of women who have the IUD perforate the uterus are women who have had a baby in the past 36 weeks and/or are nursing. The reasons being simple: #1 your muscles are soft from just carrying a child, #2 your uterus is still contracting and moving when you nurse. Please be aware of this information, it can save you a lot of pain."

• Lea...
• April 4, 2021

"Prior to using ParaGard, my sex drive was high and my husband and I had a very active and fun sex life. I got mine put in 2 months after my first baby was born and everything went downhill fast after that. I experienced depression, anxiety, hopelessness, cystic acne, severe PMS (I'd barely had any PMS prior), crazy mood swings, forgetfulness and brain fog, no sex drive whatsoever, and just a complete lack of interest in my spouse, pain during sex (not severe but uncomfortable and lingering), and overall I just felt like a wreck and not myself at all. It took a long time to figure out that my issues were coming from the IUD and copper toxicity. After 4 1/2 years of suffering, I finally had it removed 4 days ago. Tonight, for the first time in years, I actually enjoyed sex and desired my husband!! The sex was free from pain and discomfort too. While this IUD is great at preventing pregnancy, it's not worth losing yourself over. I'm so glad to be free!"

• Sat...
• February 23, 2020

"I am extremely happy with my ParaGard! The stress leading up was worse than any part of the procedure itself; it's like a very strong cramp, but it's over in a second. I took 800 mg of ibuprofen before and got it inserted on the last day of my period. Over the next few days, the cramps and bleeding got worse, but subsided after a week or so. Had a period 3 weeks after insertion. The flow was heavier and lasted longer for the first few periods, but it's back to about what it was before. Cramps are nothing ibuprofen can't help with. I have health anxiety, so I was super nervous about the ParaGard. I'd tried hormonal birth control and nothing worked. Now, I forget about it 99% of the time. Been to the gynecologist a million times because I was convinced it was puncturing my uterus, and it hasn't budged once. I exercise intensely with no issues, and the same for sex. As far as copper poisoning, I've had ZERO of the symptoms the other reviews talk about."

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2019

"Please do your research on copper toxicity before getting this inserted! It sounds promising with a quick insertion and 10 years of protection, but the side effects can be debilitating. I was only on it for 4 months, and it was miserable. Some of my side effects included NO SEX DRIVE, spotting, crippling anxiety/depression, brain fog, cystic acne (I’ve never struggled with before), aching/sore joints all over my body, twitches, and complete personality change. It made me into an irritable, angry monster, I didn’t even recognize myself. When I finally realized what was happening, I got it out. I felt instant relief. I wish I had done more research before I risked my close relationships, health, and well-being for this. There needs to be more research done on the safety of this product."

• Lil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 26, 2021

"I had the ParaGard inserted 3 years ago. The pain was minimal, and I experienced minor cramping. My periods became much heavier, between 7-12 days. Earlier this year, I began experiencing my first signs of copper toxicity: severe panic attacks, painful muscles and joints, and fatigue. Then the second copper dump came about 2 weeks ago. My chest and back are inflamed and painful, my joints pop everywhere, limbs tingle with pins and needles, extreme fatigue, and anxiety. I had enough yesterday morning and removed it myself. Don't listen to the studies that tell you it doesn't cause copper toxicity, copper is stored in the tissues, not the blood or urine, and those trials did not test for it correctly. Proceed with caution. The only positive side to this is that I never fell pregnant, so in that regard, it worked, but the side effects were too horrible to keep it."

• Anonymous
• September 28, 2020

"I kept having extreme pelvic pain, and I could not for the life of me figure out what was going on. I have been going to the doctor’s now for 2 1/2 years trying to figure out the source of pain - gynecologist, urologist, urogynecologist, you name it. Nightmare! I finally had ParaGard removed 3 days ago, and I already feel better. I could tell my body was not happy with the thing and kept trying to have it removed. You know what happens when your body is not happy and wants something removed? Your body turns against itself when it’s trying to remove a foreign object. Like - cancer. When your body starts rejecting what’s in it, you start to feel so much pain physically/mentally, and you don’t know where it’s coming from. I wasted the last 3 years not understanding what was happening to my body..... but now I do."

• No ...
• November 8, 2019

"When I first heard about the copper IUD, I was really excited because it's non-hormonal, and that's the reason why I chose this option. My IUD insertion was about 10 minutes. The process of getting inserted was uncomfortable but still manageable. The first three months were awful because my period would be two weeks long and spot on and off for the rest of the month. On top of that, I was constantly getting cramps and lower backaches. After six months, my cramping did get better and the period shortened up, but it was still heavy as anything. I'm about 11 months in with this IUD and I'm considering getting it removed. Even though it claims to be non-hormonal, it definitely messed up my hormones a lot. I'm constantly getting acne when my skin has been clear most of my life, and I feel bloated all the time. My PMS symptoms are way worse than before. Bottom line is I’ve had it with this IUD. If any of you guys have similar symptoms as me, did it get better after copper IUD removal?"

• Zen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 9, 2020

"I got ParaGard inserted a year and 7 months ago because I needed a non-hormonal BC. So far, I haven’t gotten pregnant, so it’s doing its job. I’m also not having emotional issues like how I did with hormonal BC, so I’m rather pleased. The insertion process was uncomfortable, but not unbearable. It took about 15 minutes, most of which was prep. The insertion itself was maybe two minutes. I made sure to research a birth control specialist to ensure I was getting someone with a lot of experience, as most issues occur upon insertion. I felt bloated and weird for a week or so after, but nothing else was out of the ordinary. The first six months were so bad during my period. I got such bad cramps I had to call my doctor to ensure I wasn't having a complication. After the six-month timeframe, my periods began going back to how they were pre-ParaGard. My periods are now only four days long and not very heavy. Overall, I’m pleased with this as birth control."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2020

"Pain and bleeding, black bleeding, every time something touches my cervix. Can't wait to get it removed. Doctors and nurses do not warn you about the likelihood of copper toxicity. Two weeks in, I am already experiencing insomnia, racing thoughts, irritability, and out-of-control emotions. I am unable to join usual social activities or connect with my family due to the pain and bleeding. The insertion process was not 'a pinch.' It is traumatic and VERY painful. I am anxious about the removal process."

• Mae...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 29, 2019

"I’m back, and I took this IUD out 20 days ago, and let me tell ya. I’ve lost 20 lbs. I wish I could show y’all before and after pictures. I feel so much better, brain fog is gone. Weird rashes and dizzy feelings are gone. My body doesn’t ache anymore. The ParaGard works differently for everyone. But if you’re having unexplainable problems, it’s probably your IUD. The doctor tried to tell me it was my thyroid... girl. Lol, you know your body, trust YOURSELF."

• Sea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 7, 2020

"I sought out an experienced OBGYN, and insertion went flawlessly. I have a tilted uterus, so I was extremely nervous. For the first 3-4 months, my periods were heavier and longer, and I had lower back pain (which may have been attributed to my bed). My periods are now back to normal. 2-3 days of medium-heavy flow. No other side effects. This has been a godsend after years of misery on pills, patches, and rings. I no longer have acne, migraines, or severe depression. Everybody is different, find what works for you."

• Anonymous
• March 2, 2020

"The side effect symptoms started 3 months after insertion of ParaGard, roughly when I started to wean from breastfeeding and my cycle returned. I got insane IBS symptoms out of nowhere, nausea, insomnia, and panic attacks. The symptoms lasted about 4 weeks before I made the correlation and decided to get the IUD removed. 3 weeks after getting it removed, I felt back to normal. I went back to my doctor to discuss other birth control alternatives, and she convinced me that the ParaGard did not cause my symptoms and convinced me to get it back in. I started to think that maybe my side effect symptoms had been from weaning from breastfeeding anyway. I agreed to have it replaced. 3ish weeks later, all of those same symptoms came back, in addition to a 10-day period, a metallic taste in my mouth, and acne. I got the IUD out yesterday and am waiting for the side effects to go away. Never again will I put anything made of copper in me."

• Nop...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 30, 2020

"Worse health decision I’ve ever made. I’m 28 and had it for 6 years. My once thick hair fell out in clumps. Pain, bloating, and PMS symptoms all month. 12-day HEAVY periods. Just because it’s non-hormonal doesn’t mean it’s not going to affect your hormones, and just because copper is natural doesn’t mean it’s safe to shove into your uterus."

• Tan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2020

"I just had the ParaGard inserted a few days ago. I had terrible experiences with hormonal birth control (the pill and implant). The insertion did hurt a lot, and I cramped/spotted after. I went home, wrapped myself in a heated blanket, and woke up feeling much better the next day. So far, so good, just wanted to share my experience in case anyone was scared of the insertion process."

• fun...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 3, 2023

"I had ParaGard for three years. I want to post about my experience with the hope of validating anyone reading this. If you have the copper IUD and you’re experiencing water retention, weight gain that seems impossible to reduce, cystic acne, mood swings, decreased sex drive, gut issues, bowel movement issues, joint pain, and overall less quality of life… you’re not crazy, you’re not imagining it. I was never once told that perhaps my copper IUD could be the root cause of symptoms, and I could probably go to college again with all the money I’ve spent on medical and dermatological bills. Yes, the IUD prevented pregnancy for me, but at what cost? Trust yourself and what your body is telling you. So far, it’s been 10 days since the removal. The dull ache in my abdomen is subsiding, my brain feels like an anvil, my mood is lifting, and my mid-section is noticeably less swollen. Also, my bowel movements aren’t a liquid nightmare. I hope things continue to improve."