ParaGard and Bleeding: What Users Say

• Nis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 23, 2022

For Birth Control "I got my coil removed 4 days ago after 4 years. For years I’ve suffered with backache, headache, foggy head, not enjoying sex (feeling like something was hitting a brick wall inside), bleeding after sex, cramping 3 weeks out of a month, and constantly tired. Basically showing every sign of cervical cancer, having scan after scan, convincing myself this is it, something really is wrong. Everything at scans normal. Got the coil out even though the doctor was hesitant, and after 3 canceled appointments by them within an hour, my back did not hurt anymore. Day 2, the brain fog wasn’t there when I woke up. I woke up with ease, didn’t have to force myself, headaches gone. Day 3, I began to get my sex drive back, and I enjoyed my partner for the first time in ages. Day 4, absolutely no discharge, which is something I’d been suffering with on a daily basis for a while. I knew 2 weeks prior to removal that I had copper toxicity. Please, please reconsider it, it’s ruined the last 4 years for me."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 25, 2020

For Birth Control "Before I got the copper IUD, I came on here and read all the reviews, even the bad ones. I still went along with my insertion, and at first, it was great. Then, after a month, I started to bleed with no pain. This continued for the next 4 months. I went for an ultrasound, and the doctors told me it shifted, so I would just have to get it replaced. I did exactly that. (how dumb of me). After I got the replacement, I bled for another 3 months, straight, no pain at all. I got it removed in May 2020, and let me tell you, I've never felt better. Birth control is not for everyone, but be careful! It’s scary what doctors don’t tell you. If you read these negative reviews, it’s for a reason! Trust yourself!"

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2015

For Birth Control "No issues at all here. People said it hurts getting it in- didn't hurt me. People said it caused them heavy bleeding- not me. Severe cramps- nope. Spotting/bleeding between periods- no. I'm also sure that what you 'experience' with ParaGard may depend on how your cycles were before getting it put in. I love it."

• Tan...
• September 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I used Nexplanon before and had terrible mood swings, so I thought ParaGard would be a better alternative, being non-hormonal. I had ParaGard for 4 months and noticed I was way more fatigued and anxious, with bad cramps, and my period was heavy, I was bleeding through an extra-large maxi pad in an hour. I went to get it out, and they said it was stuck and I may have needed surgery to get it out! It took three tries to finally yank it out a few days ago, and I already feel so much calmer and less in pain. Instead, I’m going to use natural family planning (apps like Lily allow you to track your cervical mucus and temperature and cycle to be more effective) with barrier methods like condoms or cervical caps during my fertile times. I’m really disappointed in this contraception method. I have PCOS as well and found it made my symptoms much worse than before. I wish I didn’t get it to save myself 4 months of anxiety and laying in bed with debilitating cramps."

• Faw...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I had the copper IUD for 18 months. Recently, I just had it taken out because of a considerable amount of side effects due to copper toxicity. I experienced brain fog, weight gain ('40 lbs' to be exact), body aches, headaches, ZERO ENERGY, stomach issues, very bad cystic acne, and my mental health declined. Also, I became severely anemic. My periods consisted of a lot of blood clots and heavy bleeding. I would not recommend this birth control because it took away my happiness for 18 months. I am excited to see improvements come now that this birth control is out of me. NEVER AGAIN will I put a foreign object inside my body."

• yyr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 15, 2019

For Birth Control "To have it inserted wasn't really bad. I was impressed it's for 10 years and is not hormonal. I had some cramps, some bad ones, and my period is definitely much heavier and lasts 10 days. It didn't change after the first 6 months, but I started bleeding between my periods. And having pain only on the left side. I am dealing with acne now and had horrible migraines nearly every day. I went to the doctor. They said I'm fine. I am feeling very tired. I can't sleep properly and I don't have energy. I also have chest pain, and again the doctor said I am fine. I used to enjoy sex, but now I'm never in the mood-never! For so long. After reading other women's reviews, I related to their symptoms and can't believe the doctors don't tell you about all these side effects. I can't wait to have it removed and don't want to hear about it again! I would not recommend it to any woman. It's sad that we have to go through all this. I'm going to try the fertility awareness method. Take care! Lots of love to all women!"

• I t...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I used ParaGard for 9 months. In those 9 months, I had my first UTI, developed BV, bled for three weeks out of the month, and had horrible, horrible, horrible cramps. My body was so thrown out of whack. I really wanted this to work because, one, I didn’t have to take the pill every day and, two, no hormones. I waited out the 6 months they say it takes for your body to get used to it. I had cramps every day, on my period or not. My periods were so heavy I couldn’t leave the house at times. I kept telling myself it’ll get better, or maybe if I exercise more and eat better, then it’ll be better. Nope. It never got better. Finally, I had it taken out, and I have felt so much better. No more shooting pains of cramps that bring me to the floor wondering what I’m doing wrong. Yeah, this thing works as a birth control...cuz you never feel up to sex or won’t stop bleeding. I understand it’s different for everyone. For me, it was a horrible experience."

• juj...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I recommend ParaGard 200%! I am sharing my experience everywhere I can because after my second child, when researching getting ParaGard online, all I saw were negative reviews (because typically, people don't go online to post the good, they post the bad). I got my ParaGard IUD inserted 7 weeks postpartum from my second vaginal birth. I was so afraid of having it placed and thinking it may hurt, but I was so surprised I did not feel a dang thing! My doc said it is a side effect of having a baby, your cervix is a bit numb for some time. I had very minimal cramping and some bleeding for a week, then did not even notice it was there. My first period was crampy and heavy, but all were normal after that. Heavier, but normal."

• Geo...
• March 28, 2017

For Birth Control "If you are reading reviews... stop. ParaGard reacts differently to everyone that gets it. I almost scared myself out of getting it after days of reading the reviews, but you will never know if you do not go through with it. I'm not lying, it was painful day one and two, but it really is not bad! My periods are the same as they used to be (last about 4 days with moderate flow), just a bit crampier a week before and when I ovulate. The pain is nothing a few Advil can't solve. A few side effects that I experienced: I was bloated for the first couple weeks, spot bleeding here and there, cramps are sharper. Honestly, that's it... for me, this was the BEST option on the market!"

• Bla...
• June 23, 2019

For Birth Control "So I tried it 2x. 1st after my 2nd child. I gained lots of weight, got acne, cramps, and bleeding heavily. Finally, it fell out about 2 years later. My doc said my body rejected it. I feel like they have false ads saying it has little side effects. Gave it the benefit of the doubt, tried it a 2nd time since my birth control pills were no longer covered by my insurance. Huge mistake. Same thing all over: horrible acne, gained 40 lbs in 1 yr. Nothing helps me lose weight. I was going through tampons & an extra heavy flow pad within 1 hr. Kept bleeding through my clothes, not to mention 10-day periods. My life was on hold, had to miss work because I was bleeding so much. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore, got it taken out after 1 year. My skin is so clear, never break out anymore, not even before periods. My periods are back to 3 days and light. Lost 7 lbs in 1 month so far! Never again! False ads, lots of side effects. Obviously, I’m not the only one by reading some of the reviews. Wish I would have read on it sooner!"

• MCa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I got the ParaGard IUD inserted in 11/2019. I am scheduled to get it removed next month. It has been a horrible experience. I experience heavy cramps and bleeding. The excessive bleeding led to anemia. I want to warn people, if you experience heavy bleeding and lethargy after getting the ParaGard inserted, please get tested for anemia - iron storage levels. It has impacted my entire life from having to take days off of work and being less energetic in general. Not to mention the heavy, long-lasting periods and horrible cramps that put me on bed rest for 5 days every month. It was not worth it for me, and ParaGard needs to warn patients about these side effects more often."

• Sea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2015

For Birth Control "I wanted to leave a review because I feel that naturally, people with bad experiences are more likely to post than people who had positive experiences. For me, the copper IUD has been the best form of birth control I've used. Insertion was extremely painful, but the potential to have 10 years of hormone-free birth control is worth it. The 1st month, there was a lot of light bleeding and occasional cramping while the IUD 'settled' in. The cramping at the start of my 1st period was hell, the 2nd period less so, and now the 3rd period is almost pre-insertion levels. Periods are heavier and longer, but I am so relieved to 1) have a sex drive (bad experiences with hormones) and 2) 10 years of no pills in my future! I don't notice my IUD anymore, 3 months in."

• kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 25, 2020

For Birth Control "I would like to start off by saying the ParaGard is a bit painful for insertion. The bleeding sucks! I have been on it a little over two years. I've been experiencing spotting before and after my periods to this day. I do have brain fog and severe cramps. BV has been coming and going, and before ParaGard, I'd only had BV once with my firstborn. Didn't get ParaGard until my second baby was born. Really contemplating getting this out. I have talked to my OB about the side effects, and she swears it's all natural! This birth control is not for everybody. Trust your body!"

• coe...
• September 28, 2017

For Birth Control "I got the ParaGard because I was sick of having to pick up my pill prescription, and I love the idea of a non-hormonal birth control. I really wanted to get my body back on its natural cycle, as I have been on the pill for years. The insertion was painful, as expected. Would not recommend working that day. But so far, I am loving it. I bled for the first 4-5 days, nothing too heavy, and have since stopped. My sex drive has already increased, and I lost 5 lbs within a week of being off the pill (added bonus). I have not reached my first period with it yet, so I am expecting more cramps/heavier bleeding, but that's a small price to pay, in my opinion. Lots of negative reviews on here, so I wanted to write a positive one!"

• Bet...
• August 20, 2018

For Birth Control "This device has ruined the past two years of my life. I have had severe cramps, blood loss during just one day of my cycle of what should be the amount lost during the entirety of a cycle, and copper toxicity issues. I have had heart palpitations without any previously, and recently went to the ER due to those. I have had severe back pains and anxiety. I recently had the IUD removed, and these symptoms are subsiding. The back pain completely disappeared. It sounds like a great option at first, but prolonged exposure to copper can cause many complications within you. Copper also affects your adrenal system - which directly regulates hormones. So if you believe it is completely non-hormonal, it is still indirectly (and significantly in my case) affecting your hormones. Please do research on this device before you just place a foreign object in your body. I would not recommend it to anyone."

• Dis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I can't even express the hate I have for this BC. Of course, I know everyone will not have the same experience. I decided to go with ParaGard after my second child because I wanted to try something non-hormonal. I have had it for almost a year now. I bleed and bleed and bleed some more. HEAVY bleeding. This may be TMI, but I fill up an Ultra-sized tampon in less than an hour. I wake up some mornings with blood-stained panties and sheets. And this doesn't just go on for a few days. When I do have my periods, they last for about two weeks. And many times, I have spotting in between. I NEVER know when to expect my period, it's all over the place. Plus, my husband can feel it, it pokes him during sex. NOT FUN! - and yes, it is inserted correctly."

• Ns4...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 4, 2021

For Birth Control "2 years in, started ruining my life, lost my job because I couldn't get out of bed, developed high blood pressure, sleep apnea, endometriosis, fibroids, severe depression and suicidal ideation, weight gain, IBS, severe bloating, 2 weeks of bleeding and clotting, then 2 weeks of cramps and spotting, migraines, food intolerances. I could go on. Good luck trying to have it removed once it's in, it will take you months or you will have to find another way. The doctors swear the symptoms aren't from the IUD, but I have thousands of other girls that say differently."

• cas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 27, 2018

For Birth Control "This thing caused me to suffer from copper toxicity, along with 12-14 day long periods, bleeding so heavy I didn't even want to leave my house. Not to mention the constant stabbing pains any time I moved or bent over. Once IUD was out, my 'period' stopped within 30 minutes, and the pain was gone in seconds. Within 48 hours, the symptoms of copper toxicity disappeared. I reported to the company itself, and they were rude. So I took it further and reported to the FDA. My insurance didn't even cover the ParaGard after the doctor said it was 100% covered."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2020

For Birth Control "I recently got ParaGard inserted, the insertion wasn’t too bad. It was instant cramps, though, and they increased as that day went on, so much so I took about 2 ibuprofen 800s and laid around with my heating pad. My period was due around the time, so I cramped up until it came about 4 days later. I normally cramp, so it was nothing out of the ordinary or that ibuprofen couldn’t handle. The bleeding, however, whereas my period is normally 4/5 days, I am now on day 6 and over it. Came to see how long periods normally last after insertion because really I’m over it, lol. I am not cramping at all anymore and can’t even tell it’s there. So far, so good."

• Ble...
• October 22, 2016

For Birth Control "I had gotten the ParaGard after I had my third child. After being on it for a year, I started to miss my period and was having all the signs of being pregnant. I went into my yearly checkup, and the doctor informed me the IUD looked good and in place. Four weeks later, I started to bleed very badly and pass huge clots, and in one of those clots was the ParaGard. I ended up going into the ER and found out I was 12 weeks pregnant and having a miscarriage. I ended up pregnant on the ParaGard within a year and lost my baby due to it. I will never get another IUD."

• Cry...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I had many symptoms that are not mentioned. I first started having heavier bleeding and horrible cramping during periods. The other problems I had gradually became unbearable, and some I didn't link to the IUD instantly. I started having hip pain that I couldn't link to an injury and odd ankle pain when beginning to run. I began having severe tailbone pain over a month into having it. The stomach cramping started my last period after the period was done. I also had bacterial vaginosis. I became very emotional. The worst was the tailbone pain. The doctor said it probably wasn't my IUD. I had it removed. Within 1 hour, the tailbone pain was gone. I have an appointment tomorrow with the OBGYN to discuss all of this. I am not sure at this point how the ParaGard caused this, but I am researching it. Doctors constantly said the IUD is most likely not causing all my symptoms, but they all went away promptly when it was removed."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I just had ParaGard inserted 5 days ago. The insertion process was only upper painful and uncomfortable (mainly during dilation and when my doc tried to match up my uterus with some device). Since insertion, I’ve been spotting, well - bleeding a lot. I know spotting is normal, but this has not stopped since insertion. Not to mention, there’s a constant feeling of needing to poop once the IUD was placed in. Not sure if it’s up against my bowel, but that’s the primary feeling I always have with this thing. Oh, and one last thing, I experienced cramps so sharp and painful, it felt like I was being suddenly stabbed. I’m talking so sharp that I gasped, stopped what I was doing, and curled into a ball. Mind you, these aren’t constant - they just pop up every now and then. It will knock the wind out of you. Or at least I hope it doesn’t for anyone else. I will update as more time goes with my ParaGard experience."

• lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I got ParaGard in January of 2016. I was attracted to the thought of being hormone-free, and it sounded more natural to me. I had been on birth control for about 6 years, so I was really excited about just being back on my own. I thought I might be able to even lose a few pounds since it is hormone-free. Also, not having to worry about pregnancy or forgetting to take a pill was very attractive. After only two months, I've decided to get my ParaGard removed due to the following reasons: extremely heavy periods... I mean buying the 'ultra' size tampon and having to change it every 2-3 hours, bleeding on the sheets overnight, taking a bath and standing up and literally seeing the blood just dripping into the tub... like hemorrhaging almost."

• Par...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 26, 2019

For Birth Control "Had ParaGard for 9 years. Worst periods ever with massive blood clots and blood loss monthly. Then exhibited signs of copper toxicity. When I had it removed, the IUD was broken upon removal, and the embedded arm was remaining in the uterus. Had multiple ultrasounds and then hysteroscopy removal of the broken arm in the hospital under anesthesia. Horrible product that ruined my life."

• SLB...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 30, 2015

For Birth Control "Getting the ParaGard was the best decision I have ever made for myself. For the first 3 months, I bled much heavier than normal and experienced some severe cramps. However, by the 4th month, my bleeding and cramps significantly reduced. I have a moderate flow, heavier than I had before ParaGard, but it is very manageable. I cramp still, maybe once every four months. I do not like taking hormonal birth control. With ParaGard, your period does not disappear (something that worried me to no end), and you don't have to worry about missing pills or dealing with weird side effects like becoming emotionally unstable (pills made me suicidal) or gaining weight. Not to mention, ParaGard is probably the most cost-effective birth control available."