ParaGard and Weight Gain: What Users Say

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Ari...
• August 27, 2018

For Birth Control "I had this IUD inserted two and a half years ago. At first, I had mild cramping, heavy periods, but I got used to that. Constant, copious discharge was inconvenient, but I wore panty shields every day. But after a while, I just found myself constantly ‘coping’ with the symptoms. I started to gain weight no matter what I did, still not suspecting the IUD until I started thinking back to when I began to have unexplained weight gain. I had it removed 5 days ago, and I’ve lost 4 lbs, no longer feel bloated all over, and my blood pressure is now back to normal instead of the unusually high reading on ParaGard. NEVER AGAIN! For those of you who think we are being mean for posting a negative review, it’s not meant to be harmful but helpful to other people suffering the same way. Everyone is different, just sharing my experience so other people are aware, as I wasn’t for 2 and 1/2 years."

• Pea...
• November 27, 2019

For Birth Control "Inserted ParaGard 1/2006, immediate mental health issues started, felt like a zombie, severe depression, worthless feeling, unmotivated, mean, dark thoughts, gained 30 pounds, thinning hair and loss, back pain, joint/body aches, heavy periods, cranky, low libido. Vaginal odor, bacterial infections despite celibacy, insomnia, brain fog, forgetfulness, unable to lose weight. Removed 11/11. Lighter periods, able to sleep, lose weight, depression lessened, no more vaginal odors or infections."

• Hea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 25, 2020

For Birth Control "I love this birth control so much. I've had it almost 11 months now and can't say enough good things about it. No weight gain, regular periods, moods are normal, and I feel great and pregnancy-free for almost 11 months now!"

• Sis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 5, 2019

For Birth Control "I will say I started off loving ParaGard. Insertion was easy. My first one expelled within the first month, which is common, but I got a new one placed. I loved it for about 2 years, then I learned about copper toxicity. I can account some of my SEVERE disabling mental illnesses to this device. The first 6 months, cramps were worse but manageable, and ever since, my PMSing has gotten horrible. I basically have flu symptoms for 2 days before every cycle. My breasts grew practically overnight somewhere between 16-18 months with the ParaGard. Before, I was barely filling out an A cup, now I’m a D cup. Nonhormonal my ass, it influences hormones. I’ve had stomach problems, UTIs, yeast infections, smells from down there, pain with sex, chronic fatigue, bloating, allergies developed, memory issues/brain fog, and skin problems (acne and persistent eczema that I’m just finally getting to clear up). I’ve gained weight and overall just feel like garbage. Please avoid this device."

• 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."

• Bog...
• June 2, 2020

For Birth Control "I got the ParaGard about a month ago. Just started this month's period. I don't feel any pain or anything, you know, just the normal, you know, pressure from bleeding. But I mean, honestly, I don't recognize a difference, but I do know that birth control affects everyone differently. I had the hormonal IUD taken out because I noticed some weight gain, and I didn't like how it made me feel anxious and irritated. I am on some prescriptions for anxiety and depression and sleep, but I didn't like how that one made me feel. I definitely notice a difference with this one, my medications are working like they normally would, and I'm not agitated. I don't have weight gain, I've actually lost some weight. I love this, and it's not bad. It's not painful. And the bleeding isn't bad either, it's pretty normal for me."

• Aub...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 28, 2019

For Birth Control "I had ParaGard inserted after the birth of my second child. While this was “effective” in preventing pregnancy, it caused so many issues with my body! I had few symptoms for the first 3 years other than increased yeast infections and occasional spotting. Year 4, everything went downhill! The ParaGard side effects got worse. I had constant infections (yeast and BV), spotting became more frequent as time went on, and I ended up bleeding for 2 months straight. I had extreme fatigue, complete loss of sex drive to where it was affecting my relationship, weight gain, heart palpitations, hip/back pain, swelling and water retention, horrible PMS, joint pain, among many others. I had it removed after having it for 7.5 years, and 95% of my symptoms have completely vanished. The product is effective as a birth control, but the issues it causes with our bodies are not worth it."

• Nat...
• January 23, 2020

For Birth Control "I had ParaGard for 9 weeks. Insertion was the most painful experience of my life. I was in bed with severe cramping and back pain for the next 3 days after insertion. I took Tylenol and Ibuprofen for pain, but it didn’t touch it. My periods lasted 2 weeks and an additional week of spotting. The entire 9 weeks, I was bloated and constipated. I gained 7 lb during that time. I am very athletic, who exercises 5-7 times a week (yoga, pole fitness, Pilates, and gym). I am also vegetarian and keep the same diet pattern and the same weight for over 18 years. So I don’t want to hear that I gained weight because of overeating. As a matter of fact, my portions were smaller than usual because I was bloated most of the time. I started having migraine headaches 4 weeks after insertion that gradually increased to an everyday thing. I started to have heart palpitations and anxiety. I DON’T RECOMMEND ANYONE ParaGard. No one tells you about these side effects."

• Cel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 5, 2019

For Birth Control "My personal symptoms regarding copper toxicity: heart racing, anxiety, insomnia, depression, lethargic, headaches, no energy, migraines so bad I couldn't see, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, memory loss, mental fog, loss of taste, metal taste in mouth, low sex drive, my body odor was 10 times worse underarms and vaginal, hair oils double, my eyes turned darker, dirty looking, the white part of my eyes turned yellow, my veins in my eyes ruptured, pain in my eyes, vision problems, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea once a week, weight gain (20 lbs), felt like my body was shutting down. Oh, and one more, got candidiasis."

• Cel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 20, 2020

For Birth Control "I had it for 9 years. Insertion left me in the worst pain I’ve ever felt for a few days. Bloating continued for months after. I became prone to infections and had many throughout the years. I started seeing vitamin deficiencies along with being significantly weaker, fatter, and had more pains. I started having premature greying, cystic acne, and ovarian pain. Year 9 it worsened. I also had fibromyalgia, diarrhea, low back pain, and trouble staying asleep. The doctor did verify an ovarian cyst but still didn’t suspect the IUD. A friend did. I got it out, rebalanced vitamin deficiencies, and cut dairy. It has been 8 months post-removal and orgasming is easier, there’s no pain during sex anymore, period blood doesn’t smell, taste isn’t off, bowels and sleep are normal. No more ovarian cyst. I still have some issues, but they are improving. I would have never done this to myself if I had known how it does affect hormones and health significantly."

• Msa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I hope this review helps someone make the decision not to get this. This birth control ruined the whole year of 2019 for me, and I still don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. It affected my hormones, gave me sinus problems, which led to ear problems. I was getting sciatica pain, restless legs, hip pain, brain fog, anxiety attacks. I gained so much weight, joint pain. A lot of these have gone away, some have diminished, and some I still deal with, even though it's been 6 months since removal. I had it for 2 years and 8 months, and I was in perfect health before this."

• JHi...
• August 18, 2015

For Birth Control "Best birth control device ever!!! I've had two ParaGard IUDs in my lifetime and no weight gain or craziness since there aren't any hormones and nothing to worry about! Loved my almost 20 years using this device, and insertion and removal are pretty much pain-free and easy. Do yourself a favor, get off those weird hormone-laden IUDs or birth control pills and do this now!!"

• Kar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 6, 2021

For Birth Control "I have had the IUD for almost 10 months now, and I am debating getting it taken out. I was prepared for more cramping and heavier periods (those are common side effects), but I wasn’t prepared for sharp cramping almost all the time. Before the IUD, I had a very predictable cycle every 35ish days and got cramps the first day or two of my period. Now I feel like I get a period randomly every 2-3 weeks, and there is no way to track when I will be bleeding/cramping or not. I feel in almost constant pain. Then I’ve also felt much more anxious, depressed, and irritable and have gained significant weight. There may be no way to know whether these symptoms are actually caused by the IUD or other things going on in my life, but they seem to have appeared right after insertion and are similar to other reviews. It’s hard to decide whether to get it removed because if I get it out, I have to try another option, which may have similar side effects anyway. Bleh :/"

• AMP...
• July 15, 2019

For Birth Control "It does prevent pregnancy, but I've had many problems with ParaGard. Ever since, my periods have been like night and day from what they were my entire life (I am 39 years old). I bleed 3 weeks a month, and my cramps are much worse. Today I made an appointment to have it removed. I chose to look up some info in the hopes of finding that others had gone through this, and relief is on its way. So many other issues I have read here are also things I've been dealing with. I've had depression and anxiety, I've gained 60 lbs. I've experienced vaginal odor that I never had before. I'm in shock that so many others have had these symptoms. I just thought I was going to get my normal periods back after it's taken out in 2 weeks. Now I'm attributing other serious issues to the IUD and hope so badly that things go back to normal in all areas. Not worth it! Do not get this IUD!"

• LSD...
• February 22, 2017

For Birth Control "I got the ParaGard IUD six weeks after giving birth to my first child. I chose this birth control because it is non-hormonal, and regular hormonal birth control makes me nauseous, depressed, have mood swings, and gain weight. Overall, I'm very pleased with the IUD. Insertion was not painful, and I didn't even have cramping afterwards. I can't even tell that it is there, and I have no side effects at all."

• Tal...
• September 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I'm 24. In the 2 years of having the copper IUD, I developed horrible lower back pain resembling sciatica. I went from being 125 lbs to 185 lbs despite regular exercise. Before, I always lost weight with no effort. My stomach bloated up, looked 7 mo pregnant all the time. I was fatigued and suddenly had problems with frequent vaginal infections. I was only 22, and I felt like an old woman. I had it removed, felt instant relief. Overnight, the bloat was gone, 'sciatica' gone. No more aches and pains. Weight has melted off. I'm looking and feeling like my normal self. Doctors told me my symptoms weren't possible side effects from the ParaGard. Copper resembles an estrogen in the body, an excess leads to weight problems. The IUD, by design, causes inflammation in the uterus, leading to high cortisol and a suppressed immune system. Excess copper doesn't show up on blood work, it is stored in the tissues. Tissue analysis showed that I had toxic levels of copper."

• Han...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 23, 2023

For Birth Control "Never ever got on with contraception but was forced to due to high levels of fertility. I thought due to being non-hormonal, I'd try a ParaGard IUD. I had awfully heavy periods and continue to do so, huge clots, etc., but still don't mind this. However, I have disrupted sleep, constant vivid dreams, good or bad, every night. I also get racing intrusive thoughts, I get bloating, and weight gain. I have gained so much weight, which I've never struggled with due to being highly active. Has anyone else had these issues?"

• 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."

• Mom...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 22, 2016

For Birth Control "I had the ParaGard for 7 years. I was 20 with no children. I'm also forgetful and wanted a birth control that I didn't have to worry about taking every day like the pill. I tried the Depo shot but gained too much weight. I had absolutely no problems except for the fact that it was very painful when inserted, I'm sure that it had something to do with me not being pregnant before. But... I became pregnant last September. Either my IUD moved because I became pregnant or because it had moved beforehand, I'm not sure. Either way, I couldn't feel the string and didn't schedule annual exams, so I believe this caused me to become pregnant. I urge everyone with an IUD to make sure you check yourself once a month and schedule exams every year!!"

• Kac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 28, 2019

For Birth Control "I"

• 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."

• Cat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 2, 2021

For Birth Control "This is the second time I have had the ParaGard. First time no issues at all, had it inserted after the first child. Second one inserted after that, again no issues. However, 6 years into it, I started bleeding between periods and sex. Felt just off in other ways. Depressed, weight gain, all the other side effects here, but not for one second did I think it was my IUD. Then my cervix started to get inflamed no matter what. All tests came back fine and the IUD was in perfect position. But pain and unusual side effects. I decided to have it removed and went back for my one-month post-checkup just to see. Cervix was perfect. Nothing at all. No breakthrough bleeding. No bleeding after sex either. I don’t know if it was the ParaGard, but I do believe if your body doesn’t want something, it definitely tells you. I feel better mentally and physically since removal. 43-year-old healthy female otherwise."

• Vic...
• February 8, 2020

For Birth Control "I had a copper IUD inserted after breast cancer rendered hormonal birth control no longer an option for me. I would not recommend it to anyone. Insertion was painful. I was on bedrest for about two days. I have a very high pain tolerance, and I was miserable for the first six months. I got my period twice a month, for 7-15 days, and I would get cramps so painful that I couldn't stand up straight, and I was bleeding so heavily that my menstrual cup was overflowing every few hours. Usually, I have to empty it once a day. Since then, things have only gotten moderately better. The bleeding has eased up, but my cycle is still very irregular, and the cramps have not gotten any better. I was in fantastic shape when I got my IUD. Since then, I have put on a considerable amount of weight because the pain I am in for what amounts to about two weeks out of each month is preventing me from keeping as active as I would like. I'm considering getting it removed."

• juh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 14, 2019

For Birth Control "Got ParaGard when I was 20, got it taken out when I was 25 and had Skyla put in, then six months later got ParaGard put back in... here are my thoughts: Skyla, painful insertion, gained weight when the doctor said I wouldn't, moody, bled for about 4 months straight. ParaGard insertion was easier, spot when ovulating, heavier periods but nothing horrible, no weight gain or PMS symptoms EXCEPT bloating. I bloat on ParaGard, but will take that over most symptoms. I have never had a baby or been pregnant, had light periods before, weigh about 150 lbs."