Experience with Paraguard IUD

I was wondering if anyone has, past or present, used a non-hormonal IUD called Paraguard. If yes, what do you think of it?

I know everyone responds to birth control differently, but the three most common complaints with Paraguard are as follows:

• heavy cramping after placement and during first few months of menstrual cycle
• some claim that they can feel Paraguard, or that their partner can feel it during intercourse
• the placement of the device, by your physician, is painful.
  

The website can be found here.

I am 27 years old and do have any children. I do not plan (or want!) to have children in the next 5-6 years (after that, perhaps). I am in a long-term relationship.

I cannot take hormonal birth control (the pill, Minerva, Deprovera, etc.)

Hi, I am in a pretty similar situation to yours - 24, never had children, do not want them for quite a long time, in a long-term relationship.

I got on the pill probably 4 years ago to regulate my (long, heavy and painful) cycle. Since switching to a generic brand because of insurance reasons, I gained about 20 pounds and experienced horrendous mood swings. I finally decided that the side effects of the hormones weren't worth the cycle regulation and got the IUD.

I am VERY satisfied with it so far.

• I had some fairly intense cramping the day it was put in and for about a week afterwards, but it was bearable with ibuprofen and Midol. I've had one period since having it in and honestly the cramps weren't any worse than when I was on the pill --aka, not bad at all. The weird thing was that they felt somehow different than before I had the IUD...like they were coming from a different place maybe? My cycle wasn't horribly heavy like they warned me it might be. I think it's just naturally regulated itself now that I'm a bit older (compared to when I was in my teens).
• I definitely cannot feel the device or tell that it's there.
• Yeah, it was pretty uncomfortable getting it inserted...when I said "OW," the clinician jokingly said that now know I knew what it will feel like if I have a baby some day! But the discomfort only lasted for the minute or so it took for them to put it in - NOT a big deal in the long run.

Overall I'm loving it. It's WONDERFUL not to have to remember to take the stupid pill every day. More importantly, I finally feel like 'myself' again without the hormones - no more Princess Nutjob

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Thank you! I don't know anyone, personally, who has been on it.