from Depo to Paragard?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
from Depo to Paragard?
5
Fri, 11-03-2006 - 8:32am
Has anyone had Paragard put in while they were still on Depo? I recently got paragard put in while my depo was still effective. I am not due for a new shot till next week but obviously won’t be getting it. I know it is uncommon because it is usually inserted while you have your period but since I have not gotten it in over a year due to depo I could have it inserted at any time. There was a chance that I would not be able to get it due to not having kids and no period which would make it harder to insert but all went fine. My question finally, I know it will take a while to get back my cycle and since periods are usually heavy and crampy due to your body getting used to the IUD, do you think that I may not experience this? It is possible to not get my period back for up to 6 months to a year, but also possible in a month. It will just depend on how long it takes my body to detoxify the depo. I am hoping that by the time my cycle return my body will be used to the IUD and I will not have the heavy and painful periods that are usually experienced in the beginning. Also if you have gotten IUD after Depo how long did it take for your cycle to return? Thanks
Jackie
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-21-2005
Fri, 11-03-2006 - 2:48pm

Since Pargard doesn't have any hormones, it shouldn't effect how long it takes your body to go back to normal after stopping depo. In my case, it took about 5 months after the shot wore off for me to have periods again.

I personally didn't have paragard put in while I was still on depo, so I don't know for sure if that will help you adjust to the IUD since you probably won't be having periods, but it seems like logically it could help.

All I know for sure is that getting paragard was the best thing I've done for myself in regards to BC. I haven't noticed much in the way of cramping or heavy periods so it has been great. I hope it is this good for you too. Good luck.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
Sun, 11-05-2006 - 3:53pm

Years ago I was on depo after DD#2 was born. From about '94 to around 2000. It took about 6 months for me to get back to having periods (I was one of the lucky ones and loved the depo, just not the loss of libido). I now have had a Paraguard for about 1.5 months. I am still basically breastfeeding the baby and have not had a period since April. I got my IUD put in and it went extremely well. I had a couple of days of spotting (maybe) and then I've had nothing. I'll occasionally get a little crampy, but can't blame it on that. Crampiness doesn't last but a few minutes. I'm not sure when I'll get my period again. I plan on weaning the baby in the spring after cold/flu season. Since the Paraguard has no hormones, it shouldn't change anything about coming off the hormones. Personally, I'm just hoping my body gets used to the IUD before my periods start back, too.

HTH

Sallie

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Mon, 11-06-2006 - 9:44am

Hi Sallie,

Other than total loss of libido and occasional strong mood swings, I don’t have a problem with depo either. How is your libido now? How long did it take to come back? I am due for my next shot on Wednesday but am not getting it. I am still breastfeeding too. How old is your child and do you still have a good libido while bf? I don’t know if it is lack of sleep, breastfeeding or depo causing my libido to hide away.

Thanks,
Holly

Holly
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
Mon, 11-06-2006 - 10:52pm

I think I was 34 when I had my last depo shot and it took me a good year for my libido to come back full swing. And, when it did, WOW. The fall after it came back I had some major life changes and met DH. ;) I really enjoyed that. Baby just turned a year old. I just turned 40 and am wondering how close I am to menopause (my mother went through menopause at 41-42 or so) as I have quite a few of the symptoms associated with it and I no longer have the hot flashes I have had for the last 4 - 5 years. I get tired a lot also and libido is good sometimes, not so good others. I plan on weaning baby next spring and am hoping to get back to myself again.

HTH

Sallie

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2002
Tue, 11-07-2006 - 3:41pm

Hi there,


I had the Mirena IUD put in after being on Depo, so slightly different.