1st Period after Paragard insertion

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
1st Period after Paragard insertion
5
Mon, 12-11-2006 - 11:24pm

Hi! I got my Paragard placed about 3 months ago. I'm still pumping breast milk for the baby and had not had a period since April. Well, I finally got my period on Saturday. Not sure that it's a yippee, but finally glad it's almost over. I had a heavy flow for 2 days (more than my old normal, but not severe), and much less today. So, maybe the length will not be longer than my normal was. And, I really haven't had any cramping. And, so far the strings feel about the same. So, if I get back to a usual pattern, maybe this was a good choice for me. I'm feeling mentally better about it also. (I had a lot of wistfullness about not having any more babies. I've got 4 girls and am giving up my dream of a little boy.)

Just wanted to post and let others who are thinking about Paragard know that not all the periods following insertion will be unbearable or more difficult. My doc did tell me that "if you can get past the first three months, you'll like it".

HTH someone.

Sallie

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 12-12-2006 - 7:11am

Hi lemonewton, welcome back!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-23-2004
Tue, 12-19-2006 - 4:57pm

This helped me, thank you! I came to this board to look for ParaGard info b/c I am thinking of getting it. I just had my second little boy in November and DH wants to be DONE having kids (I'm not totally convinced yet). He wanted to get a vasectomy - we need something foolproof b/c I can't take hormones and I get pregnant very easily. I had my 6-wk PP visit and the doctor recommended ParaGard, my insurance covers it, so I thought I'd try it. I'm a little worried about the heavy periods and cramping, but she said the same thing, first three months are the worst.

Do you think the IUD caused you to get your period sooner than you would have? I am exclusively BF.

Thanks for posting!

Laura
mommy to
Benjamin, 7/04
Andrew, 11/06

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-13-2006
Wed, 12-20-2006 - 2:14pm

I'm pregnant with twins right now, and we haven't decided if we want another baby after this, so I'm trying to figure out my options. Like the other poster, I also can't use hormonal birth control anymore, and am very fertile, so need something foolproof. DH claims he'd be okay using condoms again, but somehow I think that will get old really fast with him. The only other non-hormonal options I can think of are the sponge and a diaphram, but I really don't want to deal with the messiness factor of either.

So my question is what other side-effects you've had? I had unbearable breast tenderness when I was on the patch (incidentally that's the reason I can't use hormones anymore since it gave me a blood clot), and I don't want to deal with that again. Did you find ibuprofen or something similar helped for cramping. Anything else you noticed?

-Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
Thu, 12-21-2006 - 9:36pm

I have pumping for the baby and have recently dropped the amount I am pumping for her, so I think that is what caused me to go ahead and have my period. I very much am happy without the hormones b/c I just turned 40 and the last time I was on hormonal birth control I got high blood pressure. The last period I had before was in April, I just had a couple of days of spotting after the insertion (I posted a message back in September about it) and didn't have another period until this time. I was anticipating a lot of cramping, but didn't have it. I did have a heavier than normal flow for a couple of days (needed a pad and tampon) but after that it was a minimal flow for about 2 days longer than normal. That's it.

Good luck in your decision.

Sallie

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
Thu, 12-21-2006 - 9:43pm

That's the good thing about the Paragard, you don't have to worry about the hormones. The other great thing is you can leave it in for 10 years. I'm hoping it will take me through menopause. :) I didn't want to go back on any hormonal birth control b/c I had high blood pressure last time when I took Yasmin.

I had noticed a bit more discharge, and occasional mild abdominal discomfort, but it's so non-specific that I can't really pin it down to the IUD. And, actually since my period that's quit and I haven't noticed it anymore. To be honest there wasn't really cramping, just a heavier flow for a couple of days. With all the aches and pains I have been developing lately in my feet and ankles Ibuprofen has become my friend. :)

HTH

Sallie