It's the end of an era. August 2017 I got my Paragard inserted. It lead me to find out I had a tumor on my ovary (I like to say it saved my life- but that's another blog). It gave me many months of horrid periods, cramps, and spotting. And it also gave me many months of relatively normal periods. About four months ago I started getting an odd dull tickling/pain feeling on my right side (which is where I had my tumor removed). I started spotting all month long. My periods were getting uncontrollable (I couldn't leave my house or I would leak everywhere). After lots of procrastination, I scheduled my long overdue annual visit with plans of IUD removal. But... as I was getting closer to my appointment , I couldn't bare the thought of getting it out because 1) what was I going to do for birth control? and 2) It was damn hard to get in there. So, with all of the supplies to take it out on display in front of me, I discussed this with my doctor and requested an ultrasound. A few days later, I got my ultrasound (and I have no pictures this time 😭). My IUD was M.I.A until... boop there it was in my cervix with its little T tilted to the right side of my uterus. All the prodding around for the ultrasound was making my pain increase. I was cleared for any sort of issue other than my IUD not being in the correct spot. I schedule my appointment to get it removed and was told "USE PROTECTION" like some teenager going to prom. So apparently, when your IUD isn't in the right spot, it doesn't work as birth control. So basically I've been living on the edge for who knows how long?? 🤨 Just insanity.
This tilting also explains the spotting and horrendous cramps I'd been having. And FYI people- the Paragard makes your periods heavier because it is an irritant to the endometrial lining, so that's something that is normal that can be happening. ALSO, just to reemphasize this- the Paragard only works by irritating the lining of the endometrium. It has zero hormones and doesn't work to stop ovulation or anything like that.
So here I am sitting on my couch with my snoring puppy after having my IUD ripped out of me. I was told it wouldn't hurt, but it fucking did. 🙃 cramps (but nothing that I haven't experienced in the last few months). It took two hard pulls for my doctor to get that thing out of me... Um, usually it comes out in one?? It was wisked away before I could even look at it which upset my inner nerdy nurse. I actually wanted to take it home. I didn't have the mindset to ask when I got there because I was having anxiety about getting it out. Also, I am now super paranoid that fragments of copper will be left behind in my uterus (I don't think that is an actual thing with the Paragard but I know with other things such as an essure device, that can happen).
Also, I asked my OB for a diaphragm cause I am trying to be like Carrie Bradshaw. HAHA just kidding, I just really want to use something non-hormone for birth control. And guess fucking what? They didn't even have the fitting kit there because nobody uses diaphragms anymore. LOL embarrassing.
My job requires me to see a lot of women's genitals, but going to the Obgyn always humbles me. Because for ME it is a big deal for people to see me down there and it gives me hella anxiety. So ladies, I give it out to you. Thanks for reading my blog. Hopefully this isn't happening to you too xoxo