Paragard IUD: The First Cycle

Hey ladies-
Today I am bringing you a blog about my first cycle with my Paragard IUD. To read my blog about the insertion click here.
I got my IUD inserted on August 3, 2017. I was on the tail end of my period when I got it inserted and continued to spot for about four days after insertion. Nothing a panty liner couldn't handle! I had cramping after insertion that lasted for less than 24 hours. I took Ibuprofen during the day and relaxed! Honestly, I was exhausted from having anxiety (about getting it in) so it was nice to just relax. During this cycle I got random mild cramping for an hour here or there, and ibuprofen managed it when needed. The cramping was not every day, out of the cycle I probably cramped for 5 days total (after the first 24 hours, and before my period began). I did spot VERY minimally here and there too, but honestly it was nothing to even wear a panty liner for. I was really surprised with how well I was doing with the IUD!

During this cycle (five days after getting my IUD inserted) I had something crazy happen to me which was completely unrelated to the IUD but involved my reproductive organs. I made a YouTube video about it if you want to watch it! Click here to be taken to YouTube.

ok a bit of an exaggeration... i know people have it worse 

So now the fun... or not so fun part... My period. Before the IUD I had what I would describe as WONDERFUL AWESOME PERIODS, they've always been light, no cramping (except the first day), and always lasted a predictable 6 days. I have long cycles between 31-35 days, which is nice! So here comes September 2nd, a month after I got my IUD inserted. I start to notice some light spotting. Then the next day light spotting and moderate cramping. This goes on for 3 days... And I am like "Wow... Is my period going to be like this now? I can totally handle this!!". Then on the fourth day, I welcomed Niagara Falls. Holy shit... Um, I knew that this would be a heavier period but I didn't know it was going to be like a postpartum hemorrhage (totes a joke, lol). I have the brightest, most thin blood, coming out of me at a rapid pace. If lay down and then stand up it feels like I pee myself (and then I run to the bathroom saying "oh shit, oh shit", holding my crotch)... WTF. I use a menstrual cup and since my blood is thinner than water, it is just leaking out of the sides and holes of the cup... I have to wear a panty liner or pad with the cup (which pisses me off- one of the reasons I was fine with heavier periods is because I use a cup and they have always been wonderful for me and made me feel as if I wasn't on my period). I'd go 5 hours without changing the cup and it'll fill about half way (probably more than quadruple the amount of what I previously had). Not to mention, after the spotting and mild/moderate cramping the first 3 days, I literally felt like I was giving birth to an alien 👽 the fourth day. I've never felt cramps that bad. Ibuprofen didn't even help... The cramps during heaviest day were WORSE than during the insertion... And dare I say it, almost worse than the ovarian torsion I had a few weeks prior. Rolling up on the fifth day, I was prepared for the worst. To my surprise, the horrid cramps stopped. Day 5 & 6- my flow is still heavy as shit (full menstrual cup after 10 hours + leakage).

My entire period lasted 9 days... compared to a light & wonderful 6-7 days without the IUD. After the 4th day, I barely had any cramping. My flow didn't really let up much until the 8th day, and on the 9th (and last day), my flow was light-spotting.

I honestly can't say if I'll be keeping my IUD... I know for a fact if I have another period like this one, I am going to struggle going to work. I am lucky enough to have had this time off and to manage my pain at home. I've had a hell of a month and REALLY would love for my reproductive organs to remain calm and act normal. I am waiting to see what my next period is like, but I don't want to wait and have it be the same or worse. If I do get it removed, I feel as though I wasted a lot of money, after all these devices cost upwards of $1,000 (without insurance). I feel really pissed off frankly, because I cannot do anything about it- I have to wait for my doctor to remove it. I'm not sure what I am going to do but I'll keep my blog updated! Thanks for reading my rant. Hopefully I didn't scare too many people off, HA!

On the flip side- I love the Paragard IUD as birth control. It's so nice not to worry about anything (like condoms) before sex, and I know I am pretty much guaranteed not to get pregnant 👶🏼🙅🏼. So, that's nice. AND, I am loving the no hormones!!

HOPEFULLY MY NEXT PERIOD IS NICE TO ME 🙃

Just a little disclaimer- I know a lot of people who have the Paragard IUD and like it. As I stated in my last blog, you can only truly go off of your own experience. I am really happy I tried Paragard IUD, regardless of the outcome.

Thanks for reading!

-K