Hello Ladies!
I am bringing you another Paragard IUD update! It's been 5 months since I've had my IUD and I've written a few blogs about it.Check out my insertion blog here. I have a very extensive overview of the procedure and a lot of information about IUD's.
Check out my opinion on the IUD with my first period here.
And last, check out my last update here.
So, my first period with the IUD I was absolutely miserable! I didn't know if I was going to keep it. My bleeding and cramping were so terrible. Month to month, it seemed to get better!
To sum it up (each month marks a period):
August- terrible, crampy, very heavy, very long period, no spotting between periods except first few days before period came
September- still heavy but lighter, very crampy before period started and during period, slightly longer period, no spotting between periods
October- getting slightly lighter, slightly cramping before period, cramping still very strong, starting to get closer to my normal period length, no spotting between periods
November- cramping getting better, flow getting more "normal", period was normal length, spotting occurred between cycles which I am hoping won't be a consistent thing
December- cramping on my heavy days, slightly heavier than a my normal period, not as terrible as my first period with the IUD but it's really kicking the hell out of me this month! (Ps- I think this is a period from my bum ovary, which causes me extra pain). Ibuprofen has been helping with the cramps. I invested in some Thinx undies which I am gonna do a review on next month!!
Also, I calculated my blood loss by using my menstrual cup. I use the Lena Small, which holds 25 mL of blood. The average blood loss per period is 30-40 mL. Heavy menstrual bleeding is considered more than 60 mL per period. I definitely have "heavy menstrual bleeding", I would estimate my blood loss is over 100 mL. BRB while I go by some ferrous sulfate (iron).
My body is still adjusting to the IUD and I think at the 6 month mark I will pretty much be back to what my periods were before I had the IUD! I am so happy things have turned out this way, and I am so happy that I stuck it out. It is so worth it to not take a pill every day and no be on synthetic hormones. I feel like myself again! If you have the Paragard IUD and are wondering if you should keep it, in my experience, give your body time to get use to it. If it's been 7-8 months and you are still struggling talk to your doctor. IUD's aren't for everyone, and there are some people who will not like it. When I had my first "hellish" period I was googling a ton waiting for some blog to tell me it will get better. Here I am giving you that blog, for me, it got better. For the first time in my life I can say I love my birth control!
Thanks for reading!
-K