Mirena Vs. Peri Gard

I've had Paragard for 9.5 years now (darnit! Time to get it replaced. I knew I was forgetting something).

The way Paragard works in regard to you flow is that it "resets" whatever your normal is.... for the simple reason that it doesn't have hormones (hormones shorten and lighten most women's periods). Meaning OFF hormonal BC I have a 5 day period that's heave 2-3 days and light 2-3 days. ON hormonal BC I have a 3-4 day period that's heavy 2 days and light 1-2 days. My best friend is a booger. Her periods have SHORTENED AND LIGHTENED on Paragard. Come to find, she's of the minority that has longer periods on hormones. Booger.

The cramping (for the first 3 mo's periods) is no joke. It's almost universally 3 periods long, and they're gnarly. Hullo Midol (my ob will Rx mild muscle relaxers, but mine weren't that bad). But after that? Just went back to my normal, and have been 'normal' for over 9 years now. Which is little if any cramping 10mo a year, and midol cramps 2 months a year, and my 5 day periods that I have if I'm not using hormonal BC which shortens them. Some women don't have gut clenching cramps with paragard for the first 3mo, some only have them for a month. If You've already had an IUD you may just skip the gnarly starter periods all together.

I CANNOT take hormonal BC (triggers a fast acting cancer in me) anymore, but I'd have Paragard anyway. Why?

- Works day of insertion (no waiting period)
- Works even when you're on antibiotics
- Good for 10 years
- No hormonal side effects (no hormones)
- AS EFFECTIVE as a tubal ligation (but no hormonal side effects)
- Does not affect fertility / no waiting period after removal to start trying

I hated both, but hated the Paraguard more. My period on it was non-stop and heavy, complete with cramping. I gave up after 2 years and had it replaced with the Mirena. My periods were normal, but I was moodier and had a lot of GI issues and weight gain. After having it removed I dropped 9 lbs in a week. I know lots of women that think both are great. I just am very sensitive to hormones, so it is not for me.

I never had Paraguard bc I'm allergic to most metals. I had the Mirena for 8 months and couldn't handle it anymore! I gained about 20 lbs, had horrible acne, and mood swings from hell! I have had it our for about 2 months now, and have lost 15 lbs, my skin is clear, and i am back to normal emotionally... I would never, ever get it again!!