Mirena vs ParaGuard

I have only ever had the Paraguard IUD and I think it is great. No hormones and no effects. For me, I barely remember it is there - I feel absolutely nothing.

One of the side effects of the Paragard IUD is that some women experience heavier bleeding and longer periods and crampi8ng. The hormone in Mirena (progestin) is there to prevent the problems with bleeding that women have with Paragard--many women actually stop getting their period after a year of being on Mirena, so that's actually not unusual. Some people like that--some people (like me) hate that side effect because they worry that they're pregnant all the time.

Anyway, the two devices work exactly the same way, it's just that you may experience more bleeding with the Paragard--its really up to you. They are both equally effective at preventing pregnancy. An extra bonus with Paragard is that it works for up to 12 years and Mirena should be replaced after 5--so if you want more bang for your buck, you should go with the Paragard.

Also--there might be something else going on with the headaches and nausea. Side effects like headache and nausea are associated with the estrogen in combined hormonal birth control methods. Since Mirena doesn't contain estrogen, it's probably not the culprit. (And even for women that get these side effects, they usually go away after they've been on the method 3 or 4 months.) Have you tried going to a regular physician rather than an OB/GYN? It could be something completely different, like a thyroid problem or blood pressure.

HI Katarina - I too have Mirena and I don't have any of the issues you have, except the no periods, and spotting which for me is not consistant, sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. From what I was told by my Dr when I had it put in, is that with Mierna, there are hormones with Mirena but they shouldn't affect me like say the pill because the hormones are not released into your blood stream so you shouldn't be having most of the symptoms. Believe me that was one of my BIG concerns because I was not myself when I was on the pill. I could have totally misunderstood him at the time, but honestly I love having an IUD. If you are having problems, I wouldn't hesistate and switch and speak with your doctor.

Good Luck

im not sure but is the paraguard the 10 year iud?

i know that my doctor told me that with the merena, period decreases or stops, and with the paragard, it will get heavier.
so i guess if paraguard is the 10 year iud, things will get "worse" i guess, but its depending on what you are willing to put up with.

my concern is more for the lack of concern of your doctor. get a second opinion. and a third if need be.
also with iuds, if they do fail, sometimes women end up with an eptopic pregnancy (implants in the fallopian tubes) and you dont want that so if you are concerned about being pregnant, make sure they check everything out for you.
i highly doubt you are pregnant, the chances are so small, but you arent happy with your mirena, so... you need to figure out something right?
get a second opinion.

You could try natural family planning, I know that is a pain, but it doesn't have side effects, and it is easy when it is figured out.
I have trouble with chemical birth control, that is why I originally learned the family planning stuff.

Progesterone makes me nauseated, and that is possibly what is in Mirena that could make you feels so bad. If there are no hormones in the other bc it may not have that effect on you.

I'd say give it a try.

I have the Mirena currently and used the Paragard in the past. I have had the Mirena for less than 3 months so I am still in the stage where I am adjusting to the side effects. My side effects have been mild--some mild cramping and annoying irregular bleeding. My doctor told me that the hormones from the Mirena are localized and do not get into your system to cause systemic problems. It might not be a bad idea to get a 2nd opinion about all of your symptoms. Everyone probably responds differently though. I had the Paragard for about 5 years. It caused heavy periods and significant cramping. I finally had it removed after I was diagnosed with irritable bowel, which also causes abdominal cramping. Between the Paragard and the irritable bowel the cramps during my period were unbearable at times. I can not take the pill or use the patch because the hormones cause such horrible headaches for me and I also get some nausea from them. So far I have not had that experience with the Mirena. I feel fine except for the periodic, mild cramping. Shortly after the Mirena was placed I got some bad headaches and thought "Oh no, here I go again." But they went away and turned out to be allergy/sinus related headaches. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I have had the Mirena for 3 years and other than getting used to it the first 6 months, I have had no problems what so ever. Last Easter I thought I was pregnant as I felt a lot of the symptoms, but after 5 days they went away and I was not pregnant. My Dr. told me that you still get symptoms that you would get with your period, but the lining is so thinned out that you do not get a period. So I chalked it up to a hormonal period month. I still know when I have my period, but do not bleed. I get moody, break out sometimes, and get a little bloated, crave chocolate, the usual stuff for a few days and then back to normal. After 2 years though, if you do not feel like your normal self, you should go in and talk it over with your Dr. You may even want to get a complete physical from your regular physician to rule out anything else that it could be.

I, too, have had issues with the Mirena IUD since its "installation" ~ cramping, nausea, and hot flashes. I have often been scared that I'm pregnant again because I had many of the same symptoms early in my first (and hopefully only) pregnany. Neither I or my doctor can feel the strings, but he seems unconcerned. I found out much of my cramping was due to an ovarian cyst, which has decreased in size, but I still just don't feel "right". After another incident of uncomfortable sex with my husband, I'm considering seeking a second opinion on what's going on. After a year of having it, I'm wondering if I should also switch to another form of BC. I was on the pill for YEARS, and never had this many problems ~ I just didn't like having to take them every day. I'll be very curious to see your responses (and sorry I don't have any answers ~ just empathy!).

Katarina-
Your experience with Mirena sounds a great deal like mine was. My doctor was also initially unconcerned with my issues...but when I began having a 17 day period in addition to my other symptoms (headache, backache, nausea,cramping, bloating, horrible acne, etc.) I finally had it taken out. When it was removed, it was like a flood gate was lifted. I have never bled that much in my life, even after the birth of both my children. I lost 12 pounds in 3 days, and my belly shrunk down two sizes after a week! It was bizarre. My advice to you is this--some people are not cut out to have a foreign body implanted in their bodies, and you may have the same problem with Paraguard, despite the lack of hormones--so maybe an IUD is not the answer. I went back on the pill, and my issues have subsided, and I am so relieved not to have that thing in me anymore! Good luck with your decision.

What are Mirena or ParaGuard?

I tried and IUD without hormones and I had double periods and painful cramps. I then tried Mirena and LOVE it. No problems or side affects. I guess we are all different. I wondered why I waited so long with the one that was not working when I actually changed. When I took the pill I was sooooo sick all the time so I am really shocked I feel fine on the Mirena. Are you sure it's the IUD causing you nausea? Also, my friend was telling me she just got her tubes "plugged". This is a new procedure and non reversible. No side effects or hormones. It sounds great for those of us who do not want more children. Go with your gut. If you are having problems with your current IUD it is not difficult to try another. Good luck.

I would also check insurance. I know that I ended up having to pay for my own Mirena, and it cost as much as if I would have stayed on the pill! That is, as long as I kept it in the whole 5 years. I have one to go.

I don't have nausea, but I have my periods that make up for the other 80% of you who are skipping them--10days and heavy! And my headaches right before are killer, but some of that is peri-menapause.

I don't know about ParaGuard, I just know that the only thing keeping in Mirena is my stubbornness to throw away the money I spent on it.

I don't know where you live, but for anyone looking for an amazing down to earth OB/Gyn, Nancy Gossard at Park Nicollet Clinic in St. Louis Park is amazing. She is a straight talker, and a real person. She is not a doctor, but a nurse practitioner.

I had ParaGuard for 2 1/2 years and loved it!! No hormones, no side effects. I did get a heavy period for the first 3 months, no big deal really. Once I had it removed, I got pregnant right away (yeah!) I recommend it to all my friends!

Google Dr. John Lee and learn about what different drugs can do to your body. It's really interesting. He has studied hormones and has lots of good information.
Since birth control pills were introduced in the 1960's breast cancer has dramatically increased. Also, progestins are not the same as progesterones (natural) because drug companies can not sell things made from plants and nature. So they made progetins in the lab and put them in HRT and birth controls. Don't take my word for it. Check out Dr. John Lee. Most doctors support drug companies, they will not tell you or even know all of the side effects. There is another author I think Karen Klitzke who wrote a book about hormones. I gave the book back to my friend before I wrote the title down-my bad.
Natural balancing creams is in my opinion much better. Contact me if you have any question.

Go and get a second opinion, I would not keep taking something that has such adverse reactions with my body. I know finding another dr. is a pain, but you need to see someone that will listen and check your symptoms. My daughter had the nuvaring and she started experiencing side affects that would not go away and her dr. listened and went through other options with her. I do not have time for someone in the medical profession that will not listen and treats me as though my symptoms are not important. No excuse is good enough for that kind of treatment.