"i got the paragard in the spring of 2013 because i couldn&#039;t take hormonal birth control (terrible side effects of nausea, migraines, and mood swings). i&#039;m so glad i got the paragard. the insertion was a little painful because i&#039;ve never had children and the next few days i experienced moderate to severe cramps. now my periods are longer and heavier and sometimes i have cramping, but those are the only side effects i have. it feels great not to have to worry about getting pregnant for an entire ten years, and i consider the side effects of the paragard minimal in relation to my experience with other birth control methods."