"i am 27, and got my paragard iud in 2011. i&#039;ve been sexually active since 16, and used a couple brands of bc pills before the iud. as a young person, i was irresponsible about consistently taking my pills, and think it&#039;s a miracle i never got pregnant. in college i learned about the iud in a women&#039;s studies course, but i never asked a doctor about it. i wish a doctor would have considered an iud in consultations about my sexual health as a young person! best decision i&#039;ve made. the procedure was easy. 30 minutes after the procedure, extreme cramping set in- ibuprofen, heating pads, and someone to listen to you whine will be very helpful. periods are heavy/long/crampy, but i&#039;m so happy to be hormone, worry, and pregnancy free."