"paraguard was inserted july 2016 and removed june 2017 (almost a year!). the first week after it was installed i had debilitating cramps for three days straight and constant bleeding. every month my periods were twice as heavy, twice as long and 10 x more painful! i was told this would calm down after 6 months....so i persevered. if anything, my periods got more painful to the point where i couldn&#039;t leave the house incase i&#039;d be hit by a wave of contractions. on a side note, i felt anxious, depressed, introverted, alone,  (i&#039;m usually so social and confident!), worthless and i experienced social anxiety for the first time! i also gained 20lbs which is definitely not to do with change in diet/exercise. if anything, i was eating better!"