birth control
"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't leave the house incase I'd be hit by a wave of contractions. On a side note, I felt anxious, depressed, introverted, alone,  (I'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!"