birth control
"I have had the ParaGard in for 3 years now. I had it put in at 21, no kids. The insertion was not that bad, I went back to work afterwards and was fine. Some cramping, but it was manageable. 

My first 4-6 months with ParaGard were a nightmare. I had previously been on a 365 Day Cycle birth control pill, so my body was used to having a TON of artificial hormones pumped into it 24-7... To go from that to zero hormones took a toll on me. I had severe anxiety, managed by anti-depressants. 

Once I got through the first 6 months, my body finally regulated. I no longer had to take anti-depressants. My weight actually leveled out nicely. 

I get awful cramps about every other month, but I still think it's worth it. I love my ParaGard now!"