Non-extreme perspective on getting a Paraguard copper IUD

Before I got my IUD, I felt like everything I heard either described getting an IUD as a sugar-coated piece of cake or an absolute horror story. I think my experience was fairly typical, and I want to share because it's the story I would have wanted to see before getting mine.

I (24F) got the Paraguard (copper/non-hormonal) IUD about a month ago. I had never had any gynecological appointments before the insertion appointment, so I was really nervous. Fortunately, I found a provider who came recommended by several friends and who offered pain management options for the procedure.

I took 800 mg ibuprofen ~1 hr before the procedure. When I got to the appointment, I undressed and sat down in the chair, and the provider placed a heating pad on my stomach. She gave me a shot of lidocane in my cervix, which was a little painful but very manageable. She took some measurements, which felt like a lot of pressure. The insertion of the actual IUD was the most painful part, but every time I felt like the pain was about to get too bad, it was over. I would rate the actual insertion procedure pain as a 5-6/10, which wasn't fun but was manageable.

I had some heavy cramping for ~48 hours following, and to me it was definitely worse than period cramps (though I don't get bad period cramps to begin with). The cramping got worse with activity and I found it manageable when I took some ibuprofen and sat down with a heating pad on my stomach. The heating pad was absolutely more helpful than ibuprofen so I would recommend having one on hand if you get an IUD. I took the weekend off, and I was feeling much better afterwards.

After that, I had light spotting and mild cramps every now and then until I got my first post-IUD period. The period was definitely heavier and more painful than normal, but it was not hard to handle with bigger tampons and ibuprofen. I also stayed on my birth control though, so that may have helped mitigate my symptoms.

All in all, the experience wasn't perfect, but the peace of mind I have gotten from having the IUD is so worth a few days of pain. I hope this is able to help someone make their decision regarding an IUD! :)