Post-IUD Paragard Insertion (and Removal)
It helped a lot to have my sister there. She’s on the way to be a medical student, so she was curious as to how the doctor was and what it was going to be like.
By 1030-1040 I could already feel a little loopy from the Ibuprofen.
Prior to the visit, normal procedure (checking to make sure I don’t have any contraindications for insertion, if I’m at risk or currently being abused, if I’m pregnant, etc). Thankfully I wasn’t pregnant.
After that, my sister was brought in and I could already feel myself get nervous.
The cold speculum was uncomfortable for me, and I could feel myself shaking, although things have not started yet. My very kind doctor did her very best to tell me what was going on whilst trying to sooth my nerves, but I couldn’t help but grow with nervousness with the slight clinking and clanking of the sterile devices/tools from her sterile field.
I had a pap smear, which was nothing but uncomfortable, then she told me to cough very hard during removal of the IUD Mirena…which I surprisingly didn’t feel at ALL. I was like “Oh wow..really?” Hoping that the Paragard insertion would be similar, but knowing that the level of pain afterwards would definitely not be.
I’m not sure how long the insertion itself lasted, but it was about 1-2 long minutes of dull/sharp/deep cramping pains. I couldn’t help but breath really hard.
I didn’t understand why I could have the replacement/implantation of the IUD at ANY time of my cycle during the IUD Mirena…but it makes a lot of sense now. I haven’t been having periods the entire time, so it wouldn’t matter what time that I had my IUD replaced with the Paragard, my cervical space was always going to be small whilst having the IUD Mirena. As expected, there was pain, but my doctor was very swift about it, and extremely caring. I was trying to lengthen my breaths, and at the end, I found it odd that the doctor and the medical assistant were both very soothing and apologetic, because I came into the office knowing what I was getting myself into, pain and all.
Otherwise, my sister was fine with keeping me company while I laid down for a little bit, still feeling very sore at the uterus, then after that, I was able to sit up for a couple of minutes before making two walks: one to the car with my sister, then one out of my car to go home.
I’ve been feeling off and on waves of uterus pain up until now, but it’s much bearable now. Thank goodness my hot water bottle pack came in the mail as soon as I got home, it was a God-send.
By now its tapered down, it still feels sore, but bearable.
I’m just extremely glad that it’s done and over with. I’m actually pretty excited about this part, going hormone-free. I’ll take the pain over how the hormones affected my moods and my emotions, and my ability to regulate them.
Let’s see how this goes.
