birth control
"After years of different birth controls messing me up, I didn't want anything with hormones.  I had Paragard put in 2 weeks ago & I didn't take anything before insertion. Got cramps within a few hours. A few days of spotting & then my period started. My first period lasted about 6 days, with severe cramps so I had to use a heating pad (didn't have to use one before Paragard). I also had lower back pain like I had while in labor with my only child (back labor). After reading comments, I'm hoping my cycles will be back to normal in a few months. Don't want to spend my last years before menopause worrying about longer periods or birth control & didn't want to get tubes tied unless it's the only other option, so I'll give it some time."