Hi friends, I wanted to share something a bit more personal today, my birth control journey and why I chose Paragard, a 100% hormone-free IUD.

Over the years, I’ve tried a variety of hormonal birth control methods, the pill, the patch, and more. While they were effective, I often felt off, mood swings, fatigue, and generally not quite myself. Eventually, I began to wonder if there was an option better suited for me.

That’s when I discovered Paragard. What immediately stood out was that it’s completely hormone-free. No daily routine, no added hormones in my system, and it provides long-term protection for up to 10 years, while giving me the flexibility to have it removed at any time sooner if I choose. That felt like real freedom to me. I’ve now been using Paragard for a few years, and it’s truly been a game-changer.

The insertion was done during a routine office visit. I began to feel more like myself again, no mood swings, no hormonal side effects. It’s reliable, no maintenance, birth control. That fits my lifestyle, and just with the monthly string check. Since choosing Paragard, I felt more empowered and in charge of my birth control, and most importantly, more at ease in my own body.

It’s given me the peace of mind to stay focused on the things I love the most. Creating, traveling, and being fully present in my everyday life. If you’re exploring non-hormonal birth control options, talk to your healthcare provider to see if Paragard might be a good fit for you. Everyone’s journey is different, but I’m truly grateful to have found what works for me.

Paragard is a hormone-free option. It’s a type of IUD that prevents pregnancy for up to 10 years using copper. Don’t use Paragard if you are or may be pregnant, have fibroids, a pelvic infection, get infections easily, certain cancers, unexplained bleeding, Wilson’s disease, or a copper allergy.

IUDs, including Paragard, have been associated with an increased risk of PID. Pregnancy with Paragard is rare, but can be life-threatening and cause infertility or loss of pregnancy. Paragard may attach to or go through the uterus and cause other problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop severe pain or fever shortly after placement, miss a period, have abdominal pain, or if Paragard comes out. If it comes out, use backup birth control.

Tell your healthcare provider you have Paragard before having an MRI or a medical procedure using heat therapy. At first, periods may become heavier and longer with spotting in between. Additional common side effects include anemia, pain during sex, backache, and vaginal discharge. Paragard does not protect against HIV or STDs. Only you and your healthcare provider can decide if Paragard is right for you. Available by prescription only.

If I could tell my 28-year-old self one thing? It would be to Skip the hormonal roller coaster. I mean I spent years dealing with the side effects and the roller coaster of hormonal birth control.

So when I heard about Paragard® (intrauterine copper contraceptive), I knew that I was ready for something that was 100% hormone-free, 99% effective, and, other than a monthly string check, was just ‘set it and forget’

I’ll be honest, I was a little bit nervous about the insertion process, but my doctor was amazing and really it was over before I knew it.

It’s been over five years now, and it’s was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. My body feels like mine I’ve kept my period and I love the freedom of not ever having to think about birth control.

Now, at 33, as my partner and I start thinking about our future and growing our family, I love that Paragard gives me the flexibility of lasting up to 10 years but also being immediately reversible. I can just have it removed when we’re ready, and it’ll be there for me after we’re done growing our family.

So to my younger self, and really any other women out there; you don’t have to settle. There’s a long-term, 100% hormone-free option waiting for you.

Paragard is a hormone-free IUD that prevents pregnancy for up to 10 years using copper.

Don’t use Paragard if you are or may be pregnant, have fibroids, a pelvic infection including PID, get infections easily, certain cancers, unexplained bleeding, Wilson’s disease, or a copper allergy.

IUDs, including Paragard, have been associated with an increased risk of PID.

Pregnancy with Paragard is rare but can be life threatening and cause infertility or loss of pregnancy.

Paragard may attach to or go through the uterus and cause other problems.

Tell your healthcare provider if you miss a period, have abdominal pain, or if Paragard comes out. If it comes out, use backup birth control.

At first, periods may become heavier and longer with spotting in between.

Additional common side effects include anemia, pain during sex, and backaches.

Paragard does not protect against HIV or STDs.

Only you and your healthcare provider can decide if Paragard is right for you.

Ask your healthcare provider for Paragard or visit Paragard.com to learn more.