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IUDs get talked about like they’re the gold standard of birth control, super effective, super low-maintenance, pop it in and forget about it for years. The copper one, Paragard, is even sold as this “natural” hormone-free option.

But here’s the thing: the stories we don’t hear are just as important as the ones we do. And for some women, the experience isn’t just “a little cramping.” It can be absolutely brutal. Its honestly not the common experience for it to be quick and painless as you read through the comment section of her post

Today, I’m sharing an interview with someone who had her very first IUD put in… and ended up having a seizure during the procedure. This is her story, and why we need to talk more about what’s actually possible when you get an IUD and not just the pretty brochure version.

Why She Chose It

This was her first time ever using birth control. She picked Paragard because it’s hormone-free and over 99.9% effective for up to 10 years. The only warnings she got? “You might have some mild cramps and heavier periods.”

No one said anything about fainting. Or seizures. Or being violently sick for hours.

The Appointment

She did everything right: took 1000 mg of ibuprofen beforehand like they told her, had her pregnancy test done, and talked through her medical history. She even brought a friend and put on music to calm her nerves.

They numbed her uterus with a topical, so she didn’t feel the infamous cervix “pinch.” But the next part, the measuring of the uterus,  was excruciating.

“It felt like it was piercing through my uterus into my guts,” she told me.

She actually fainted during that part, and because her eyes were already closed, the provider didn’t notice. When she woke up, the IUD was in, and she came to realize that her body had gone into a full-blown crisis.

The Crisis

Moments later, she had a seizure. The paramedics were called. And that was just the start.

She vomited violently for three hours straight. The pain from cramping made the vomiting worse, and the vomiting made the cramping worse a vicious cycle that didn’t stop until she collapsed in a friend’s bathtub just to be near a place she could throw up without passing out.

The Weeks After

Despite perfect placement, she had nearly a year of heavy bleeding and now has periods that last two to three weeks. Physical activity, even walking too much, can trigger intense cramps.

And that seizure? She still hasn’t seen a neurologist about it because the earliest appointment was six months away.

Where This Went Wrong

• She wasn’t fully informed about the risks.
• She was denied pain relief options like laughing gas or twilight sedation because of insurance rules.
• She had a seizure during a medical procedure… and still got no immediate neurological follow-up.

Her Advice

“If you have endometriosis or a history of bad cramps, do not get a non-hormonal IUD. It’s bigger and not made for people with those struggles.”

Why We’re Talking About This

This isn’t about scaring you away from birth control, it’s about making sure you actually know what you’re signing up for. Your body, your choice, but choices have to be based on the full truth.

We’ve been told for too long that extreme pain is just “normal” for women. It’s not. And we deserve better.

 If you’ve had an IUD experience (good, bad, or in-between), tell me about it. The more we share, the more we know.