WOMEN ONLY! IUD Question

Juliane_

First off I want to caution Mirena has hormones. So if you are trying to avoid that it's not an option.

Paragard has no hormones. I used it for about 5 years but in the beginning I had problems. You need an experienced doctor to insert it. This is highly important. My first one "fell out". My second was hanging out my cervix. The third was the charm, inserted by an experienced doc.

kmcrey87

I have Implanon and love it!

heresmyinsidevoice

I got the Canadian equivalent to the Paragard (the Nova-T I believe it's called) inserted two years ago and I have not had any issues with it. I was given two vaginal suppository pills that help to soften and dialate the cervix prior to the procedure - one the night before, one the morning of. As the doctor is inserting the IUD, it is uncomfortable in the sense that it's like having one somewhat bad menstrual cramp, or for those like myself who have given birth, it is very much like a labor pain (which to me felt a lot like an annoying menstrual cramp).

After having it inserted, I got a ride home, took a couple Advil, put a warm pack on my lower abdomen and that helped a lot. For the first three months, my periods were heavier and lasted a few days longer, but after that they are exactly the same as they were before. If given the choice between the IUD and the pill - IUD all the way. I no longer have to worry about missed pills or when I had a long term partner, the use of condoms.

One note though - my doctor, who is also a woman and also uses the same IUD - advised me not to cut the strings, as some doctors will. The strings are long and they will wind themselves in between the crannies of the cervix and vaginal wall so they're out of the way. The strings feel a lot like fishing line and when they get cut, the ends of them can be very sharp, which could jab your partner during intercourse. (I also know a woman in which her and her husband learned that one the hard way - she said it was very painful for him). I didn't have any issues between myself and my partner.

Good luck with finding the method that works for you! I myself am happy with the copper IUD and any of my friends who have asked, I have recommended it.

bgrune131

I made my appt. for the IUD in January! I guess I will find out for myself how it works for me! I'm excited, yet nervous! Thanks for all the comments!

mirrim52

I did think about an IUD BUT, the thought that it only stops implantation not conception freaked me out.

As stated in a couple earlier posts, the IUD does work to stop conception by thickening cervical mucous and damaging the motility of sperm. It also starts and inflammatory response and attracts white blood cells, and the white blood cells attack sperm. It is pretty much an urban myth that it only stops implantation. Stopping implantation is a 4th line of defence. It may happen if anything gets past the first 3, but it is not the primary way the IUD works.

http://www.medicinenet.com/iud/page2.htm

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/birth_control_intrauterine_devices_iuds/article_em.htm

Tanya761

Just something to think about- I came off BCP in September after developing a blood clot in my leg. I am now doing natural family planning. The method I am using is Billings Ovulation method. It is working wonderfully for us!!! It is not for everyone though, as it uses abstinance for certain days of the month, but all in all, it is a great way to avoid or acheive pregnancy (depending on how you use it). The best part is that it is natural, and it is absolutley FREE! If you are interested, just google it and it has lots of info on the principle of how it works. You have to be trained and followed by a cretified instructor for the first while (my instructor and I talked weekly for the first 2 months over the phone, and now it is every 2 weeks.) ANyway, just throwing that out as an option for you, as I felt almost hopeless when I talked to my doctor about non-hormonal options. The only options were the copper IUD and condoms. Because DH and I want to TTC in the next year or so, I didn't find it worthwile to have the IUD inserted, nor was I very excited about more spotting/heavier & more painful periods. Anyways, something to think about.

Tanya761

Whoops I am sorry-I didn;t read the previous posts and I see somebody mentioned NFP. Please disregard.

toabetterlifestyle

I personally love paraguard because it is hormone free. And IUDs are said to be most effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies. And you don't have to think about it for five+ years. It is awesome...
But what would be even more awesome is if they came up with something non permanent for men!

agreed!!

chichi74

Paragard is the way to go if you want safe, reliable and non-hormonal birth control. I stopped my bcp a few months ago because it made me hungry, moody and my periods were all over the place. Although I've never had kids, my obgyn told me that Paragard would work for me. The procedure was painful, but quick. The drive home was very uncomfortable...If I were you, I would ask someone to drive you home that day. My cramps were so severe, I though I was going to pass out...I took an 800 mg motrin once I got home and after a couple of hours, I felt 100% better. Now, I am so happy I did it. Just the fact that I don't have to remember to take the bc pill every day is a huge plus. My periods last a little longer and they are much heavier, but to me, it's a small price to pay to be off any type of hormones. Good luck!

jaime_lynn_

ive had paragaurd for going on 3 years. i have had no issues at all. It wasnt comfortable to get put it, but it wasnt very painful, and it only lasts a second... and i dont have to worry about getting pregnant for 10 years??? hell yeah, sign me up..i mean seriously a tattoo hurts worse, it is SOOO worth it

getfitnfab

I had an iud put in, no pain, except for the initial discomfort for a few secs

getfitnfab

I had an iud put in, no pain, except for the initial discomfort for a few secs

looking4au

It really all depends on your particular pain tolerance. I found it uncomfortable while being put in and some cramping that afternoon, but nothing that would make me stay in bed and take pain meds for.

CiciPorcayo

I will say I am anti-IUD 100% I had this put in after my son.... I had no problem right after it was done... it was uncomfortable yes but not painful.. however I got pregnant on the IUD and have a miscarriage from it wasn't the result I was looking for. I wan't birth control not an self abortion pill.. That may sound really blunt and harsh but it is how I felt... and I know it doesn't happen to many women but it did to me and I regret ever getting it. Good Luck with your decision though. Everyone is different. If I were you I would try NUVA RING

Trechechus

I'm planning on getting sterilization surgery when I can afford it, but I understand that it isn't for every one. I don't want kids ever, so that's my choice. They have new, less-invasive procedures now, but I think it's pretty painful, too.

http://www.uptodate.com/contents/patient-information-permanent-sterilization-procedures-for-women

stephaniev07

I got Mirena after the birth of my twins 3 years ago. I will not be getting a new one when it expires in 2 years. It took over a year for my bleeding to stop. I litterally bled at all times for over a year. I got rashes from it being continually damp in that area because the bleeding wasn't enough for a tampon so I continually had to wear pads. After the year mark my ob put me on a birth control pill in hopes that it would regulate my period. It took 3 horribly hormonal months but it got it figured out. Now I have a week and a half period and approx 2 and a half weeks of non bleeding. I hate it and can't wait for it to be over. The only thing good was that I don't have to worry about getting pregnant again until I am ready. And the only reason I haven't had it taken out is because it cost me 400 bucks to have it put in with insurance and to have it removed costs 300 bucks. I am getting my 700 bucks out of this stupid form of birth control if it takes all five years. As for my husband he felt it poking him for 2 years. Made him not want to continue and "gun shy" in a way which also sucks. Hope this helps you.

ChristineMarie89

i had an iud n it hurt to put in im a wuss tho lol but it caused nothing but problems but mine was a dif kind i had a merena and it caused me to gain weiht and terribly hard to take off i got it taken out tho n i personally feel way better and will never do it again >.<

iKristine

I was born holding my mothers IUD. True story.

Not that it's relevant. But, just a thought. I have heard from friends that it hurts like hell the first day, then after is okay.

nisijam5

I got pregant on an IUD, without hormones...luckily, I love the boy to death

Anyway, it cramps for about 2 to 10 seconds...it's not really that bad...much easier than labor, for sure

PaulaDDN

I have paragard and i love it. The first few months after you get it you bleed more than usual during your periods and sometimes you have cramps, but not so bad, you will survive. In my situation after tree months everything went back to normal, i have a year using it and its the best, i highly recommend it

m0_0m

I had a Mirena IUD. HATED it! Serious, horrible, side effects (blurry vision, back pain, no sex drive, ect.). I would maybe try the Paragard as it doesn't have the hormones Mirena does. I consider myself to be pretty darn tolerable of pain (I gave birth to my daughter 100% drug free by choice) and thought the insertion was pretty darn painful. I felt very woozy and like I was going to pass out. Then just mild cramping for a few days following.
Like all BC its going to effect everyone differently....

MunchkinHawk12

I ad the Paragard placed at the beginning of November and the initial insertion for me was horrible! I have a high pain tolerance and it was up there in pain as getting abdominal surgery and my nipples pierced! It was really bad for about half the day and my period started the very next day. I have had one other period and it wasn't as heavy as the first. I was on BC for 8 years and didn't want anymore hormones. I am glad I did it but not going to be happy when it has to come out.

P.S. I have never had kids and I am told it is a little easier if you have had kids because you have been stretched some. Hope this helps and I wish I knew what I kniw now BEFORE I had it done. Oh yeah, they may not get it in the first time but they usually will tell you that.

bgrune131

Laura, thank you. It is nice to know the information. I'm 24, and I've been on BC pills for almost 10 years! I've never been pregnant (I'm currently married, but we aren't ready for kids), but I'm just so tired of putting hormones in my body & I think the IUD will be good for me. If not, then I'll at least know. The heavier periods and cramps really don't bother me that much. I can deal with it. And as far as people getting pregnant on IUD's, that happens with BC pills too. So, it just depends on the woman.

CallmeCola

I have Merena! No problems. It didn't hurt and I have no menestral craps and no cycle. Love it!!!

jodidlyO

I have a mirena too. No problems now but took my body about 6 months to get used to the hormones (not as bad as the pill for me). No bleeding at all now. I had been having terrible bleeds after the birth of my kids so I had to do something. My sister also got the mirena, but had a general for the insertion because her kids were born via Caesarian. It was free for both of us - we're in Australia (I think I paid about $50 for it actually, but you can definitely get them free depending on where you go)

jess_blonde

I have a Flexi-T 300 (available in Canada, some of Europe and possibly Australia?) and I love it to death. I had it inserted seven months ago and I am kicking myself for not doing it earlier.

I had negative reactions to the pill (OrthoTriCyclen Lo) and the NuvaRing (the worst of which being a completely non-existent sex drive, an inability to become aroused and depression). I started researching IUDs and decided to go off hormones completely, even though I was a little worried about increased bleeding and cramping. Insertion is definitely painful for some (I found it like a very intense cramp but it was very brief, the sounding was the worst) but some find it uncomfortable or feel very little. I had a vasovagal reaction but that's not uncommon for me and it passed quickly,

My cramps subsided almost immediately to a dull pain that was more of an awareness of my uterus than anything else (I had taken 800mg ibuprofen before my insertion and been drinking 3+ cups red raspberry leaf tea every day for three weeks leading up to insertion). My fiance and I went shopping and for lunch after and I felt pretty well fine.

Definitely check out http://www.livejournal.com/read/user/iud_divas - they were instrumental in helping me make the decision to get my IUD! Lots of information and a great sounding board of people who have been there!

ETA: I have also found weight loss much easier after stopping hormonal birth control, definitely a welcome side effect!

bgrune131

^^^^

Thank you for posting that! I'm feeling pretty good about my decision to get the IUD. However, I'm going to try to not drive myself crazy thinking about all the people who have posted about how horribly it hurt to get it put in. I think that it'll be a wise decision for me, and I'm ready to be HORMONE FREE!!! Hoping that will help in my weight loss. I swear, BC pills really take their toll when it comes to that!

Laura_Ivy

I had the paraguard. Am I the only one who was told that you had to be on your period to get their IUD inserted?! I went in on the last day of it and took 800 mg of ibuprofen before hand. It hurt for a second and I had cramping afterwards. But after a couple of periods I was fine. They trimmed my string pretty short and all was good. I got mine for free through planned parenthood. Love that place!!!

The only side effect I had was pregnancy lol,yep got knocked up even on an IUD. Can you say fertile?! I'm contemplating getting another paraguard just because it last for so long and it's worry free plus non-hormonal!

kynichol21

Interesting thread. I have been considering the copper IUD as well because after a blood clot from the NuvaRing I can not do anything hormonal. I'm not worried about the pain so much as I don't like the fact of spotty periods. My friend has Mirina and when she has a period it's totally unexpected & heavy. I don't want that! I wanna know, so I can be prepared, not always wondering "what if..."

We used to put copper in our mares water buckets to help with moodiness when they came in season. Same principal? lol

I also had a blood clot and was previously using the NuraRing. The clot wasn't causing from NuraRing but since it was in my brain I am not allowed any hormonal birth control as well. So that left me with the Paraguard. I have been very happy with it but it does produce longer and heavier periods that what my norm was at least that I can remember. I always skipped my periods with the NuvaRing.

dangrog

i had mirena - didn't think it hurt too bad getting it put in. but... i turned into a snappy mean *****. and i gained 30 lbs in three months. i also was going through some stress with work - but my husband nicely asked me to get rid of it. it's the reason i'm here now - is because i need to drop the weight. research the type you are considering... i can't say i'd support it.