IUD vs. the Pill

^^^^^^ Toodloo THANK YOU. I have vicodine leftover from my wisdom tooth extraction if the pain is really as bad as what everyone says. Then again, I have a really high pain tolerance- i.e. I was up and cleaning my house the same day I had my three impacted wisdom teeth removed. Didn't phase me at all really. Hope that my pain tolerance can handle this. lol

If you can clean after oral surgery, getting an IUD will be no big deal. I had all for impacted teeth removed and was out of it for like 2 days. The worst part of the IUD insertion is the stuff they put on your cervix to relax it and have it straighten out. It's a warm slightly burning sensation (for me) but I was fine the rest of the day. No biggie.

Here's my pro / con list

Pros: super light periods & sometimes you'll even skip a month
you don't have to remember to take a pill
one procedure and you're done for at least 5 yrs

Cons: initial cost, but sounds like for you no biggie
spotting after insertion
mid cycle spotting as your body acclimates
if the strings are too long they may irritate you or your partner
in contrast, if the strings are too short they may poke your partner *giggle*
if you move or switch doctors, finding another office to remove it can be difficult

I personally didn't have any weight issues or acne issues that I felt could be connected to my Mirena IUD.

Good luck! Don't sweat it!

I had an IUD with my youngest child and it failed and I got pregnant then they had to remove the IUD and I had a small tear in the placenta and was spotting at the beginning had to be on bed rest a couple weeks and weight restrictions. Then it healed normally but I had preterm labor the whole time. I had preterm labor with all 3 of my kids though. But normally they do work pretty good and I had no weight gain or side effects with it till then. The Dr I was seeing said in their whole time being a Dr they had only seen that happen in like 2 people where they got pregnant with one. But I did get pregnant it musta shifted or something in my body. I never took pills though because of the weight gain side effects I have heard with them but I have heard people like them just fine too and don't have problems. I will say that the IUD didn't have any side effects for me till it actually failed and that was a rare thing it usually works for most people.

1.5 years into the Paragard, and the past 9 months or so, the periods have been lighter. I also use a Diva Cup so am able to see just how much less. Initially, yes, with Paragard, expect spotting (2 months or so for me) and heavier cycles. But I would do anything for hormone-free, and after the adjustment period, the IUD is super awesome and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a natural solution.

I have had the Mirena twice now, after each of my children. I did not gain weight either time until I started eating like poo. In fact after I had it implanted the first time, I had a hard time maintaining my weight, I dropped pounds quick and went down to 115 lbs from 130 lbs within a couple months. As for acne, I only break out with stress, but that is normal for me. I also have no period, the first implant gave me spotting for 6 months straight and then I felt preggo for about 4 months. I removed that implant early as we decided to have another child, but I have had this one for 3 1/2 years and have not had the same reaction, this time there was no spotting and I get mild cramps once a month but no period. So I would say that it's just like being pregnant, no two pregnancies are the same.

I work as a HCA in contraception and as part of my roll I chaperon for coil fits. I have also had one of each myself.

I had my first copper coil fitted when I was 20 because I am intolerant to progesterone and the fitting was fine but I had major cramps for a few days afterwards. After that I didn't notice my periods being too much worse but they were bad anyway. I did get a few UTIs though but all was fine. I had it removed at 4 1/2 years so my partner and I could have a baby.

After having my LO I decided to try the Mirena as I thought that the localised progesterone would be ok. The fit was fine, it was easier than the first one, but the hormones took a few months to settle. I had it for a year before it fell out. It also turns out that the hormone was still causing me behavioral problems.

Thats my personal experience, now my professional; We are seeing a lot more young people having coils fitted and we have not noticed any difference in the failure rate. We don't always know why some fail and others don't but the most important thing is to make sure that you are checking for those strings yourself. Do not search the net because you will always find horror stories that will put you off but at the end of the day you don't know until you try and infections are rare if you are visiting a reputable clinic. Some facts are these: The copper coil works because the body recognises that there is a foreign body inside it and that therefore pregnancy is not a good idea, the mirena works because the hormone has an effect on the lining of the womb in the same way depo or a progesterone pill would and it is a foreign body. For these reasons it does not matter if you have had a baby or not. they will still work the same way. What having a child does tend to do is make the fitting easier most of the time. Coils are fitted via a straw type device which is inserted into the cervix and sometimes it does need some help which is what tends to cause the pain. Do take a painkiller before you go but make sure it is not ibuprofen or asprin based as these can cause bleeding. You are much better off with paracetamol which wont have the same effect. You may bleed from the fitting so it is a good idea to take a towel with you. Also, not good on a diet site I know, I would recommend a slice of chocolate cake after the fitting. I have had all sorts done to me down there and nothing helps as much as a nice bit of something chocolaty! I am sure it is to do with the release of endorphins and serotonin from the chocolate!

Good luck with it!!

I also feel I have to add that the withdrawal method does not work because all fluid secreted contains sperm not just the ejaculation and it only takes 1 sperm at the right time to cause a pregnancy. Also one truly gross fact is that sperm can live in the vagina for 7 days!

I had cramps for the first few months, but other than that is was amazing. I had it for 5 yrs, but just took it out to get pregnant. best birth control ever!

I have Mirena and freaking love it. I had temporary weight gain, but only 8 pounds. I have no periods --- no cramps. I never had any of the side effects. You can PM me any questions.

i know someone that got pregnant on mirena so i dont think its the best option out there. that being said i use to be on the pill and had to stop because i did nothing but spot all of the time.

I have the Paraguard copper IUD since Dec 2009 (so... 3+ years). My midwife won't put it in if you haven't had kids because the uterus isn't "stretched" so there's an increase failure rate. Since I had a miscarriage, she anticipated my uterus was stretched enough. I'm glad she took the chance because it is the BEST birth control I've had! I don't have any of the hormone side effects anymore, I don't have spotting like I did with Seasonal, I LOVE IT. If your doctor is willing to insert an IUD even if you haven't had children yet, I HIGHLY recommend it!

How about have dude/s buy some condoms or just have dude/s just pull it out at the end...

1) Allergic to latex and lamb condoms are expensive
2) pull out method is only effective 30% of the time

That's not true. When done properly, withdrawal is 98% effective. I've been using it for years (and so have some of my girlfriends) without any accidents.