IUD vs. the Pill

get off them both and make babies, LOVE!

I have been in the medical field for over 15 years. I have witnessed many women complain of terrible side effects from both the Mirena and Depo Provera. Weight gain, mood swings, bad skin, etc. I had the Paragard and loved it. Loved not having to worry about hormones or taking anything. The only downfall was 6-7 day kind of heavy periods.

Not sure if anybody said this already- I didn't read all the threads.

IUD isn't an option for everybody. If you do not have a child odds are a doctor won't even insert it for you.

I haven't had a child, nor want one, and had no issues having a doctor do this for me after having a lung embolism directly related to taking the pill. (I am also over 40, and my age bracket is what Mirena is particularly aimed at)

The pill is also not for everyone. For those people who cannot, there is the IUD. (or IUC as it seems to be called lately)

I've had my Mirena for 2.5 years now. I had it put in when my second child was 6 weeks old. It is the best thing I have ever done. I have had in 2.5 yrs maybe 3 days of very light spotting. No period, no cramps, no blahs. I haven't noticed anything regarding weight, but I don't think I would have noticed since I was freshly post partum. Good luck on whatever you decide to do!!

This is my experience as well. I've had Mirena 3 years with absolutely NO PROBLEMS. I love it! I also never have periods, although I do have occasional symptoms (very mild) with very light spotting. It's so nice not to worry about it. It was not painful to have put in, either. I did not gain weight after Mirena and have actually found it fairly easy to lose weight with the normal amount of effort.

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 got pregnant on the pill (and yes, I took it everyday at the same time - no misses). There is no 100% guarantee with any form of birth control.

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/withdrawal-pull-out-method-4218.htm I just wanted to add this link about withdrawal. Forgive me... it's 96% effective.

I had the Mirena for 4 years. I was a perfect example of how great it is. I had non problems with it at all. I did not have a period while o had it, to me that was a positive side effect. I also was able to lose almost 40 lbs that the pill, a desk job, and horrible habits had given me. The only reason I did not get another one after my daughter was born was for spiritual and religious reasons. Now we use NFP.

I love my Mirena. I've had it for almost three and a half years. No acne, no abnormal weight gain, no pregnancy scares, or any other side effects. I plan on getting another one put in right after this one comes out in a year and a half!

The reason I chose Mirena: I had been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and liked it because I would start my period on the exact same day every month for a very short cycle. But, because it was expensive, even with insurance, I decided to go on Seasonique so I only had to buy my birth control every three months. However, my periods lasted longer. I started seeing commercials for Mirena and decided to research it a bit. I asked my gynecologist about it because I had read that Mirena wouldn't be administered to people that haven't had kids before. My doctor said the increase for infertility was very low (like less than 1% or something (don't quote me on that, it was a few years ago...) ).

When I got the IUD put in - IT HURT. That night was also very painful. Take some painkillers! But after that, it didn't hurt. The only time I noticed my IUD was when I was with my larger-membered boyfriend whom would hit it sometimes (he said he could feel it poke him every now and then, but it didn't hurt him). It was a little uncomfortable and would sometimes bleed very, very lightly. However, I had only had the IUD for a couple months, so that could be the reason, because that problem eventually went away.

As for my period, I didn't have one for the first two years that I had Mirena. (But, please remember I was only getting my period every three months before that.) Now I get it usually every other month or so. I get very sore boobs (worse than any other pill I've ever been on) so I know my period is on it's way. Once my period starts, my boobs don't hurt as bad. My period are extremely light - like almost to where I feel like it's pointless to wear a tampon and opt for a panty-liner.

I was on the Mirena for 2 years and hated it! The insertion was incredibly painful and I bled for 3 months after that. My periods were irregular and long. I also gained over 40lbs on it, had acne, mood swings, etc... I had it removed 2 days ago

I was on the pill for years and got Mirena in September 2012. The only problems I've had is the pain when I first got it (I've never had kids, so the doctor had to open my cervix - painful while it was happening and cramping after, but overall not unbearable. I took some Aleve and laid on the couch and a couple hours later, the pain was completely gone), and I'm back to having the severe cramps I used to have before I was on the pill. I just went to my doctor a couple weeks ago to check it out, and they said the IUD is perfect, and since I used to have this same cramping problem (the reason I originally went on the pill), they just gave me some strong painkillers for them. I have gained weight, but I can't blame that on the IUD.... I haven't been running or using MFP much since probably July last year (stupid boyfriend distracting me from my goals ), but I'm back to it and hoping to drop the weight again.

I have had the Mirena for 4 1/2 years. I love it. No periods. No cramping. Rarely spotting unless I'm really stressed out. I hesitate getting it out sometimes, the thought of a period again...
I never had a child, didn't want one. My ob/gyn let me have the Mirena, but not essure (I'm only 30). My first ob/gyn didn't even give me the option of the IUD. Hated the pill, tried the mini-pill and it was far better (second best thing to the Mirena). The Mirena was the best thing I ever did.
I also have type 1 diabetes and the pill really made my blood sugar rollercoaster around my period. With the Mirena, my blood sugars are much more even - so no headaches or lows when I am due for a period.

Well right now, there's a class action lawsuit in Canada about women who've had permanent injury from Mirena.

Oh... & I had mine surgically removed less than a year after it was inserted because I was in so much pain every month when my cycle came that I had to be hospitalized.

I think it bears more research.

I have a few friends who swear Mirena is the devil and their life only got better after stopping it. One had it attach to her pelvic wall. I was on depo for several years and pretty sure it kept me from losing those vanity pounds (despite people swearing it won't). Now I'm on this weird arm insert called Nexplanon. I have a high pain tolerance but this hurt like a psychotic alien device that took over my emotions and made me insane for about three weeks. I only got it because I was being laid off and wouldn't have insurance, and it's good for three years. I would not recommend it.

I've had mirena since August of 2012 now. Before mirena, my complexion was almost close to perfect. No blemishes at all except for the small one or two pimples that would pop up around period time. Now my complexion is a whole different story. I have terrible blemishes every day. I can't remember the last time I woke up to an acne-free face. My dermatologist has prescribed me various medications and none work at all. It really has taken a toll on my self-esteem and my skin. Scarring is visible. Highly considering getting it removed.