I have the copper IUD (In the US it is called Paragard), and I love it. Originally I got off the birth control pill because I felt like the problems I had had in the 10 years I'd been taking it were clearly hormonal, and I blamed it on the pill because I always had bad side effects and had to switch brands like 10 times, and I was sick of it. This was before I knew I had PCOS. So I got off the pill and got the copper IUD instead, which has no hormones. Shortly after I got my diagnosis because the symptoms became clearer once I got away from all the hormones.

I've had no side effects or anything with the IUD (the insertion was painful but only lasted 5 seconds and was no big deal- take ibuprofen beforehand), and I had a couple normal periods the first 2 months after getting it, no spotting in between (but that could've been the pill still in my system). It has not moved or caused pain at all since then....I've had it about 9 months.

I've since had to start taking a type of birth control pill/anti-androgen pill again anyway because of PCOS, but the doctor said my IUD is not dangerous at all with PCOS, and actually there is a lot of evidence that it lowers the risk of cervical cancer, which PCOS increases our risk of, so that's nice. And I like that I have a reliable form of birth control that I don't have to even think about, since I tend to have to switch from one medicine to another and I never know what I'm going to be on next. It allows me to treat whatever other medicine I'm on as strictly medicine for PCOS, because I know I've already got birth control covered.

I've had three Mirana's placed and two came out..... one got lost. They said it came out..... I don't have any faith in the IUD's but I have been told by all of my docotor's I am a special case. I have been dealing with the effects of the PCOS for 11yrs or so... bad heavy and prolonged cycles and they said the IUD's would control it . I've had to have three seperate blood trasnfsion because of it. I don't think it's a good idea for those with extreme symptoms of extended cycles.

So now I said..... forget all the medications.... and I am dealing with my PCOS the natural way...... with a supplement..... called MACA. I had one normal cycle so far the first in 11 years. So I am hopeful.

You're right, I forgot to mention that! IUDs are generally not recommended if you have really really heavy periods, because there is a higher chance that it will slip out or move. Plus, for some people the copper IUD can make periods a little heavier and you definitely don't want that if they're so heavy already. I didn't think about it because it's more common to have light or no periods with PCOS, but many women are on the other side of the spectrum. I'm glad you've found something natural that works for you! I may just have to try maca sooner or later.

I am not having my period anymore - so I just started wondering what happens to those eggs - I don't need or want anymore cysts before I got the IUD - I was actually regular - surprisingly - after having my kids my body just decided to become regular - but I can't stomach birth control

Ok, my understanding is that the release of an egg and having a period are related processes, but are not dependent upon one another... each is brought on by a cyclic increase in a different hormone. Many people on certain types of hormonal birth control get very light or no periods because of the hormones, but that doesn't necessarily say anything about eggs. In fact, if I'm correct, hormonal birth control prevents eggs from even being released. My point is that you shouldn't feel like cysts are building up just because you're not having periods. It is likely that the hormones you are taking are preventing cysts, and eggs for that matter.

I basically just self-diagnosed this last week. I've been suffering with every symptom for yrs now, and i FINALLY found something that fits. I was honestly scared to go to the Dr., but I'm not so much anymore. But I actually found this group and this discussion while googling "IUD linked to PCOS" because I feel like none of this started until AFTER I got mine removed. And the symptoms have just progressed ever since. Am I the only one?