Birth Control...... Sigh..... Para gard??!

Okay, about the mirena...... I actually LOVED it, and it lasts for five years, so even though it's costly it may just be worth it. I had it taken out, because I thought it was keeping me from losing weight. Guess I didn't think those snack cakes and burgers were the culprit. lol But, it is very little hormones released by mirena, so it wasn't the case, just needed to work out and eat right. Anyways, my sister has the copper one and likes it, but if you read up about it, there are warnings of heavy bleeding during period and more intense pains, she did agree to that somewhat. Don't know about any facial hair though, haven't noticed any Tom Selic features in her yet. Hope that helped, keep in mind though I didn't actually have the copper one, only mirena. Good luck!!

I'll start by saying I've had my Mirena IUD for 4 years now (last month was my anniversary lol).

I LOVE it. Mirena isn't like other birth control (pills, shots etc) because it's not systemic. The progesterone stays mostly local in your uterus. So it's much less likely to cause issues than the pill (which is progesterone AND estrogen unless it's the mini-pill). Many women can't tolerate the extra estrogen but are okay with just progesterone, and it being localized.

That said no matter which IUD you choose know that there is an adjustment period of a couple weeks to up to 6 months where you can have irregular bleeding or spotting, it can be nothing or heavy-ish and come and go. You MUST be willing to hold out 6 months to decide if it works for you, otherwise it's not worth it.

I had spotting for about 6 weeks off and on, after that my periods got shorter and lighter right away and then went to non-existant most of the time. Shorter/lighter periods are a great side effect of the Mirena, The copper version on the other hand is known for heavier and longer periods. I had heavy periods on the pill, off the pill while TTC so I did NOT want to chance that.

Check with the insurance company in both the medical side and the prescription side, my Mirena was in medical and not in prescription drug coverage because it's a device and put in at the doctor's office. Also planned parenthood sometimes does them for a much cheaper price. Upfront $1000 is a lot but that's only $200 a year if you keep it the full 5 years or $16.66 a month for the full 5 years (cheaper than most of us get any of our scripts for lol).

I was on the pill for many years and had only minor issues, but I know lots of women (personally in real life not just on the internet) that didn't tolerate the systemic pills and did well with the Mirena.

oh Mirena was a NIGHTMARE for me. Terrible mood swings, I didn't even recognize myself anymore. I was super angry all the time. I asked my doctor to remove it 5 days after it was first installed, he told me he never had to do this before but there was no way I was keeping it. My husband told me he could feel it too so that was bad. It was just BAD.

I've been on Mirena for two years in May. I did get some weight gain, compared to other BC types. When they placed it in, I was in MISERABLE pain for a couple hours. Most people dont have this effect though. Of course, I had to be special (to think...I drove myself...argh). The only other 'side effect' that Ive noticed is my cramping is slightly more noticeable a day or two before my period. You have to take into consideration though, I do have Endometriosis, so I dont know how that plays inside my side effect cramps being different from the normal.

I like this product because I dont have to worry about taking a pill everyone. Once every 5 years, you just have to get a new one. Im also not pregnant, so it works well in that respect as well. Many woman get reduced periods, or no periods, within a six month period, sometimes just minor spotting. Another plus. This information I got from my friends who are on it that dont have problems. My cycle has a mind of its own, so I have to have additional medications.

Overall, I am very happy with it. I did an extreme amount of research (so did my Mom) because having it placed and we both felt it was the best BC choice (I get sick from oral BC). My PMS is pretty much non-existent for the most part as well.

Im glad youre no longer on Yaz/Yasmin...That stuff almost killed my big sister...Twice. She is on of the people who got severe clotting to the point of near death and currently is in the lawsuit pending against the drug maker. She has been in and out of hospitals and all sorts of problems sense, to the point MAYO doesnt even really know what to do for her.

I've had my Mirena for 2 years now and I LOVE it! I had medium to heavy bleeding for about 6 weeks straight, but ever since then, my TOM lasts about 12 hours with just some light spotting.

I'd been on Ortho-Tri for several years, but found out I have a blood-clotting disorder, so I can't have any BC that has both kinds of hormones in it.

I have a friend (like, I personally know her, just not on the internet) that got pregnant when her Paragard (sp?) slipped... I don't know the "oops" rate with the Mirena.

edited for spelling

I have a Mirena and love it. Zero side effects whatsoever for me.

Why so expensive for you to get it? My insurance covered most of it, it was like $200 to insert it and that was it.

oh, and my insurance covered it too, I would call them to make sure if you haven't. The Mirena is cheaper to them than a baby so they paid for it, even before my deductible was met.

I've had the Mirena for about 6 months. So far I love it. I had spotting for about the first 6 weeks, then basically normal TOM for a couple months and now my periods are almost totally gone. The only side effect I've noticed is that my skin isn't as nice as it was with regular bc pill or nuva ring - no surprise there, and similar to when I was on the mini-pill.

I actually really liked the nuva-ring....I had to switch because I had an increase in migraines and I guess that is a contraindication. Otherwise I would probably still be using it.

I have a Mirena and love it. Zero side effects whatsoever for me.

Why so expensive for you to get it? My insurance covered most of it, it was like $200 to insert it and that was it.

I am not sure on the cost I was just going with an average based on what I have been told. I have a $4500 ded on the health insurance so I am thinking I will be on my own (as always).... ugh. But either way, if it does work out it is still a lot cheaper than the $225 every 3 months for the pills..... yikes

Definitely call them. I had a high deductible and it was completely covered!

I'm really liking the Nuvaring. I tried so many pills that I can't even remember and the copper IUD freaked me out. )A friend had to have hers removed due to incredibly painful periods with it in.) The only side effect that I get from the ring is that I only have a period every other month. I've been assured that that's fine, so I'm just enjoying it! And I haven't gotten pregnant!

Why not think about depo privera. The needle that lasts for three months and see how you feel. I had great results with that kind of BC. I wasnt allowed to continue it after I turned forty and thought about Merina. I opted for just getting my tubes tied instead as having more children was not something I wanted.

I've been using the standard non-hormone IUD for about 10 years so far & have nothing but good things to say about it. My extremely heavy periods became much more manageable, and cramps a lot easier.
I do get spotting mid cycle for a few months after having it put it, but it's nothing a pantie liner can't cope with.

Really? I just started the Nuvaring 3weeks ago so just pulled it out and Im waiting on my preiod so I guess I should not freak out if it dosent get here? I have had no side affects with Nuvaring I actually love it Im just waiting to make sure it worked on me and the hormones are extreamly low my OB told me its the lowest one with hormones even when it comes to loesterin which I took before.

I'm really liking the Nuvaring. I tried so many pills that I can't even remember and the copper IUD freaked me out. )A friend had to have hers removed due to incredibly painful periods with it in.) The only side effect that I get from the ring is that I only have a period every other month. I've been assured that that's fine, so I'm just enjoying it! And I haven't gotten pregnant!