WOMEN ONLY! IUD Question

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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

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.

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

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 >.<

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

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....

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)

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.