LADIES ONLY*** IUD input to switch or not to switch

I'm curious about this too. I've had a merena for a year and a half, and gained weight right after. But I was able to lose 20 lbs, then gained 10 back when I stopped counting calories. For me, it doesn't seem to be effecting my ability to lose weight, but then again, I'm still 20+ pounds from my goal...

I have a copper IUD. I didn't gain any weight nor is it stopping me from losing weight though it did increase my cramping severely for the first year. It's still worse than it used to be now, but not enough for me to get it removed.

Just so you know, it HURT to get it put in. It hurt a LOT. I have a very high pain tolerance, but I was incapacitated for three days.

I went from a copper (which was awesome except for bad period cramps) to the Mirena, which was horrible and I had taken out at about 6 months. Weight gain, mood swings and spotting every single day. If I were to get one again it would be horomone free for sure!

I switched from the Pill to copper IUD about 3 years ago. The only change I noticed was an increase in flow and PMS (which were both negligable on the Pill), but I wouldn't call it severe bleeding, it's still a normal flow. I'm pretty sure my cycle got longer, too. But it's not anything I would consider a side effect-- I think all those changes are worth it to let my body naturally do its thing.

Just so you know, it HURT to get it put in. It hurt a LOT. I have a very high pain tolerance, but I was incapacitated for three days.

Thanks for that info b/c I can't afford to be out of commision for three days and I myself have a high tolerence for pain too!

It really hurt to have it inserted, but the doc gave me valium and vicoden before the procedure, and a few more vicoden for the next day. I had the procedure on a Friday morning, got home and slept all afternoon, took it easy Saturday and Sunday, and was fine to go to work on Monday.

Supposedly if you've already had kids it doesn't hurt so much to get it inseterted. Good luck!

I had the paraguard for all of about 4 months. I hurt like He!! to get it in and it hurt worse every month. The cramps got progressively worse every time until I finally had to have the thing removed after about four months. I would NOT repeat the experience. Ever.

My body has always hated hormones. I had a paraguard for a total of 13 years. My periods didn't change when I had it inserted. There was the usual slightly more cramping for the first month or two but nothing much worse than my normal (which was pretty bad).

After 10 years I had it replaced. About 3 years into that is when I started having problems. I started bleeding very heavily during my periods. At the time, my dr. wasn't sure why but thought that maybe we should try removing it and see if that improved. I switched to a nuva ring which helped the bleeding. Shortly after that, my insurance changed and I had to change drs. After a few months on the nuva ring I started to date a man who was fixed. I ultimately married him and obviously birth control didn't matter so I quit using the nuva ring.

Within the last few years I started bleeding terribly and ultimately it turned out I had fibroids, adenomyosis, and adhesions which were all removed a few months ago along with my uterus. My surgeon thinks that the fibroids and the iud were fighting for space and not playing well together so the bleeding really had more to do with the fibroids than the iud.

Hormones can affect different people in different ways. For me, any form of hormonal stuff will cause me to bloat, be depressed, throw up, sleep all kinds of bad stuff. For my step daughter, getting BC shot caused her to balloon up about 100 lbs over the last 2.5 years. She went from being pretty skinny to obese and it started when the shots started. The dr. just put a Mirena in, hoping the lower dose of hormones will help her lose weight. She just made the switch and wasn't due for her next shot until May so it hasn't done anything yet.

When I had the paraguard put in I had already had 2 kids and beyond a little discomfort it was fine. I was with my stepdaughter when she had the Mirena put in and she was in much more pain but she has never had children. The paraguard also didn't affect my weight so it will hopefully return your body back to where it was before.

I have the copper (Paraguard) IUD and it's one of the best decisions I ever made. I love having no extra hormones added to the already messy soup of hormones in my body! I do have a heavier period now than I did when I was on BCP, but it's well worth the improvements in everything--from my mood to my sex drive--I've seen since getting the IUD. I've had absolutely no complications, and yes, it was slightly uncomfortable to have inserted, but no big deal, really. Can't recommend it enough!

I have had the Paraguard (copper) IUD for 5 years now. I *love* it. I have never had Mirena, so I can't comment on that one. Hormonal BCPs messed me up psychologically when I was on them. I'll never go the hormonal route again.

I have always had heavy periods and my IUD hasn't changed the flow at all. They are not heavy enough to make my iron levels drop (I'm a meat eater, though). I get my iron tested about once a year and there have never been any issues. I think I get enough iron in my diet to avoid any problems.

I used to have severe, debilitating cramping before Paraguard. For some reason my cramping completely disappeared once I put Paraguard in. There was that initial insertion cramping, of course, but that subsided with time. I am over the moon happy that I've been completely cramp-free for 5 years now. I have no idea how or why that happened for me because doctors say that flow and cramping tend to worsen with an IUD like this one. Neither issue occured in my case. *shrug* Maybe the Paraguard is responsible for my lack of cramping, or maybe a change in my hormones, or age... I have no idea.

Everyone's experience will be different. I was terrified of putting a device in my uterus at first, but I'm glad I went for it. Two of my sisters now have an IUD and are very happy. :-)

not sure why it hurt you.. but i have had both put in and its just like having a pap smear and a little cramping afterwards but not days worth.:happy:

I have no help with regards to IUD, but I did exactly the same things before, after, and during 4 months of taking the pill, I could only lose 5 pounds... I was hungry all the time and for some reason a calorie deficit couldn't overcome the hormones. I won't take a hormonal bc every again

I had the copper IUD for 8 yrs and then removed it. It worked very well when it comes to preventing pregnancy, but I did not like frequent UTIs and bacteria infections. I removed my IUD and no longer have issues with the infections.

If the Mirena is working for you, then stick with it. The hormones in the Mirena are localized in your uterus and only a very small amount gets into your blood stream so it shouldn't have a huge impact on your weight.

I have had the Mirena (this is my second one) and I am happy as a clam. Bleeding again? No thanks! If I have gained weight because of it, I am unaware. My unhealthy eating and sedentary lifestyle is the cause for mine. This is the best thing since sliced bread!!! Good luck!

I am soooo glad to see all of these responses! I posted almost the exact same topic in one of my forum groups, but I haven't gotten any feedback yet. I have NEVER been on any type of birth control, so I'm a little leary about starting it. I know something I have to remember to take or put in is not an option. I plan to be ordering either Mirena or ParaGard at the end of this week. I'm really excited and at the same time nervous becasue of all of the *possible* side effects. I'm pretty sure I've made my decision as to which one. I just really hope I don't have of the adverse extreme side effects. I would expect some, but anything extreme would make me want to remove it and cause me to waste a lot of money!