IUDs

[Imachickadee75]

Dana,
Could you give us the run down on the pros and cons of IUDs (copper and Mirena) as well as how they actually work to prevent pregnancy? My OB passed away last month and I haven't really established a very good relationship with my PCP yet. What are your thoughts?

[DMK]

My IUD experience:
I just got the Para Gard copper IUD installed/implanted/inserted on 1/14/10. The copper IUD has no hormones.

I was having horrible migraines from the birth control pills even the low hormonal pills. I had been on and off various brands of pills and nuva ring and within the last 2 years started having the migraines. I have several friends who have the copper IUD but they have all had children. In the intial IUD concilation the doctor was a bit concerned that I am not married and have no kids, and "with the lifestyle associated with my BF's pilot career" he may not be faithful and bring home a STD that could cause an infection and possibly cause problems having children in the future.
BF was not happy with that comment, however I found it a typical reaction to the career.

Once I assured the doc that BF will not be messing around, she was willing to give me the IUD. The actual procedure was about 15 minutes. Its painful. Its like a Pap and the IUD looks like a T with two little string tails. The tails are cut to a length that you will be able to use your fingers to feel the strings, some people can and some people can't feel them. I can, depending on the time of the month. BF said he felt it a few times during intercourse but with no problems. They feel like fishing line.

The first couple days I was really sore and super crampy. The cramps come and go randomly and I have been spotting on and off continously since the procedure. My period was pretty much the same just more cramps. The doc suggested Ibprophen for the bleeding and cramps. The copper IUD is good for 10 years and once BF and I decide to have kids I can easliy have it removed. All my side effects are normal and expected. The doc also suggested that I use pads instead of tampons all the time for my period, but the literature and brochures say that tampons are fine to use and my friends that have the same copper IUD use tampons regularly with no complications. I have used both tampons and pads since the procedure.

As for my friends, they have had it longer, one friend has had it 5 years and her periods have gotten much much lighter and shorter. Another friend has had it for about a year and the first three months she was very crampy and had LONG and HEAVY periods, since then her periods and cramps have gotten lighter. Both have had no other side effects or complications and both are married with 2 children.


Anyway, hope this helps, let me know if you want anymore info about my personal experience.

[rgphib]

Great thread....

I am going to get one in 2 weeks...I am leaning more towards the Mirena since my OB says the Paragaurd usually makes you get heavier periods and the Mirena makes them very light.

[patty@myflightsurgeon.com]

Both my daughters have the Mirena, and they both LOVE them.. They say the mood swings (PMS) is minimal compared from before.

As periods the oldest one had her periods stop for the first 3 years (now she spots off and on). The younger one says that she gets a normal period every 3 months.

Hope this helps.

[Dana]

Great thread....

I am going to get one in 2 weeks...I am leaning more towards the Mirena since my OB says the Paragaurd usually makes you get heavier periods and the Mirena makes them very light.

Mirena has progesterone on it which usually helps to lighten if not cease your periods over time. Para Guard has no hormone - great for women who have headaches or migraines and can't tolerate other forms of BC. The insertion of the IUD is usually much easier for a woman who has given birth or had her cervix dilated but is used also in women who have not been pregnant as well.

[jr_lenz]

it is common to have heavy and irregular periods for up to 6 months. after that they should return to normal, get lighter, or go away altogether. Some women have sever cramping, so you may want to do it on a friday or have a couple of days to curl up on the couch if you need. You may also want to make sure hubby is home to help with the kids. Some ladies are up and shopping at the mall afterward and some are in bed for a couple of days. I always like to be prepared for the what if. If you feel great then you have hubby and extra time to go do something fun!

[Brenda]

I had my IUD taken out after 7 months. It made me feel awful, breasts constantly tender, spotting and heavy bleeding, major breaking out and very moody. I didn't want to have the copper put in just because I didn't want to have a metal in me. So, I went with the merena. A ton of my friends have it and love it! But, I am one of those that it just didn't work. So, since i knew I was through having children and my cycles were gettng worse and worse, I had my tubes tied and had the ablasion done. Talk about permanent birth control!

[mrs767er]

I was one of the second generation users--lippes loop (sp?)
and my results were NOT good. 2-3 days of completely debilitating cramps for the duration of use, heavy bleeding (2 tampons/hour sometimes). I was told that's the price you pay in side effects. Well, my final cost was permanent scarring and sterility. Expensive.

[Imachickadee75]

Wow.
I'm so sorry that happened to you. I'd definately say that was expensive.

[stellaandcorasmommy]

obviously ... i had it removed ... but ...
i had the mirena placed in after cora was born ... and i have to agree with brenda above ...
it absolutely did not agree with me. i was beyond moody/crabby ... i felt awful ... my periods were worse ... i was crampy and just generally felt horrible.
the midwife that i discussed this issue with doesn't feel that this would have happened ... but ... i honestly believe that i miscarried twice with the mirena in place. both times i had a slightly late period ... but had those "pregnancy" feelings (breast tenderness, increased sense of smell, queasy) and had unbelieveable cramping and extremely heavy bleeding. you know how sometimes you just feel like you KNOW your body?
i had it removed after giving it a solid year of trying ... and within a few weeks felt completely back to normal. i felt like myself again. in control and happy.
therefore? this time? husband is getting neutered. i'm not willing to put my body through anything else.