IUD questionI

I use Mirena and have no complaints. It is almost completely painless, and I haven't had any problems (or periods) in the 3 years I have had it.

I got the mirena 6 wks after having my 3 yr old...I L. it I never have periods and only some cramping once in awhile...Its the best thing Ive tried!!!!!!!!!!

I have Mirena and L. it! I have not had any hormonal side effects at all and not having a period (aside from about 2 days of light spotting) and no PMS is great. I cannot take regular hormonal birth control either, but Mirena has been no problem. I've had it 2 years so far and got it 3 months post partum.

I have the Paraguard and have loved it for the 18 months it's been in; I'm planning to have it removed next month to get pregnant. Like another responder, I've also gotten pregnant twice on the pill. The first time I didn't even realize it for a couple months because I routinely skipped a period every other month. Because of that, I couldn't chance the Mirena. It is possible to get pregnant with an IUD, and those rare pregnancies are at greater risk of being tubal pregnancies, so not having a cycle to tell me I wasn't pregnant was not something I wanted to fret over with the Mirena. I had painful, debilitating cramps pre-birth control, so the cramps I've had with the Paraguard are mild in my opinion. My cycle length isn't the two or three days it was on the pill, but it hasn't been longer than six days with the IUD, so I can deal with that. Until this month, my cycles have usually included a very, very heavy flow day. I use a menstrual cup and would have overflow if left unemptied for a few hours when on the normal flow days can be left in for at least eight hours and usually twelve. Overall, my experience with it has been more than satisfactory, and I would recommend it.

As far as effectiveness of various methods...
I'm sure we all know that no birth control method that involves having sex will be 100% effective in preventing an unplanned pregnancy, right? Every method has some amount of risk involved, some are just much higher risk than others (like no preventative method versus a condom only versus an IUD versus a 'permanent' method). The only way to make sure you don't get pregnant during the years of your life that your body remains fertile is to stop having sex. We all know someone or know someone who knows someone who got pregnant using some reliable method of birth control. It doesn't mean the preventative measures aren't really reliable; it means you need to understand what the risk is and be willing to accept it to have a satisfying sex life.

I also wanted to respond to the remarks from Anna about IUD dislodging an implanted embryo. That is NOT how birth control works. If the method's primary task of preventing fertilization fails, then they work with your body to prevent implantation, meaning most methods women use (i.e. pill, IUD, ring, etc.) also alter the uterine lining to make it less inhabitable for a fertilized egg. This prevents implantation; it does not detach an implanted embryo. Until implantation, the hcg pregnancy hormone is not produced, so your body is not constantly cycling through pregnancy hormones just because an egg may have been fertilized during your cycle.

I have never used one personally, however am knowledgeable since I used to be a childbirth educator nd had to know in teaching post partum and preconception.

The first thing you need to know about them ( and many adocs won't tell you this) is that how they work is if a baby implants they simply work to detach the baby so the baby can't live, so basically a very very early abortion. This is no issue to some women and is a huge one to others. Even if it is not an issue there are also dangers to you and hormonal issues of being pregnant ( even for a day or so) and then not being often.

There are options safer, you might check out the website www.birthcontrol.org ( not .com)

I too had a baby exactly 4 months ago, you did not say whether you are nursing, or whether you are doing ecological nursing. If you are doing ecological nursing then you are just as covered as any method of birth control out there for another 2 months and as almost any method until your cycle returns, but ONLY if you are doing ecological nursing. To find out more about that you might check out some of the forums and articles in Mothering magazine on line and also the book Taking charge of your Fertility or The Art of Natural Family Planning. ( Those who wrote to say nursing is not effective are right...only the right kind of nursing works...ecological nursing)

Alice,
I have one for the past 3 years and have not had any problems. Each person is different but I like it because I do not get periods and I don't have to worry about taking any thing each day.

S.

What form of birth control did you use previously? Did it cause you any problems? What are you currently using? Is it causing you any discomfort, problems? These are questions you need to ask yourself. Do you have any other health issues that might preclude you from medication, slow release hormone rings, IUD's, diaphrams, or a latex sensitivity? Set up an appointment with your ob/gyn, a long appointment so you can discuss all the options, pros and cons. And if you're using nursing as a form of birth control, I have a brother that was born 13 months after me that disproves that theory, nursing Moms do get pregnant. You still ovulate whether or not your periods have returned. So if you don't want to get pregnant you need to have the talk with your ob/gyn soon.

I also have the Mirena IUD. I L. it. I noticed some discomfort (like a hard pinching) for a few days after inserted but not enough to really hurt. No problems with it since. I have had 2 kids on religously taking the pill (no antiboitic use or any other reason it would be ineffective) so I am doing good at 4 years with Mirena and no pregnancies! My periods are almost non exsistant. I don't have one every month and when i do have one they are very light. At first that was alittle unnerving since I always wondered about being pregnant again but after I got used to it, it is great. The cost effectiveness of the iud is great too. Its good for 5 years! I have had no bad with this so would recommend it to anyone who wants long term but not permenant birth control. Enjoy your baby! Hope this helps.

When we first brought our baby home, I tried taking the low hormone pill. But I was so fried from sleep deprivation that I wasn't remembering to take it at the same time every day. So I asked to switch to an IUD at our next appointment.

Now the Mirena packaging sounds wonderful. Probably no periods at all, good hormone stabilization, etc. But take this into account: YOU MAY BLEED FOR UP TO THREE MONTHS STRAIGHT. It took about two months for my bleeding to stop. It absolutely sucks, but once it's done it seems to do it's job well. I like not having to remember anything and that we can have it removed and try getting pregnant right away.

Hope this helps and that you are enjoying mommy-hood!

I had the Paraguard put in place after my daughter and struggled with it for over a year. I didn't go with the Mirena because I've never responded well to hormonal birth control. I've always had heavier periods but these were CRAZY heavy the entire year (think super plus for 14 days). Then there was the cramping, and not just during flow, but a low-level cramp the entire month.

All of this MAY have been due to the fact that I turned out to be allergic to the copper (though I don't think so). I ended up suffering from a rash on my low abdomen that disappeared within a week of having the sucker removed.

IUDs can work BEAUTIFULLY for some women, but not for others. Hopefully it'll work as well for you as many of the other women have expressed in their comments here, just don't be heartbroken if it doesn't.

Best of luck! :)

L. L. L. the Mirena. I have my second one now. Got the first one out to have another baby. I didnt have a period while it was in and my period started up right on schedule once it was out. My first post-IUD period started mid August, I ovulated (based on hormone check) the first of September and conceived that night. Hope this isnt too much information! :)
I had absolutely no doubts about getting it the second time. I now have had this one for over a year, no periods, no bad side effects. I L. it. I recommend it to all my friends.

I also L. my Mirena. I had it put in at my 8 week pp appt and it did not hurt any more than getting a PAP.
I had some spotting for the first few months, which tapered off after a while and after I stopped nursing I returned to having a regular, but light period.
No weight gain, though I have been struggling to loose those last 10 lbs - but honestly that's probably just too much candy and too little exercise.
My skin is definitely worse than it was on the pill, however that unfortunately is it's "natural" state and the only pleasant side effect I had on the pill.

Every person can have side effect from medication, and the IUD is no exception. I was apprehensive at first as well, but I am now very happy that I took the leap of faith.

i had a mirena (may be spelled wrong, it's early) put in 6 weeks after my oldest was born 4 years ago and loved it! i had some monthly spotting for the first year and then the periods just stopped. it was wonderful! i had it taken out in march of last year and got pregnant in april...which was the plan, we just never thought it would happen SO FAST! i had another put in 6 weeks after my youngest was born in january of this year. i am still dealing with a couple days of spotting (pantiliner kinda stuff, barely anything) and am hoping that will stop eventually. i tell every mom i know to go for it! they are wonderful!

I have the paraguard (the copper one, no hormones). I've had it for 7+ years now and L. it. No fuss, no muss. Paraguard is very different from the Mirena, although the shape and placement is the same....Mirena is still hormonal BC, with similar failure rates, mood/weight/headache/nausea/fertility issues. Of course if you function better on hormonal BC (some women do), or are allergic to copper, then you'd want to avoid the paraguard. :)

Paraguard (copper) IUD:

Pros
- Good for 10 years
- Is statistically more effective than either a vasectomy or tubal ligation
- Has no hormones
- Can't feel it
- Is immediately effective day of insertion
- Can be removed at any time
- Isn't affected by antibiotics
- Has a monofilament string, which keeps bacteria and etc out...aka no worries about PID. It's essentially like fishing line. The cut off all but about an inch... which is what you feel for to make sure it's still there from time to time.
- Most women lose weight on it
- Does not promote gynecological cancers (ever notice the "not for women with certain kinds of cancer" warning on birthcontrol pills/rings/mirena/etc? If you're prone to abnormal paps, avoid hormonal birth control. The hormones spur on many different types of gynecological cancers... cervical cancer especially.)

Cons:

- 1st couple of periods tend to be waaaaaay crampy, Cramps from hail. Tylenol + ibuprofen + a mild muscle relaxer. Whew. After that, myself and eveyone I've know with the coppertop goes back to their normal type of period.

- Doesn't shorten your period the way the pill/ring/or hormonal IUD does.

I got a Mirena about 4 months after having my daughter. It worked really well for me. I had no problems with insertion, or with side effects. It seemed to be breast-feeding friendly. I liked some of the side effects - it took longer for my period to come back, and my overall hormonal balance seemed pretty steady. I have several friends who also use Mirena and L. it, and one friend who has had problems with spotting.

I had the copper T several years ago and loved it! The first several menses were heavier with worse cramping but then they evened out and were back to normal and even lighter. Good luck.

I have the Mirena also, I've only had it for about a moonth. I'm still nursing my 12wk old so I haven't had a period, light spotting for a couple of days but thats about it. Insertion is no more uncomfortable than your annual pap exam and it's really quick.

I have never personally had an IUD but I did use the nuva ring after my daughter was born. I loved it.
You insert the ring (sounds gross but it's not too bad and it's easy) and keep it in for three weeks. During this time you do not have a period. Then you take it out for one week, typically have a very light period, and put a new one in.
I liked it because it releases the same hormone as the birth control pill but you don't have to remember to take it!
I have heard mixed things about IUD's and that they do not prevent fertilization from occurring, but only prevent implantation. I know this is not all IUD's but I was always worried about that.

Hi,
I got a Mirena IUD five years ago (actually due to come out this month), and I have had zero issues with it. I have not had a period since it was put in, and other than the first day or two, have not had any cramping or anything. It is wonderful! When I was on the pill I would get one or two migraines a month, from the hormones I guess, but with this I have not had any. I was apprehensive at first also, because if it turned out to be uncomfortable or anything like that, and I wanted it removed, that would have been $500 down the drain, but I am so glad I got it. I am curious, after I have it removed we are trying for baby number two, so we will see how long that takes :)
I hope this helps you! Good luck!

I L. my IUD. I had no problemd after insertion the first time. I stayed period free for 3 1/2 years while I had it in. I got it removed for my second child, and concieved him within a couple of months. About three months after he was born I started getting really heavy periods. My husband had a vasectomy but I wanted the IUD back because I wanted to get rid of my periods without taking hormones. I spotted for about three months after getting it put back in place which was quite annoying, but well worth the trouble. Now I do not get my period! L. that. I still have the hormonal fluctuations because I still get skin break-outs once a month but I get to skip the bleeding. Some of my friends have gotten it and liked it, some said that they could feel it in place and had to get it taken out. The insertion is a little painful but mostly uncomfortable. I am just so glad not to have to take a pill everyday and mess with my bodies own chemistry. All hormones are local with the IUD and just keep the uterine lining from building up. Yay IUD!

Hey, I don't have personal experience but I know two ladies that had it. They both had normal cycles before they had it placed but now they both have endometriosis. Research it online before u get one. I don't know if it is related or not. -S.

I have the Mirena IUD and L. it.
Having inserted was a bit uncomfortable, had a week or so of spotting.
Dont even know its there, Also have very light periods and sometimes skip a month.

I got MIrena.. L. it! There was spotting for about a month and now no periods AT ALL! It's great.

Okay, I've read all the good reviews and, ...not to be the one negative voice, but you might want to hear another side. I had a Mirena put in March of this year and although I L. not having to take a pill, it has not been the wonderful experience I was hoping for/expecting.

It HURT getting put in, which I just wasn't prepared for, so just FYI, it hurts. And I rarely had periods when I wasn't on birth control, meaning 2 or 3 a year, so I expected to not have anything with the IUD. Not so lucky for me, I've either had bleeding or "other" discharge since I had it put in. I've debated for the last couple months of just getting it removed, I'm sick of dealing with this!!!! I have to have a liner on ALWAYS and I've bled a LOT! I had solid fairly heavy bleeding for the first 5-6 months and then the spotting, etc since then. There is a lot I like about it, but I wasn't prepared for this much bleeding and such. I have two sisters-in-law who have one and L. it. If I'm the only one with something negative to say, hopefully I'm the rare case and it will be great for you.

Good luck with your decision.

Not sure it's the most effective form of birth control. A friend of mine got pregnant on her IUD and she said she knows of at least five other women who got pregnant while using an IUD. Fortunately she got the daughter she always wanted, but she already had her hands full with three sons! Yikes! So if you really don't want to get pregnant at the moment, better check what the success rate is with an IUD as she's not the only person I've heard of getting pregnant with one in!

And to the woman who cites ecological breast feeding as an effective method of birth control - a friend of mine found herself pregnant before her second son was six months (yes, I've read the description). There's always one, right? :-)