Thoughts/opinions on Iud's

I had the "plain" IUD for three years (no hormones) and LOVED it. I don't know if the "plain" type is still on the market. Since you've already had two babies, insertion should not be painful, and removal is a breeze.

There is a non-hormonal IUD - the copper IUD - that might be a good option for you. It can last for up to five years.

good luck

M.

I have had the Mirena IUD for about 2 1/2 years and I really like it. I never did well with the pill and this has seemed to work really well for me. EXCEPT, my neighbor also has the MIrena IUD and she just found out she is pregnant with the IUD in place. She is about 3 months along! And after doing some research on the internet, it seems there are lots of women who have gotten pregnant on the IUD.

I had an IUD for 2 1/2 years. There was no pain having it inserted. Every now and then I couldn't find the string but I now have a seven year old beautiful daughter. The IUD stayed in place through out my pregnacy for fear of removing it would cause a miscarriage. I also have a friend who has conceived a child while having an IUD. As they say nothing is 100 percent.

Hello! I have had the Mirena IUD/IUC device for a little over a year now & I love it. It has no side effects (wt gain, etc)& has REALLY slowed down my cycles. It took a little while to regulate but now my periods are exeptionaly light & short. It was a little uncomfortable when inserted but nothing A few ibuprofen & a little nap didn't fix-nothing compared to child birth!! I hope this helps your decision- good luck:)

Hi R...
I am 34 years old. I had the non-hormonal IUD for the past 10 years. I just took it out 2 months ago. I had no problems with it. It was very convienent because I did not react good to hormonal birth control as well. It does not hurt when you have sex(LOL!!)and you do not have to worry about hormones in it...

Hi R.,
I am going to 3rd the other 2 moms. I have the paragard and I LOVE it. No problems at all.

I can't have hormones either (because they make me a raging lunatic) and I wanted some sort of birth control that I could depend on.

I didn't have any issues when mine was put it, but I think I am in the minority. Mine has been in for 2 years. The only issue was that my first few periods were really heavy, but then it tapered off and went back to "normal" after about 2 or 3 months.

Best of luck with your decision.
B.

Hi,
I also have a paragard IUD. I've had it only 3 weeks now, but so far so good! The insertion was not a big deal - a little crampy but no worse than a bad pap. I like the fact that doesn't have hormones. They're not exactly sure how the copper IUDs work (the package insert even says so!) Ideas include preventing an egg from being fertilized and preventing implantation. They're 99% effective and you can keep them for up to 10 years. The best part (for me, anyway) is that IF you decide you want to conceive again, you just have it removed and you're instantly good to go. You don't have to wait for your body to be normal again (like if you were on the pill), because it was never NOT normal.

Anyway, I'm happy with mine so far! Haven't gotten my period back postpartum (I'm only 16 weeks) so I can't say anything about that.

I just got an IUD about 3 months ago after having twins - I say we're done, my hubby isn't quite ready to agree (I think he's avoiding the "big snip") so I opted for an IUD which lasts for 5 years (some last for 10, but my obgyn recommended the 5 year Mirena). The procedure was very simple (in my obgyn office) and, after fertility treatments and c-section, it seemed almost painless! :) There is a moment when the IUD is inserted that you think to yourself "My God, what have I gotten myself into? The pain!" then as soon as you start thinking this, it's over! Literally 2 seconds of pain. Since then, my periods have been very light (a day or two maximum) and we don't have to mess with condoms or birth control with the mood swings, etc. I haven't noticed any mood swings or anything that I had with the pill. I'd highly recommend it, but of course, it's best to get your doctor's recommendation as well.

I had an iud for a year. I had no problems and found it liberating after many years on the pill. I have recently been diagnosed with the same disorder and had to inject Lovenox during my last pregnancy. I didn't think the insertion really hurt. It wasn't any worse than a pap smear. Even removal was not that bad.

Now that I know I have this disorder my problems with endo and various other things might be more explanable...and I didn't think about the risks of the pill since I had my last child. We use condoms and will probably continue until we decide that we are done having kids and then hubby will get a vasectomy. But that is something I hadn't thought about.

Hi R.,

I am past the mom years but had an IUD for much of that time and I loved it!!!!! It was the old Copper T; there was no pain with insertion and it didn't seem to affect my periods. I had it before my first pregnancy and then got one again after my second and after the scare subsided. (For years doctors shunned IUDs because one type caused lots of trouble that tainted all the others, even those that were trouble-free.)
If you want completely reversible, non-hormone contraception, I strongly recommend an IUD. Good luck!
S. F.
mom to 2 wonderful guys (23 and 19, I can't believe it myself!)

I had an IUD inserted in July. I have always had a real hard time with chemical birth controls. The IUD w/o the hormones is the Paragard. The insertion was painful but very quick. Now I've never had a vaginal birth so that may be the reason. But I felt great afterwards. Too great. They had given me antibiotics to take and because I felt good I forgot them and we went out of town. When we got back I had a urinary tract infection and another vaginal infection. So, take the anti-biotics! But since then, I have had no problems. In fact, most of the time I forget it's even there. I was warned that my periods may be more crampy, but I would get pretty bad cramps before and now it's very mild. Hope this helps!

I have the Paragard IUD, which is the IUD without hormones. I don't have any clotting problems, but I chose the paragard because my body doesn't do well with outside hormones. Anyway, the insertion was no problem and took about 10 minutes. It is sooo easy and no upkeep or anything. Basically you just check the thread once a month and that's it. I definitely recommend it, if you're able to.

What about a diaphragm? Personally, I know a lot of women like the IUD, but I don't like the potential for scar tissue.

I also have the same problem you do with the blood clotting. I used an IUD for several years prior to having my 2nd son. I used the Paraguard-T IUD. Insertion was quick and relatively painless, they recommeded that I take motrin or tylenol about an hour before I came in to have it inserted. I did have some heavy bleeding afterwards for a few days, somewhat like a heavy period. I think it worked well, since I did not get pregnant until it was removed:) (also quick and relatively pain free) I was able to get pregnant 2 months after it was removed. I would go back to using the IUD in a heartbeat, but our insurance does not cover it. Good LUck with your decision. If you have any other questions feel free to e-mail me.

Hello,
Consider Natural Family Planning... The IUD is a device that prevents a newly conceived baby from attaching itself to the wall of your uterus, because the environment is "hostile."
Sincerely,
E.

Hi R. K,

The IUD was great for me, I forgot it was there. Be sure and talk with your Doctor, as to the different types available that will meet your needs. As in life everything is not for everyone, but it was one of the best things I could have done!

Good Luck,
V.

I to have a clotting disorder and did heparin injections while pregnant. I can't take any hormones either. I have the Paragaurd (copper IUD - not hormones). I did not hurt at all getting it put in. For about 5 months I had very heavy bleeding, spotting off and on, and longer periods. Seems to have subsided now. I have no other option (besides condoms) so I will stay with the IUD. You can keep it in for up to 10 years and be able to get it out sooner if you decide to have more children.

I just got an IUD about 2 months ago. The Paraguard has no hormones and lasts 10 years (you can remove it sooner). That's what I got. The other 5 year model has hormones.
It was pretty uncomfortable getting it put in, kind of like labor pain for minute, and then bleeding for a couple of days (light). After that, I felt great!

I agree with Carolyn. I got one 3 years ago after my second son was born and I love it! I wish I'd known more about them earlier. I too can't have the hormones (due to migraines), so I got the one that did not have hormones. It did hurt a little when it was put in and then I had some spotting, but otherwise it was really easy. I love not having to worry about birth control anymore and would highly recommend it.