IUD opinions

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2004
IUD opinions
8
Sun, 05-23-2004 - 3:50pm
Hi everyone

I'm the one who had the unluckiness of getting "sub-massive pulmonary emboli" from the patch. I talked to my gyno and he said I could try an IUD instead since I'm not allowed to take anything hormonal ever again. The whole thing sounds kinda scary though and now I pay extra special attention to potential side effects and I know the IUD could have some. My boyfriend says not to do it (I should have listened to him when he asked if I was sure I wanted to try hormonal birth control too... whoops). Who here has an IUD? How was the experience of getting it inserted? Any side effects that you've noticed? Anything you like or dislike? Should I do it???

Thanks

Checkeredbutt (but not going to be checkered from now on)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 05-23-2004 - 6:55pm
I've had the MIRENA IUD almost a year. I was on micronor and hated it.I have chronic high blood pressure and other than that pill the IUD was one of my only options....Even though my dr used a "deadening" shot "down there" when it was inserted I felt LOTS of pressure....slightly painful...but nothing UNBEARABLE-just uncomfortable....The first few months I had 2 periods per month(every 2 weeks) and they were slightly heavier than normal...sometimes they lasted 2 weeks....but now my periods are barely a few days of spotting.I love it.It's wonderful....I had cramps that came and went the first few months (ibuprofen took care of them)....Other than that I didn't have any "side effects"....Talk to your dr...they could give you LOTS MORE professional information....good luck!!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-2004
Mon, 05-24-2004 - 12:07pm
I just had my Copper Paragard IUD inserted about two and a half weeks ago, and I have to say that I love it. I also don't react well to hormonal methods of birth control, so I decided to go with the copper IUD instead of the Mirena. My doctor told me that the hormones are so low in the Mirena that it shouldn't effect my whole body like the pill, patch, etc..but I didn't want to take the chance.

The insertion wasn't so bad. It was only painful for about a minute and a half and then the pain subsided, and there was just a bit of cramping for the rest of that day (I decided to take the day off work which I think was a good idea).

Since I've had it, I had light spotting for about a week, which is now gone completely. I had some cramping for about a week or so also, but that has also subsided. I am very happy with my choice, and I would recommend it to anyone.

Good luck with your choice.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2004
Mon, 05-24-2004 - 12:18pm
I have had my copper IUD for a couple of weeks. I love it. I haven't had my period with it yet, though my doctor told me it would take several months for my body to get use to it. Inserting wasn't bad, and should be less painful if you have had a child. (I don't) Also my doctor put it in during my period so that it would be less painful, your cervix should be a little softer and more open during you period. I also took the day off from work, I had cramps for a day and then back to normal.

Make sure you have gyn who has done a lot of these, it will make insertion better and less chance of complications.

Good Luck, I hope you find a method that works for you. I love the IUD since there are no hormones and nothing to think about.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Mon, 05-24-2004 - 5:30pm
I had a copper IUD and loved it. Insertion was not bad at all. Just a couple cramps during insertion and then some mild crampiness the rest of the day (which ibuprofen took care of). Insertion is easier with the copper IUD because it is smaller than the Mirena (hormonal) IUD. I did have increased bleeding and cramping during my periods, which is common with the copper IUD. I took ibuprofen for it and felt totally fine. About 5% of women spontaneously expel their IUDs within the first year and I was one of them. That was a very painful experience. But I loved my IUD so much that I convinced my doctor to let me try again (2/3 of women who expel 1 IUD do not expel their 2nd, so I thought I had a decent chance of success). Nope. What a major disappointment. The IUD was great because I couldn't feel it, I didn't have to think about it everyday, and I had the confidence of knowing that I was using one of the most effective reversible methods of birth control. Good luck in your decision. Let us know if you have any further questions.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2004
Tue, 05-25-2004 - 9:13pm
Thanks for all your good advice girls. I appreciate it. At this point, pain is all relative and I think I can put up with 15 minutes of uncomfortableness in exchange for more piece of mind. I'm assuming the IUD that has hormones is out of the question for me though so copper would be my only option. Men have it so dang easy... I'm starting to get penis-envy.

Thanks again

Checkeredbutt

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Wed, 05-26-2004 - 5:39am
You'll have to ask your doctor about Mirena. It releases only a very low dose of levonorgestrel, a progestin. Estrogen is the hormone that is typically responsible for increased blood clotting, so you may be able to use progestin-only contraception. Then again, given the seriousness of your experience, it may be better to play it absolutely safe and not use any type of hormone. Your doctor will know best. Let us know how you do. Best of luck.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2004
Thu, 05-27-2004 - 9:27pm
Do you use the mirena as your only source of birth control? I just got mine put in yesterday and am really nervous about using mine alone,I have a 2 month old baby, and a 4 year old and do not want another baby anytime soon. I have only used the pill and condoms in the past, but I was to nervous to use the pill alone so either we used condoms or he pulled out. I would appreciate your feedback on the matter before we decide to use it as our only BC method. Sorry if I sound paranoid but I don't want another baby this soon, if at all. Thank you
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-18-2003
Tue, 06-01-2004 - 10:23pm
I have had my IUD for about 6 months. I hyped myself up with all the insertion horror stories, and it was not bad at all. Of course that is my experience, I had no shot or anything, I took motrin before the appt, was uncomfortable a few minutes, and minor cramping afterwards, I took motrin a few days after insertion, and spotted a little bit. I have loved it ever since. My periods are shorter and lighter, and I do not worry about birth control at all. Of course it's not 100% but it sure is darn close. (99%) Oh and I have had one child, so that could have made a difference, the uncomfortable feeling I'm talking about I would compare to a cramp or maybe even a contraction, but like I said didn't last long, and my doctor told me when it was coming, I literally took a few deep breaths during that time and then it was over. Good luck to you!

md