IUD and women without children

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
IUD and women without children
7
Thu, 06-03-2004 - 5:47pm
More and more I've been considering getting off the pill and getting an IUD, preferably the Mirena. My only problem is that from reading around it seems like doctors are very wary of inserting an IUD into a woman who hasn't given birth and the Mirena website even mentions their device not being suitable for nulliparous women. I've never given birth, I don't plan on having children, and I'd like long-term birth control. While I like the pill, I'm starting to think a more long-term solution might be the way to go.

So, I'm wondering, how many of you with IUDs have not given birth? How many of you have been told not to get an IUD by your doctor? I just started a new pill and recently had a GYN visit, so I'm not going to make any decisions right now, but I'm just trying to plan for the future and an IUD seems ideal for me. Basically, I just want to know if I should give up on that idea before I get too attached to it.

I know that the chances of expelling an IUD are higher in women who haven't given birth, and the insertion is more difficult/painful, but it's sort of news to me that some doctors refuse it outright for their childless patients, and I'd like to know how common that is.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-2004
Thu, 06-03-2004 - 6:26pm
Hi!

I got my IUD put in about a month ago. I also have not had children, but I got the copper (paragard) IUD, so my experiences may vary than those with the Mirena. The insertion was not bad at all. Some cramping for a few minutes, which than subsided. Than light cramping and spotting for about a week following insertion. My doctor was not too concerned with the fact that I had not had children, she said the chance to expel was a bit higher, but nothing to be too worried about. She also made sure that I was in a monagamous relationship, because the chances of getting PID are higher if you have the IUD and multiple partners. Overall I am very pleased with the IUD. A very low-maintenance, cost-effective, and long-term form of birth control. And for those who are sensitive to hormones-the Copper IUD is a nice choice.

Good luck with your decision!

Ally

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2004
Thu, 06-03-2004 - 7:48pm
Hi and welcome!

I'm 20 and have never had children, but I've got a Copper IUD. I had it inserted in October/03 and mine (Nova-T) is good for 36 months. My Dr was more than happy to do whatever I felt most comfortable with in the way of my body and my own personal opinion. Good luck!

~*~Jenn~*~

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2004
Thu, 06-03-2004 - 10:52pm
I also got my Copper IUD (paragaurd) a month ago and have been very happy with it. I am 24 and don't have children. Inserting wasn't bad, and one day of discomfort is well worth several years of worry free BC for me.

I remember reading a post from a woman near the canada border that couldn't get a doctor to put in an IUD because she didn't have children. I live in the northeast and didn't have any trouble. Both my GYN and Primary care doctor both listed it as an option when I was unhappy with my BCP. I don't think I would have even thought it an option if they hadn't told me about it, because I didn't even know we had that option in the US.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2004
Fri, 06-04-2004 - 11:02am
I had the Mirena IUD inserted on 4/23/04. So far I'm pretty happy with it. I do not have any children, but plan on having some (hopefully) in the next few years. (I'm 25 right now.) My doctor didn't have any reservations about me getting the IUD. I am positive for FVL and on coumadin for life, and my periods are VERY VERY heavy. I was out of other options for BC (OC's gave me my first clot and PE), and the copper IUD can make my periods even heavier, so we opted for the Mirena. Insertion was not that bad, and the cramps lasted just a couple of days. My only complaint so far is that I have had worsening acne and spotting for the entire time. Other than that, it's wonderful not to have to worry about it... although I should admit I worry during my period about expelling, but I guess I'd know if it if I did that?? I go back in August for a 3 month f/u to see how I'm doing with it. So far, so good! I would recommend it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
Mon, 06-07-2004 - 4:28pm
I was interested in an IUD and was told by my doctor that I would not make a good candidate due to my unstretched uterus as I am childless. Not to mention that my uterus is small to begin with. I was not happy with the news.

I left the office that day with a prescription for the patch, which is low hassle (only think of it once a week). The NuvaRing only has the be bothered once every 3 weeks and after your period week. Another low hassle option is the shot which you tend every 3 months. I know those are hormonal like the pill, but they are much lower maintanence if that is your main concern.

Why are the pills not cutting it anymore?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
Mon, 06-07-2004 - 4:51pm
The only thing I dislike about the pill is the increased chance of potentially fatal complications. I'm the kind of person who worries about things to excess, and I've found myself becoming increasingly anxious about life-threatening side effects of my pills. I chalk this up to two things - being on a new pill and having the mood changes that come with a new formulation. I'm hoping that in a few weeks this anxiety will subside and I'll again be happy on the pill, but if it doesn't, I'd rather get off combined hormonal contraceptives entirely. the amount of progesterone in the Mirena is low, and because it's targeted directly at the tissue the chances of thrombophilic episodes are much lower. Basically, I'd like to worry less. Being on the patch and the ring (which I've considered and heard so many good things about) probably wouldn't stop me worrying, as I'd still be on combined homormonal contraception.

But, yeah, I'm going to try and stick with these new pills for at least 6 months and hope that I end up loving them. I just like having a backup plan in mind. ;)

Oh, and thanks everyone for your stories, from what you're saying it seems like there's a decent chance my doctor will be OK with it, but I shouldn't get my heart set on it or anything. That just makes me more motivated to stick with my pills until these side effects diminish.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2002
Mon, 06-07-2004 - 11:55pm
I have an IUD, and I have not had children. I cannot tell you much about the insertion, as I was under a general anaesthetic (I had a hysteroscopy, and they inserted the IUD at the same time). It has been absolutely fantastic for me, and the longer i have it, the better things are getting (I had a lot of bleeding problems on other contraceptives). I was actually encouraged to consider an IUD for contraception quite a while before I actually got one inserted, and this was by more than one doctor as well. But living in New Zealand, from what I've read from other posts, it seems our doctors are more open to the idea of IUDs being inserted in women that haven't had children.

Two things to be sure of are that 1) you are not pregnant, and 2) you definitely don't have any infections of any kind.

Janet