IUD Question

Avatar for mmcgirlie22
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
IUD Question
3
Sun, 07-04-2004 - 10:29am
After much thought, I had my dr. put in a referral to an Gyn doctor for an IUD placement. Being on the pill is making me sick to my stomach.

So anywho...How do I know which one is right for me?? Does the Mirena IUD have the same hormone in it as the Depo shot?? I would really like to try the Mirena one, just cuz I don't want the whole heavier period every month that comes with the copper one. I'm just afraid that if the hormonal one is like the Depo shot, then I'm gonna be screwed. See I was on the shot for 6 months. During those 6 months I was getting serious mood swings. So I got put on the pill. Anywho...if anyone can help it would be great.

TIA!

Michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: mmcgirlie22
Sun, 07-04-2004 - 11:49am
Hi Michelle, welcome back!

Mirena and Depo contain two very different progestins.

Mirena releases a continuous small dose of Levonorgestrel a relatively strong progestational activity (5.3) progestin. For information about Levonorgestrel see http://www.fpnotebook.com/GYN125.htm From the Mirena prescribing info. “Initially, levonorgestrel is released at a rate of approximately 20 µg/day. This rate decreases progressively to half that value after 5 years. MIRENA® has mainly local progestogenic effects in the uterine cavity.”

The Depo-Provera contraceptive Injection contains a large dose of medroxyprogesterone acetate, a weak progestin with a relative progestational activity: 0.3 and must be taken every 13 weeks. Medroxyprogesterone acetate is a pregnane progestin. For more information about it see: http://www.fpnotebook.com/GYN135.htm

We haven’t heard nearly the complaints about Mirena than we have about Depo. My guess would be that as far as your reaction to the progestin goes you should tolerate Mirena easily but we are all different so no one can say for sure. That would be a good question to ask your doctor.

Good luck.

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-20-2003
In reply to: mmcgirlie22
Thu, 07-08-2004 - 8:40am
Hi Michelle - Last year at this time I was in the same position as you. I do not do well on BCP's either - - I tried the patch, everything, and I had constant headachs. So, I decided to try the Mirena so as not to have the heavier periods and less hormones. Well, my GYN at that time had a hard time inserting the Mirena (I don't know why, but it was a terrible experience) so I just said forget it. I'm so thankful I did. My new GYN convinced me to try the Copper T IUD,that insertion was a "breeze" (he'd done hundreds) and that hormones are hormones, and if I got a headache with pills, I'd certainly get it with the Mirena.

Well, I'm SO GLAD that I followed his advice and did the copper IUD!!! It's been one year now since I had it placed and I can't believe how great it is. First, let me say that the insertion WAS easy - nothing like my other GYN, so just be sure your dr. has experience placing it. (I'm a wimp - even after 2 kids). Next, my period the 1st cycle after placement was very very heavy and I was so disappointed. I also had terrible cramps. My dr. told me to give it 6 months. Sure enough, the following cycle was a bit better, and so on. Now, a year later, my periods aren't any longer than they were before. The cramps are also equal to before (very little) The only thing different is I have a bit of very light spotting during OV. I think it's a great help to women who don't want to go on a hormone for BC.

Also, I just read an article in Reader's Digest last month that says, 2nd to the pill, female OBGYN's choose the copper IUD as their own birth control. Now I know why. Keep in mind that you need to give it a few months once it's in for your body to adjust. Don't get discouraged right away.

Hope this helps. Good luck - I don't think you'll be disappointed.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: mmcgirlie22
Thu, 07-08-2004 - 10:52am
I'm so glad I got the mirena IUD.It's wonderful (in my case).I had very heavy periods and due to high blood pressure problems my dr won't put me on the regular pills-I didn't have good luck with the mini pill.The first few periods that it was in my periods were heavier than normal and lasted 2 weeks and came 2 weeks apart (ANNOYING!!!!) but each month after they tapered off getting lighter and lighter.I went from using a double pack of kotex overnights to using a few pantiliners each month.I've had it almost 1 year and it looks like I'm one of the lucky ladies that it stops periods for.I had normally spotted for the past few months and this month I had NO AF....wonderful.It's good for 5 years and when it's time to think about replacement I am definately going to get another one.good luck