IUD good or bad?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2004
IUD good or bad?
4
Wed, 07-21-2004 - 6:59am
Thanks for the imput guys it was really helpful. I decided against the Depo because I had such an adverse reaction to the pill. I am now seriously considering the IUD which sounds really great but I wanted some personal information about it.

My mom said she actually got pregnant while on the IUD and another time it popped out, obviously this makes me wonder. I am also really confused about the different types of IUD. I know one has hormones and one doesn't but what is the difference for me? Will one make me feel differently? Change my period? Any info would be helpful, thanks a ton!

Blair

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
Wed, 07-21-2004 - 9:16am
I have never had an IUD, but there are several here who do and seem to love it. I was considering one but my husband went with the vasectomy. Look above in the FAQ. There is an excellent write-up about IUDS.

Josie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 07-21-2004 - 10:24am
The IUDs of today are alot "better" than the IUDs of the past.I have the Mirena IUD.I've had it almost a year.Your dr could better guide you as to which one is better for you in your current situation,but here's my experience.The first few months I had 2 periods each month-lasting 2 weeks and coming 2 weeks apart-they were heavier than normal.But that's somewhat normal when first getting it.After that each month was lighter and lighter.I went from using a double pack of kotex overnights to using a few pantiliners each month.WOW!!!! Up until now I basicly spotted a few days each month and that was my period....but now I haven't had a period since May.They mirena can cause some women to stop having periods.I guess that's what's happening with me.I took a test just to be sure and got a negative.My dr says as long as the string's in place there shouldn't be a pregnancy problem....She also said I might have a slight period every now and then and I might not...It's different for each woman.I'm glad I got the IUD.When it's time to replace it I definately plan on getting another one.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2004
Wed, 07-21-2004 - 12:15pm
I have the Paragard IUD (copper that lasts for 10 years). I love my IUD. I have had it since May. My first period was heavy and painful but nothing too bad. My second period was actualy light but lasted 2 weeks. It can take several months for your body to get back to "normal" with either type of IUD. I chose the copper IUD since I wasn't having good experience with hormones. There is a small risk of the IUD being expelled during the first year of use ~6%. The risk is higher if you haven't had children. If you tolerate hormones then the Mirena might be good especially if you have heavy or painful periods.

Check out the info on IUDs in FAQ. I also suggest talking to your GYN about which one is better for you. Make sure the GYN that puts in your IUD has done a lot of these, it will make it easier and there will be less chance of a problem.

Good Luck finding what is right for you! You are doing the right thing by taking the time to research and understand your options, you will be sure you made the right choice.

Avatar for atrill
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2003
Wed, 07-21-2004 - 2:00pm
Hi,

I've had the copper IUD for almost 4 years now, and have to give a mixed review. Up until now, I've loved it. I've had consistently longer periods, but the heavvy days aren't really longer, it's just drawn out with lots of spotting, etc. It also comes every 3 weeks on the dot (it used to be every 4 1/2). No extra cramping or anything, though. But I loved that I had nothing to remember, and especially no hormone side effects to deal with.

On the down side, I went to have it removed a few weeks ago (we decided to have one last baby :-) ), and ... no string! SO my midwife sent me to a doc, still no string (an ultrasound confirmed it's still in there), and I was just scheduled for SURGERY this morning! Yeah, if the string either falls off or gets pushed up into the cervical canal, it means surgery to get the darn thing out! And my dr. said not to worry, this is actually quite common! I haven't been able to find any statistics on missing strings, so maybe "common" is one percent or so, but who knows.

Anyway, as great as it was while it lasted, I don't think I'll be getting another one. But then, with my dislike of hormones, I may end up changing my mind in a few years :-). Anyway, not to scare you with something that could be purely incidental, but just my 2 cents. Good luck!

Audra