IUD - never been pregnant

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
IUD - never been pregnant
6
Fri, 07-23-2004 - 2:28pm
hi everyone!

i have been thinking a while about getting an iud and am wondering if anyone here can share their experience if they have or have had an iud and never been pregnant. i'm mostly interested in the copper iud as i am NOT a big fan of hormones, but anything you can offer would be appreciated!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2004
Fri, 07-23-2004 - 11:05pm
Hi-

I have the copper IUD that is good for 10 years and am very happy with it. Mine was put in in May. I don't have children but it wasn't a problem for my doctor. I was looking for a long term BC that was very effective without hormones and it seemed that this was the right answer for me.

My periods are longer than they were but no heavier (after the first one), and my doctor said to expect them to get better for the first few months.

I love that it isn't effecting me like the hormones did, and I can't forget to use it :)

Good Luck!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 1:42pm
thanks lee!!! i'm glad to hear of someone with no complications. it seems like everyone is so cautionary about getting the iud if you have never been pregnant before. i'm definitely going to talk to my obgyn about it!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-2004
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 4:56pm
Hi kitalyn414,

I had the copper paragard IUD put in just a few months ago and I also haven't had children. I was very interested in the no-hormones aspect of the copper IUD also, as the hormones don't seem to get along well with my body.

My doctor had no problem puting the IUD in for me (but some prefer not to do them with women who have no children. You just have to find the right doctor). She did however make sure that I was in a serious monagamous relationship..because it is quite risky to have the IUD while having multiple sexual partners.

The insertion was a bit painful, but nothing unbearable. I took ibuprofen a few hours before going in, and that seemed to help. And I decided to take that day off of work, which was a good choice since I was a bit crampy for the remainder of the day.

The following week, I had some minor cramps, and spotting..but those cleared up right away. I absolutely love my IUD. Most women get longer and more painful periods, but mine actually got MUCH lighter (just light spotting--no pain). Which is very nice.

I must say that the best part of the whole deal, is no more hormones in my body. yay!

Good luch with your decision!

~*Shopgrli

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 6:17pm
thanks shopgrli! one question i have...

i'm currently in a serious relationship, and if i were to at somepoint have a new partner, we would always use condoms until we are certain we are both disease free and monogamous. so is it risky to use the iud if you have multiple partners because of stds, or are there other risks?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2004
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 6:54pm
The risk is associated with PID (pelvic inflamation disease). This is generally associated with STD's. So if you use condoms with any new partner until you are tested I would think your risk would be small. To be sure check with your doctor.

Good Luck!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-2004
Wed, 07-28-2004 - 4:04pm
I had the same question for my doctor, considering that I'm not married...just in a long-term relationship. Just as 'lee ap' said, the primary risk of having the IUD and multiple sexual partners, is the increased risk of contracting an STD, which could lead to PID (a very serious infection). It would probably be best to talk to your doctor more in depth of the these risks though, as they can probably give you more thourough answers!

~*Shopgrli