ParaGard Vs. Minera
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| Wed, 08-25-2004 - 11:21am |
So right now I'm "shopping" for a new GYN. It seems its hard to find one that has both evening hours and a williness to discuss IUDs. I found one who says she only give out the ParaGard type, not the Minera because they've had some problems with the Minera.
So my main question, for those who have IUDs is, really how much of a difference in them is there? Anyone out there who has used both? I know the ParaGard tends to increase bleeding and I liked the concept of possibly stopping my periods with the Minera.
Here's why I'm thinking of getting an IUD:
1. I'm sick of the pill. I've had 2 too many potential pregnancy scares in the last year because of missing pills/taking them irregularly. I've been on the pill for over 9 years now. I need a method I don't have to think about.
2. No plans at all to have kids in the next 2+ years, probably longer.
3. The pill gives me acne, my dermatologist says only getting off it will truly clear up my skin. I'm spending $60 per month on acne meds currently.
4. I get migraines during my period. My GYN says that's because I'm going through hormone withdrawl. I can't be completely incapcitated 2 days a month!
5. Insurance will cover it completely. (I currently pay $30 per month for the pill)
Reasons to possibly not get an IUD (as I understand it)
1. I've never had children so there's a slightly greater risk of expulsion.
2. Prior to being on the pill I had irregular periods (of course, that was in high school, though, so who knows) so I may continue to have irregular periods and an element of "surprise" while on the IUD.
3. With ParaGard I might have heavier periods (currently my period lasts 4 days and I only use "regular" strength tampons, so how much worse could it be)
Is there anything else I'm missing for reasons not to get an IUD?
Thanks for your help.

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While you're waiting for IUD users to reply, take a look at the post about IUDs in the FAQs at the top of the board. There are considerable differences between the ParaGard http://www.paragard.com/ and Mirena http://www.mirena-us.com/ ParaGard has no hormones, is effective for 8-10 years, does not affect ovulation and bleeding might be heavier. Marina continually releases a tiny bit of progestin, is effective for 5 years and will often suppress ovulation. I hope you can find a gyn who will work with you. Let us know what you decide.
Good luck,
Jill
I've also never had children. My doctor mentioned the possibility that insertion could hurt more and that expulsion might be more likely. As it turned out, everything went fine. From what I've read, the risk of expulsion is very tied into the doctor's experience with inserting IUDs. If it is not inserted very well, it is more likely to be expelled. This means you should get a doctor who is very familiar with IUDs.
If you do have irregular periods and have Mirena, at the least the amount of bleeding should hopefully decrease dramatically, so maybe the irregularity won't even be an issue.
I can't think of any reason not to get an IUD. I have been thrilled since I got mine. After so many years of having to deal with remembering pills and having horrible side effects, all the hassles are gone. I had always heard that women without children couldn't have IUDs so I never knew it was an option until recently. I wish I'd done this years ago.
I have had the copper Paragard IUD for almost four months now and I absolutely love it. My worries were very similar to yours before getting it, but all of the negative things that I heard could happen with the copper IUD didn't come up in my case at all.
Some doctors are definitly hesitant to insert one if you haven't had kids, but mine was alright with it as long as I understood the increased chances of expultion etc. The insertion was a bit painful (having not had any children), but nothing unbearable...I took ibuprofen before going in, and that seemed to help..and taking that day off of work is probably a good idea also. The pain was over very quickly, and then there was just some cramping (much like period cramps) for about a week afterward.
I decided to go with the Paragard, because my body has always been sensitive to the hormones in the pill and the patch...so I thought the best choice for me was going completetly hormone free.
Some women who have the Paragard, reported having increased bleeding and cramping with their periods, but I had the complete opposite reaction. I went two and a half months with no period at all, and then a couple of weeks of VERY light spotting.
I hope that you find a doctor that is willing to work with you, and honor your wishes. Good luck with whichever IUD you decide to go with!
~*Shopgrli
I've only had the ParaGard for 3 weeks, but so far I've really enjoyed it! My situation was similar to shopgrli's: I was on BCP for 6 years, but my body didn't react well to the hormones. I even tried 4 different types of BCP's! Finally I decided on the ParaGard, b/c my body seems to be so sensitive to hormones & I wanted a BC method that was super effective. I found a gyn who had a lot of experience with IUD instertions. My gyn told me that in the past 10 years, they've only had 3 patients expel their IUD's (knock on wood!).
I was extremely nervous about the insertion process, too. I took several ibuprofen an hour before the insertion & it went much smoother than I had anticipated! The part that hurt the ost was when my uterus was sounded, which felt like a strange pinch in my stomach. Before I knew it, my IUD had been inserted! It took about 3-5 minutes total.
I was crampy for about a week & a 1/2 after the insertion, but it was nothing that an ibuprofen couldn't cure. Now I am just waiting to see what happens when my period arrives! I am a bit nervous that I will be extremely heavy & crampy (my perios we very very light while I was on BCP, so I'm not sure what to expect), but I just feel so great being off hormones, that I'm willing to risk the cramps!
I hope everything goes well for you!
I called a few more gyns on my health insurance list and found one that not only has evening hours but also uses both forms of the IUD. The nurse I talked to of course cannot guarantee that the Dr. would recommend either until I was seen so I scheudled my annual for the 15th of Sept. Hopefully I'll be able to have an open conversation about this since I really don't want to continue with the pill.
Thanks again for your help & I'll let you know how it turns out.
I had mine put in during ovulation. No problems...not really that painful (I've had bee stings that hurt worse than this- I should mention that I am a big baby as far as pain is concerned). I spotted that day and then two days later af showed up. She lasted for about 7 full days. It was alittle bit heavier than normal and I had more cramps, but nothing too bad. I normally go for 6 days light to medium flow, sorry if tmi. But this wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting. Since then I have had a little bit of spotting, but nothing to complain about.
I do highly recommend while you are gyn shopping to ask how many iud's they have inserted. Make sure you find some one who has plenty of experience with iuds. I also recommend taking 800 mg of motrin before you go in to have it inserted. That helps out with any pain during insertion and afterwards. I was told to take that dose for the next few days after mine was inserted.
You might also consider checking out the webpages for both the merina and paraguard iuds to help you make your choice between the two. I chose the paraguard just strickly because I can not take anything hormonal, even though my midwife swears up and down that I would be able to handle it with no problems. Plus the 10 year plan for bc sounded wonderful.
Sorry this is so long, but I hope that it helps you to make your decision.
**EDIT** I called again and got a different person. She said that I have no family planning coverage whatsoever so no IUD coverage. I hung up and got a different person who checked with a supervisor and they said that they have no idea what any of the previous people were talking about, of course I have family planning coverage and nowhere in the policy does it restrict an IUD to a number of years. They said that's up to my doctor. I HATE UHC!!! I get a different answer everytime I call them!! It's so frustrating. I was almost ready to call & cancel my appointment with the GYN over this misinformation. Well, I'm back to trying to get an IUD. So I'll report back how it goes!
Edited 9/13/2004 4:16 pm ET ET by violetrose0
As far as your coverage for the IUD, you can always ask the doctor's office to submit paperwork with UHC for preapproval. Then you will have proof in writing beforehand of what they will cover. I don't know what UHC plan you have, but mine allows me to log on to www.myuhc.com to check my benefits. It lists IUD device and insertion under family planning and says I have 100% coverage for in-network providers with a $15 co-pay. You can also ask UHC to send you paperwork detailing your benefits. I wish you luck. It will be worth all the effort. I loved my IUD.
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