ParaGard Vs. Minera

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2003
ParaGard Vs. Minera
12
Wed, 08-25-2004 - 11:21am
I'm seriously considering getting an IUD. My husband and I are both monogamous and are definitely not interested in having children for the next few years, if ever. Last year I talked to 2 different gyns about IUDs trying to get more information and the first one said that she doesn't recommend them and won't give them and the other one told me that since I'm 26 I should have babies now anyway before its too late.

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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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2003
Wed, 09-15-2004 - 4:47pm
Thanks for commenting on UHC. I complain to my company on a monthly basis about the trouble I have with them. The worst was when I needed to schedule an MRI because I had severe leg pain to the point that I had to crawl up the stairs in my home and it literally took me 3 hours of fighting with UHC to find a covered facility in my area! I was in tears.

I can log into myuhc.com but my benefits there don't say anything about family planning -- they don't really say much of anything, just a list of things not included. I've complained about that several times. The booklet they gave us is a 3 page print out just listing copays for things, not listing any particular procedures or anything useful. I always end up calling them and getting different answers each time I call. The CS reps are terrible and can never answer any questions. It's nuts!

Well, tonight is my gyn annual and my iud consult! I'm so looking forward to saying goodbye to the pill.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2003
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 2:03pm
Yipee! So I had a very good gyn exam last night. The new doctor was polite, attentive, and gentle. She took a thorough history and we went through all the forms of birth control available and discussed if they would work for me. She is hesitant of going with an IUD because she says I have a "smallish" uterus based on an utlrasound I had done in July but said that as long as I know the risks and am willing to accept them, she is willing to try. She says IUDs are her prefferred method of BC for her new moms and she's very comfortable with inserting them.

The deciding factor for her was my blood pressure. She said my bottom number was 98. My family has a terrible history of heart, blood pressure and choloesterol problems so she wants me off the pill asap. I told her over the last 3-4 years I've had numerous nurses and doctors give me a shocked look and take my blood pressure again assuming they just didn't get it right the first time. I personally want releif from the migraines so if the blood pressure gets me off the pill I'll be happy.

She recommended the Mirena for me based on my history of irregular periods. She actually wanted me to go off all BC (except condoms) for 6 months to see if my cycle evens out since I've been on the pill since I was 18. I had 3-4 periods a year while in high school. Condoms are just not a good option for me & my husband -- I have enough trouble taking the pill each day. She said that if she gave me ParaGard and I didn't get periods often enough she would want to consider giving me some progestrin to prevent too much thickening of my uterine lining. With Mirena she said even if I don't have my periods regularly at least I'll have the progestrine already.

So she's ordering the IUD for me and I should be able to get it when I start my period in a couple weeks. Yippee!

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