Getting Cooper IUD & SCARED TO DEATH!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2004
Getting Cooper IUD & SCARED TO DEATH!!!
7
Sat, 09-11-2004 - 10:16am
Thank you for responses to my questions about the Mirena IUD. My DR finally called me back, after a week & half, she suggested the Paragard since I'm so concerned about spotting. I'll have to wait until my next period at the end of this month to get it inserted, if I don't chicken out by then! I getting a little better about being so scared, I've stopped crying when I think about actually going for it. I'm not sure why I'm so worried. I think I'm afraid that once I get it I'll be in pain and bleeding, I feel like I'm messing up a good thing, I rarely have cramps now, and have light periods that last about 4 to 5 days. Also, if I do start spotting, there goes my sex life!

Ladies, any words of encouragement and reassurance (and honest response about your experience) would be very helpful. Thanks for listening!
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2004
Sat, 09-11-2004 - 10:33am
I have the copper IUD. The first few months I had longer heavier periods (as is expected for either type of IUD) Since then I have been back to normal, only a little twinge for cramps, and my typical 7 days of bleeding. The odd thing is I used to start heavy and it would get lighter, now I start with spotting, it gets heavy and then I end with spotting. Good Luck on your decision, just remember it will take time to get back to normal.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2003
Sun, 09-12-2004 - 2:57pm
Hi there swwg,


I just wanted to give my two cents about getting a copper IUD. I just got mine on Thursday (the 9th) and I really only had cramps the day I got it. I did feel a tiny tiny bit crampy on Friday and fine since then. I have also only had a tiny bit of spotting since then also.


If you would like to read about my experience, I posted it down in the "Off-topic Discussions" (but you can click the link to get there also).


About not having sex if you are spotting or on your period, I've read about some ladies here using Instead Soft Cups so you (and your guy) can't tell you are even on your period!

I haven't had the chance to use them, but they sure sound wonderful (and I am going to check them out next time I am in the US visiting my family).


If you have any questions, I would love to answer them the best I can.






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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 09-12-2004 - 4:00pm
Hi Heather,

I'm glad your IUD experience is going so well!

Before you try Instead check with your doctor and see what s/he says about using it with an IUD. I think there is a caution from the Instead mfg. about not using Instead with an IUD as there is a possibility of it pulling on the strings during removal. Some practitioners say they see no problem so you should be guided by your doctor’s advice.

Take care,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2003
Sun, 09-12-2004 - 5:02pm
Thanx for that info Jill! I hadn't even thought about that. By the time I do get to the US to get the Instead cups, it will be nearing my 3 month check up marker and I can ask the dr then about it before trying them. He did tell me he cut the strings a bit short so that there hopefully won't be a problem with tampons and what-not.


Will let ya know more if I hear something.






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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 11:13am
Hi! I've had my Copper IUD for 5 weeks & so far it's been wonderful! I, too, was super scared before I got it...I was so nervous about insertion & about having long periods with painful cramps. I took 800 mg of ibuprofin about a 1/2 hour before the insertion...the actual insertion only took about 5 minutes & the most painful part was a "pinch" feeling in my stomach that occured while the doctor was sounding my uterus. Then my doctor told me that it was in & I couldn't believe it...it was so quick & had been virtually painless except for the pinching sensation during the sounding. I was crampy for the next few days & I felt a bit bloated, too, but the cramps were very minor. I would take 2 ibuprofins whenever I felt crampy & I would feel fine! The crampiness then subsided to the very occasional cramp for about a week & then they went away altogether!

I was really nervous about my 1st period with the IUD, too! At the very beginning of my period I experienced about 2 days of light spotting & felt only a few isolated cramps! Then my period got a bit heavier for about 3 days, but not as heavy as I had expected, & I felt no cramps! I had been on BCP's for about 6 years, which had made my periods very light, & stopped taking them right before my IUD was inserted, so my period might have been a little light from having been on BCP's for a while.

I am so happy with my Copper IUD! I hope that you are happy with yours! If you have any more questions, please let me know! There is also a very good IUD web community with a "memories" section that provides a ton of info: http://www.livejournal.com/community/iud_divas/

Good luck!

Avatar for heidee0
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 4:27pm
I have had Paragard for 20 months. I will turn 44 in December and DH and I are done having kids. I was on the pill for 10 years but stopped when I started getting migraines. I really like my IUD. My periods are a bit longer and heavier but the pros out weigh the cons for me and I LOVE not having to think about contraception. A little spotting doesn't stop DH and I from sex (wink, wink).

I know everyone reacts differently but my insertion went fine. I went back to work afterwards. I just had a bit of cramping and spotting for a few days. My first couple of periods were a bit long but not a big deal.

Heidi

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2004
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 7:11pm
I have the paragard and I asked my doctor about Insteads, she said they were fine to use. I guess I'll read the instead pamhlet since I never noticed that before. But I have been using them for several months with my IUD with no problem.