Thinking about an IUD, please help

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-25-2004
Thinking about an IUD, please help
5
Sat, 09-25-2004 - 11:07pm
I'd like to hear from anyone who has an IUD, how you feel about it, obviously it works for you or you wouldn't have it!

I'm 37, done with childbearing and was thinking about going back on the pill. I worry about weight gain, stroke and heart attack risk and all that since it's higher now that I'm over 35, even though I'm not a smoker.

My doctor said he believes that IUD is the best option for married women.

I love the idea of not having to take a pill everyday and possibly forgetting (that's how I got my dear sweet second baby boy, not complaining at all!) But now we are quite sure we're done and I need something foolproof, short of vasectomy, we're not quite there yet.

But I have to admit the insertion process sounds awful to me. Although I delivered a 10 pound baby, I suppose I can handle having an IUD placed, but it sounds awful. And the idea of having a foreign object in my body for years at a time, seems weird. But at this point it really is what I'm leaning toward. I have a consultation with the OB/GYN on Tuesday.

Any opinions or thoughts you can share with me would be most appreciated. Thanks!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-09-2004
Sat, 09-25-2004 - 11:42pm
I have a copper iud. Mine was inserted on August 4th this year. So my experience is very limited. I will tell you after having three kids, a d&c from miscarriage, and breast reduction...this was hardly anything on the pain scale. I'm not saying it doesn't hurt, but a couple of motrin will help. I've had bee stings that hurt worse than this did. But everyone is different...

So far I absolutely love mine. I chose the copper one because I can't handle the hormones in bcp's and because well the options just didn't work for me. My midwife swears up and down that I could use the merina and not have problems, but I wasn't willing to take the risk personally. I would check out the webpages for both the merina and the paraguard copper iuds. I can't do justice to explaining the procedures, but they do have alot of good info on there.

I am really happy with my decision to go with the iud. One piece of advice I would offer is that you make sure you are using some one who has lots and I do mean lots of experience with inserting iuds.

I hope this helps with your decision.

paraguard.com

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 09-26-2004 - 9:36am
I've had the mirena IUD for over a year now and love it.The insertion was mainly ALOT of pressure and some cramping (not constantly)....mega ibuprofen helped alot.I didn't have alot of bleeding/spotting after insertion but the first 3 months my periods lasted 16+ days and came 2 weeks apart and were heavier than normal....They got lighter each month after and went back to just once a month.After about 6-7 months they were really light to where I basicly just "spotted" for a period.I went from using a double pack of kotex overnights pads to just a few pantiliners each month.Now at 1 year IF I HAVE A PERIOD-some months I don 't (which is normal with the Mirena) I basicly spot for a day or two and it's over-very little cramping-just a few twinges around "that time" to let me know she's coming....I have gone 10 weeks w/o having a period-but spotted for 16+ days to make up for it....My dr said that's somewhat normal...you might have a period and then you might not-every woman's different and reacts different to the Mirena....All in all I'm very pleased.I am 32 and have 1 baby and due to high blood pressure problems my dr will only put me in the mini pill (which I didn't have good experiences with) or the IUD....so considering my choices I love it!!! It's good for 5 years-effective from day one-and when it's time to replace I definately plan to get another one....I had to pay for it totally up front ($400) and file insurance and wait to be paid back-that was the only bad thing I guess....

www.mirena.com/

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Sun, 09-26-2004 - 10:26am
I have a Mirena IUD. We had been considering a vasectomy, but I chose the Mirena instead. It has an effectiveness of 99.9%, which is just as good as a vasectomy, and has the advantage of not requiring a surgical procedure and the possible risks. Vasectomies are fairly low-risk, but if a man has complications, it can require extra surgery and he may never be entirely free of pain.

I've been very pleased with it. My personality has improved from not being on the pill, I love having periods that are so light they might as well not even be happening. I'm hoping they do away completely soon. It's been wonderful not having to think about it, and knowing it's good for 5 years.

The insertion process wasn't bad at all. I thought it sounded weird and I was terrified, but it didn't really hurt getting it placed and I quickly got used to it. Now I hardly even give it a second thought, other than checking the string every now and then.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-25-2004
Sun, 09-26-2004 - 5:07pm
Thank you all for your input. That pretty much makes up my mind, now I just need to do a bit of research on which will work best for me. And to call my insurance company. Not having a co-pay each month on pills will be great, but hopefully I won't have to pay out of pocket for the IUD.

Thanks all!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-24-2004
Sun, 09-26-2004 - 8:37pm
check this out if your insurance won't cover an IUD

FREE IUD? Contact ARCH Foundation for financial assistance for women whose insurance doesn't cover IUD.

http://www.archfoundation.com/About.htm