Anyone have IUD?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2004
Anyone have IUD?
5
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 10:39am
I am considering IUD and I was wondering if anyone has it or knows anyone that has it? I don't have children and I am afraid that IUD might have a negative affect on bearing a child. I have been on the pill for almost 7 years. I know its not good to stay on it that long. Any advice would be greatly appreciate it. Thanks
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-12-2004
In reply to: luv87882
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 11:06am
I just got an IUD put in last week. For starters, it's a bit more painful than it's portrayed. I would DEFINATELY have someone go with you to get it!!!! I ended up passing out at the check-out counter of the Dr.'s office!!! My MD told me it's not uncommon to pass out. If you read the pamphlets that come with it, fainting is listed a side effect of insertion. It really only hurt for minute. I'm still kind of weirded out by the thought of something being lodged in my uterus. I always wanted one because it's no hassle. I was crampy for 2 days afterward. The string that hangs is weirding me out a bit (it doesn't hang outside or anything). My Dr. told me she left it a little longer than usual so that it could move to the side during intercourse. Apparrently some men complain they can feel it. I chose Mirena (check-out Mirena.com)because it has a bit of hormone in it to prevent heavy periods. The hormone doesn't go into the bloodstream, so you get less side effects than the pill. My health insurance paid for the whole thing, too!!! I guess they cost a few hundred dollars. It's good for 5 years and can be removed at any time if you want to get pregnant. Good luck!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
In reply to: luv87882
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 11:53am
Are you in a long term monogamous relationship right now? If not, then you should not even consider an IUD. IUDs don't affect your future fertility, although if you acquire a sexually transmitted disease while using one and don't treat it quickly, the infection could cause severe problems.

Are you having problems with birth control pills specifically? There is no problem staying on them for many years. They don't affect your fertility or anything so if you're happy with them, there is no reason to stop taking them. An IUD could be a good choice though if you don't want children for several years and want a very easy method you don't have to think about daily.

I got a Mirena IUD a few months ago. The doctor scheduled insertion during my period and I took 800 mg of ibuprofen before the appointment. I also had my husband come with me to drive me home just in case I had difficulties. The insertion was very fast, and in spite of the fact that I've never had children, it didn't even hurt other than some light cramping and I felt fine afterwards. I had cramps for a couple days, and no problems ever since.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-20-2004
In reply to: luv87882
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 3:07pm
I've had my Mirena for about 1 1/2 years. I love it. The inseration wasn't fun, a bit crampy and I felt like cramp for the reminder of the day, but after that I felt fine. One unnerving side effect for me is the lack of a period, which my Dr. says is not uncommon. I haven't had a period since March. I think its wonderful, but it bothers my husband. I do get a tiny bit crampy and PMSy about once a month, but then its gone. I have noticed that I've gained about 15 lbs since getting it inserted, but that could be a number of things... so I wouldn't say it was the IUD specifically.


iVillage Member
Registered: 09-19-2003
In reply to: luv87882
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 6:14pm
I had my IUD inserted 5 1/2 years ago. Nobody I know had one then or has one now, but I have been very happy with it. I already have 2 children: one conceived using ((or not using)) the diaphram, and one conceived while I was nursing my firstborn and using the minipill. So... I opted for something that I didn't have to rely on myself to make it work after my second child was born.

I was also tired of hormones after my experience with different pills and w/ the depo shot. So, I opted for the copper only (no hormones) Paragard IUD.

I don't know if my OB would have given it to me if I hadn't already had children. But that may have changed over the past few years.

I have had no trouble. The first year after insertion my periods were just slightly heavier and there was a little bit of cramping. Prior to the IUD I never had cramping at all.

If you read my 'lost and found' post below, you will see that now after 5+ years I am having a complication. I will update as soon as I know what happened. But all in all, Ihave been very happy with it and hope that I can keep using the IUD.

Sheila

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: luv87882
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 12:33am
I was on different pills over the years for over 10 years and was able to have a baby with out any problems.I have had the Mirena IUD for about a year now and it's great! good luck


www.mirena.com/