Trying to decide

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2006
Trying to decide
3
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 9:44am

I'm trying to decide which bc method is right for me at this point in my life.

A little bit of background information:
I have been on the pill, had Norplant, received depo shots, all of which worked quite well. However, after stopping the pill (due to major hormonal headaches of migraine proportion) I have discovered that all of these methods severely reduced my libido. I have been hormone-free for about the last 9 months and both myself and my husband love the change in my libido. The only problem is that now we are using condoms and the spontaneity factor is a bit of a downer. (Not to mention the potential failure rate!) I just turned 40, we have 2 kids (almost 5 & 6 1/2) and are fairly certain we are done in that area. We have discussed sterilization and both of us are generally receptive to the idea. (I would almost prefer to have it done myself so that I don't have to deal with the injured man syndrome!! lol) Spoke with the GYN about it and while she said she would do it, she seemed to me to not truly be in favor of it. She mentioned Mirena, which sparked my interest, but I really want to be hormone free. The GYN said that the hormones released would be localized and not systemic, but this seems to be in sharp contrast to some of the messages I've read on the internet. Reading about a regular (copper) IUD has peaked some of my curiosity, but I'm not crazy about having heavier periods. My periods are definitely heavier off of any bc than they were before. I don't generally have painful periods, but they have gotten more predictable as I have gotten older.

So, I guess what I am really asking is does anyone have any information, advise, suggestions, first-hand experience? Anything you can offer would definitely be appreciated!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-27-2006
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 10:38am
I got the Para-Guard IUD in September and I love it. I could not be on hormones anymore either. My periods are heavier now but I think it is just because they were so light when I was on the pill. They aren't any heavier than they were in my pre-pill days. Yours may stay the same since you haven't been on hormones. The only cramps I've had were from ovulating again after so long. It is nice not to have to worry about remembering the pills. Very spontaneous and my libido has improved off the pill. Make sure they leave the strings long enough as they can be hard to find until you know what you're looking for. I did have any allergy test before I got it put in as I am sensitive to many metals. I would recommend it to anyone. Also, the Para-Guard is good for up to ten years.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-06-2004
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 10:40am

I, too, am wondering aboaut the side effects of the IUD. The information about cramping scares me; I ahve never had problems with heavy periods, and cramping has really been minimal. I don't particularly want to start at this point in my life (I am 46). Does anyone have any suggestions? I can't handle the hormonal side effects (irritability, weight gain) of the pill, Nuva Ring, etc.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-22-2005
Thu, 03-23-2006 - 10:14pm

I got the copper T IUD about a month ago and am having my first period with it in. I can tell you that I had a few cramps the first day nothing painful enough to make me take anything. The bleeding is heavier than my pill periods but nothing unusally heavy. Regular tampons work well. Except for the cramps on day one of my period which was two days ago I have had no cramps. I can tell you that I absolutely LOVE MY IUD. I wish I had gotten it years ago. I hope that has helped some. I highly recommend this method of birth control for those who can use it. I love being hormone free.

Brianne