Which is the safer option?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2006
Which is the safer option?
1
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 1:21pm

We are due in June with our 11th baby (no misprint ;-) We would like to be done with our child bearing. The permanancy of a TL doesn't really bother us much so what we're down to is effectiveness and side effects. The methods that we are considering are the copper IUD and TL.

I see with either choice one has the potential of having a ectopic pregnancy. Since I am so fertile I'd like to know the percentage rate of each one if anyone knows it.

Do they typically give any form of pain relief when they insert the IUD? I'm a huge chicken so while I read that the Dr has you take motrin 1 hr before hand I can't imagine that would be enough for me.

Thank you for anyother websites, help or advice that you can offer.

Lisa

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 4:23pm

Hi kosherkraut1992, welcome!

Congratulations on the forthcoming addition to your family!

>>what we're down to is effectiveness and side effects. The methods that we are considering are the copper IUD and TL.<<

According to efficacy table in the 18th revised edition (2004) of Contraceptive Technology http://www.contraceptivetechnology.com/table.html

ParaGard (copper T) 0.8% to 0.6% failure rate

Mirena (LNG-IUS) 0.1% to 0.1% failure rate

This is what Planned Parenthood has to say about IUDs: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/medicalinfo/birthcontrol/pub-contraception-iud.xml

Possible side effects of IUDs are heavier bleeding for the ParaGard, lighter shorter periods for Mirena, a greater possibility of any pregnancy being ectopic and a slight possibility of expulsion for both types of IUDs. And you should wait several months after giving birth for your uterus to return to it’s non-pregnant state before an IUD is inserted.

Female Sterilization 0.5% failure rate

Male Sterilization 0.15% to 0.10% failure rate

The MedlinePlus article about TLs is at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002913.htm and information about Tubal Ligations on the Planned Parenthood site is at: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/medicalinfo/birthcontrol/pub-tubal-sterilization.xml

With LTs there is the possibility, though rare, of post tubal ligation syndrome. A good article on the condition can be found at http://www.wdxcyber.com/nbleed9.htm. If I were you I would talk to your doctor about your concerns and see what s/he says.

>>Do they typically give any form of pain relief when they insert the IUD? I'm a huge chicken so while I read that the Dr has you take motrin 1 hr before hand I can't imagine that would be enough for me.<<

Often IUDs are inserted during the patient’s period when the cervix is somewhat dilated. You should also mention to your doctor your concern about pain and s/he can give you something (more than a pill) before beginning the procedure.

Thanks for coming by to post. I hope your delivery goes well. Please ask if you have more questions. Let us know which method your and your doctor chose, ok?

Good luck and
(((HUGS)))

      Jill