IUD experiences--please share
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IUD experiences--please share
| Thu, 06-08-2006 - 3:35am |
Hi everyone! I am thinking about having ParaGuard Copper IUD inserted soon but I have some questions for anyone who's been there/done that. I need your honest experiences with the IUD. What did the insertion feel like? Was it terribly painful and/or bloody? Was the bleeding after it was in worse than usual during your period? Was the cramping really bad during insertion and worse than your period? Has it ever fallen out? Do you find it easy to check the strings on it? Thanks in advance for your help! I really appreciate it! :)

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Also, while you are still in the 'research' mode of the IUD, I notice you only mention the Mirena.
Mirena gives out hormones, whereas Paragard does not.
I've heard of some women having pretty extreme side effects from Mirena (hair loss the worst of them) so, depending on what you are using now and how you are affected by hormones, you might want to take that into consideration.
I decided since I wasn't on any hormones before the IUD, why go with a hormonal IUD which is why I chose paragard over mirena.
I considered both types of IUDs carefully before deciding on Mirena. I had severe problems with birth control pills, but decided to go ahead and take a chance on getting a Mirena since my own problems seemed related to estrogen, the amount of hormones with Mirena is extremely low, and the incidence of side effects in studies was fairly low.
My main deciding factor was comparing failure rates. I was taking the mini pill at the time, and I was already extremely nervous about the mini pill's perfect use failure rate of 0.5%. Paragard's failure rate ranges from 0.6-0.8%, and since I was already nervous about 0.5%, I couldn't see myself feeling good about getting something less effective. Mirena has a failure rate of only 0.1%.
I've had my IUD almost two years now and I've had no side effects. I haven't used a single tampon since I got it, and my periods are now nothing more than a tiny bit of spotting.
I just got my Paragard IUD inserted last month. I'm on my first period since getting it and my cramps are horrible. I am same as you. 21, no kids, monogomous. It can take up to three months for your body to adjust to it. I read your body only recognizes it while you're on your period because your muscles are contracting and releasing to move all the lining out.
Ibuprofen is a wonder drug. I recommend ThermaCare menstrual cramp relief pads. Buy a heating pad. Take hot baths.
It's not so much that the pain gets better. Its more like you just get used to it.
My strings are very long. The doctor didn't trim them because she wants everything to settle down first. I go in for my one month checkup pretty soon.
I went with Paragard because synthetic hormones make me crazy. Even teensy amounts of 'em.
Good luck!
And keep researching. Livejournal.com has some great communities about this. IUD_DIVAS is a good one.
I have the Mirena. I took Ibuprofen before my insertion & I had no pain during the procedure but did cramp a tiny bit once I got home. Nothing as bad as period cramps though. I have had a colposcopy & biopsy of my cervix & the insertion was no where nearly as bad as those. One thing to take into consideration though is I had my IUD inserted about 6 weeks after giving birth to my 4th child so that could be a reason why it wasn't as painful.
As far as bleeding, I spotted off & on for about 3 weeks but that was b/c I went right back into my regular routine which included Pilates, running, & some weights. Once I noticed that I seemed to spot more after working out I decided to stop working out for a week, after the week the spotting stopped & I continued with my normal exercise.
The strings are super easy to check. My Dr. left them on the long side until my first recheck to let it settle into my uterus, during my recheck she trimmed them up & everything has been great.
I have no experience with the Paragard but I know that I love the Mirena & would totally recommend it. I had tons of reservations about it at first - something about foreign objects in my body bothers me LOL but I came around & am so glad I did.
Good Luck with your decision!!
Bree
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