IUD appointment

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
IUD appointment
10
Sat, 06-24-2006 - 12:29am

So, I did it--I made an appointment to have an IUD put in at Planned Parenthood. Stupid insurance isn't accepted anywhere around here, and stupid BC pills don't work with my migraine meds anymore. Thankfully, the migraine meds work. =) Hopefully it'll save me some money as my insurance wouldn't have covered the device anyways, just the exam.

I think I'll go for the copper/Paragard--less chance of anything hormonal, and it lasts longer.

So, any advice, words of encouragement, do's, dont's, etc? I'm rather excited!

Between two doses of antibiotics for sinuses, and starting on anti-seizure stuff for headaches, we've had to use backup since February. That's my story for now...I've read the posts about IUDs and they were quite encouraging. I'm just a bit scared I may expel it as I don't have children (20 years old). Or, the doctor may refuse my request. But, it is P.P., so I don't think so... It's my last hope for B.C.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-21-2005
Sat, 06-24-2006 - 9:56am

Well congrats on taking the first step, hopefully you'll be as happy with paragard as I am. I wouldn't worry too much about expulsion; I am 24 now and have never had children, but I was 22 when I first got an IUD and I didn't have any issues with that.

Anyway, the only "advise" I have is to take 2 ibprofeun before your appointment. A lot of doctors will recommend that to you when you make the appointment, but I know I didn't do it the first time thinking "what difference could that really make?" It does make a difference though, trust me.

Well that's about the only good advise I have, but good luck!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-20-2000
Sat, 06-24-2006 - 1:25pm
Just wanted to wish you luck with insertion. If you're on your period, it will make it easier. Have someone drive you to and from the doctor's office. You will NOT feel up for driving afterwards. Just go home and curl up on the couch and take a nap afterwards. That's what I did!

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The WeatherPixie

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 06-24-2006 - 9:45pm

I agree to take the ibuprophen and do it during your period if possible (gross I know) - I had mine inserted the week after my period, per doctors orders, and it was quite painful for 2-3 minutes, after that I was fine to go about my day. I didn't need any help getting home or taking care of my 2 little kids afterwards. I had some very minor cramping and then some strange spotting for a couple of days and a period 2 weeks later.


Good luck!


 Jenn 

Mommy to Megan 1/20/01 & Sean 11/11/03

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 06-25-2006 - 12:07am

>>So, I did it--I made an appointment to have an IUD put in at Planned Parenthood<<


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-06-2005
Sun, 06-25-2006 - 1:34pm

Good Luck! I've had a Paragard IUD since last August and am very happy with it. During the first few months, I worried about about expelling it, but that anxiety has passed with time.

My significant other drove me to the appointment and home, but quite honestly, I would have been fine driving myself there and back. I did take ibuprofin before the appointment. There was a very brief second of sharp pain during the insertion, but other than that, I wouldn't even describe things as uncomfortable.

I was on antibiotics for 10 days afterwards and my dr. advised my partner and I to use a condom until I got my first period to minimize the risk of infection. She also told me not to use tampons for the first two cycles. I use them now with no problem.

I work out 4-6 days a week, but I had to stop that for a month afterwards and was limited to walking (doctor's orders).

Since then, I've resumed my usual schedule of activities. I'm very happy with my choice. It's great to not think about b/c at all any more.

The initial cost is steep (mine was $450), but then there is no cost for the next 10 years. I paid over $450 for the pill each year since my insurance didn't cover the type my doctor prescribed. So, in the long run, it's less expensive.

I don't have children, and don't plan to. I'm not sure how much of an influence that had on whether my doctor thought it was a good option for me. I had to stop the pill due to blood pressure concerns that have since gone away.

I hope this helps.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-02-2004
Sun, 06-25-2006 - 4:46pm

I had a Mirena IUD inserted then end of March and absolutley love it. I was 22 at the time, with no children. I went with the Mirena to reduce painful periods.

The insertion itself was quite painful for me. I did take 2 tylenol before hand and had it inserted during my period. The pain was essentially very bad menstrual cramps. I felt very light headed and weak afterwards, so I was glad my SO was there to drive me home. Make sure to eat before you go! I spent the rest of the day in bed, with a heating pad. I did have some pretty severe cramping.

My doctor said I could go back to normal immediatly after the appt, she didn't give me any antibiotics or recommend I use back up, don't use tampons, etc, and I had no problems.

Good Luck,
Allison




Edited 6/25/2006 4:47 pm ET by alfitz614
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
Sun, 06-25-2006 - 8:01pm
Thanks for all the advice! =)
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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2005
Mon, 06-26-2006 - 9:29pm

I feel obligated to share my negative Paraguard experience, just to balance all the good experiences in the other responses.

First of all, I had a baby 6 months ago via c-section, so who knows what kind of difference that made in my Paraguard experience. I got it inserted in March, and initially, I didn't think the pain and cramps were that bad. But then for the next 2 months, I had pretty much constant cramping and spotting. The cramping was what made me finally decide to have it removed. I had recently been through labor and the c-section healing process, so believe me when I say the cramping was painful... I have a lot to compare it to!

My doctor educated me on Mirena at my last visit. I thought that Mirena released hormones into your body in the same way that the pill does, but that's not the case. The hormones are local, meaning they only circulate in your cervix and uterus to make the environment inhospitable for fertilization and implantation. There is no acne, weight gain, mood swings, etc, like with the pill.
Of course, he also encouraged me to get the Paraguard, and I hated it, so I don't trust his advice 100%.

Good luck with your decision. If you don't like Paraguard, you can always have it removed. The removal process was no big deal.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 06-26-2006 - 11:54pm

>>There is no acne, weight gain, mood swings, etc, like with the pill. <<


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
Wed, 06-28-2006 - 9:27pm
I'll have a full report in a few weeks. They want to insert it when AF is visiting, so hopefully she'll be on-time this month.
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