IUD users please help Mirena vs Paragard

Avatar for melissa_jpf
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
IUD users please help Mirena vs Paragard
11
Fri, 08-11-2006 - 7:23pm

Please help with any info you can. If you are using an IUD, which are you using and why did you choose that one?

As I said in another thread I would love to go hormone free to see if they are the cause of my non-existent libido after taking pills for approximately 15 years, but am not looking forward to my pre-pill cramps coming back.

What are the pros and cons of each IUD?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Fri, 08-11-2006 - 8:58pm

I have a Mirena IUD. I initially chose it simply because of the difference in effectiveness between it and Paragard. Mirena has a failure rate of 0.1%, or 1 in 1000. Paragard ranges from 0.6-0.8%, or 6-8 in 1000.

I've been very pleased with Mirena. I had been planning on getting a tubal or Essure done, but I love not having periods and at this point, there's no other birth control method I'd ever consider.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
Sat, 08-12-2006 - 12:34am

I chose a Paragard because I didn't want any hormones in me. I have migraines and take medications that reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, I don't know if the Mirena would have been a problem meds wise, but migraines wise--probably.

I just got it put in today--a few cramps even with high Advil doses, but I've never really had cramps before. They usually like to put Paragards into people who had lighter, less crampy periods to begin with because it causes heavier and crampier ones as the Mirena may lighten or stop your period all together.

I also liked that it lasted 10 years for the same cost and trouble versus 5 with the Mirena. I don't plan on having kids for about that long anyways since I'm only 20. But, mainly, I didn't want hormones in me.

If you had trouble with cramps before getting an IUD, talk to your doctor/gyn, because they may not suggest a Paragard for you. Good luck!

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Avatar for melissa_jpf
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Registered: 04-03-2003
Sat, 08-12-2006 - 9:16am

That's what I was afraid of... killer cramps run in the family... one reason I kept taking Triphasil for those 15 years, even though I wasn't in a relationship for most of them, was because of the lighter periods and less cramping I experienced when I was on the pill.

The reason I'm wanting to switch from the pill is because I think it has killed my libido. I wonder if the hormones in Mirena would have the same effect?

Avatar for melissa_jpf
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Registered: 04-03-2003
Sat, 08-12-2006 - 10:23am

Just another thought...

Are the increased cramps and longer/heavier periods associated with Paragard worse than just normal non-pill bad cramps and periods? I mean, if I hadn't been on the pill for 15 years I would have been having bad cramps and heavy periods anyway... so is it possible the Paragard would cause that kind of cramps/periods or even worse?

These are all things I will be discussing with the doctor next Thursday, but if anyone can point me in the direction of the information now, I would appreciate being able to research it before I go.

If the cramps and periods were just going to be as bad as before, I could deal with that. I just don't want them to be worse.

I really want a tubal... I don't want kids. It would make my life so much easier if I can get the doctor to agree to it. I'm 35 years old... I should be able to make that decision for myself.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 08-12-2006 - 10:56am

I used the Paragard for about 7 months last year and I loved being off hormones- I also get migranes (only

 Jenn 

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

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-06-2005
Sat, 08-12-2006 - 1:14pm

I've had a Paragard IUD for just over a year now and love it. I just turned 46, have no children and don't plan to. I was on bcp for many years prior to the IUD.

While much is said about your period being longer and heavier while using the paragard, I really haven't found that to be the case. I rarely use more than a "normal" absorbancy tampon. Usually, I need tampons for 4 days. I have noticed that my period starts more slowly than I remember it doing (pre-bcp). There usually is a day when I know it's coming but don't need a tampon (but use a panty-shield), four days with a tampon and then one day with a panty-shield.

I don't get cramps. From what I remember (pre-pill), I was never really bothered by bad cramps very much. However, now I don't have them at all.

I'm very happy with my choice. Had I known sooner how easy it would be, I would have likely done it years ago.

I hope this helps.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Sat, 08-12-2006 - 2:27pm
You are certainly more than old enough to make up your own mind. If your doctor doesn't want to do a tubal, then call around to other doctors until you find one who will do it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
Sat, 08-12-2006 - 4:58pm

Hi Melissa,

I ultimately went with the Paragard. Having been on birth control pills for 11 years, i gradually developed typical side effects: moodiness, insomisa, depression, low libido, and skin discoloration on my face. The skin was the most obvious and was the trigger for me to stop the pill.

I read that side effects like the skin coloration and the libido are caused by your body not ovulating. I then read that the it's actually the progestin in the pill which stops ovulation. Jill on this board looked up some Mirena info which says that some percentage (25-55%) of Mirena users are non-ovulatory, presumably due to the progestin in the Mirena. I didn't want to chance the continuation of any of my birth control pill side effects on the Mirena.

To eliminate the side effects and see what i feel like hormone-free, i went with the paragard on August 1. Not looking forward to my first period, and can't say i won't ditch the paragard if my period is too awful, but i figured life is too short to *not* try going without hormones.

fuchsia

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-15-2006
Sat, 08-12-2006 - 11:03pm

I chose Paragard due to its having no hormones. I have no kids, so it was a bit more painful.

I love it. i've had it since may and the only problem i've noticed are the cramps since my body is still adjusting to it.

Paragard is good for 10+ years, whereas Mirena is only 5 years.

Avatar for melissa_jpf
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Sun, 08-13-2006 - 9:05am

The problem with that is that I can't go to just any doctor. I have to make sure they are on my insurance list of preferred doctors or they won't cover it.

I did find an Essure trained doctor that is on my insurance though. So if that procedure is covered I may try for it instead of the surgery.

If I can't get anyone to agree to sterilization, then I'm starting to lean towards the Paragard IUD. I would really like to see how my body reacts to giving up the hormones.

I'm taking notes, printing out things to show to the doctor... I'm going to be prepared to ask many questions about all of these things when I get there...

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