Chrting w/ IUD

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-2005
Chrting w/ IUD
6
Sat, 04-14-2007 - 10:11pm

I posted this on the charting board and just wanted to see if anyone here had any thoughts...

I am getting ready to get a Paragard (copper IUD) after being on BC pills for 3 months and NuvaRing before that for awhile (and every other thing at one point or another). I would really prefer to use NFP but at this point my BF wants as close to 100% reliable as possible . I am trying to do that with as little effect on my body as possible so I am going to try Paragard to see what I am like without hormones for the first time in many years. I would like to learn how to chart so that I can do it when we are ready to conceive and also so I can understand my cycle better. My question is would this work with an IUD in? I imagine the temp would be fine but I wonder if it would effect my cervical mucous? I am planning on buying TCOYF and it may talk about this in there but I don't know. I've only glanced through the book. Thanks.

Also, any advice on the IUD? I had one before and I remember it hurt a little but not terribly. I should be able to go right back to work after the appointment right?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sat, 04-14-2007 - 10:43pm

Hi snoflake1024, welcome!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-2005
Sat, 04-14-2007 - 11:04pm
I am not going to chart for BC purposes. Just to practice and get to know my body better.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2006
Sun, 04-15-2007 - 7:38am

I went back to work right after my appt. I just took some ibuprofen.

As for charting an IUD can change your CM if I remember correctly. Jill knows much more about charting then I do though.

ETA: apparently I'm slow since Jill had already posted when I hit post :D

-Mel




Edited 4/15/2007 10:01 am ET by lola_spencer

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2005
Sun, 04-15-2007 - 8:33pm
I, on the other hand, took the rest of the afternoon off after my IUD appointment. The cramps were a little more than I was used to (probably because I never get cramps anyway) and overall I was in need of some nurturing because I had been a little nervous and scared about getting it done. So I went home, put on my comfy jammies, took a nap and spent the rest of the afternoon watching TV. I felt great the next day.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
Sun, 04-15-2007 - 9:47pm

I've had a Paragard since September. I can still tell when I'm ovulating, I'm crampy for a couple of hours. I don't know about the CM, though. I have found that I have a lot more discharge throughout my cycle. It might have been a little thinner when I was ovulating, but I haven't really thought about it.

Best wishes

Sallie

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2002
Thu, 04-19-2007 - 12:30am

Hi snoflake1024.

From what I recall, TCOYF doesn't mention anything about the IUD and CM, because when TTA, it assumes you are just using NFP/FAM, and do not have another method of birth control. And of course, when TTC, the IUD doesn't apply.

Even if your CM changes because of the IUD, you should still see a pattern of changes in the type of CM during your cycle as you approach ovulation, and into your luteal phase. Even if you have more CM than normal, you should still be able to classify it.

And when you start TTC, if your CM changes with the removal of the IUD, then at least you will have learned how to identify the types of CM during your cycle. It might take a couple of months to get used to the difference, but it shouldn't be too confusing by that point.

If you want more info, try the Fertility Charting Board over at the parenting messageboards:

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-pstempchart

Or click on the NFP/FAM link in my siggie to go to to the NFP/FAM Board - there are a bunch of us over there that are charting for various reasons.