To IUD or not to IUD???

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-25-2005
To IUD or not to IUD???
13
Sat, 05-12-2007 - 7:31pm

Ok... I am new to this board and I am about to make an important decision regarding an IUD and I really need some input. I am on the cusp of doing it but I am afraid of serious risks... I have been reading a lot of information regarding paraguard and my Dr is ordering it for me and I have wait until my period comes for insertion. My personal issue is I have one child already... 20 months old and I am 37 and not sure if I want another but the thought of tubal ligation or vastectomy is waaaaaaaaaaay to final for me. But the thought of a foreign body in my body kind of gives me the chills. Also, the bad periods, pain etc.. I also have a history of abnormal pap smears but that did not seem to concern my doctor- or should it concern him?

Does anyone have any experiences with the paraguard IUD? What about inital insertion and periods afterwards.

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Sat, 05-12-2007 - 7:54pm

Here is my mirena insertion story. I just got it Thursday. I still have not spotted and today makes 48 hours:)

I think that the insertions are pretty similar, so I hope that part helps. As for the paragard, I do fairly well with hormonal bc and I was not interested in the possibility of more bleeding, so that is why I didn't chooose it. I have heard wonderful things about it from women who do choose it though.

I am similar in age, 36, and my son will be 14 months next week.

Good luck in your decision. Talk it out here.
Holly

Holly
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2006
Sat, 05-12-2007 - 10:08pm

HI and welcome! I'm 24 and had my son in Dec. I chose the Mirena IUD but they are similar.

I had it put in in Feb at my 6 week check up. It was mildy uncomfortable but not too painful a couple of ibuprofen did the trick. I had mild cramping and spotting for a couple of days. I spotted off and on for 6 weeks. I haven't had a period since though (one of the benefits of the Mirena).

I would definitely recommend it but I always try to tell women that there is a 3-6 month adjustment period and if you're not willing to stick it out that long then it's an expensive experiment. Women who have had a vaginal delivery tend to find it less painful to have inserted then women who don't have children.

I'm pretty sure I'm done having children but DH and I said we wouldn't make any final decisions for 5 years (conveniently the length of time the Mirena is good for). I love it because if you keep it at least 2 years its cheaper then the pill. It's the most effective reversible form of BC out there. My DH takes medication that can cause birth defects right now so it was important that we had something that we couldn't goof up KWIM?

If you have any questions feel free to ask away :D

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket



Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket



iVillage Member
Registered: 09-25-2005
Sun, 05-13-2007 - 7:36am

Thank you so much for your input... I think i made the decision NOT to do it. I am unsure if maybe I want more children within the next two years (before I turn 40) so perhaps this is not a good option for me. It also seems that the paraguard increases menstrual flow and since I have had my daughter my periods have been non eventful. It also seems that the mirena is the better choice but i feel i have been on the pill for years on and off and i don't want to put anymore hormones in my body.

Happy Mothers Day to all you dedicated mom's out there... Thank you again for the input. I am also interested in hearing about any paragard users out there...

Duty calls... my little girl has awoken!

Dina

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2006
Sun, 05-13-2007 - 7:41am

Well I'm glad that you think that you've made a decision for yourself. If you ever need other advice or want to know more about the Mirena don't be afraid to ask.

Have a good mother's day!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket



Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket



iVillage Member
Registered: 09-25-2005
Sun, 05-13-2007 - 9:45am

I think i have made the decision I just hope my decision does not lead to pregnancy sooner than I would like :) There are many factors-- I take a few meds for depression/anxiety one of which is Lamictal which seems to contraindicate with oc, I am 37 y/o... I work full time etc... Not sure if it is fair to have another. If I can work p/t then perhaps it would be worth having another. That is why I am so on the fence and really needed a lot of input about people's experiences with it as life changes and I may change my mind and then if there are issues with having the IUD removed etc...

I hope I can come to some sort of resoultion about some sort of birth control that is fool proof.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2006
Sun, 05-13-2007 - 9:56am

An IUD is the most effective reversible form of BC on the market. There aren't a lot of down sides to it in my opinion. Fertility isn't usually effected and most women can get pregnant right away after removal. The removal is quite quick and easy from what I've heard from other women.

I chose it because of the chance of birth defects of the MS medication my husband is on. He'd have to change 6 months before we decided to have another if we did.

I know I'm younger then you are but I'm struggling with the decision to have another or not. Especially with my husband's chronic illness. Money, time, health are always going to be a factor for us, and a lot of other people.

No one but you can make the decision. It's not something you have to decide in one day either.

Is there another medication you could switch to now "just in case" that would work as well for you? It might be something to consider talking to your doctor about. I don't know anything about that medication but some are okay during pregnancy and some aren't. I'd give them a ring and find out.

Good luck!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket



Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket



iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Sun, 05-13-2007 - 10:15am

If you're not wanting an IUD, and you've ruled out hormonal contraception, then you might want to go with condoms along with spermicide. Condoms are the most effective non-hormonal method after the Paragard IUD, and adding a separate spermicidal product increases the success rate.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
Sun, 05-13-2007 - 7:23pm

I've had my Paragard for about 9 months. I initially got it because I was on meds that interfered with the pill. I had to pay cash for it, so it was a big initial expense. That's actually the only reason I'm keeping it right now...the cost. I'm not on the same meds anymore, and wouldn't mind being back on the pill.

I never had problem periods before it, and now I have a period that is heavy for about 5 days, and I'll spot for up to a week after that. Also get cramps pretty bad for a couple days.

That said, I've had no issues with reliability, boyfriend feeling it, etc. I think if your insurance can cover it, it's worth a shot, because you can always get it taken out. Some people do really well on it, and others just don't I've heard if you already get really heavy/crampy periods the IUD will make them worse.

The insertion was pretty bad pain for about a minute, but after that just "normal" cramping for me. I'd take 800mg Ibuprofin an hour or so before you go in, and not plan anything the rest of that day so you can take it easy. My first 3-4 periods after I got it were way intense, like using up a tampon in an hour at times, but manageable I guess.

best of luck!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 05-14-2007 - 12:07pm

I used the Paragard for about 8 months and was in general very happy with it. I never was worried about pregnancy and my libido came ROARING back when I got off BCP so DH and I both loved that. It was very comfortable in that I never FELT like I had something in my body although I checked the strings quite freqeuntly. My periods were MONSTERS though- I never even used tampons because it went from a few days of spotting to crazy heavy periods to a few days of spotting with pretty much no medium flow at all. I got it in July and had it removed before I even wanted to go swimming but wondered what I would do over summer vacation if I ever had my period. As another posted said the insertion was VERY painful for about 1 minute and after that I went on with my day as if nothing had happened (both my children were c-sect since I can't seem to fully dilate so it might be better for those who have had vag. births tho).


My problem with it wasn't any of that,

 Jenn 

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

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2007
Tue, 05-15-2007 - 11:29pm

Hey, I am getting this procedure done next week. I am soooo nervous about heavy periods, and cramping. I have never had heavy cycles or cramping.

Did you spot much right after having it inserted? Does the bleeding and spotting throughout the month interfere with a normal, healthy sex life. I mean, will I have to put off sex for days, to allow for the extended bleeding?

Sorry to ask soo many questions. I am just nervous about Paraguard.

Thanks

Pages