How to choose? Mirena or Paragard????

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2007
How to choose? Mirena or Paragard????
14
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 12:05am

Hi everyone,
I am new. I gave birth to my 4th child. We were only supposed to have 3. I am in search of birth control. I have an appt. next week for IUD. How do I determine which is best? How did you?

I have heard that the hormone in the Mirena doe not affect your total body as does the pill, b/c Mirena's hormone is released locally. Is this true?

Can anyone give advice on this?

Thanks

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-05-2007
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 1:01am
Mirena does affect your body systematically. It's a common misunderstanding that the hormones only circulate locally. I believe it doesn't get metabolized by the liver the way oral contraceptives do. Essentially what you decide on depends on what side effects you are willing to tolerate. I've had the Paragard for almost two months now and have had absolutely no problems except for the first week. I just had my first period and it was heavy but lasted only 5 days, less than when I was on the Pill. I don't know if it will always be like this but I guess time will tell. Also, cramping was very mild. I was expecting something horrendous. Of course, this has just been my experience. A fairly high percentage of women have it taken out because of pain or long periods.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2004
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 2:32am
I'm actually wondering the same thing myself, I have an appointment on Thursday to discuss this with my doc. I would really like to go with Paraguard because b/c seems to affect my sex drive (even with the nuva ring my sex drive is pretty much non existent). BUT when I'm not on b/c I do have long heavy periods
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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2006
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 8:18am

For me I chose the Mirena because DH and I are pretty sure we're only having one child. So I knew and IUD would be effect until we make the permanent decision. Also DH is on some medication that can cause birth defects so we needed something VERY effective and idiot proof. IUDs are the most effective form of reversible BC out there.

I chose the Mirena because it's known for lighter (or non-existent) periods. The copper IUD can sometimes cause heavier longer period. The amount of hormone in the Mirena is minimal and if you've never had a problem with other hormonal methods it most likely won't bother you either. There are some women who chose it because the hormone are MORE localized even though they do circulate. I think there is a least one Mirena user here (megan) who can't use other hormonal BC but loves the Mirena. So you're right that it doesn't affect the rest of your body the same way.

My libido is back and I have lost about 18lbs since having it in. The pill really killed my libido so this is a nice change.

The 5 year mark was also a plus for me. It's when we said we'd decide on the permanent decision.

I had it inserted at my 6 week check up. I took some ibuprofen right before hand. I had a little pinch and it was in. It wasn't painful for me at all. The speculum really was more painful. I had moderate to heavy spotting for about a week. I had cramps for a day or two. Then I had spotting off and on for about 6 weeks. It only interfered with my sex life a few times. I haven't had a period since I stopped spotting, one of the main benefits. It does take some women 3-6 months to adjust to having an IUD.

DH can't feel the strings during sex, I asked a lot at the beginning because I was paranoid.

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

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-20-2000
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 9:07am

Hi there,


You really have to look at the benefits of each. I've been using the Mirena and have felt no effects of the hormones. It only uses progesterine and releases in directly into the uterus, some of the hormones may make their way into your blood stream. But I haven't noticed any of the effects of the hormones.


What I really like about Mirena is the light or non-existent periods! That's fabulous. The Paragard (copper) IUD is known to make longer and heavier periods.


Then you need to think about how long you would like to have protection for. The Mirena is good for five years. The Paragard is good for ten years.


So far I really like the IUD in general and am very happy with my decision to have it inserted.


Let us know what you decide!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 4:23pm

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-bhcontracept&msg=21917.1&ctx=128

This is the link to my insertion story. Tomorrow will be one week since I got my mirena. I chose mirena because I generally do well on hormonal b/c and I wanted lighter rather than heavier periods. So far I literally spotted one drop a couple of days ago.

From what I have heard, mirena puts about the equivalent of two mini pills worth of hormones in your bloodstream each week. This is a really low amount but it depends on how sensitive you are to hormones whether it will bother you.

Let us know what you decide.
Holly

Holly
Avatar for maybees02
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 9:45pm

I chose Mirena because I'd done okay on the pill for 20 years. I wanted to switch because I was sick of having to remember to order more pills every 3 months. I also chose Mirena because I knew several people who had one who were happy with it, plus the possibility of having less monthly bleeding was a big plus for me.

I had it inserted 3/23 and I am still having spotting. I was prepared for spotting for the first 3-6 months, though, so it's not too alarming. No pain, and my insertion was a breeze. I have 2 kids.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-03-2006
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 10:30pm
I choose Mirena because while had to stop estronogen birth control I have never had any real problems with the mini-pill (besides no periods.. huge plus in my opion). Paragaurd is a great option for those who can't have any hormones, or if not having a period would bother you paragaurd is a good choice. Also paragaurd is good for 10 years not 5. If you don't mind the hormones, don't mind low or no periods (maybe some spotting), and are okay with replacing it in 5 years, I would recommend Mirena.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
Thu, 05-17-2007 - 7:34am

I have had the Mirena for about a year and a half now. I think I am very sensitive to hormones, because I do notice a difference. I never did well on the pill. My periods are light, but they last long, like 7-8 days, they also come every 3ish weeks. I wish that I had gone with the paraguard. I talked to my dr, she didn't think I should switch right now. I kept it in, for lack of a better b/c. (we have 4 kids, and are done, I just have feelings about doing anything permanent) It definately seems like I am in the minority here. If you have never had a problem with hormones, I think the mirena is the way to go.

Lisa

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2007
Thu, 05-17-2007 - 10:18pm
I've had the Paragard for 7 yrs and I love it. The first couple of months, my partner could feel the strings, but that went away-they wound up as they are suposed to do. I did have longer, heavy periods for the first 2-3 yrs though. I was told that the Paragard works b/c the copper causes sperm to have difficulty swimming to an egg, and having a foiegn object in the uterus causes the uterus to thicken-making the implantation of an egg unlikely-AKA make the uterus a "hostile environment" for an egg. For me, the Paragard was the only way to go as I can not use hormones. I am going to miss it when my 10 yrs are up!! If I deside not to have another child when the 10 yrs are up (haven't made up my mind yet), I will get another Paragard.
I recomend the Paragard.
Good Luck.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2004
Fri, 05-18-2007 - 12:05pm
Thank you so much for your post! I'm leaning towards the Paraguard and it's nice to hear from someone who has it and loves it. I had actually decided to get it when all of a sudden dh said maybe we should start trying for another child!! AHHH!! LOL Talk about throwing a wrench into my plans! (He says this just hours before I my appointment to talk to my doc about it!) So I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do, but I have definitely decided on the Paraguard if I do get it.
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