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

Pages

Avatar for pearsoned2001
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2003
Fri, 05-18-2007 - 2:26pm

I have had Paragard for about 2 mos now and love it! Insertion was not pleasant, but not horrible. I love having no hormones in me- I never did well on bcp. I haven't had my first pp period yet, so I hope its not too heavy. Any ?'s pls ask!

GL
Chris

Chris

Mommy to Ella (10/04) and Ashley (12/06)

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2007
Fri, 05-18-2007 - 8:02pm
Men-they always wait to let their true feelings out until the last moment! If you are thinkin' of having another child-I think that most health care providers see the Paragard as being more of a stepping stone to getting ye ol tubes tied since it lasts 10 yrs, but it is sooo great (the freedom!! Sex is so much better with freedom and no worries about suprise pregnacies!), even if you only want it for a few yrs instead of the full 10-go for it. If you decide to have another baby now, you can have the Paragard inserted at your first post delivery Dr. appt.-that's what I did. Having it put in involved very minor pain, some bleeding a few hrs later, and some mild cramping-all in all, no big deal. I must admit to being a little worried about removal-they just grab the strings and pull. Yes, you can use tampons with an IUD. No, I have not had any infections caused by it. No, I have not set off metal detectors at the airport. Oh, and copper inserted vaginally has been used as birth control since the days of Cleopatra. They say you're only suposed to use an IUD if you are married (AKA-not sleeping aroung), because the more partners one has, the more chance of PID (Pelvic Inflamitory Disease). Bad girl that I am-when my marrage broke apart, I did not get it removed. I was going to, honest I was! But since I wasn't planning on being slutty, I figured I didn't have to hurry to have it removed(Actually, I had planned on never being with a man again.)As it is now, I've been with only 1 man since my divorce, and have been with him for 2 yrs-so needless to say I am very glad I kept that thing!! If this relationship doesn't work out, I'll have it removed for sure-then get my tubes tied. Because by the time I find another good man, and build a strong lasting relationship, I'll be too old to have any more children anyway.
Good Luck!
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
Sat, 05-19-2007 - 7:18pm

I got the Paragard inserted last September. I chose Paragard because I didn't want any hormones. I turned 40 that month and wanted something that would get me through menopause. (Mom's was early 40s, Sis's is at 47.) I've got 4 kids, last 2 were c-section. Compared to the pain of that first one, the insertion was a breeze. There was some discomfort and only lasted a few moments. The Doc said everything she was going to do, so there were no surprises. Only mild cramping after and was back to work within a couple of days with no problem. I did have mine inserted while not on my period as I wasn't having periods while pumping for the baby. My periods are about 2 days longer and now I have to wear a tampon about 3-4 days of that because the flow is heavier. So, I've went from about 5 days to 7. DH doesn't feel the strings, and while I had a sense of "something" being there the first few weeks (probably just mental), I have no sensation of it now.

HTH

Sallie




Edited 5/19/2007 7:19 pm ET by lemonewton
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2005
Sat, 05-19-2007 - 10:45pm

I've had paraguard four about 2 months now and am very happy with it. Insertion was a little painful and I had cramps for the rest of the day, but otherwise I can't even tell it's there.

My first period was very heavy but this past one was pretty much normal. No cramps either. I consider myself lucky because the dr warned me of heavier periods and cramps.

I chose paraguard because it was hormone free and lasts 10 years. I was a little moody the first month, probably because I was on the pill before that so it was my first time being hormone free in years. I do notice my libido is higher than before. Wish I could say the same for DH. :(

Pages