I just got the Mirena IUD on the 13th. The jury is still out in whether or not I like it. I have not been able to have intercourse yet because my doctor said to wait a week and 4 days after insertion I got my period. I am having the worst menstrual symptons this go round that I don't ever remember having but I've been on the pill since I was 18. Six years ago I switched to the mini-pill and then April, my period started going crazy. I had just turned 40, so obviously my body is changing. I will say that the insertion process was not pleasant, be prepared take some ibuprofen or if you can get a prescription for something stronger go for it. They say that it's easier for women who have had children. I have no children and don't plan on having any. Since the pill is causing my cycles to go weird, I've decided to give this a try until I'm ready for tubal ligation.

I do. You can find some of my previous post about it. I have the paragard non-hormonal IUD inserted when I was 18 and nulliparous (never had kids). I had it for a little bit more than a year and I love it! No side effects here for me. Why are you interested of getting one?

I had the Mirena for a while- in some ways I loved it but mostly I hated it. I was one of the cases you don't really want to hear about because it didn't go all that well for me lol.... nothing serious just icky side effects.

It does hurt to get put in, nothing you can't handle but be prepared to take lots of ibprofen and have someone else drive you home.

If you dig around there are a couple in-depth threads devoted to IUD's.

Yeah, I am thinking about trying it out. Right now I'm on Seasonique and a different one before that. I'm just so sick of birth control and my mom wants me to try an IUD. BUT i like the fact that my birth control keeps my cysts from constantly returning and when my period comes along its now where near as strong as it is when i'm not on birth control.

Do you think my menstrual cramps will be back if I try an IUD?

You'd really have to talk to your doc.

There are two types- the Mirena IUD contains progesterone, one of the hormones found in bcp's. That tends to lessen cramps and lighten periods, and may help you out.

The other kind is the paraguard- which is copper and contains no hormones. That may worsen cramps but has less hormonal side effects.

So it seems like the mirena may help you the most- but it's always something you will want to talk to your doc about.

I have the non-hormonal paragard IUD. It lasts for 10 years and it has 0% hormones. Although the disadvantage would be it might cause heavier and crampier periods during the "adjustment period".

If you really dislike crampy periods, you may want to try the hormonal IUD which is the mirena. It does contain hormones but only tiny tiny amounts that women don't usually have that much side effects. It will lessen your cramps and might actually make your perids super light or disappear completely.