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Q: Iud use ?

asked by: lele25 on January 10th, 2008

Active User, very eHealthy

I have been through different types of birth control pills and experienced bad side effects with all of them. I was resolved to the fact that hubby and I would have to rely on condoms from now on, or at least until we wish to have a child, but condoms are not always convenient, especially if your being spontaneous! Anyway, I had never really considered an IUD until I read a post on here. After doing some research I think a non-hormonal IUD is the way I want to go, and I was wondering if anyone could share their own experiences using IUD's. Ok I know it sounds stupid, but I'm a big weenie when it comes to pain, so dose it hurt to put in? Is it true that heavy bleeding can occur over the first few months? What are the chances of it coming out? Any info y'all can give will be very appreciated!Thanks! Very Happy

Replies(18)

Georgia59

replied on January 10th, 2008

Especially eHealthy

I had a mirena.

Yes, it hurt when I got it put in. I took 3 aleve about a half an hour before the procedure (which I recommend) and it still hurt quite a bit. I had never realized what my cervix felt like until that moment lol.

However, it didn't hurt so much that I wouldn't do it again, I would. I have heard that if you find a doc that is experienced at it it hurts less and there are less risks as well. So I'd advise you shop around.

I've heard that with the paraguard, you might have spotting and heavier periods for the first few months, but it goes away. I personally had a little spotting right at first and then no period at all, but that was on the mirena so it's different.

The chances of it coming out or perforating are very rare!

Georgia59

replied on January 10th, 2008

Especially eHealthy

One thing I would suggest: go to a follow up with your doc (mine required this) a little while after and make sure you are comfortable feeling for the strings and you know what they feel like and where they should be. It's hard sometimes because they get folded up in crevices and stuff, but it's important to know where they are supposed to be because then you'll know if anything has gone wrong (which is unlikely)

I would also suggest having someone drive you home and planning on taking the day off, you will be crampy and not feeling like moving much. Just like a bad period. (At least that's how it was for me)

And bring a pad with you because you might have some spotting right away.

lele25

replied on January 11th, 2008

Active User, very eHealthy

Thanks Georgia! I think it was actually one of your previous posts that made me consider an IUD! Darn, so it dose hurt when being placed. Hmmm I wonder if I could convince the doctor to load me up on valium! That or I could have a glass or two of wine before hand! Laughing

Merena dose have hormones in it correct? I have had so many problems with hormonal bc so I was actually considering a copper IUD which I don't think have hormones. However, dose Merena have enough hormones to cause side effects such as weight gain, mood swings, ect? Once again thank you so much for all of your help and for sharing your experience with me!

Georgia59

replied on January 11th, 2008

Especially eHealthy

I would stick with the copper one, Mirena is usually low enough in hormones that it's ok for most women. Personally, I gained a lot of weight and was pretty much miserable lol. My sis is on the paragard though (copper) and has no complaints.

Lol I'm pretty sure they wouldn't give it to you if you were drunk Wink

It did hurt, but it's really quick (like two seconds) and it didn't hurt enough where I cried or anything. I winced a little and it was over. Like I said, I'd do it again. But do take painkillers before hand, not only because of the pain of insertion but you might have cramps after. It's really not as bad as you're probably imagining.

lele25

replied on January 11th, 2008

Active User, very eHealthy

Thank you again so much for the help. I am going to call my doctor and see how soon I can get it done! I have some muscle relaxers so I'll ask him if it would be ok to take one before hand, if not I'll just go with Aleve. Well, thanks again so much! Have a great day!

Georgia59

replied on January 11th, 2008

Especially eHealthy

Oh good idea!

No prob- you have a great day too. I hope the whole IUD thing goes well for you.

Marianne0558

replied on January 11th, 2008

Supporter

I bled fot 7 months with Mirena. It hurt like holy HELL inserting it too. No complaints now though. It's been over a year.

Becky

replied on January 12th, 2008

Especially eHealthy

i had a horrible time withthe non-hormonal IUD. I bled ALOT really heavy and had to have it taken out. The mirena was brilliant for me. No periods at all

Carifairy

replied on January 12th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

I bled too much with MIRENA.

I bled the entire 16 months that I used it, and I loved it otherwise! The bleeding did not bother me, but I became anemic.

I switched to paragard and never had any problems.

lele25

replied on January 12th, 2008

Active User, very eHealthy

Hmm...I wonder if the copper IUD's carry the same risk of bleeding as mirena? Deffinately something I need to discuss with Doc.

Tylanas

replied on January 12th, 2008

Especially eHealthy

Mirena actually has a smaller risk of bleeding and initially causes less rough periods. Copper coil is the one known to cause heavier periods initially.

Roberta777

replied on January 12th, 2008

Active User, very eHealthy

Must Be a Better Iud

The IUD my doctor put in me caused me a lot of bleeding and eventual perforation of my uteras with resulting perotonitis. That was a long time ago. Maybe they are better now.

Georgia is the one I would listen to here on this forum. She knows the facts as much as anybody can know them.

Good luck.

Tylanas

replied on January 13th, 2008

Especially eHealthy

They definitely are better now, otherwise they wouldn't put them in teens.

lele25

replied on January 13th, 2008

Active User, very eHealthy

In the long run though y'all probably think its worth a little pain and blood right? I'm just thinking how nice it would be to go for a few years with out having to worry about pills and their side effects, or having to interupt to get a condom. This is probably TMI, but hey we'r all girls right?......It's so annoying when we are lets say somewhere random like the kitchen, and raring to go, but "oops wait gotta run to the bedroom and grab a condom". Ugg I swear sometimes it will put me right out of the mood!!!

Tylanas

replied on January 13th, 2008

Especially eHealthy

I've never actually found condoms to be "disturbances" like that... then again I always kept them close to my bedside.

lele25

replied on January 13th, 2008

Active User, very eHealthy

Eiri wrote:

I've never actually found condoms to be "disturbances" like that... then again I always kept them close to my bedside.

Yeah...its cool when we're in the bedroom but I can't exactly keep condoms in the kitchen next to my coffee filters? LOL Not that we are constantly doing it in the kitchen, but you get the point. Would'nt that be funny though ..."Hey where are your coffee filters? Oh right there next to the box of condoms". No one would ever want to come over to our house for dinner!

Carifairy

replied on January 13th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

MIRENA thins the uterine lining, a lot like DEPO in that sense, but in *some* women this thinness causes problems.

Instead of stopping periods, the thinness can be like an 'open wound' and cause bleeding everyday like it did for me.

ALL IUD'S are safe, and I say IUD's are by far the BEST BC method that any woman could use.

Georgia59

replied on January 14th, 2008

Especially eHealthy

Yes, they're very safe now.

The copper one is more known to cause heavier bleeding at first, and mirena is more known to lessen/stop your period.

But anything can happen, really Wink

LOL at keeping condoms by the coffee filters Wink

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