Mirena or Paragard?

Cost? insertion runs about$200-350 and the acutal mirena cost about $500. The whole thing usually runs you about $800-$900 depending on what the clinic is charging for insertion. I have the mirena and I like it. I haven't had any unpleasant side effects which seems to be pretty much the norm with the mirena. My doc did say that 4 out of 5 times she ends up taking out the paragard and putting in the mirena for patients as there seems to be a lot of spiratic bleeding with the paragard. Also, they seem to recommend that once they are in you should give them about three months before you make any decisions to take them out.

A.,
I was told by my midwives that most women are getting the mirena, like I did, and love it, As do I!!
The cost with Tricare is 100$ out of pocket.. Good luck!
Nik

I had the Mirena (and hope to get it again!) and I really liked it. I rarely got my period, and if I did, it was just very light spotting. I was worried about the hormones in it because the hormones in the pill affected me so much, but I had no problems with it. Two years ago, I think I remember the doctor telling me it cost about $500 (my insurance picked up about $400). The cost might have gone up since then.

I had asked my doctor about the paragard one, because I was nervous about the hormones in Mirena, but she said the Paragard can give you very heavy periods. I also got the vibe that she didn't really like using that one, but I never pushed the issue any further.

Good luck with your decision!

I had Mirena and it made me ill. I gained soooooooooo much weight. I felt achy all the time and my joints would swell up. I would bleed at random times. I felt and looked like I was 6 months pregnant. It was awful. Once I had it removed all was well within a week (except for having to lose a whole bunch of weight). Some people love Mirena, I hate it. If you do get it and experience any negative side effects I would recommend you get the IUD removed ASAP. Don't tough it out. It isn't worth it.

Hello A.,

When I went in for my 6 week check up I did the same thing you are about to do. I went with Mirena because I plan on having kids within the next 5 years so I just figured either way it will be coming out soon! When I got it the cost was 585.00 and my insurance covered it because I met my deductible but when it gets removed there is a fee for that as well. I have had no problems with it since I got it and I have notices my menstual cycle to me lighter and eventually it should be very light. There was some cramping at first when it was put in but since I haven't had any issues. I hope this helps and good luck with your decision! B.

I have a Paragard because I wasn't sure how I'd react to the hormones in Mirena. After I had my daughter, I got Depo, and became very depressed, so I wasn't anxious to try more hormones.

I like my Paragard - although there were a few things that no one *really* prepared me for.
1) more vaginal discharge
2) really heavy, though much shorter, periods
3) more prone to infections

Mirena can cause you to stop getting your period, or can cause your periods to be light.

I think if I was to do it over again, I would have gotten Mirena instead -

Good luck!

I chose the paraguard because there is progesterone in the mirena. I used the minipill/ progesterone pill while I was nursing, it started by having no period but it ended up giving me 2 very heavy periods per month for the last 3 months. My OB said that since this was an odd side effect of the mini pill, that it could possibly happen with the mirena to me too. I did not want to risk that so I chose the hormone free option.

My insurance company said I had to pay 100 out of pocket with my coverage.

I can see from all the responses that most women have really liked their Mirena. When I got mine I was very excited also, but then all the side effects kicked in for me.

I was on it for around 8-9 months and in that time I had 3 pregnancy scares because of breast soreness and other symptoms. Although they were just Mirena side effects, it was very stressful to keep thinking I was pregnant. Also, I got migraines when I was on Mirena and had 2 bacterial vaginosis infections (an infection I've never had in my entire life before Mirena and I've tried almost all BC methods).

I don't know much about Paraguard except for the heavier periods, whereas with Mirena your period becomes less and less and for most women will eventually go away. Unfortunately for me, that didn't happen in my case either. I would spot for 2 weeks straight, then normal for 2 weeks, then spot for 2, etc. I felt like I had a light period half the time basically. I also was a bit more emotional and stressed out when I was on the Mirena.

I guess my point is, Mirena has a good reputation and it has obviously worked well for many women, just be aware that it isn't perfect and there are side effects you could possibly get that are no fun at all.

Hope this helps in your decision. I'm on the Depo-Provera shot and it is working great for me, my favorite BC I've used.

Good Luck!
S.

I have the Mirena and love it! I have had it for 4 years now and can't say enough about it. I have a very light period once a year and that's it. I do notice a little bit of moodiness now and then but I deal with it. I can't be on the pill as the hormones were giving me migraines, but I don't have that trouble with the Mirena. All the hormones are kept in your uterus instead of traveling through your system. I asked my doctor about the Paragard at my appt. this year and she didn't recommend it as you get much heavier periods. I love my mirena and next year when mine expires, I will definitely have another one!

I have the Paragard because I can not take any hormones due to a blood clotting disorder. My periods are much heavier, and last a lot longer... over a week. Thinking of taking it out and making my husband have a vasectomy!

I have the Mirena and have had it for just over a year now. I LOVE it! I also asked about getting the Paragard, but since I have a history of heavy periods, my midwife said I would be miserable. I did a lot of research and read a lot of posts on women's experiences, and decided to go with Mirena. I am so happy I did!

I have a friend who has the Paragard and had a difficult time for the first year. Things seem to be better now, but she does have a longer, heavier period than she did before.
Even though I don't like the idea of extra progesterone in my body, not having to worry about bc and not having my period make it worth it at this point in my life!
Good luck with your decision!

I had the Mirena IUD inserted in May of this year. So far I like it. I suggest calling the clinic and asking what would be covered for each by your insurance company.

Some cover some and may do them differently. The Mirena has a total unit and insert cost of between $750 and $900 depending upon the clinic. And again - insurance may cover all with just an office copay or none at all, or something in between. The billing departmewnt of your clinic should be able to advise you.

Good luck.

D.

my doctor put it this way:
with the mirena, you will have lighter to no period, lighter to no cramping, and minimal pms. with the other, its possible that it could get heavier, more painful.

my experience is that the mirena is extremely comfortable and simple. my period, though VERY random and spotty for the first 2 months, i now get one just once in a while, nad it lasts only around 3-4 days. very light spottiness, only need a lightdays pad.

i would recommend the mirena! good luck!

I've had both and I prefer the Mirena. The Paragard gave me bad cramps and heavy bleeding. Since I have IBS the cramps became too much for me. The hormones in the pill and the patch gave me severe headaches, but I haven't had any problems with the hormomes from the Mirena. I did have to pay $400-500 out of pocket for the Mirena a little over a year ago. I don't remember why my insurance didn't cover more of it.

You should go for the hormone free one. It is better to stay away from synthetic hormones.

I got the Mirena for 6 weeks or so. The hormones in it didn't help me. I was constantly mad at my husband and when I started thinking about divorce I thought I should look up the side effects. I found a forum on curezone.com with women who had similar side effects. I realized hormones were just not something I wanted to deal with after this. I've gotten a tubal since and saved my marriage!! ;) I know it affects people differently so if you do get it please just be aware of how it's affecting you. Good luck!

My major component/factor was that I knew how my body reacted to hormones. I was on the pill all through my 20's and didn't have any mood altering affect on me. When I had my son at age 30 and tried the same pill again, I was a neurotic woman with moods going from one end to the next. I just got the Paragard in January and the main reason was because it had no hormones. Yes, the periods are heavier and longer, but my body is back to its normal cycle 28 day cycle with ovulation. I like feeling that I can have the best of both worlds by being protected and having my body not altered.

I've heard alot of great things about Mirena too - especially with the little to no period. How awesome would that be?

The choice is yours, it just depends on what is important to you.

Good choice on birth control - put it in and forget about it. I have the Paragard, and I must admit that while I am anti-hormones, I sort of wish I had got the Mirena. If you choose the Paragard, be prepared for longer periods, heavier flows, and the chance of cramps. What I dislike most is the heavy periods....first I spot for 3 days, then comes the heavy flow for about 5 days (super and super plus tampons, sometimes hourly), then a bit of spotting a day or so after. It's long and arduous, but I am glad I chose hormone free. If that is something that's important to you, then I suggest the Paragard, but if that doesn't really matter, I have friends on Mirena and they love the fact that their flow is short and sometimes non-existent.
Good luck!

I have a Mirena and LOVE IT! Going on 3yrs now, and I will most certainly get another one when this one 'expires'. I have no periods, no side effects...its there and doing its job and I don't have to worry about birth control. I love it. Our insurance paid 100% of the IUD, I just paid the $15 copay for the office visit. Call your insurance and ask.

Now for my warning...

DO NOT GET AN IUD THIS EARLY AFTER DELIVERY! I've had 3 friends get an IUD 6-10wks after delivery and have had it implant in the uterus. Because your uterus is still shrinking and changing up to a year after birth, its not wise to get an IUD until you are around a year post partum. I know that both Mirena and Paraguard ok their use from 6wks post partum, but its just not wise. Talk to your doctor. I got mine put in at 17mos post partum and have had no problems, but almost everyone I know who had one put in before that 8-12mos post partum mark has had big problems with it implanting in the changing uterus, or with massive hormone surges. I think if you are nursing and this early post partum, using condoms is a good choice to not mess with your hormones and so your body can return to its normal pre-baby state without anything there to hinder the process.

Congratulations on your baby!

I would recommend mirena. The amount of hormones is very little compared to every other b.c. Method. I have heard of many women having more problems with the copper iud than mirena. Of course, it depends on who you ask;obviously not EVERY woman has horrible problems with it or it wouldn't still be 'on the market.' Just be sure you check for it monthly. Mine fell out! It was my 3rd time having an iud and had never had any problems with it. It was really strange.

I have a Mirena which I love. Bonus no periods for me.