46 Years Old - Stuck Btwn IUD and Getting Tubes Tied

I am also 46, had my tubes tied when DS#2 was born (C-section). I am now back on a low-dose pill to control my cycle.

I know everyone is different. However, I got my tubal in 2006 and have had no problems. I've never had an iud to compare it to though. It also makes sex better knowing that the chance of me getting preggo are slim to none.

http://www.cafemom.com/group/416/forums/read/15355242/The...

Read this before you make any decisions. Tubals are not as safe as we have been led to believe.

If you are certain you are not going to change your mind then I suggest you consider doing the Essure procedure. My friend had it done and had nearly zero pain afterwards and has been totally happy with her choice.

The doc does the procedure in just a few minutes, he inserts a spiral coil into the tube going in through the vagina. The spiral coil has been treated with a tissue growth substance. It promotes the growth of a natural plug.

The plug is tested a few weeks later by the doc pushing a fluid of some sort through the tubes and if there are any leaks they show up on the ultra sound/test that he does.

My friend had hers done, went to eat sushi with her hubby, came home, took a Midol or some Tylenol for cramp like pain, not as bad as a monthly issue, then she took a short nap. Got up and had no other pain or issues.

Her insurance covered almost all of the cost because it is showing to be one of the best ways to do this.

Have you considered the Essure procedure? It's much easier than getting your tubes tied and can be done right in the doctor's office. It takes about 10 minutes. It's considered more effective than getting your tubes tied and more effective then a vasectomy.

You can have side effects from anything...I have the Paraguard IUD which does not use hormones and therefore avoids issues that can arise from products that involve hormones (i.e. blood clots, which I have a history of). One of the upsides of Paraguard is that it is good for 10 years, so by the time it would need to be removed, you are not likely going to have worry about ovulation anyway. One of the downsides I've experienced are more heavy periods, though they last a little shorter than the periods I had before (4 to 5 days, vs. 7). You can call your doctor Monday and try to discuss with her beforehand, or wait until Tuesday for your appointment.

my dr did not recommend tubal.. preferred iud.

I am on Mirena for almost five years now and will get it renewed at the end of the year. I have 0 side effects and do much better on it than I ever did on the pill.

The thing is that everything can have side effects.
If you go online there are just as many women complaining about side effects and complications from tubals (google post tubal ligation side effects) as there are from Mirena (and this is true for every form of birth control).
The thing about Mirena though is that you can always have it removed if it doesn't work for you.
Good luck.

I had the mirena for 5 years. Loved it. Had the second one in and had horrible back cramps every month no bleeding. I felt like I was in labor and had it taken out. I personally if I were you would give the mirena a try less invasive than tubes tied. If you don't like it you can get it taken out then review other options. Everyones system is different you just don't know until you give it a try. Even my body changed and the mirena didn't agree with me the second time.

I had an IUD until my husband got his vasectomy. I had a regular copper IUD with no hormones. I had some cramping when it was put in, and again when it was removed, but otherwise I didn't know it was there. I wish I had had the Mirena because my period is so heavy.

How do you do with hormones? Some love them others feel crazy on them? Have you taken the pill, that's how you would know.

I had the Essure procedure done. It was super easy and I have had no problems.

I need hormones for heavy painful periods with super bad PMS, so I still take the pill. It's only for the hormone issue though.

If you are sure you don't want any more children, I would definitely get your tubes tied or do the Essure procedure. I know so many women who have gotten pregnant with IUD's. The results were tragic. :
One had successful pregnancy with twins -she was super shocked and didn't believe in abortion. She continued pregnancy and had them but it has been a big struggle.
One had pregnancy that was attached to the IUD and had to be surgically removed.
One had lots of bleeding and cramping and had a early pregnancy--had to have IUD removed and an abortion.

I think for so many women, it can be fine. But you have to think of the many it didn't work for as well. Do what is best for your body. But I think you will have a much greater success rate than if you do the IUD. GL!

How about your hubby get a vasectomy? It's a lot easier for men to go through, that than for women to get the tubes tied. You're 46 and if you're possitive no more kids, then go for the tubes tied or vasectomy. I just turned 50...Hoorah, still haven't gone through menopause....Boo. Anyhow, I took the BCP up until around 2/3 yrs. ago. Had to stop, because I had a bout with a superficial blood clot in my leg. I couldn't see getting my tubes tied, since I would be going through menopause in 1-2 years and hubby refuses to get a vasectomy. Guess what? Hubby has to wear a raincoat now.

I did the Essure procedure i'm almost through the 3 month mark to make sure it took meaning safe to have sex w/out the fear of becoming pregnant,the dye test.I had mine done in a hospital setting the urologist I see did the procedure she does all of them @ the hospital she does'nt have the proper medical equipment to do them in house & I prefer the surgical setting anyway.However it was a hefty price I was billed 20,862.It's hormone free & have had zeros issues my periods are still irregular from bfing but they are every month & since I already know when my body is in the process of having one i'm not surprised the onset of them.You bleed complety out the vagina and not the tubes/vagina so it may be heavier the first few months but will get lighter over time.

This is just me, but i got the Mirena after i had my second baby. I had it in for 4/5 months and removed it. I felt it literally made me feel like i was going insane. I started having severe depression and anxiety attacks, mood swings, my husband noticed it the first time we had sex after having it put in and complained it was uncomfortable cause he could constantly feel the string.. (the dr told me to not tell him it was there, cause you know how if you know something is there, you're more likely to 'think' you feel it. So i never told him until he said something a few times). And it did make sex more uncomfortable for me, too. I had the dr check it after a couple months to make sure it was placed properly, which it was. Oh, and i also had NO sex drive WHATSOEVER. I only had sex to try and get in the mood, but 95% of the time, any kind of touch just felt annoying and i felt like i could be happy never having sex again in my life. As soon as i got that sucker out, about a week later, my libido came back. So i know i wasnt just imagining things. I would look at different options, if i were you. I have read about others' experiences with the mirena and they were similar to mine. But discuss things with your dr., everyone is different.

At the age of 46, you will most likely not be ovulating for many more years. I would ask some female family members who are older than you when they stopped having their periods, for an estimation. Getting your tubes tied is a major surgery, and I would lean more towards something else . . . of course, you have to be comfortable with your decision. I would schedule another meeting with your doctor to discuss the options, and then reschedule the appointment for the IUD if you decide that it is the right option. Good luck with your decision!