Does Anyone Have Experience with an IUD?

I have had the Merena for 2 years and i love it. I got mine after my second child too.
A friend of mine had the other one that lasts longer and did not like it at all.

I know alot of people that had lots of cramping and pain from them. My OB won't even put them in, and if someone has one that wants to start going to him, he makes them have the IUD taken out before he will even see them. But some people swear by them--I have a friend who has a Nuva Ring and loves it. It's a jelly-like ring that you insert and leave in for 3 weeks and take it our for a week, then put a new one in. Just one thing to rememeber a month. Good Luck and congrats on the new baby!

I have one and I really like it. It is great that I never have to worry about birth control. My periods are down to a couple days of spotting (if I get a period, most women don't) and maybe 1/2 day of cramping. I used to have many days of cramping and a period that lasted almost 7 days.

I also like that it is long term - we haven't decided about # 3 yet. And if we decide to have another baby, there is no waiting. Just have it taken out and you can start trying!

Hi M.,
I am a 33 yr old mother of a 3 yr old son and I have used the Mirena IUD since he was born. I love it. I don't have to worry about taking a pill which caused me to be very mood and gain excessive weight. There is no planning ahead of time needed as with condoms, sponges, rings, etc. It is so convenient!! I always had very difficult irregular cycles with very heavy blood flow and even worse cramping. I have very minimal cramping with the Mirena and only a day or two of bleeding. It last up to 5 years, but I plan to have another child at some point so it can be removed at anytime by your GYN/OB. However, I do not know of your lifestyle or any medical conditions you may have so as a paramedic I also strongly advise you to talk with your GYN/OB and together make the decision that is best for you.

I am a mother to a beautiful 20 month old little girl but had Morning Sickness Gone BAD with her that we decided not to have anymore children. I plan on getting the Marina (next month)an IUC - it is a plastic IUD that contains hormones and works for 5 years. I tried the pill Sesonel but with the history of Stroke in my family it scared me plus I keep forgeting to take the pill.

I looked into all my options and Marina is the best out there!

I just recently opted for the Mirena. I had it put in at the beginning of January. I know that it is one of the most affective birth controls out there, aside from abstience(but who wants to do that?) It lasts for 5 years and contains to hormones...so no side effects such as gaining weight or acne. The insertion of it was not comfortable at all, but if you can give birth you can handle this. I do experience some mild cramping but nothing that has been out of the ordinary. I also have been experiencing some break through bleeding but that is expected the first 3 months upon insertion.

I would look into it! Another option is the implanon, its a 3 year bc and it is inserted into your arm.

It has been a very long time since I had an IUD. It was reliable to a point. Just make sure that you check for it occasionally, they can fall out.

Hey girl...I put the Merina in 6 weeks after my son was born, I love it!!!!! No periods, no pills, no hassle. I went in for an office visit, paid 30 dollars co-pay...bam! It's great...I should work for the company!

If properly placed (which they usually are), IUDs are extremely reliable and safe (they've been around longer than the pill). I'm not sure why a Dr would refuse patients with one unless it has something to do with his insurance or history. But I digress.. You have a choice -- Mirena or copper -T/Paraguard. Mirena lasts 5 yrs and has hormones. Paraguard is good for 10 years and does not have hormones. Placement is done in the Dr's office, takes a few minutes and is nothing that a good Motrin can't handle. Some do experience increased cramping, others such as myself, do not. It just depends on what your periods are like to begin with I think.

My experience with Mirena has been great! It hurt a bit going in, but how could it not? I had a bit of a wacky cycle for a few months, but nothing terrible. Since then it's been smooth sailing. No cramps, minimal bleeding, etc.

I know experiences vary tremendously, though. My theory - based on absolutely nothing but observation - is that Mirena will be great for you if you tolerate the pill well. I could be totally wrong, but that's the pattern I've seen with people I know who've gotten an IUD and have been on the pill in the past.

If you don't tolerate the pill, there's always the other IUD that lasts 10 years (Mirena is only 5), is copper, and contains zero hormones. I think the name is Paraguard or something like that.

I have had my Mirena going on two years now and I absolutely love it. I wouldn't send my worst enemy to get the depo shot because of my reactions to it. The pill makes me sick and now that I have blood pressure issues I can't use it either. I am not good at remembering to take it.

My IUD is no fuss...I had a copay to have it put in and a copay to have it checked a month later and then no monthly cost. I don't even think about it being there. There was a slight pinch at insertion and that was it. I had some irregular spotting my first month or so but by my third month, I don't have a period at all. Maybe some show when I wipe occasionally but that is it. I can count maybe two times that I had cramps around the time of the month where I should be having a period and a couple of pms times, but those seem to be around stressful times.

There are risks with everything even the pill, and the bonus outweighed the risks for me. There are horror stories with everything and I had to have something that was right for me. I knew if we had a month that money was tight I might not get a prescription filled and I can never remember to take medication regularly.

I have heard good things about the Nuva Ring, but I worried about getting it in right and actually had two people recently tell me they got pregnant because they think they didn't have it in right, so that would be something to ask your doc about.

Good luck

I have had my IUD for 15 years. There are good and bad points about it. The good: you never need to worry about birth control, taking a pill, the cost over the years is nothing, it is not painful. The not so good: I have heavy bleeding for 1 day during my period (never had that befroe the IUD) Also, I have my period for a full week. I used to have it for 3 days. It can cause infections, (I'm having that problem now, like yeast infections, usually over the counter products take care of it) it causes more discharge, but you can live with that. Normally you don't have an IUD in for as long as I have but my Dr. said they are stil 97% effective. Also, for some reason I'm afraid to have it taken out. It's been in there so long. I'm 49 so I just figured I'd wait for menapause. Although, my Mom was almost 60. I doubt I'll wait that long. Anyway, good luck and
PS. these were just my side effects. They have probably improved the IUD in the last 15 years. At least I hope so.

LOVED IT! I got mine at my 6 week check up, got it out a year later and was pregnant within a month. I will be getting another one after this baby as well.

I have had one since 2004. I love it. I don't have to worry about remembering a pill and I'm good until 2014.

I see alot of people are very satisfied with the IUD. On the other hand, I am not. I had the IUD after my 2nd daughter was born in 2004 because of some major complications I had with both of my pregnancies we decided to go that route instead of having my tubes tied at the time. But, then in Feb "06 my beautiful son was born. I never had the IUD taken out, it was properly placed and everything. If you do get pregnant while using it it is more harmful to remove it so you just bear with it for the entire pregnancy. Its not bad but its weird to know. Most people it works for I have heard, some it doesn't. Like they say "no birth control is 100% unless its abstinence" but who's gonna do that?!?! Lol. Anyways, my case is pretty rare and maybe its just because I am fertile mertyl or something! Either way, good luck. The time that I had it in I cramped for about 1 day during my period and they only lasted about 3 or 4 days, not too heavy or anything either, I did love that part!

Got mine 6 months ago love it.Little unconfortable at first but great now.I have the mirena.Talk to your insurance company though.I am having troble getting the insurance to pay for it.I thought it was coverd but it turns out it may not be.leaving me to pay 748 dollars so check on that first.

I had the copper one. I bled for 3 months straight and had lots of cramping. I finally had it taken out.

I had one for 5 years, took it out and had no trouble getting preganant. I will be getting another one after we have one more bundle of joy. I actully had no periods on mine - who can not appreciate that :)