Fellow Moms Personal Experience with the IUD

I had my first child in August and got the Medermna (sp) in October. I am very happy with it, I have only had one period since having my son and I love the fact that I don't have to remember anything everyday or do anything when the mood strikes. My partner sometimes feels the strings while were having sex but he said it doesn't bother him. The one thing that I have had to take into consideration is that after having sex I often spot lightly for the following day. Compelatly normal but when you haven't had a period in.. going on a year and a half it can catch you off guard.

Hi M.,

I had great success with an IUD, I had the Paraguard (the one without hormones) as I was breastfeeding and didn't want to have birth control with hormones, which eliminates many of the choices. I had the IUD put in 2 1/2 months after my son was born (condoms worked fine in the mean time) and I had it in for 2 1/2 years with no problems what-so-ever. I had it taken out Dec 4th and found out I was pregnant Feb 4th. So I would have to give it a great recommendation!

M. F.

I got the hormone IUD at the end of March. It's been just fine, I've had a little cramping but that's it. There are two kinds, the hormone one and the copper one. My sister has the copper one and she also is doing just fine. The nice thing is that the hormone one lasts five years and the copper one lasts ten years, but you can have them removed at any time.

I had the Mirena IUD inserted over a year ago and have had no problems at all with it. Due to the fact that I was working in OB/GYN, I was able to hear a lot of opinions before I got it. Since it has a small amount of hormones imbedded in it, and the hormones are localized, you don't get the cramping that other IUDs are notorious for. And the hormones don't cause problems with high blood pressure either. ( I also have high blood pressure and the pill was not an option in my case)

hello:
I read your thing and I am a single mom of a beautiful little 8 mo old girl named Madeline. I have the IUD and I love it....I have had it for quite a while now and have not really had a period since I got it. There has just been a tiny bit of spotting and I think it gets to a point where u dont have a period for 3 yrs...I have the 5 yr Mirena...I have had NO problems what so ever w/it

J.:)

R.,
I had the Mirena IUD implanted after my first child was born. I had the one that had a little bit of hormones. It made my periods less heavy, and less crampy. The other IUD with no homones can make your periods heavier, and more painful. Anyway...I LOVED IT! And will most deffinately get it after our next baby is born as well. I had no side affects, other than a little bit of pain going in, and a little cramping the day of the implantation. Just pre-med yourself with some Ibuprofen before going in, and every 6 hours or so afterward. I even went out Christmas tree shopping directly after getting my implanted...so it realy wasn't that bad. I actualy had no period and no cramping for 2 years! IT WAS GREAT! But I was nursing for a lot of that time too. No other side affects, I was very happy with it. There is nothing to have to remember, and nothing to have to think about. Its in, and off of your mind. I also tried the patch, and it also made me nausiouse, and made me gain a ton of water weight. I hated the patch. So, I hope that helps you a little. Good luck with your decision.

R., I have the Mirena IUD and absolutely love it. I've had mine for 6 months now and haven't had any problems with it so far. Insertion was a breeze, it took about 5 seconds for my doc to place it and I had absolutely ZERO cramping during the placement. I did, however, have some slight cramping for about 24 hours afterwards, but easily taken care of with a couple advil. Some of the reasons I really like this brand of IUD are, one, I don't have to think of BC for the next 5 years. Two, after the first 3 months of my body getting used to it, I have had little to no periods. Three, it has a very light dose of hormone that does not give me migraines like all the other types of BC I have tried...including the mini-pill! I'm very happy with my decision to go this route and I believe most women who have it are as well. I have two girlfriends who have the Mirena and love it just as much as I do. Anyways, hope that helps!

BTW, I have 3 boys and haven't given up all hope for a girl just yet, but I know I'm not ready for another child for at least a few years. That's another reason the Mirena is so great...if we decide to go for a girl, then we can begin immediately after removal...no worries about left over hormones in my body like the pill.

I have the paragard IUD. The process wasn't too bad, it would've been better if the mid-wife that I had put it in was more experienced in the area. But I trusted her with it, it just took a little bit longer than it should have. I was never one to take pills and even if I was to go that route, I would never remember to take it anyway. My periods were heavy the first few months. But now, I barely get my period; it's more of light spotting than it is a period. And I can go by with just a pantyliner. I hope this helps and good luck with whatever you chose!

I have the Mirena IUD and I absolutely love it! I was running out of options. I never did try the patch, but I didn't like the pills...I had to switch every 7 or 8 months to a new brand because after 7 or 8 months, i would be absoluely SICK for the entire first week of the monthly pill pack (sort of like morning sickness...only oddly enough, i didn't get morning sickness when i was pregnant)....and i had such a hard time remembering to take the pills. I also tried the depo show...decided it was too expensive, gained about 10-15 pounds in the 3month time i was on it, and bled heavily for 2 months after i went off of it (went on pills to stop the bleeding). I decided that mirena was the best for me. I had some cramping when i got it put in, not not much more than a bad period. I bled a little more heavily the first 2 or 3 months and had spotting for the first month or so, but it was very light spotting..just barely needed a pantyliner for it. Now, I've had it for 15 months, my periods are MUCH lighter..almost non-existant, and i have had no complications with it. And, I don't have too many hormonal ups and downs that can be caused by those pills since the hormones in it are such a low dose. Good luck with your decision. I would recommend Mirena to ANYONE who is able to use it. I don't have to ever think about birth control and it is the most reliable method.

I also loved the Mirena IUD. I have a 2 year old, had the IUD placed 2 months after birth and had it removed in December to start on baby number 2, it worked, I'm due in December. I plan on choosing the same contraceptive method after this one. I had some cramping for the first few months. No periods at all (so nice), occasional cramping or spotting after intercourse (very mild).

I have the Mirena IUD, and LOVE IT! The insertion was a little uncomfortable, and I had spotting for about 3 months after (didn't need more than a pantyliner per day), and now have very light periods (too bad I'm not one of those who stopped getting it). No side effects to speak of! It's nice to know that I am not going to get pregnant and don't have to remember any little pills! Also, the hormones are very low, which I like...but the other IUD has none if you want to go that route. I actually work in a GYN office, and the docs rate this the #1 form of birth control for someone who has had a baby!
-Good luck with the decision!

I also have the high BP and had on and off periods, and I have two children. After my second, I didn't want to go back on the pill because it made my cycles even more irregular, so I got an IUD (mirina). I can't tell you what a help it has been to have it. The first two months I had light cramping and on and off spotting, but I'm in the fourth month, and I haven't had any of that since the second month. My periods for the past two months have lasted a day and were light with no cramping. The IUD hasn't affected my BP at all, and I don't have to remember to take a pill every day. It's honestly been a great decision for me. I might want to have more kids in a year or two, but right now, not so much. The IUD is a great option for that, but it'll also work out long term, if I decide that I don't want anymore kids at all. The initial procedure did hurt a little to actually get it into place, but it was totally worth the minor discomfort to have peace of mind. Good luck in your decision, but mine worked out great for me!

Hi R.,

I got the Mirena IUD inserted last December and have had no issues with it. It's great not having to take a pill every day too. I was taken off of the pill because of high blood pressure. There are lots of stories on the net about weight gain with the Mirena, however I've found it much much easier to lose weight now that I'm off of the pill and my blood pressure is at good level. The only thing different is that my periods are a little closer together and last a couple of days longer, but they are starting to get lighter each month. I would ask for pain meds (like vicodin) for the insertion though.
Good luck!

I think the Mirena iud is great I had it after my 3rd child and I had little spotting and periods were lighter. I was one of the very small percentage that had my iud slip out. Was unfortunate, the doc said the chances of an iud comming out again was 30% which wasn't worth it too me.
I did the patch and the nuva ring until I got preg again w/ my 4th and now have had the Essure Procedure, but that is permante birth control. Not sure what your insurance will cover for the iud but can't hurt to try it, you can always have it taken out.
Good luck

Hi R. - I'm over 40, have high blood pressure and used to smoke up until about 4 months ago. The pill wasn't an option and my periods were awful. I chose to go with a Mirena IUD and I love it. My periods are down to almost nothing, its good for 5 years and it doesn't interact negatively with my other health conditions. It took me a week or so to get adjusted to wearing it. I kind of felt like it would come out but now, I've had it for a year and I'm completely happy with it. I also believe that if you do decide to get pregnant, you can have it removed and it doesn't take long to become fertile again. Hope this helps.

I like having the IUD. I am not good at rmemebering to take pills and have also been on DEPO. With IUD the perks are that I dont worry about having to take something and its easy, you just check it after your period. The worst about it is that I got mine the end of January and I am still bleeding alot. Its better because I dont have the hormones but I could do with out the bleeding every other day. I think after a while it will stop but everybody reacts differently to the IUD. Good Luck!

I had an IUD right after my daughter was born (she's almost three) and had it taken out right after we decided to have our second child. It took me three months to get pregnant and we're due on May 18th!

It worked great for me. I didn't have to remember to take a pill or anything, and the one I got lasted for 5 years. It was the Mirena (sp?) I plan on getting another one put in after this baby...you can also breast feed on it....so that's nice. My periods were really light, consistant, but I did have mood swings a little bit worse...but then, that could have been the pressure of having a new baby etc.

I'm pretty sure you'll like it if you go with it. Hope that helps! :)

My husband and I have three children and decided that we are happy with three. Our Doctor talked to us about the IUD do to the fact she thought we both were too young to have the tubal or vasectomy done at that time (back in 2000) And so I did get the IUD and I have not had any trouble with it in fact I LOVE it... It sure does beat the pill etc that I was on before... The one thing I have found a problem for some that are on the IUD is that you need to check and make sure before hand that it is still in place... Or you may just end up with another..

Again my experience has been wonderful! I am thankful the Doctor talked to us and gave us that option.
Good luck on your decision!

I have the Merina IUD. We have three boys and we're not sure yet if we're going to try for a girl. :) It's really great so far, but I've only had mine for a few months. I got it on the recommendation of my OB and my sister who has had a paragard for 9 years. My OB won't give anyone the paragard unless there is a clear problem with hormones. Mirena lightens your periods without the side effects of weight gain, etc. I've seen people complain about gaining weight on the Mirena, but when I talked to my Doctor she said that this is not the cause.

For everyone it's different, but there is some brief pain when they put it in and then a little cramping for a day or so. In my opinion, if you can handle your period, you can handle this. Taking the pill is annoying everyday while this is very low maintenance. I would recommend this to anyone.

I would not recommend a tubal. It's a surgery for you and you can't change your mind in a couple years. My husband will get a vasectomy once we're sure we're done. We made a deal - I have the kids and he gets "snipped" when we're done.

Best of luck!

I have had the IUD in now for about 6 months and the longest I have gone without bleeding is 8 days and that was just last week. I have an appointment on Monday to have it removed. However I have a friend of mine that had it and NEVER had a period and she loved it, which is the reason I had gotten it in the first place which now I regret. Everyones experience is obviously going to be different, hopefully you will be like my friend and not myself!! Good luck!!!!

Hi R.!

i had the merina iud inserted in december of 05. i ended up having it taken out in june 06 because for whatever reason, i was always cramping. i thought it would eventually go away, but it was a constant thing. i never had cramps before so it was very annoying to me. i'm not sure if it was the hormones, or maybe something with me, but it just didn't work out. i'll probably try the paragard next time i decide to get an iud, after our next child.

Hi There,

I got an IUD 6 weeks after my first baby was born. I wasn't sure if and when I'd want another baby. I also wasn't willing to go on birth control. I had already been taking it for 16 yrs. and thought my body could use a break! I was originally going to get the copper IUD with no hormones, but after discussing it with my midwife I went for the hormonal IUD. The process of getting it put in was no fun, but so far so good. I've had it in for about 11 months and have had no problems what so ever. No weight gain. I still have not gotten my period. I was told that that was one of the side effects, but hey.. no complaints on my end! The string was annoying for the first couple of weeks, but now I don't even feel it anymore. I'm supposed to check for it after each period, but since I haven't gotten a period, I just check monthly. I think it's a great invention. Go for it! Take some ibuprofen before you go in for the procedure.

After problems with the pill (nausea, constant spotting), the nuvaring (spotting and not being able to remember when to change it lol), I finally got the Mirena IUD. I absolutely LOVE it. The key is to stick it out for a few months-i had VERY light spotting for a month or two and a cramping pain in one particular spot during my period for awhile but that went away after around six months (very tolerable). Now I barely get a period (it was formerly extremely heavy and disabling-now just a little spotting), have NO cramping, and my PMS is pretty much gone. I love it! Only downside is that it is expensive (~$600)if your insurance doesn't cover it, but I was able to go to Planned Parenthood and get it for less than $100. Good luck!

Hi R.. I have the Mirena IUD. I had it put in almost a year ago. Yes it is nice to not have to remember a pill, or the patch falling off, or the ring falling out,(I have tried many methods of BC) but its not great for everyone. I have severe cramping that I never had before. They say your periods will go away after 6 months...mine come whenever they want and last up to a month long! Now as you can see from all the other responses that most women like it. I just wanted you to know there are ups and downs to the IUD and its not great for everyone. I wish I would have looked into it a little more or heard of others that had problems, so maybe I wouldnt have gotten it and would have gone back to a pill. Hope all works out with you. Good Luck! J.

I had 3 children (boys) in 3 years and after the last one got the paraguard (copper) IUD. I was only 22 and did NOT want to have anything permanent done and I can not handle the hormones from pills. It worked great and I had it removed 7 years later to try to have our last baby. We had a beautiful baby girl 2 years later and after some complicated insurance reasons I went with the Mirena IUD. This one is only good for 5 instead of 10 years and I was assured that the hormones are only released locally, so there's very little risk of side effects. I have had spotting since insertion 2 months ago, but this is normal for up to 3 months following. After this is "expired" (or possibly before) I will be having some sort of sterilization surgery, but this got me to that point without another (complicated) pregnancy!
Just do lots of research and make your own decision with recommendations from your doctor. Just make sure to do what you want, not what your doctor wants to do.

They are theway to go.I had one for 6 years before mybaby and I got another one directly after. I had the first one removed to have a baby. I had SERIUOS problems with ALL otherforms of bc. The only down point on an iud is slightly worse cramps but if your doctor spends the time to makesure its properly placed you might not experience them. My second one was done perfectly. goodluck

R.-

I had the Mirena IUD placed about 5 months ago. It was an almost painless procedure, (actually I hardly felt a thing). My periods have been almost clockwork regular, but getting lighter each month. It's nice because I don't have to remember to take a pill (I'm a disorganized thinker). And I don't have to mess with any other kind of birth control for the next 5 years! There have been some side-effects, more than what the docs will tell you. Like I got some of my early-pregnancy symptoms (they came and went, and I did take a test which came back negative). My hormones went a little wonky for a few weeks kinda like perma-pms (so not fun). But now things have calmed down quite a bit.

All in all, I'm so glad I got my IUD. I sometimes wish I'd gotten it sooner, but if I had... I wouldn't have my beautiful 6-month-old daughter.

Best of luck to you!
-B.-

I currently have an IUD, I got it in December after having my first child. I didn't want to go back on the pill after my daughter was born because for one thing I was breastfeeding and I don't want to have to go through the waiting again when we decide to have another. The only issue I have had with mine is the day it was put it was a bit more uncomfotable than I had expected so I would reccommend taking ibuprofen before going in. Part of the reason mine was more uncomfortable was because there was an issue with the canal when inserting it, other than that its great. I don't have to remember to take a pill like I used to and I don't have to worry about the hormone circulating out of my body if we decide to have another.

Your experience with b.c. sounds a lot like my sister. She wasn't able to wear the patch for the same reasons you mentioned (though I myself, loved it!), the pill had major side effects as well. BUT, she now has the IUD and has for about 2 years and loves it, as far as b.c. goes. She has a very small amount of irregularity with her periods... things like them not being the same from month to month as far as flow (heavy or light), they might be a day or two off every few months, she might have a lot of cramping as a warning that it's coming... or she may have nothing at all.
If you would like to talk to her, I can get her email address to you, just let me know.

I had the mirena IUD for two years after my first child was born and loved it! Never even knew it was there, no funny side effects, and NO periods the whole time! I had it removed in January and was pregnant by April, so when the time comes that you decide you do want another kid it was really easy for us. I have had friends who didn't like the synthetic hormones it releases but most people love it that i've talked to. I have one friend who has the copper IUD and likes that too. Talk to your doctor!

It's a good idea to ask the doctor's opinion.
I had an IUD for about three years and it was great.
I did not have the usual cramping that we here users generally
experience.
The pill made me have a sick feeling. I guess it would be
similar to morning sickness. I tried different doses and
smaller doses did help to a point but I still had to take the
darn thing.
My vote is ask the doc. Decide on the risk.

This may help

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/contra...

I have been on the depo shot since I had my daughter in July of 2005. I had quite a bit of bleeding the first 3 months, but now I haven't had a period since. No mood swings, binges, cramps, nothing! 1 shot every 3 months is very convenient for me. I was also told that it is impossible to get pregnant while you are on the shot if you keep up on your shots. WOOHOO! I feel the same way as you that I don't want to give up the option of having more, but not right now!

Hope this helps! L.

Just to let you know - I have used the IUD for many years and thought it was the best birth control method out there. There is one big problem, however. I don't know your religious beliefs, however, the way the IUD works, is it lets the egg become fertilized (a fetus in the Christian view) then doesn't allow the fertilized egg to implant. This in the Orthodox Christian viewpoint is abortion. Since I had my two daughters I don't use it any more.