IUD Or Other Method?

i know IUD's have come along way... but when i got the IUD 4 months later i found out i was pregnant... he was fine but born at 7 months... so just be aware that it could still happen... Blessings, gypsy

Hi D.,

After the birth of my son, I went with Mirena (IUD). I have had it since April of last year and I love it!!!! My mother also uses an IUD and she has experienced mild cramping. However, I haven't had any problems. I love it because it is good for 5 years!!!!!!!!!!!

I had an IUD that worked for about a year and a half. I was 3 months along before I found out I was pregnant with my 2nd son. I had no other problems with it. Just be prepared that it could happen. Now I had the paraguard, where most are using Mirena now which has low dose hormones which may prove more effective. The mirena works for 5 years, and if you want more children I think this is a good idea.

Hi D.,

I am the mother of three now ages 6,5, and 10 wks. I just had my first IUD placed this week and I think it's completely worth considering. I have in the past tried the pill, patch, and nuva ring and after much research I finally chose the IUD. I chose the mirena 5yr IUD and since I just had my last baby recently, I never even felt it go in and feel absolutely nothing now...really not a thing! It's comfortable and I was told that it's likely that in about 8 months or less, I won't even have a period. For now they warned of the usual possible spotting and cramps, but that's pretty common across the board. Otherwise the benefits are that I don't have to worry about remembering to take pills or replace patches or rings for 5yrs and if you think about it, it's also more cost effective, even without insurance it's about $600 without insurance. But my insurance covered all but my $25 copay. Other methods usually cost between $15-$30 a month with insurance, and that would add up to be $900-$1800 over 5 yrs.
The mirena does have a very small dose of hormone, but it does not affect your breastmilk, and if you don't want any hormones in your body, there's also a 10yr IUD. And they both have the same success and effectiveness rate as a tubal ligation, but without the permanence should you ever change your mind. I think all this is definately worth considering...Good Luck with your new baby!
L. from Austin, TX

I have a 10 year copper-T IUD...and I REALLY like it! I have one child, and other types of birth control never worked for me. The diaphragm hurt, the hormones made me hungry and emotional, and may DH hates condomes...So, the copper-T it is! I bleed a little bit more during my periods, but I dunno if that is because of the IUD or simply due to giving birth. Either way it is definately worth considering. Good luck to you!

K. J.

I just replaced my first IUD that I had for 5 years and I absolutely love it. No you can't feel it and it has stopped my periods (after the first couple of months). It has worked very well for me and I don't have to worry about remembering to take a pill every day or replacing it. It has been very effective and I don't seem to have any side effects. I highly recommend it.

D.,
I've had both the copper IUD and Mirena. I got the copper IUD at my 6 week after my first child. It did cause heavier periods which in turn caused me to get endometriosis (I was already prone to it). I had it removed after 1 1/2 years to take care of the endometriosis. My sister in law had the copper IUD in for 6 year and didn't have any problems with it and is now trying again.
I tried the Mirena after the birth of my 3rd child. I accidently scheduled my next appointment for 2 weeks later (my doctor actually wanted to see me after my first period). Anyway, I went in to make sure it was still in place and they couldn't find it. I had 2 days left on insurance so I went in for emergency surgery to find it. It was in the cavity behind my uterus. So, problems can happen but my sister has had hers and absolutely loves it. I say give it a try. I almost want to try it again because I think the problem may have been from my doctor inserting it wrong. I just had my 4th baby and am considering the Implanon. It is an implant which releases low doses of progestin that goes in the arm just below the skin. It's supposed to last 3 years.
best of luck.

D.,

I used an IUD exclusively throughout a 19-yr relationship/first marriage and loved it! I never had ANY additional cramping or discomfort of any kind. My husband never complained of any "sticks" or other things I have heard mentioned among detractors. It was kind of the "set it and forget it" of birth control for us (actually, you can't forget it entirely, because you must "check the string" periodically to be sure that it is still in place. However, this is not difficult.)

I have been lucky in love (in the birth control department) because my second husband had a vasectomy long before we were together. I am 54 now, and have not had an IUD for 6+ years, but I NEVER experienced any problems with it or had any negative affects from having one for a long duration. Hope this helps.

One other bit of info: I was VERY diligent to see my OB/GYN for annual checkups. I strongly encourage EVERY reader to be faithful in getting annual "healthy checks" for gyn/mammogram. Your LIFE depends on it!

Cheers,
K.

a lot of people don't approve of the IUD because it prevents an already fertlized egg from implanting the uterus. maybe a diaphragm?

i never had one. you said, however, you are probably done having kids. "probably" is not the word you need for this method, but my husband got a vesectomy. fifteen minute procedure, just a co-pay, and the recovery is really not that bad. so if you do feel done, it is a great option.

I used one for almost 14 years and it was wonderful. They usually won't allow you to have one unless you are in a manogomous relationship and have had two children, because of increased chance of infection with multiple partners but I would wholeheartedly recommend one. There are little or no side affects (at least in my case). They have improved them a great deal since the problems of the 80's. It was uncomfortable to have put in, but then it is done and you don't have to worry about it. For me it was a perfect solution with no costs except the initial one. And if you want to get pregnant again, just remove it. I was pregnant 3 weeks after I removed it. Take care.

Save yourself money/time/worry... get a tubaligation.

Hi, I would recommend the IUD. I had my 2nd child in Aug of last year and was considering the IUD. I heard a lot of bad things about them. I heard that they give you really bad cramps and sometimes a lot more bleeding then normal. I decided to get it and I don't regret it at all. I don't even know it's there. I have not had cramps and I do not bleed anymore then I used to before kids. Everyones different but I would say to give it a shot. Sure beats having to take a pill every day! Plus its good for 5 years. I hope this helps.
A. C.

i have the Minera..........and it was inserted in 12/06 I bled for 2 almost 3 months and atlest once a month have horrible cramps to the point of fake labor pains.........many women do not suffer from this but its possible........the reason why i stick w/it, is because its more a more effective form of bc........i have known 2 women to get preggo on the pill..........We are still not : ), we want to wait til our son turns 3 yrs.....only 1 more year to go......
hope this helped.......God BLess.............................

Hi D.. The IUD isn't always for everyone. If your Insurance covers it I beleave the Mirena might be a good options speak to you Doctor about it. My favorite conterceptions is the Nuvaring. You do not have to worry about taking a pill everyday and it is a low dose hormone you use once a month. If you can use a tampon the Nuvaring is great. I am a single mom of 4 I had my first 3 at an early age 2 of them I was on the pill and I am so glad there are more options on BCM.

Hi D.!

I had the Mirena IUD after my second child and kept it for 2 years. I loved it, if you can say that about such a thing! ;-) Compared to the icky side effects I suffered on the pill - several different attempts at pills - it was the best.

Lighter cycles, little discomfort and mood swings were helped tremendously!

Good luck!!

Hi I've been using the Mirena IUD it's great It does release progestrone so you don't have all the problems the other IUD would. I maybe have spotting every 2 weeks but nothing to complain about and no monthly cycles which I love no cramps. And you can take it out whenever you ready before the 5 yrs are up. I'll be 40 by then. I also have 2 kids GIRL is 6yrs and a boy 19mos. So I'm done having kids. Hope this helps.

I had a copper IUD for several years with no problems. The string was a bit long and could be felt by my husband, so the gynecologist trimmed the string. I never felt the IUD and they are considered 99% effective. There's plenty of info on the Net. Good luck! jenifer

Hi D.-I'll put my 2-cents in. I got the Mirena IUD put in sometime in January. I had my second child last September. Anyway-I LOVE the IUD. The procedure was really simnple-no problems (took maybe 5 minutes). I think you may have a little cramping. The first couple months I have had a little breakthrough bleeding-not much (this is normal). But my periods are VERY LIGHT....I don't need anything more than a pantiliner. After my first child, I noticed that my periods had gotten really heavy-so this is wonderful! I would definately recommend it-especially if you are thinking about having another child. The removal procedure is supposed to be just as easy, and I think the wait time is 2 months max. if you want to try to have another child. Good Luck!

I have the IUD (mirena) and it has been awesome for me. My husband is a physician and is good friends with our OB. My husband asked our OB what form of birth control he would give his wife (since my OB would only do what is safest and most effective). He told my husband that he highly recommends the IUD for its effectiveness and for it's ease of use. So far things have been great on it. Although I can not feel it, my husband says sometimes he can. Good luck!

Mirena is the way to go. I had no cramps or pain when it was inserted 6 weeks after my daughter was born. I actually held her while my Docter put it in. She trimmed the string 6 weeks later. Very light spotting every couple of months is all the period I have. My husband occasionally feels it, but it doesn't hurt either of us. Sometimes I freak out because I don't know if I'm pregnant or not... I actually took a pregnancy test once, just to make sure, b/c with no period there's no way to know. I am trying to trust it and not worry now... but it is much better than the daily worry about a pill or condom. DO NOT RELY ON BREASTFEEDING AS BIRTH CONTROL!!!

I got an IUD last June after having our 2nd. I love it and have had no problems. When they insert it you have some mild cramping that feels like your period. My dr gave me advil in the office. I think I have had 3 spotty periods in almost a year...I love it! My insurance is great and it didn't cost much but I have a friend who found it costly but still asavings verses the pill for 5 years. I have Mirena...it releases hormones. There is another that lasts 10 years that does not have hormones. Good luck!

Have you considered a diaphram? You have to put it in before having intercourse, but it is safe and not painful or permanent.

My experience with an IUD was a painful one. Inserting it was uncomfortable, then I got an infection because of it, then I miscarried and found that this is not a preventative form of birth control...it actually kills any embryo. Then I got another infection just after the miscarraige and had it removed, which was even more painful.

If you as a couple are absolutely certain you do not want any more children, a vasectomy is the safest alternative. I've heard a lot of women have compliations with IUDs, and hormone treatments do increase a woman's chances of getting cancer. Hysterectomies require anaesthesia, and are there for more dangerous. A vasectomy is a safe, in office procedure, and doesn't affect his hormones, endanger him though anaesthesia, risk serious complications, or increase his chance of cancer. It is the right thing for a man to do. OTOH, if you are cut open anyway for a ceasearian section, you might want them to tie your tubes while they are there.

I had the ten year copper iud for 5 years and except for the longer heavier periods I loved it!!! I got it after my 5 yr old daughter was born and had it taken out to try for another. We are expecting now. Btw this form of bc doesn't have the increased risk of cancer or heart disease or other deliterious side effects for the mom. You will bleed more, but you may also be around to watch your kiddos have their own kids!! I loved my iud!!!

~good luck

I have had the Mirena IUD for 2 years now. I love it! My periods haven't gone away completely, but they are very minimal now (like 2 days of spotting). I haven't experienced any of the cramping, but one of my sister in laws did, and had hers removed. Like every other type of BC, nothing works for everyone.

The main reason I got an IUD was that I knew with a toddler and a newborn, I would never remember to take a pill. And I was right! A 2 year old and a baby require a lot of time and brain power!

Good luck with your decision!

I have had an IUD for several years, and it has been wonderful. I can not feel it at all and I love that I never have to think about birth control. Another big plus is that it is not hormonal, so I have had no issues with weight or feeling nutty. It has been a great option for me!

Hi D., In response to your question "IUD or other method". During my cycle, I use to have really heavy periods, I would wear a tampon, a pantiliner, and my clothes would still get stained by the flow - it was terrible. Well, at the time, I was in my mid 30's, with one child (now a 14 year old boy) and my doctor would not agree to a histerectomy or any of the sort because I was too young and only had one child, she kept telling me, I might decide to have more later, well, at the time I had been divorced for some time, and was a single parent, so I knew I wasn't going to have anymore kids - so my doctor suggested the IUD, I chose the Mirena IUD (5 year) and I absolutely love it. I also was scared I would be able to fell it, scared my partner would feel it, and heard horror stories about it, including my doctor telling me of one women that had it inserted and immediately told the doctor to remove it before she got off the table. Well, since the day I got it, I ask myself why didn't I do it sooner - it's great! Neither me or my partner does not feel it during intercourse, my blood flow from my periods is light and they are more regular now. the IUD is known to stop the monthly after a period of 6 months, for me, it hasn't stopped, but has regualted my periods so they are not so hard on me anymore. The Mirena comes in 3 or 5 year options. You can read all the details on the web, and ask your gyno about it. Good luck, and I hope this helps.

I have had the Mirena IUD which is the five year IUD for a year and a half now and I adore it. We have a 2/1/2 year old and we are pretty sure we don't want anymore children. I never got a period with birth control before due to low estrogen and had issues there so I was spending a fortune on high estrogen birth control and having all kinds of side effects, breast pain, cramps, moodiness, etc... Since I have gotten this I have had ONE cycle and no PMS symptoms. It is great. I know that it is not that way for everyone. My friend got one and have off and on heavy periods for six months and now finally she has none at all and is so happy. I have NOOOO worries that I will get pregnant with it. I don't even think twice about it. As for getting it put in, it wasn't comfortable. My dr. gave me a local shot to help ease the pain and the procedure took about 15 min. At the time I thought I was crazy but now I would do it again any day. It is great and I love it! It is worth the luxury of not taking a pill everyday, not having that concern in the back of your mind, and not having a worry for five years. Also, your chances of getting pregnant again if you were to want to are very good. Others might tell you differently but I have had a very good experience. Good luck.

Hello D.. I know everyone has their own experiences and recommendation when it comes to an IUD. All of my friends tried to talk me out of it, but the idea of lower cost and not having to take a pill every day sounded great! I had my IUD implanted several months after my first child. A couple months later when in for my annual exam and the doc couldn't find it! Several ultrasounds and x-rays later, it was discovered that it had broken through my uterus lining and was pressing on my anal cavity. Long story short, less than 6 months from a c-section I was back in the hospital having surgery to have my IUD removed. So, I just caution you that their 'warnings' can happen. :) Hope this helps.

Hi!

I love my IUD(MIRENA)I got mine on my six weeks check-up and I am loving it. It only took about 15 minutes and it felt like regular mentrual cramps, I spotted the rest of that day, but afterwards was fine.. For the first 3-6 months, I had a light & shorter period and then it went away. I've had it for 3 years now and I have it check annually and everything looks fine.. No side effects or anything. Every once in a while I may feel a little cramp, but nothing major, it usually goes away in seconds. Another thing is that when you feel that you are ready to have another baby just have it removed and you can try that same day, but sometimes your body goes thru 1-3 cycles before you actually get pregnant. Every woman is different. But always check with your dr. to see what is best for you.. In my experience I love it. It is also recommended when you only have 1 partner. It does not protect you from any STDs. Good luck!

Well first of all hello and about the IUD I got it after my first child the experience I had with it it was very confortable and I didn't need to take a hormone pill every night I actually work at a Dr's office and she said this is one of the safest methods the only side effect I had it was more painfull menses and many more cloths during menses. I don't realy like pills or shots so after my second child I got tubal ligation (permanent).

Though I cannot speak personally about the pros and cons of IUDs, I have known only two women who have had them. Of those two, one got pregnant and the other refers to it as the *expletive* alien device. She claims that she can feel it and it has cause sex to be prohibitively painful.

I have 2 boys, when I turned 40, I had an IUD inserted by my gynaecologist. I am now 45, I do a yearly pap - which has been normal and I have normal periods,no discomfort and it has worked great for me.

I have a copper IUD and I love it. It's over 99.99% effective and the only uncomfortable part was having it put in. That was mildly painful but it helps to take ibuprofen about a half hour before your appt. You shouldn't feel it after it's inserted. I would recommend it to anyone. It's hormone free and it lasts for 10 years unless you have it removed.

Hi D.!
I say do it! Get the IUD. I have the Merina that last for 5 years. My dr. said there were two types, one that last 5 yrs. and will cause your periods to be lighter(it does) and another that last for 10 yrs. I have had mine for 2 yrs now and LOVE it!!! When my 5 yrs is up I will do it again unless we decide to have another child. When they first put it in it will feel like you are having really bad cramps so make sure you have some Tylenol to take. The discomfort only last for like a day and a half after that, you will never know it is there. I have tried the pill(that is how I got pregnant-I forgot to take them), the depo shot, and now the IUD. I wish I had gotten the IUD sooner. I hope this helps! Do some research as well to discover the pros and cons if you have more questions.
Have a blessed day!
H.

I have never use the IUD but I used the Norplant for 10 years I really liked it for me it reduced my periods to hardly anything the only side effect I had from it was the first month went it was put it I would have a period or spotting. It was good for 5 years and I didn't have to think about it. Good luck
S.

Look into the Nuva Ring. It's put in yourself once monthly, and I've loved it. Very easy and you only have to do it once a month unlike the pill