IUD Question

Hi J.!

I just wanted to say that no matter what your choice, there are always potential side effects, so you have to decide what is best for you. I am thankful that the Mirena has been so great for me because, while I can remember to take a pill each day the thought of it grosses me out and I gag. The thought of the nuvaring is vile to me (no offense), yes, I am quite prudish, but this makes my point. You, knowing yourself, have to decide what you can best live with and then try it. It's good to do some research: contraception effectiveness, method of delivery, side effects, etc; and then you decide what you feel is a best fit even with the possible side effects - and if you have a good doctor (which everyone should, or you need to go find another one) talk to him/her about the options you are pondering and get a medical perspective. In the end you will make a good decision and hopefully get some good contraception.

Hi J.,
I was told by my doctor when you are breast feeding the only options for birth control are the mini pill and an IUD. I personally am horrible about taking pills, especially trying to take them at the same time everyday. I ended up going with Mirena and love it. It was a little uncomfortable having it put in, instant cramping, but it went away. Just take motrin about 30 min before. It's also a little akward at times b/c my husband says he can feel the strings but other than that I haven't had any problems with it. Since I had it put in while I was nursing my periods never returned. Also, depending on your insurance it may be cheaper than a pill. I only had to pay my co-pay to have it put in and its good for 5 years. The one draw back I've found is that after I had it put in I started gaining weight. They say it doesn't cause significant weight gain, but I have and I also have friends that gained weight while they had it. It's nothing that eating healthier and exercise won't take care of. Hope that helps.

personally, i would NEVER choose to have a foreign object implanted in my body. i had a life threatening infection several years ago due to a medical device(NOT an IUD) and i don't like anything in me in any way, shape, or form that isn't absolutely 100% necessary.

as far as the mirena, i know about 5 or 6 women that have had one. ALL of them had to have them surgically removed b/c the strings were "lost". one of my friends was mildly ill for quite some time, turns out she had a staph infection from her mirena - so obviously she had that thing removed surgically ASAP and would never do it again.

it may be a great choice for you, but it may not be. and many are posting that you have to "wait" after coming off the pill to get pregnant, but that is not true anymore. most doctors will tell you to have ONE period so that they can date the pregnancy, but it's not truly necessary. be sure to talk to YOUR dr to get all the facts straight.

have you thought about using a natural family planning method? my husband is a pharmacist and he is opposed to nearly all meds(funny huh?) that are not 100% necessary, especially hormones and antiboitics. i got a book called "taking charge of your fertility". there's a free online charting site and you just take a few months to get to know your body. my husband and i have been married for 7 years, and i have only been on birth control a few months out of that time and we have NEVER had an unplanned pregnancy.

good luck with your decision!

Hi J., I had a non-hormonal IUD in for 7 years and LOVED it! It is little uncomfortable to have put in, I took motrin for a couple of days... the first dose about an hour before I had it put in. It also causes your periods to be extremely heavy the first 1-6 cycles, annoying but not unbearable. After that I didn't have any problems or side effects. When I had it removed last year to try for baby number 3 I didn't feel a thing. I honestly couldn't tell she had even removed it before during or after the procedure. My doc says you can get pregnant the day of removal or any day thereafter so it doesn't effect things like hormones do. I have no clue about breast feeding, sorry.

Hi J.,
I have had an IUD for 9 years now and it works great! There is no remembering to take a pill or risks with breastfeeding. I have a copper one and when removed will probably go to the Mirena which has a little hormone on it. It is supposed to help regulate your period a little better. I will tell you with the IUD I do not always know exactly when I will start as I did with the pill, but that is not a big problem. I also have slightly heavier periods, but manageable and worth the benefit of not getting pregnant. Also, when removed you are safe to get pregnant almost immediately instead of having to wait like with the pill.
As for getting it put in, there is some minor discomfort sort of like a bad menstrual cramp and a little bleeding. Very quick recovery though. It is done in an office visit, is quick, and very effective. A copper IUD will last 10 years, the Mirena I believe is 5 or 7...Overall, I have been very happy with this method and it is a no brainer. My mom also used IUDs between all her pregnancies and had no trouble getting pregnant once removed.
The only problem I have had with mine is they cut my strings too short and to get it removed it is going to be a little more invasive, but not major. I highly suggest you discuss any concerns with your Gyn, but I have been very pleased with my experience. Hope this helps!

I have the mirena.It last for 5 years but you can have it taken out when ever you are ready to get pregnant again.Unlike birth control you can get pregnant immediatly instead of waiting.It didnt hurt when I got it there was minor cramping for about an hour afterward.i breatfed for 3 months after and stoped by my choice.I still have my period every month but I have heard that some people dont have a period anymore.I do sometimes feel it around the time I am going to start my period but it is very minor.Love it!!

I had an iud between girl 2 and 3 and i currently have another iud. I have had no problems. I like that i don't have to remember and they last for 5-10 years. To me women should not get their tubes tied when iuds are out there. The in and out was a simple doctor visit. I had no problems. I also like that it is not a drug so it did not affect my breast feeding which i did with all three. Of course there are people who have had problems, but someone some where has had a problem wtih everything. I knew i would be ok b/c i am medically low maintenance. I say 100% yes. Check it out!!!

You can get those pillboxeswith days ofthe week on them and put by your toothbrush, i'll be easy to see if the day of theweek is missing ornot to check. I didn't have a very good experience withthe IUD. It got lost, and was I ever dreading them having to go in and try and find it and remove it. Thank goodness a maricle happened and we got it out before we had to do anything drastic.

I had the Mirena for 2 years and just had it removed Friday b/c of constant yeast infections after sex, and my husband and everyone else can attest I was much more moody.

I had very little of a period, but I couldn't use tampons b/c they hurt as badly as a yeast infection.

Everyone's body is different, but I was told it was the best alternative while breastfeeding, therefore I stuck it out (a little too long).

It was effective, thus meaning, I didn't get pregnant, but I'm finished w/ it.

Regards,

A.

I had a Mirena IUD inserted 6 weeks after the birth of my first 2 children (who are now 4 and 2). It is definitely safe for breastfeeding. Having it put in and taken out was about the same as a pap smear, and I never felt it the entire time. I left them in until I was ready to get pregnant again. It does not affect your ability to get pregnant again... definitely not! My boys are 17 months apart :-). I would recommend it highly!

I had the marina IUD put in about 3 months ago! I had a baby boy on Christmas day this year. I was breast feeding him so that was one of my only options. I was VERY skeptical about it but I must say I like it alot. I did bleed for a long time and still bleed randomly sometimes but it only hurt for like a day and you pretty much forget it is even there. We have great health insurance and we only had to pay $12. I really like I would say go for it!

Hi J.,
I'm 53, so my experience is a little older than others. I've had 3 IUD's, and was very happy with them. I had 2 before I had children (seems the recommendation was to change every 2 years -- I've forgotten) and one between children. My dh had a vasectomy after our second child was born, so I didn't need to go back on birth control after that.

I chose an IUD because I tend to throw up pills, and so didn't feel like I was adequately protected when I took the pill. My mother finally told me if I was going to throw up every day, then I may as well get pregnant and have something to show for my troubles. Good point! That's when I finally decided to get an IUD.

They were slightly painful going in, and coming out, and I had the cramps that day, but was fine the next day. I did have cramps when I had my periods, but I tend to have heavy periods and cramps anyway.

I did feel for the tiny string every time I went to the bathroom -- and it was always there. I know some people have problems with them, but I was fortunate, and had no problems at all. Based on my good luck with mine, I really recommend it.

I remember some some of my friends having troubles with their IUD's -- one warning I remember was the increased risk of infection when one had multiple sexual partners, or when one had sex with someone who'd had multiple partners. Of course, one runs a risk in that arena at all times.

Best wishes in your decision -- and remember, listen to your own body, and if it doesn't work -- have it removed!!

A.
mother of 2, grandmother of 2, wife of 1

Hi J.,

I'm on the Progestrone Only (Mini Pill) Pill which is the only thing you can take while you are breastfeeding. The mini pill only has a three hour window when you are safe from getting pregnant though. I've been on the NuvaRing, my periods were clotty and of course I didn't care too much for putting it in but on the upside I didn't have to worry about taking a pill everyday. I do know a few people that really like the IUD, I've never done it, it scares me but that's just me. Good Luck!

Hi J.,

I would say to really do your research on the Mirena IUD. I've heard alot of good things about it from mamasource moms but when I googled info about it and found blogs of women sharing their thoughts on it, they were all pretty negative experiences and most were regretful of getting it done. Some examples I remember were continuous bleeding for months, moodiness, itching, and some had to have procedures done to get them removed because the doctor couldn't find the strings to remove it.
Have you tried setting a timer to go off daily to remember to take your pill?
I just had my 3rd baby and definitely don't want to slip up on my pills so I'm going to buy some type of daily timer to remind me to take my pill.
So far, I haven't missed a day.
I would just advise you to read up as much info as possible on it before making your final decision and congrats on your new baby girl.....take care!

J. - I had the IUD for 5 years and I highly recommend it. It regulated my periods very quickly and I quit having periods when my son turned 8 months old (that was awesome!). It didn't make me moody or sick like the pills did and I didn't have to remember to take anything. In case you do decide to stick with the pill, a good reminder to take it is to set an alarm on your cell phone for the same time everyday. Good luck!

Dear J.:

While I did have some pain upon insertion (I had it before childbirth because I begged the doctor), overall, it wass great for me. I did not have the hormone interference of the pill and could forget about it. I had to learn to roll up the strings because they bothered my husband. Removal was quick, but I did have cramping for 5-10 minutes. Compared tp having a baby though - nothing! It was a great form of birth control for me.
Jen

I can't answer all of your questions, but can't tell you my experience. I have had an IUD for approximately 9 years. Was 35 when I got it. Was painful to have placed and had cramping for 1-2 days like a bad period. But for the most part it has been great. I am regular on my cycle with it, and not have to remember to take pills etc. I don't know about the Nursing or Pregnant questions or having it removed, but it has worked good for me. I've heard that it is painful removing also. Not looking forward to that.

You'll have to check with your Dr. as far as the breastfeeding goes, but I absolutely love the Nuva Ring. You insert it yourself and take it out after three weeks to have a period. It's not permanent, it emits half the hormones into your system because it's local, it's easy. It also cut down on cramping and other annoying symptoms. I'm not sure you can use it while breastfeeding, but as soon as you can use it, you should look into it. Also, I'm reading people's responses to set a timer-I got a digital watch that has reminders-you can set up to like 4 alarms a day.

I have the Mirena which I guess is considered an IUC (Intrauterine Contraceptive) I have had it for a year and LOVE it! My periods have basically stopped and if I do get one it lasts for about 2days. I'm not sure if there's and restrictions when it comes to breastfeeding but you can check it out with your ob/gyn. I would recommend it to anyone who is bad with remembering pills.

Hi J. The last few girls had told you only bad stuff. But I had it for 6 mo and most of my friends have it for 5, 7, and even one that has it almost 9 years now and all of our experience had been good 3 of them told me that they had longer periods and cramps for the first 6 mo but as for me everything was normal I never had cramps or longer periods the only thing for 2 of my friends was that they got pregnant while having the IUD but they had it for about 8 or 9 years each they say it's good for 10 years but I highly recommend to take it out before the 8th. 2 of us got pregnant fast I took it out on march 10 and by april 1 I was already pregnant, and my friend got pregnant in a month now I'm 4 months and she is like 2 1/2. I know there is always a risk but I can tell you for sure that with the IUD your hormones are going to be perfect unlike the pills, and shot beacuse with those you may not even want to have sex with your husband anymore.

I had a Mirena for 9 months. I nursed the whole time and for a year after having it removed. Mirena was extremely effective birth control for me, because sex hurt so badly that my husband and I had sex twice for the duration of the 9 months - he felt bad for hurting me, and I surely wasn't going to ask for that kind of pain. Speaking of pain, I had almost continuous (read 6 out of every 7 days for 9 months) cramps and periods more painful than any I had had before - reminiscent of labor, actually - and I didn't have pain medicine during labor. The cramping got better within 2 weeks of having it removed, sex was hesitant at first - but back to normal within a few months.

Needless to say, I don't recommend it. Abstinence works without an 800 dollar piece of plastic in to enforce it.

I know a lot of people have had great experiences with this thing - but I also know that I'm not the only one who was put through hell by it.

S.