IUD Questions

I got mine from Planned Parenthood and they paid for the entire thing (just requested a donation). Worked well.

I wasn't on the pill right before I got it. I used to be on Depo and personally had less emotional side effects with depo than with Mirena. It's been more than a year since I have had mine inserted and I still have my periods (they said they would eventually go away after about 6 months). They are still painful for me (always have been) and now in addition to all that I feel overly pissy and moody when I am getting close to and on my period. More so than before.

However!!! I do like that I no longer have to worry about going in to get my depo shot or taking a pill everyday (I would forget) and that's a good thing for me. I went back about a month or so ago and asked about the moodiness and pain and they gave me some tips to try. If those tips don't work then I will get it out and go back on depo.

Good Luck!

Hello B.! I had the same concern as you (too many hormones) and got the Mirena IUD. I didn't get mine through Planned Parenthood, though I'm sure if you call, they'll let you know if they offer them. The only negative I've had was that the string on the first one I had was hard to find, so it was hard for them to get out.....that said, I have no side effects (no headache, weight gain, moodiness, etc etc) that I had on the pill. I had no trouble getting pregnant about 2 months after I pulled the first one out, and now have my second one in without issue after my second child was born. Hope that helps!

I like my mirena. It took my body a while to adjust to it (about 4 months). During that time I had irregular spotting - never like a period, just annoying. Now, I get a very light, very short period every month. I don't notice any negative side effects from the hormones - although I generally tolerated the pill ok too so maybe I'm not overly sensitive to synthetic hormones. I got it after my child was born and didn't have any trouble losing baby weight, etc.

I had paraguard a few years ago. The biggest problem I had with it was pregnancy, meaning I got pregnant! They definatly are not 100%, just ask my 2 y/o! Lol! Best uh oh in the world!

I have the paragard and I got it through planned parenthood but I had medicade at the time and it was free. I had called before and was told it was 500-600 without insurance. It was excruciating for myself to get it in and the cramps afterward felt like labor pains. I was ok about 2 days later. I love it and there's so much freedom. My periods are longer and the first few days I cramp but its worth it it to me. I did have a scare because I was late but the nurse said that is normal and it takes a while for your body to adjust. There's no hormones and with the exception of my period week I love it! It lasts 10 years too. Can beat that! My nurse said paragard is as effective as a tubal without the surgery.

I have had both types of IUDs and I didn't like either of them. the paraguard made me bleed like crazy (I found out later that if you have heavy periods you should never get the paraguard). Switched to the Mirena. I had heavy irregular periods for a year, and then they were regular, but I had a lot of cramping every month, acne, weight gain, and GI issues. I would take the Pill any day over the IUD, the only thing about the pill is if you forget you are out of luck. I think it depends on how you react to hormones. My body is just very sensitive. I got pregnant right after the mirena was removed and had a miscarriage. Apparently you aren't supposed to be able to get pregnant for a few months, and my doc was shocked it happened so soon.

i did get mine through planned parenthood because my insurance only allowed iuds to be put in there. weird!
the only side effect i hate (mine is the paragaurd, hormone free) is that i get super heavy periods, really bad cramping, and pretty bad pms symptoms since ive been on it. which is weird because there isnt supposed to be any hormone changes!
also, i dont know if this is related, but its been pretty hard for me to lose weight this time around. that was a problem when i was on the patch, but i didnt think that would be an issue this time.
ive never been on a pill that had hormones, so im not sure if the symptoms are better or worse, but they seem worse!
and i have not had any major problems during pregnancy (just with delivery)

I got mine through my doctor, but it was covered. I think it's really stupid that insurance's pick and choose which birth control they will and will not cover! I have the paragaurd, which is the no hormone one, and it's great! I have serious problems taking birth control with hormones and so I won't take them. This is the only birth control I've been able to use without any negative side effects.

I had the Mirena for 5 years after my last was born. I only had a couple periods after it was put in and then I didn't have a period for almost 5 years! It was awesome!!! I had no side effects. Even though I didn't bleed, I did have a "cycle"- I could feel my hormones changing. Putting it in was no trouble- It was a pinching feeling with very slight cramping afterwards. I went during work and went right back to the office. Removal was a very slight pinching and some bleeding, but no big deal. I have known lots of women with the Mirena and none have ever had a comlaint. Not having to remember that darn pill everyday was fantastic.