Iuds

I have never personally had an iud but i have had friends use them. a few of them loved it but i also had one friend get pregnant while she was on it bc the hormone levels werent right for her and then i had other friends say the hormone levels were just to much for them to take. my best friend uses the nuva ring and it is a ring that you insert just like a diaphram and take it out every four weeks for one week have your period and then re insert it at the end of that week. she loves it and has never had ne problems with it good luck

I also have the Mirena IUD. I really like it except that I never know when I'm going to start bleeding. The bleeding is very light and usually only lasts a day or so. I never have heavy periods anymore, but the surprise bleeding is a pain.

Hi, I just have to tell you that getting an iud was one of the best things I've ever done for myself. I, like you, have 2 beautiful children and don't plan on having anymore, but I don't want to commmit to that yet. I have had it for about 3 months now and I haven't had a period. The only downside is some insurance carriers won't pay for it and it can be expensive, I was lucky enough to have mine covered, but even if it wasn't I would have done it anyway. I haven't had any side effects, and only a tiny bit of break through bleeding. I should have done it years ago! Hope this helps,
M.

I have an IUD by Mirena, I believe. It is hormone-free, although you can get them impregnanted with hormones. I chose not to.

I've enjoyed it so far. I hated being on the pill, I hate condoms and I would like to have another child, so it was a good option for me.

On the downside, my periods are much, much heavier than they used to be, but I was on the pill. I have worse cramps and bloating, as well. And, my period lasts for almost 7 days rather than 3 or 4. So, I don't know if I had less cramps, and a lighter period because I was on the pill and hadn't had a baby or not.

That being said, the pros definitely outwiegh the cons since we are not ready for another child.

By the way, insertion is quick, and relatively painless. It was more uncomofortable, than anything.

Good luck!

I got the mirena 6 weeks after giving birth. LOVE IT! I had 2 periods that lasted about 1 week each and haven't had one since. My SIL has one too. She had a period for 3 months straight after getting hers. Hasn't had one since.

Hi S.,

I had the Mirena IUD for about 9 months. I loved it at first but then I started constantly bleeding. I would go one day every 3 or 4 days without bleeding. I also started cramping all the time. I chose to have it taken out and go back on the pill. I have heard that most women love it and never have any problems with it. Good luck! :)

I got the IUD after my twins for the same reason you are wanting to get yours, and at first I thought it was the best thing ever. My problem was that I gained a ton ton ton of weight and I am certain it was from the IUD. I was working out like crazy, doing the Body for Life diet, etc. etc. and my body was not budging. I ended up about 30 pounds over my normal weight and always felt really bloated and uncomfortable. Sure enough, within a week of having the IUD removed my weight started dropping like crazy and I ended up weighing less than before I had the kids. I also bled all the time. Our sex life definitely suffered at the hands of the IUD - We joked about how ironic it was and that the reason the effectiveness rate is so high with it is because you can never have sex - ha! On the other hand, I know there are women out there that absolutely love it and never have a problem. I'm back on the pill, but my sister uses the Nuva Ring and loves it. I don't think you'll know how the IUD works for you until you try it. I don't know if your insurance covers it (mine did), but it was a breeze to remove so you could always try it and have it removed if you decide it's not for you. Good luck!

I got mine about a month ago for the exact same reasons and mine is great. It hurt a little when it was being inserted and I cramped for about a day after but nothing bad. I have also spotted off and on too. I can't say enough about my Mirena IUD, and my insurance covered it 100%.
Good Luck,
J.

the mirena is awesome!!!!! i love it! i have been on it for almost a year and its great! talk to your doctor about it! i have friends who also just love it!

I had issues with the hormones in the Pill so I opted for the copper IUD instead of Mirena. The copper one is effective for 10 years and since you don't plan on having more children, it might be a better option.

They say your period could be heavier with the copper one, but I'm still EBFing so I haven't had AF since my LO was born.

Hi S.,

I had a Mirena IUD and loved it! I also could never remember a pill every single day at the same time. Insertion wasn't too bad and it never bothered me. I also had it removed a few weeks ago and it was like having one bad cramp. (My insurance paid for putting it in and taking it out) So, I highly recommend them. They do have the same kind of horomones as the pill, but it's a light dosage that is localized so people typically have much fewer problems than with the pill.

Good luck!
C.

There is such a difference between all the different kinds of IUD's, I would be interested in finding out what others used (the ones who didn't indicate). I have had the Merena IUD for over 2 years and I love it. I also had to quit doing the pill for the hormone reasons. The Merena IUD has such a low dose, it does not effect me like the pill did. I have little or no periods (because I guess the low dose of hormones keeps the lining from building up in the uterus). It wasn't that bad to have it inserted, just a little discomfort for a couple minutes and some light cramping.

I just like not having to think about it for 5 years. I also didn't gain any weight. Everyone is different though, but I think it's definitely worth trying. I'm glad I did.

I have an IUD and totally love it! Insurance paid for it to be put in, but won't pay for it to be taken out. That will cost us $250. You might check that out before you decide. It's been super nice not having to take a pill every day and not having a period and mood swings. I highly recommend it! Good luck finding something that works great for you!

On june 12 Kara had a similar question.

http://www.mamasource.com/request/recent/75063/1181752401/33

I.

Hi Stepahanie. I have worked as a nurse in womens health care for about 6 years now. I think the mirena IUD is great. it is good for 5 years. It also contains progesterone so you either have very light cycles or none at all. After you have it put in you will experience some strong cramping maybe for a few days. I haven't seen hardly any problems in the many patients I've seen had including myself. I loved it! I had my removed to have another baby. I now have a four month old. Almost all insurances will pay for it now. I don't recommend the copper 10 year IUD. many pt's experience heavy bleeding and cramping. I've also seen a few too many women get pregnant with it in. Check out the mirena website.

S.,

Let me just start by saying I LOVE MY IUD. I have had it for a little over 4 years, so only 10 more months to go on this one. My period has completely stopped, and I have gained some weight, but I am 98% positive that my weight gain has NOTHING to do with my IUD and everything to do with my lifestyle. I don't have to think about anything. I mean it is there, and it's not going anywhere, and there is nothing to worry about it. I want another baby when I have this removed, but my husband does not at this point. So whatever we decide I will get another one either immediatley or I will get it after delivery of baby #2!!!! Good luck. The insertion process was extremely painful for me and because of my body type had to actually go to two different doctors to get it in. I would strongly advise on taking a pain pill before going. (I am sure your Dr. will have no problem calling you one in before you go, there is a common problem with this part being uncomfortable.) Other than that 20 minutes you spend in the dr's office, everything else is great!!!!!

S.,

I got an IUD about a year ago and had it removed after 3 months. I was pretty much on my period for that whole time (Which the doctor assured me would go away soon and probably not come back) But the worst part for me was the hormones. It was like the week before my period for 3 months!! I was crying all the time and very very moody. I know that there are alot of people that swear by these but I would never do it again.
Hope this helps!

E.

I have the copper IUD which is good for ten years, although I will be taking it out sooner. I've had it for three years so far and I think it was worth the cost! I haven't experienced heavy heavy bleeding or horrible cramping, but my cycles are a full seven days. I've loved not having to worry about getting pregnant. I thought the copper IUD was better for me since I didn't like the hormones when I was on the pill. Plus, once I decide to take it out to get pregnant, there is no delay...I could get pregnant right away. Anyway, good luck with your decision.