Question About Iud's

Updated on November 03, 2006
M.S. asks from Chicago, IL
17 answers

Hello all! I am pregnant with my second child, and although I am not sure if I want to have anymore, I need a more long term effective method of birth control. I have tried numerous pills, and the patch, and all have either been too much of a hassel or made me sick. I keep hearing about Mirena and other IUD"s and was wondering if anyone has had any personal experience with them (good or bad) I am really considering this after my pregnancy, but dont know anyone who has personally tried them. Thanks! :)

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T.R.

answers from Chicago on

Hi my name is T. and congrats on yous second baby.Well i have experience with the IUD the 5 year one.I dont know if it worked or not.Let me tell you my story.I have a baby girl Aug 18 2005.After i had her i wanted the IUD.My doctor was very bizzy to see me after i had my baby so another doctor said he will put the IUD in.He toke a pregnacy test said i wasnt pregnent and her did an altrsound.The doctor clam i wasnt.so he put it in.Then 1 month later i was getting sick.I went to the doctor and found out i was 2 months preg..But i was 3weeks when he put it in.I had a very bad pregnacy with my son.They told me if i take out the IUD i would lose my baby.Then they said if i Leave it in i will also lose it.So i didnt know what to do.So i left it in and i have a big 12lb boy he had other problems after birth but i was not do to the IUD.So like i said i dont know if it was a good or bad experience.

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D.

answers from Chicago on

I am personally going to try Mirena here soon. I just had my third baby 2 weeks ago and set up the appt for my 6wk check up and am also going to get that placed. My OB is also a very good friend of mine and she says nothing but good things about it. If you want, I can keep you updated because it sounds like you have some time to think about it.

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L.V.

answers from Chicago on

For 15+ years I was on the pill. It worked fine, although there was the weight gain, and it was a pain to remember to take. I had my little girl in February, and b/c of a recently diagnosed illness, the pill, patch, etc. are no longer an option for me.
I was a little nervous about getting it b/c of all the ‘complication’ you read about but after to talking to the nurse, I was all for it. When it was ‘placed’ there was only a brief pinch, then it was done. I have not had to think about it since. And the fact that it lasts 5 years, and I don’t have to worry about it is great. No weight gain like the pill, no skin irritations like the patch. Even during sex, my husband doesn’t notice it (sometimes the wire can be too long, and your partner may feel it – the doctor can trim it back)
As a side note – of the 14 nurses/staff that work in my doctor’s office – 13 have it, and love it. The one who didn’t was pregnant and had it previously. That says something.

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J.D.

answers from Chicago on

Hi M.,

I have the Mirena IUD, and I love it! I had it inserted about 12 weeks after my 3rd child was born. I hadn't gotten my period yet (we were nursing), but we just a had a pregnancy test run, waited two weeks while abstaining from sex, and had a second pregnancy test run to make super-sure we weren't pregnant before I had the Mirena put in.

I nursed my daughter for about a year after having the Mirena put in, with no problems.

I had super-heavy bleeding prior to the Mirena, and now I rarely get my period. And when I do, it's very light and managable. The insertion procedure was a breeze. I spotted often for the 1st three months. No pain or anything, but I wore panty-liners all the time. The spotting wasn't enough to require a pad or tampon, except maybe for the 1st week.

I have had the Mirena in for two years so far, and it's been fabulous! I was really nervous about getting it, because I read a lot on the internet - both good and bad - prior to having it done. But I went ahead with it because I felt that the benefits outweighed the risks. And in the long run, it was the right decision for us. I would get another one after my five years are up on this one!

Good luck and I hope you find a method of birth control that works great for you!

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S.C.

answers from Chicago on

Hi M.,

I currently use IUD, I can say that it has caused heavy bleed at times, however, it has given me the security of knowing that I am protected. I also in a realistic way keep in mind that nothing is 100 % against pregnancy.

All birth control comes with side effects, and the best suggestion I can give to you is to speak with your physician on the best method of birth control. Do an internet search and look at the pros and cons of the IUD versus other methods of birth control.

I hope this helps you a little.

Sincerely,

S. Lauren C.
Paralegal
CarriDrew Paralegal Services

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B.

answers from Chicago on

I had the Mirena IUD after my 3rd daughter at 6 weeks, I continued to nurse for over a year with no problems. I loved the IUD and didn't have periods (added bonus). When we moved here to IL and I changed OB's he pulled it out on accident, before I could have it put back in we got preg. again with #4. He was just meant to be. Now I had my husband get a vasectomy because with 4 children we are DONE!
Good luck with your decision.
B.

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E.

answers from Chicago on

I am right there with the hormones. I was so tired of the birth control being my responsibility. My husband and I knew 2 was enough for us. So, he had a vasectomy 2 months after my second was born. OHHHHH the freedom!

Best of Luck to you!

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B.M.

answers from Chicago on

Hi M.!
I have actually done a lot of research on IUDs. I just had a ParaGard (copper) IUD put in on Tuesday. I have really heard so many good things about them. The Mirena IUD has hormones that are released. If you don't have issues with the hormones, I would go ahead and get it. I believe the Mirena can only be kept in for 5 years and the copper one is good for 10 years. With Mirena, you may not get a period, with the copper one you do.

I my 2nd child 6 weeks ago and this seemed to be the best option for us. We are not sure if we want any more children. The IUD was easily inserted and I hear that it is just as easy, if not more to take it out. I was told to take some ibuprofin before the appt, to ease some discomfort. I forgot to take it and I felt no discomfort during the insertion.

Feel free to contact me if you have more questions.
B.

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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

Hi,

I would not suggest the IUD, my sister had one years ago and she got pregnant with it. The egg had gotten attached to it and she had to abort it.

The shot works well for my co-worker she talks all good things about it.

I do not have to worry about pregnancy my husband took care of it, I wanted more he said no.

J.

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M.B.

answers from Chicago on

I used it for about a year before my body rejected & expelled it. I liked it in the beginning although I bled alot & cramped alot. GOOD LUCK! =)

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K.W.

answers from Chicago on

Hi M.,

I have had the Mirena. And in my experience, its great. Before I got it my periods where so heavy, I used 6-7 overnight pads within a twenty-four hour period, my cramps where so bad that I had to stay in bed the first three days and my period lasted about 7-8 days. And since I recieved the Mirena, all I do is spot for a couple of days each month. And I still get an occassional cramp, but its nothing compared to what I use to get. They feel more like gas pains. But as everyone knows each person is different. I would try the Mirena and if it doesn't agree with you, have it removed. It may take a couple of different products, like I went through, but only your body and health will tell you which ones best for you. Good Luck. And congratulations
K.

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E.W.

answers from Chicago on

I have not used an IUD, but I am using the NuvaRing. I previously used the shot (which was great - no period, but when I came off it my doctor found I had a genetic "problem" that the shot made worse) and then switched to the patch (which made me spot & clot horribly) and then to the pills (which all made me sick to my stomach) and then to the ring. I like it. You leave it in for 3 weeks and then take it out for a week for your period (but you can skip that period week when you want) and then put a new one in at the end of that week. It's great because all I do is put stickers on my calendar that I see every day that reminds me when to take it out and put a new one in, so there is nothing daily to remember. The only downside I've seen so far is that if you are prone to yeast infections, you'll get them with the ring too, but not worse, maybe just a little more often. My husband can't tell the difference and neither can I.

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C.G.

answers from Augusta on

I had a Mirena IUD put in after my second child was born. One thing to keep in mind is that it does have hormones. My midwife told that can affect your milk supply, so it's best to wait until after you have extablished breastfeeding to get it put in, if you are going to nurse. It contains a progesterone hormone, I believe.

I had a bad experience with mine, it caused me to spot constantly. According to my midwife, this is a pretty unusual reaction. I had the same reaction to Depo Provera also (which is the same kind of hormone).

I think the IUD is a great option. I will probably consider the non-hormonal Paraguard IUD after I am done having kids. Good luck!

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D.

answers from Chicago on

I have the copper IUD and love it. I got it a year ago and had a couple heavy periods after getting it. I don't get cramping anymore like I used to. Sometimes my periods last for a week or more, but that could just be my age too. I chose the copper one because I can't do the hormones with the Mirena. I like that it lasts for 10 years also. I'd recommend it!

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Z.F.

answers from Chicago on

I have mirena I got it at my 6 week checkup. It hurt a little going in. I have not had a period since 2005. So I guess that is a good thing right. I have not gotten pregnant so it does work

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C.D.

answers from Chicago on

I have the paraguard IUD for over a year now. I love it, no hormones and in for 10years. They have 3 yrs 5yrs and 10yrs. Please email me directly for more info. ____@____.com

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J.R.

answers from New York on

Hi, congrats on your 2nd pregnancy! I have experience with the Mirena IUD. I got it after my son was born b/c I cannot take high doses of estrogen (i.e. the pill or patch). The Mirena can be used for up to five years (as opposed to Copper IUDs that can be used for up to 10, but you will have heavier periods). I encourage you to google the Mirena IUD (they have their own website)for the side effects, etc. I personally wasn't happy with it the first few months, however, after month five it was okay. They tell you that you might have spotting and I literally bled for the first 5 months. But after that, your periods literally disappear. I did not have a period for almost two years, which was great (you still get PMS, unfortunately, though :)) And there is sporadic spotting, which can be annoying. Also, take a motrin before you go to have it inserted, b/c it is painful, although it only lasts about 5 minutes. Some drawbacks: My libido plummeted, partially b/c I was spotting a lot and partially b/c that is a side effect of this particular IUD. Also, I wasn't aware that it could take up to 1 year to restore fertility. I had it removed in March so my husband and I could start trying and we haven't gotten pregnant yet. But my doc said that once you start having regular periods again, you are good to go. They started up again almost immediately.
I did a lot of research on this IUD vs. the Copper IUD. There are websites for both and your body may react to one better that the other, which your doctor can tell you.
All in all, it was okay, but I don't know that I would get it again. Not having a period was conveinent, but I didn't like not having my body on a schedule, if that makes sense. I felt like I was 12 :)
Oh, also, check with your insurance, we had great insurance and they still only covered part of the IUD. It still cost us $800. I was apalled. I hope that helps, but there is lots of info on the web about it, too. Good luck!

Sincerely,
J.

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