To IUD or Not???

DON'T do it!
I got an IUD this summer in August. It was OUT in September. I hated it.
I thought it would be great . . . I wouldn't have to remember to take a pill, it contained no hormones, and as soon as we were ready for another baby, it could be taken out. What they didn't explain really well was how heavy the periods would be. I only had one period with the IUD in and I knew there was no way in the world I would be able to stand THAT every month. I was someone who had three-day long periods with a light to medium flow. When this period came, I thought I was dying I was bleeding so much. (I could be exaggerating . . . a little) :)
I also was having a really wierd shooting pain through my hip once the IUD was in. Once it was taken out, the pain stopped.
If you really don't have a problem remembering the pill, I would recommend sticking to that.
I realize that all people are different and that an IUD might work beautifully for you, but that's what I thought . . .
I hope this helps give you an idea of someone who WASN'T happy with one.
Happy decision making! :)

Hi A.,

I have no experience with IUDs, but would like to offer an alternative to you.

I was on the pill for 9 years (and off for only 2 weeks!) before I got pregnant with my son. I had issues with my milk supply when he was about 3 months old, so I didn't go back on the pill. Since then we've just been really careful :O [and lucky! :)] to not get pregnant, though we definitely want to try for our second in a few months. Blah, blah, blah...

Anyway, what I wanted to share was a book that I came across recently; Taking Charge of Your Fertility. I heard about it on another message board and checked it out at the library. I suggest reading the first 2 chapters (then you won't be able to NOT read more!). It provides an amazing way to naturally avoid conception or naturally get pregnant, depending on what your current goal is. It sounds an awful lot like the Rhythm Method (which has proven to be quite flawed) but I promise that it is something completely different! You can read about this in the first couple chapters. I haven't started the charting yet, but I'll be starting probably next week.

If you check this out and decide to use it, I'd be curious to know if it works for you...let me know! Either way, good luck with your decision!

I love my IUD...the part that sucks is that I had my period for 2 months on and off but since then I haven';t had one at all...which is normal

Mine is good for 5 years...they have a 10 year but I plan on having more kids.

I know a lot of women who have them and they all love theirs

I had one for a little over a year. I loved it. Periods totally stopped for me. I did want to get my tubes tied before that but my doctor suggest an IUD instead. It was a great plan for us. A little over a year after I got it in I really wanted anohter baby. Our oldest was almost 3 and I was really ready. It took us about 9 months afterwards. He is now 1. I wish I would have gotten another one put in instead of a tubal ligation. We might end up doing IVF, if it'll work. Good luck in your decisions. Hope this helped. If you want more info on it, just ask.

I have an iud. I've had it for almost a year now, the first couple months with it were kind of rough. I had a lot of bleeding, not heavy amounts, just a little bit but almost constantly. But after about 8 weeks I stopped bleeding and haven't had a period since.

I had the 5 year put in and had it in for about a year. I liked it in the beginning, but then everytime that my husband and I would have sex I would bleed afterwards for a couple of days. The other reason I had it taken out for two months straight I would have a period every other two weeks. I thought that was nonsense so I am back on the Nuva-Ring. I like it much better. All my other friends that are on the IUD - love it and have had no problems. I guess it just wasn't right for me.

Hi A.,

I am a mother of one. My wonderful boy is going to be 11 in June. I am 30 yrs old and had an IUD for 5 years. I had it removed when I was re-married 4 years ago. I cannot take birth control pills, shots, etc so the IUD was the best choice for me. It is easy to insert and easily removed with a little discomfort. There is a new product out called an IUC which is basically the same. Both are non hormomal which is better for us women anyway. I did not have any issues with the IUD and I would use it again. If I remember right, it only cost about $300. It's a one time deal and you won't have to worry about taking a pill everyday or a shot every six weeks and the best thing is that there are no hormones involved. I hope this helps you in making the right decision for you.

A.

I love mine but I am not good with pills so this is perfect for me. It does not release any hormones in my body I really like that and it is the most effective birth control I have read up. I wanted to make sure we did not have any oops babies. My 2 and half year old right now is just enough.

I've had Marena in place for just over 4 years. If you can get past the first few months, it's great. In the begining I experienced cramping and irregular, very frequent periods. Other than that, I love it. I convinced my best freind to give it a try, and she loves it too.

I have an Mirena (sp?) IUD which I got when my son was 2 months old. I have a little spotting for a day (literally) once a month. We travel enough (mostly weekend trips to see Grandparents) that I didn't want to have one more thing to remember to take with me. I have had it for 2 1/2 years now and love it. Good luck with your decision. BTW - my insurance paid with no question.

I am 36 and have had an IUD for more than a year. I have no regrets, and I would absolutely recommend it. The device is very small, the procedure quick and essentially painless, and most insurance companies will cover it. Plus, in many women, an IUD will signficantly reduce or even eliminate the monthly period. It is long-term, but fully reversible. Talk to your doctor and do some research. The risks are very minimal, and the side effects (like reducing your period) are generally very positive. Hope this is helpful. Best wishes.

I had an IUD for six months. I did no realize that it does not prevent conception. That's right! You may get pregnant with an IUD. But what happens is that the IUD makes for a hostile environment for the baby so it is ABORTED!

When I realized this I was so angry at my doctor for not telling me this. During those six months I miscarried two babies! I knew I was pregnant, I passed the little sack and the little fetus. It broke my heart!

Also since you can get pregnant and you are basically miscarrying, there are hormonal changes in your body and you could be setting yourself up for more after you get it removed.

When I realized I had lost two babies during that time, I went through a grieving process as if I had had a miscarriage. It was traumatic for me! I will never have an IUD again.

We used the pill before our first one and the diaphram and cream after that and they worked just fine! K.

Hello, i myself has an iud... And i love it. No periods no cramping nothing, it was the best solution for me to not get pregnant. I gained all my weight from the shot and i wouldnt have been able to remember to take the pill. I love it. It works great.
-C.

I had the mirena iud for two years after my first was born. A little cramping the first day or two then no periods at all the whole two years!

I got it out 1/29/07, had one period four weeks later,then was pregnant within two weeks with number two! I'm getting another one put in again tomorrow because we're not sure about another one yet.

Just about every friend I know has an IUD and they all love them. Most of them are either not planning on more kids for at least 5 years or have no intentions of having more. I personally don't have one as it is finally hubbys turn at birth control, but as I said every person I know that has one is very happy they got them!

After going off the pill, it took me almost 9 months to get pregnant (and I was only 20). The pill screwed up my system so bad that I couldn't even ovulate properly.

After my last child, I got Mirena. Having it put in was a cinch. I have had it for over a year and a half and have absolutely no complaints. Every month or so, I have mild cramping for a day or two (instead of a period), and I have spotted for about 3 days total in the whole time I've had it. My dr assures me that taking it out is very simple and if I choose, I can get pregnant immediately. Because the hormones are delivered directly with Mirena as opposed to through the blood stream as with the pill, there are no side effects with the hormones.

Hi A.,

I ave never had an iud. I have had several miscarriages, and my body has healed without one. My persobal opinion having had many health scares, is that anything not natural is not good or effective. If it sounds to good to be true, in this case it proabbly is. I don't know if you are spiritual, but even if not, you can pray about your decision and you will be lead to the right one. :)

Blessings,

K.S.

Here's my experience with them. After I had my son I went on pill after pill and none of them ended up working well for me, a friend of mine had a copper IUD and loved it. So I thought I would try it. I had a little cramping the first day a little spotting then nothing, until I was due for my period. My periods with it were very heavy, but mine were heavy anyway, so that wasn't that big of a deal. But I could feel it the entire time I had it. It was literally scraping my uterus (can you say ouch). So I had my doctor take it out and a month or so I had a Mirena one put in, it's a little softer and more pliable than the copper one I had. This one was the same with the heavy periods, I could feel this one too, but not to bad. One day I was on the potty and out it came, yep it just fell right out. Neatless to say I didn't have another put back in and started on pills that finally worked for me. I was off of them for one month and am now 6 weeks pg.
On a side note I have a friend that loves hers, she doesn't have to think about birth control and has never had a problem with it. They do last a long time which is great, but I personally through my experience wouldn't recommend them to anyone.
W.

Hi,
I'm a mother of three wonderful daughters. I chose and IUD because I hate taking pills and didn't want to go to get a shot...every 4-6 weeks (can't remember). When I had my last child...my doctor recommended it. I like the fact that when/if we decide to have another...take it out. I've had mine for about 2 years. Also we are always on the go with activities so I don't have to worry about if taking the pille or making time to a appointment to get a shot.
I hope this helps.

LJ

I love my IUD--my periods have been heavier, but I'm not sure if it's from the IUD or it's a result of having had a baby...