Wondering About the Copper IUD

I was REALLY nervous about getting the copper IUD "intalled" after I had my daughter, but honestly I felt NOTHING! The worse part about the insertion for me was the re-stretching of the bad tear I had when I had my daughter. I have had no side effects at all, no discharge, cramping or bleeding after I had it inserted. The only thing I have noticed is that my flow is heavier than it was before, but only for about one day of my cycle. It is by far the best form of birth control I have used, as I can not take anything hormonal. I have heard that the insertion is really painful for people who have not had children, or who are not recently postpardum, which it sounds like you are. Hopefully all will go well for you! Goodluck!

I got mine about 3 years ago, and for me it is not really working out. At first, I had very heavy periods, and a lot of spotting in between. Still have the spotting, and I hate it.
The insertion was painful for me, and it is the reason why I haven't had it removed yet. I am not looking forward to it, although it should not hurt. A lot of my friends didn't think it was painful to have it inserted.
I like the idea of no hormones and I am pretty bummed out that I am spotting all the time.

I have it and decided on that one b/c it's really the safest out there for birthcontrol. I love it b/c I don't have to think about it or prepare for anything, take anything, go for extra visits, make sure I don't run out of protection. It's just done. It has no hormones which is the best benefit. It was a bit uncomfortable for me b/c I'm afraid of everything! Yes, every kind of procedure. Even a regular visit! So after the fact, not bad at all. Weird feelings during the exam. It's done while you have a period so you wont notice cramping, it just seems part of the period. I took pamprin and was fine, anything after period I used tylenol and was fine. The DR can wrap the string around your cervics so your Hubby has NO idea it's even there. It's not something you really feel either. Maybe once or twice but nothing bad.

My best friend had that put in about 4 months ago and loves it. She hasn't had any problems. Now Im going to have one put in too. I was wary about it too, having something foreign put in but I haven't had any luck with anything that gives off hormones. Good luck!!

I almost got a copper IUD also. I was on the pill for about 7 months after giving birth to my son and was spotting heavily ALL THE TIME. I thought it was the hormones. My obgyn refused to put in a copper IUD and suggested Mirena because the hormones are contained only to the uterus. He said copper IUDs cause extremely heavy bleeding that doesn't go away.I've had it in for about 2 months now. I spotted lightly the first month, and have gotten my first normal period this month. Insertion wasn't bad at all. My doctor let me know what to expect and when. Just a quick, sharp cramp, and cramping for about 2-3 hours after. I think my IUD is so much better than the pill. I'm not having anymore mood swings or spotting.

Hi M.,
I had a really bad experience with that IUD. I'm writing just in case you do as well. I chose that one because I did not want to do hormones. I had heavy discharge after it was inserted, everyday. I was too tired (from caring for 3 young babes 4,2, and 6 mo. at the time) to really realize this was a bad sign. I began having bizzare allergic reactions on my skin to everything that had once been normal. I would put on my trusting moisturizer, and my face would blow up in extreme allergy - my eyes would swell shut. I couldn't drive to work because I could not see out my eyes. It was really awful. It took a long time to figure out what it was - my GP put me on steroids (ugh), my dermatologist did skin test and told me I was allergic to pretty much everything, sorry. Finally (and desperate enough to pay full $$) I went to an acupuncturist, and we figured out that it had started with inserting the IUD. I (my OB) took it out the next week, and all that stuff never happened again - it was amazing. My body was just in a state of stress from the IUD, and was hyper sensitive to everything that was once normal.
Anyway, this is a long story. My point: most people probably have no problem with this, but if you have heavy discharge, or feel just BAD with it in, GET IT OUT. (My husband ended up with a vasectomy, and this had been good.)
Take care, H.

M.,

I feel inspired to share that I have been working with the copper IUD for several months now. I had it "installed" when my daughter was 7 weeks old and she now is 7 months. It really is incredible--very painless being inserted and honestly has been the best form of birth control we have used yet! The best part is there is no hormonal influence and you dont have to think about remembering to take it every day or month. (Best kind for a new momma.) I highly recommend it and hope you have a great expierence with it as well.
Many blessings to your family.
Peace
K.

Hi M.,

I've had the non hormonal IUD for 2+ years. I've been very happy with it. The best part is not having to think about birth control.

The only thing that changed was my flow. My cycle didn't change. The flow is now a little longer and a little less predictable. Ex: before IUD flow was about 5 days -- light, medium, heavy, medium, light. Now it might be 7 days-- spotting, heavy, light, heavy, medium, heavy, light. Kind of a drag, because I have to be a little more prepared with tampons and panty liners so as not to ruin underwear. Worth the trade off for not having to think.

Not any problems with cramping. Maybe a little initially but I don't really remember, mustn't have been that bad.

Good luck!
J.

I personally did not have a good experience with it. I got a bad infection after it was put in that lasted a month. My cycles were much heavier and cramping was worse. I had it for two years and got pregnant with it, I ended up having an ectopic pregnancy and had to have emergency surgery to save my tube. I know its good for some people but I also know of a few others that have gotten pregnant with it. Although it does claim to be 99.9% effective:)

I have one, I've had it 1 1/2 years now and glad I got it. Having it put in wasn't fun, but not so horrible that I couldn't tolerate. It took about 15 min total procedure. Kind of like having a pap with a little more cramping, similar to early labor contractions I thought, I just did some breathing to get through it. Afterwards I had some cramps but not much spotting, a nap and some over the counter pain killers and I was good. Now that I have it I just check to feel the threads once a month, my period is heavier but tapers off over the course of a 5 to 7 days, other than that it is so maintenance free. I love not worrying about taking a pill or hormone effects and when I am ready for my next kiddo I'll have it taken out and should be good to go. Hope this helps. Also my midwife had one and loved it and I've heard she is now getting ready for her own baby.
L.

I had one for 3+ years. Inserion was pretty easy bu quite painful, I would say similiar to early labor contractions. But that only lasted a couple of hours. The real bummer of the copper IUD is the HEAVY periods (longer, more unpredictable). It is hormone free, and that's the trade off. In the end...I was hoping to get "accidentally" pregnant so I wouldn't have to have another period! Personally, this time I am going for the Mirena.

Piece of cake! I also had mine inserted about 8 weeks post-partum, and it barely felt like a pinch. Admittedly, I haven't had my period yet; I hear the first few times can be very crampy. Still, zero problems, and so nice to not have to worry about hormones, pregnancy, or birth control!