Would Love to Hear Your Experience with Iud's

Hi Carrie,

I concieved my second child while on the pill and we decided to try Mirena after she was born, to prevent a third child and WOW was that a GREAT decision.

I suffered with nasty, painful periods prior to Mirena and I now have about 3 periods a year and they are spotting at best (sorry if that's TMI).

I highly recommemd it!

Hi,
I have had an IUD for the past 3 years. I the IUD without hormones, I too have tried many BCP and I got pregnant while taking them and the side effects were horrible for me. My two complaints about my IUD would be that my period is longer by 2 days, and I have a lot more discharge than I used to.
You don't feel it and you don't have to worry about taking anything, putting anything on. It really is a carefree way of Birth Control for me. Hope this helps

Dear Carrie,

I have the Mirena IUD since the birth of my second child, so now for 8 almost nine months. My husband does not want any more chidlren, but I am not quite sure that I am done and therefore I wanted the option, but I did not want to take pills everyday, while some days I am not sure that I have breakfast:-), if you know what I mean. My chidlren are 2 1/4 and almost 10 months.
I love the IUd, because I do not have to worry about pills and condoms or other precautionary mehtods.
The Mirenea does have hormones and therefore might have a similar effect for you as BC pills. But there is another one not homrmones based, that might be better for you. The only big difference between the two is duration of covverage and the period. WHile the Merina will reduce or even take away your period ( a great effect, I have to say) the other one actually might increase the strength of your period a little.

See, some women worry about being pregnant whent here period is not there, I don't since I am not sure I am done having children, I do not really care and actually appreciate the no-period, just like after the birth and while breastfeeding.

I think IUDs are definetaly a great invention and make my life easier.

Good luck, T..

Carrie, I had a copper IUD, as I have major mood swings with BC pills and we opted for something non-hormonal. It was a bit uncomfortable during insertion. I felt like the doctor was trying to touch my brain and I wanted to throw up. I cramped for a day or two and then was fine. My periods were much lighter than before and were less intense. We had the IUD removed May '06, about 4 years after insertion, and got pregnant right away, within two days!! I had a beautiful baby boy two weeks early, induced due to his size (8.2), in January. Based on my experience, I would recommend and IUD to anyone thinking of having one. Be aware, however, we are all different and have different tolerances for pain. I have a friend who has had an IUD for 3 years and has not had a period since insertion. I have read other comments about them falling out and causing unbearable pain. Best of luck with your decision, J.

I have the Mirena IUD and I love it! I had it inserted at my 6 week post-partum check up and still have it 17 months later. A couple of months after insertion, my periods stopped all together and I haven't had one since. I know this freaks people out sometimes, but I don't feel that there's anything abnormal about it and I quite frankly love not having to worry about it! The IUD is completely hassel free! I have not lost my baby weight yet, but I attribute that to the sweets, fried food, and lack of exercise I have, not the IUD! The only negative thing I can say about it is that it's not the most comfortable thing while it's being inserted. But the pain does not last long and in my opinion, it's totally worth it! Hope this helps! Good luck!

I had my IUD placed in July this year and I love it!!!! I have had absolutly no problems what so ever. I have not had a period yet, I am still nursing my daughter she is 9 1/2 mos old now.

I mad my final decision to have mine placed after talking to a friend who has had the Merina for 3 years. I have another friend that had an IUD for 5 years then decided she wanted another child and had no trouble getting pregnant right away.

I hope this helps your decision a little!!!

i have a Mirena IUD and just love it.
no need to worry about a pill everyday, nothing to change out or anything like that.
the only side effect that i had with it was the first period i got with it. i bled heavily for about 10 days and my doctor had to put me on oral bc to stop it. its a common side effect though, and after 2 or 3 months, the period went back to normal. my periods are a little bit harder with cramping, but its really worth it in my opinion.

It worked great, when it worked... however, I was one of the supposed rare women in which it migrated out of the uterus and into my pelvis and I had to have it surgically removed. This may have been because I had it inserted at my 6 week post-partum appointment, but thought you should know that they can wander. Good luck.

After my third child, we weren't sure if we were finished or not. I really don't like the idea of extra hormones, so the pill wasn't really an option for me. I had the IUD for a little more than 2 years, we decided we DID want another baby, had the IUD removed, and viola, now we have 4 babies, and since we are definately finished, my husband had a vasectomy.
I loved the IUD because I didn't have to worry about it. Having kids is enough to worry about without having to worry about NOT having more kids! I did notice a heavier flow than is normal for me when I had the IUD, and a little more cramping and discomfort than I had experienced without it, but all in all, it is the form of birth control I recommend to everyone in a monogamous relationship who MAY want more children someday. I had the copper-tip IUD, not the one with hormones.

Like you, I have two kids and am pretty sure I'm done, but not 100%. I had my daughter in July and had Mirena inserted in October. The insertion was easy (just an office visit), and I experienced very little discomfort during and after. It is wonderful not to have to worry about a pill or patch. My only issue is that I had a month-long period last month, and after a short break, started to bleed again. It is mostly sporadic spotting, which I understand is normal in the first 3-6 months. I have had no other side effects. I highly recommend!

I've had the Mirena since August this year. I love it.
At first, I bled heavily. After a week or so, it stopped.
My periods are much lighter than normal, which is great. The doctor said most women even stop them totally.

She said you have to be sure to check the string on your Mirena. It's best to do it the first of each month, so you remember to do it the same time every month. There is a bit more cramping with it. The doctor said as time goes on, all the symptoms could possibly lessen. I haven't had any hormonal side effects or weight gain.

I definitely recommend it!

I had a mirena for about a year. We had decided to remove it because even though it has a very small amount of hormone in it I was being affected by it. I couldn't stand the extra discharge that came along with it (much like the increase I experience when pregnant). I was also moody and short-tempered. However, my periods were lighter than normal. When I told my sister-in-law about my experience with it she opted for the paraguard IUD (a copper IUD). She also hated BC pills because of the how the hormones affect her. So far I've only heard from her that she had normal side effects in the beginning of cramping and increased bleeding.

Now when we had it removed I had just ovulated and got my period the next day. I never did get a second one, and now we have a beautiful baby girl! So we know it worked well and had no long-term effects.

Hope this helps!

L.
~Nathanael 10/10/05
~Hannah 11/23/07

This might sound crazy, but read the book "Taking charge of your fertility" by Toni Weschler. If you chart your cycles - you don't really need birth control - or rarely.

C.

I have my since Feb of this year and its GREAT, no pills or rings to worry about each month, after 6 months or so your periods will be shoter and may even stop all together one thing you'll notice a small weight gain, but other than that I wouldn't change it.

Hey Carrie,
I actually got an IUD put in around July this year and love it. I had little trouble or what I thought to be trouble at first with continuous spotting. I asked my doctor and she assured me that it was normal. I spotted for around 3 weeks straight it drove me crazy, I almost got it removed. However, with encouragement from my doctor the bleeding stopped and now my period is maybe 3 very light days. It was a pain at first but now I am so glad I did it. Good luck.
I have the Mirena IUD

I've had mine for just over 2 years. It hurt (severe menstrual-cramp-like discomfort) when they measured for the length (to know how long to keep the strings) and when it was inserted. The pain went away almost immediately. They kept the strings really long (which is okay because you want to be able to reach them to remove it)...however it was poking me when I walked. I had to go in for another appt to get the strings cut shorter...now they poke my husband!!!
I still have my periods but they are shorter and less intense. No other side effects.
I highly recommend getting it.
It is expensive. Some insurance companies don't cover it. So, find out the costs and coverage available to you.
Good Luck.

Dear Carrie,
I divorced after 26 years of marriage and, at 50, didn't consider BC pills. I had an IUD inserted 18 months ago, with excellent results. The insertion was a little uncomfortable and I needed to wear a mini-pad for several weeks due to very light spotting. I've experienced no cramping at period time and, virtually, no side effects. (Before having children, I experienced outrageous menstrual cramps, so never considered an IUD.) The IUD can stay in place for up to 10 years, then I'll have it removed (surely menopause will be over by then).

I had it for a month, and my hubby started complaining that he could feel it during intercourse. My OB checked it and said it was falling out which happens like 1% of the time. Very rare. I got a new one right away and had it in for 14 months. Loved it!!! Periods were so light, never had to worry...the only reason I got it out this last time was because we're hoping to try to get pregnant again in 2008, so now I use the Nuva ring. Good luck with whatever you choose, but I say 'go for it.'

Hi there Carrie! I got the Mirena IUD about 5 months ago and have had success (sort of speak, lol) with it. The worst part of it is is that some women bleed for a while after it's put in. I, personally, bleed and spotted for nearly 8 weeks (yeah, not fun) but since I was a single women, it didn't matter to me, haha. However if it's something your hubby doesn't mind, then go for it! Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones that doesn't have any bleeding at all - one of my friends was that way. I've had sex while on it with my current boyfriend and no baby - so I'd say it works. :) No side affects that I've noticed... nothing has really changed physically and I'm just as stressed as I've always been with 3 lil ones. :) My periods have started to get lighter - which is definitely a plus. And I hardly have any cramps at all - also a plus. One of my gal pals just had hers replaced b/c her 5 year term was up - no baby, and no problems. She also had no period. So I think if you aren't ready for anything permanent, it's DEFINITELY your way to go! It's nice not having to worry about a pill everyday or a patch every week. You are SET for FIVE YEARS!! Haha... I love it. :) Hope this helps and good luck!

Hi Carrie,
I had my Mirena for almost two years andI loved it. It is so much easier than having to worry about getting pregnant. I would reccomend it to anyone who dosen't want to be "fixed" :)
M.

Carrie-
I have had the Mirena for a year now and LOVE IT! I have tried several different kinds of birth control from pills, to the NuvaRing, to the patch and this is by far my best experience. When I first got it there was minor cramping and I bled for a few weeks. But now I rarely have a period and if I do it is really just spotting. I have absolutely no side effects from it. I would recommend this to anyone. I, like you, have two children and am pretty sure I am done but not 100%. I think this is a great option. There is nothing to think about and it lasts up to 5 yrs. And if you decide prior to the 5 years that you want to have another child then you just take it out and are almost immediately able to try to concieve.

I would highly recommend it. I did a lot of research and talked to several people prior to getting mine. I found almost nothing but positive remarks about it. There are a very few people that I have heard of having any major (neg) side effects from this.

Good luck to you!

I have had my IUD for 4 1/2 years now. I absolutely love it. Actually, I have an appointment on Monday to talk about getting it replaced. They last for 5 years, but I don't want it to 'give out' sooner than that which is why I made an appointment. I have not had a period since June of 2004, and even then it was one day of light spotting. It has been wonderful!!! I haven't had any weight gain with it, but I have a hard time loosing weight. I also have an issue with acne on my chin, but I don't know if that is a side effect or not. I will be asking questions about the weight and acne when I go to the doctor Monday. So yes, I recommend the IUD...with all the stuff we have to remember as parents this is one less thing to make your life easier!!!