Mirena update

musgral8

A lot of people compare insertion of Mirena to a labor contraction; if that is what it really feels like, and you're in labor for 5+ hours, ew. So it's official - If I ever give birth, it will be with an epidural

As far as how long the pain lasts though, it only really hurt for 20 or so seconds (bad enough that I grabbed the sides of the bed and cried out, and I have a really high pain tolerance) after that it's just a dull ache, like cramps. I took two Advil before going and two afterwards and am fine now. I cramped for about an hour, max. I read so many horror stories online last night though about insertion and had myself really freaked out at the docs this morning. Thankfully I have a fantastic obgyn and he talked me down a lot. 

It only cost me my $20.00 copay for 5 years of BC though, so all in all, totally worth the peace of mind (especially since it's more effective than the pill).  

mnmccloud

Glad it went well.  They're definitely not fun (I don't have one, but assisted in insertions in college), but worth it! :0)

pandasquishy

I'm glad it went more smoothly than anticipated.  Those things freak me and I have NO pain tolerance, so I would have been screaming!  

musgral8

pandasquishy:

I'm glad it went more smoothly than anticipated.  Those things freak me out and I have NO pain tolerance, so I would have been screaming!  

 That's how I feel about BC pills! I don't feel like that many hormones should go into your body, EVER. 

raeyn

I'm not sure I could drag myself to the doctor for something that painful (I'm a huge wimp), but I have been looking into BCP alternatives in the last couple days. My sex drive has been really low for a while now, and I figure it might be worth getting off the pill to see if that helps.

I read that to get mirena you're supposed to have been pregnant before. Is that true? If so, does anyone know why?

musgral8

You don't have to have had a baby. It's suggested because then your cervix is wider and the insertion doesn't hurt as bad. Most doctors will do them if you haven't had a baby. I was told by my doc specifically though that he won't do one unless you have specific plans not to have kids for 3 to 5 years so they don't have to turn right around and take it out. It really varies depending on your obgyn. If you want off hormones completely there's a copper one called paraguard that's good for 10 years, but it supposedly makes your cramps worse and I didn't really want that.

raeyn

musgral8:

You don't have to have had a baby. It's suggested because then your cervix is wider and the insertion doesn't hurt as bad. Most doctors will do them if you haven't had a baby. I was told by my doc specifically though that he won't do one unless you have specific plans not to have kids for 3 to 5 years so they don't have to turn right around and take it out. It really varies depending on your obgyn. If you want off hormones completely there's a copper one called paraguard that's good for 10 years, but it supposedly makes your cramps worse and I didn't really want that.

Wasn't there a House episode about a nun who had a copper one and when they gave her an MRI it started ripping through her? I'm not sure I'll ever get that image out of my head. I think an IUD of any kind is not in the cards for me, though, since we're not sure when we'll want kids.

Noron

Thanks so much for posting this!  I really, REALLY wanted an IUD but my doctor said I'm not a good candidate since we're thinking about TTC in 2 or 3 years.  BOO.  Maybe after kids, I guess.

mnmccloud

raeyn:

musgral8:

You don't have to have had a baby. It's suggested because then your cervix is wider and the insertion doesn't hurt as bad. Most doctors will do them if you haven't had a baby. I was told by my doc specifically though that he won't do one unless you have specific plans not to have kids for 3 to 5 years so they don't have to turn right around and take it out. It really varies depending on your obgyn. If you want off hormones completely there's a copper one called paraguard that's good for 10 years, but it supposedly makes your cramps worse and I didn't really want that.

Wasn't there a House episode about a nun who had a copper one and when they gave her an MRI it started ripping through her? I'm not sure I'll ever get that image out of my head. I think an IUD of any kind is not in the cards for me, though, since we're not sure when we'll want kids.

 Haha I too saw that episode- but copper IUDs have come a long way over the last 40 years!  The copper one she refers too is best for those who don't want the hormones- however, Mirena is far more popular.  

 As for having had children- I have patients that will tell you it pretty much doesn't make a difference as far as the pain goes if you've had kids or not- its still kinda feels like 30 secs of having a nail hammered into you.  ::Ouch!::

Mus- you're a trooper!

pandasquishy

musgral8:

pandasquishy:

I'm glad it went more smoothly than anticipated.  Those things freak me out and I have NO pain tolerance, so I would have been screaming!  

 That's how I feel about BC pills! I don't feel like that many hormones should go into your body, EVER. 

It's really not that much hormone.  And without the Pill I don't get my period and I need to get my period to keep from getting ovarian cysts, so really the Pill can do good things for people.

And according to the Mirena webiste, the IUD releases hormone, so you're not hormone free with that, either! 

musgral8

pandasquishy:

musgral8:

pandasquishy:

I'm glad it went more smoothly than anticipated.  Those things freak me out and I have NO pain tolerance, so I would have been screaming!  

 That's how I feel about BC pills! I don't feel like that many hormones should go into your body, EVER. 

It's really not that much hormone.  And without the Pill I don't get my period and I need to get my period to keep from getting ovarian cysts, so really the Pill can do good things for people.

And according to the Mirena webiste, the IUD releases hormone, so you're not hormone free with that, either! 

I know. But estrogen does bad things in my body, which is why I avoid the pill, I think Mirena is progestin (sp) only? Isn't it strange how everyones bodies react so differently to things.