XP: Mirena or ParaGard

Julia_JJ

Had my 6-week postpartum visit to my OB yesterday, and now I need to decide about post-baby birth control. My doctor was just going to continue the pill I was previously on, until I mentioned that I am awful at taking daily pills (I take them whenever I remember, so at different times and sometimes I miss one and have to double up). She suggested an IUD, and these are my two options. Anyone have experience with one or both and have some insights to share? TIA!

MTJunebride

I have no experience with the ParaGard but I loved having the Mirena.  It was very effective for 2.5 years.  I also liked that after a while I stopped getting my period, but I've heard that doesn't necessarily happen for everyone.  It was a breeze to have it placed because I got it done 6 weeks pp.  I basically felt a pinch and that was it.  It was also easy to get out and I like how you go back to being fertile immediately.

MrsHadley

I loved my mirena.  Nothing wonderful to share other than it did it's job, I got pregnant after taking it out (3 cycles), and I never had a period while on it   I've heard lots of horror stories about both, but I liked it.

 

skidunks

I'm on my second Mirena and have had no issues either time. I got my first one 6 weeks after Gavin was born and then had it out, got pregnant 6 months later with Hudson and I got another one at 7 weeks PP. I don't really get my period when I have it either, I'll get random spotting every now and then but that's it.

HuskerLissa

Love my mirena! I'm on my 2nd one as well. They are good for 5 yrs, just got my 2nd one in the fall. Love not having a period and love not having to remember to take the pull.

sandy02

Ive had Paragard twice and loved it both times.  I wanted something non-hormonal and knowing we were still going to want to TTC I didnt like that with Mirena it could take up to a year for your fertility to return. 

I had intermittent bleeding (which is common) the first few months, but after that it was perfect.  Ill do it again after this baby.

d.f

I've had both.

I had the paraguard before ever being PG.  I really liked it but had heavy painful periods.

I had the Mirena inserted at 10 w post partum.  I spotted for a few months and then nothing until AF came back at 8 months pp.  I had two AF's and since then I only randomly lightly spot every month or two.  I love it.

Temp885953375007054

I got the Mirena in at my 6w pp. I haven't had any complications or issues, but it's only been 5 months and AF also hasn't shown up yet. 

sam&val

I've had a Mirena for almost 4 years and love it! I spotted for abour 6 weeks after getting it then had 1 last period. That was May 2008. (Well, I have had 1 period since, but I think that was due to the ovarian cyst I had last year.) I love not being on the pill. And the hormones in Mirena are localized to your uterus, so it's not like the hormones from the pill.

treeduck

I had the Mirena for 3 years and I loved that I didn't have to take the pill and I never had periods while on it (spotted once in awhile, but nothing noteworthy).  The only problem I had is it really killed my sex drive.

sixtwelve

I have a Paragard.  I wanted something non-hormonal.  My peroids are heavier and a little more crampy (they were really, really heavey for the first few months).  I am happy with it and am glad it lasts as long as it does.  I will mention that I have two friends that got pregnant immediately after having a Mirena.  They both miscarried and have had trouble getting pregnant since (they both already have one child).  Probably nothing to do with the Mirena because it sounds like others here have not had the same experience but thought I would mention it. 

DownToEarthGirl

I'm one of those people who had a Mirena and hated it.  I really, really wanted to like it and had no problems on hormonal BC pills before having kids.  I had the Mirena for about a year after DS#2...my uterus was tilted so getting it in was not comfortable and I lost the strings right away, I could almost always "feel" it during sex and (warning TMI) therefore I would only want to do like one position, which wasn't great for our sex life and honestly, I think the hormones were too much for me also.  I had my period (lightly) for about 4 weeks once, then I didn't have it for about 6, then had it again (lightly) for 3 weeks, and so on...never regular and I'd been regular all my life.  When I got it out (which was another trial since the strings were in my uterus with it and since my insurance didn't pay for removal), my sex drive increased, it wasn't uncomfortable to have sex anymore, my cycle was 28-29 days normal again, and I couldn't believe I lived with it for so long. 

It think it would work much better for me if it was about 1/2 the size.  I also might go copper next time.  Honestly, I know one friend who loves hers, so if your insurance pays to insert/remove, then it's worth a try for a couple months.  

As a side note, I also tried the Nuvaring and really liked that...no complications with my cycles, no discomfort, super easy to use, and you can even take it out for 3 hours for sex if you want.  However, again, I only used it for about 8 months b/c my insurance wouldn't cover it, so it was >$30 per month for me (after my 6 months of trials from the OB/midwife ran out) and I was not into paying more than a $1/day for it.  I'd try the Nuvaring before an IUD since those were much better.