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IUD Questions (kinda long)
I know this question gets asked fairly frequently, but I am need of some personal opinions and experiences. I'm considering getting an IUD (I don't know that I have a preference between Paragard or Mirena at this point) and would like to hear how you feel about it. I like the Paragard option b/c of no hormones, the length of time it covers you for (we aren't having kids), the convenience, etc.
Before I call my gyn & start the ball rolling I wanted to see how people felt about this or the Mirena. I've had to be on some type of BCP since I was 16 and I'm just tired of it. Its the only RX that I'm currently on and since we aren't having kids I would just as soon like to be med free if possible.
Right now I'm on Yaz and out of all the bcps I've taken for the past 15+ years its my favorite. However, the biggest drawbacks are the fact that I have to take a pill every day, and that I essentially have two periods a month. At exactly the 2 week mark in every pack I spot; its not usually enough to warrant a tampon but enough that its noticeable. Then that whole thing lasts anywhere from a few days to a week. Then I start my "normal" period. I've tried dozens of different pills, the ring, the patch, you name it.
My gyn has mentioned the IUD option a few times in the past and I've only not done it b/c I'm a little scared/nervous about the whole procedure and the after parts (I've heard both good and bad stories from several people). So what's your opinion, please?? TIA!
ETA: I've never been pregnant.
Re: IUD Questions (kinda long)
I had Mirena for a few years and LOVED it up until the almost three year mark. Getting it inserted was really painful for me (never been preggers) but it is a relatively quick procedure. The only reason I had it removed was my body started fighting with it, I was getting horribly bad cramps with my period, sick to my stomach, headaches, etc. Before that happened though, it was awesome and I loved it. I would definitely recommend it! Hope that helps!
I have the paragard and it's a love hate relationship
I love the no hormones,no loss of sex drive due to added hormones,no weight gain due to hormones*I've heard that can happen with mirena*
I hate the cramps (really bad for about a day and a half), heavy bleeding(I go through a super plus tampon in 4hrs for two days of my period then it a normal flow), not being able to skip periods like I did when I was in bcp. After 3 yrs of the heavy bleeding I've had about all I can take( it's now interfering with activities). We aren't having kids so sometime this year dh is going for a vasectomy so I can get rid of this thing
FYI, I've never had kids and insertion wasnt that bad( little cramp,medium cramp, one hell of a cramp, done)
Kristi and Kerry June 21,2008
I had the Mirena for 3 years and had it removed last July. While I had it I didn't have a period at all, which sounds great but it really messed me up.
Since having it removed I've only had one period that was induced by medication, and I have many symptoms pointing to PCOS. I am going to both my endo and ob/gyn in the next couple of week to do more testing. Before having the Mirena I was perfectly regular and had two normal pregnancies. I don't want to blame my (possible) PCOS on the Mirena but there is really nothing else for me that could have caused it.
I have Mirena. It is great, nothing to think about each day. I haven't had a period for almost 3 years now and only had super light periods for the first 3 months after i got it.
The way I see it....Mirena has the benefit of great BC, stopping your periods and lasts for 5 years. Paragard has the benefit of great BC but the down side of extra heavy periods and lasts for 10 years. If you have no problem with the low level of hormone in the MIrena, it seems like a clear choice.
I don't know that I want to go this route. Not b/c I think we will ever change our minds, but I'd rather not have any kind of surgery at this point in my life. I just want to be able to have something a little more quickly as well.
I've had Mirena for over a year, and it's the best form of birth control ever (in my opinion). I've never given birth either. The insertion process is a little more painful for us, but your doctor can (and should) numb your cervix before insertion, and it won't hurt too bad.
When I originally considered getting an IUD, I was pretty confident that I was going to go with Paragard because it didn't use any hormones. However, my doctor told me about the pros and cons of each I decided on Mirena (Paragard cons: you're cramps get heavier and more painful; Mirena cons: it uses some hormone BUT it's like a micro amount, so it's nothing like the large amount of hormones on the pill). I'm so happy I chose Mirena. I haven't had a period in over a year, and I don't get cramps nearly as often. Therefore, I recommend it over any other birth control.