Birth Control - San Francisco,CA

Get the Murena. It is fabulous. Copper or any metal is not good to put inside you. THe Murena is only localized hormones and is so not a problem It prevents uterine cancer. I had heavy periods after babies and this cured me. Get it! T.

Hi R.,
At age 37 I got the copper IUD about a year after the birth of my son. I chose the copper for your same reasons/interest in it. I had HORRIBLE heavy periods often with bad PMS, which I'd never really experienced before. After a year I had it removed and the 5 year Mirina inserted. I have had the Mirina now for 2 years and it's definitely been worth it. I also had to pay out of pocket (for both!) because my insurance didnt cover it (costly mistake!).

Hi R.:

If you have heavy periods why would you want something that is going to make them even heavier? That's losing a lot of blood and iron and lots of tiredness. Plus it's not guaranteed. Women still can get pregnant with an IUD. Have you thought seriously of using something else?

I have the 10 year copper one and LOVE it. I love having no hormones, it works great (and we were REALLY fertile before). I say it's worth the money.

I had the copper IUD for, I think, three years, and eventually got fed up with the heavy periods and cramping. I had also looked forward to a non-hormonal method, and everything else about the IUD was great -- convenience, the strong recommendation of my gynecologist, and cost (mine was covered, but if it hadn't been I figured out the monthly pill fee would equal it in two years). I looked into Mirena more recently but haven't been ready to try it. Good luck whatever you do.

i got the merina about 4 months ago and also wasnt sure about the hormones. but my dr assured me the hormones are just localized to the uterus. i havent had any problems and am very happy. i havent noticed any of the side effects that i normally got when on the pill.

If you are really done hsving children you might look into an ablasion. I had a hydro ablasion in 2004 and have not had a period since. I was bleeding so bad that I couldn't stand up without hemmorraging. It has been awesome.

I had a copper IUD for several years and then had it removed when my husband had a vasectomy. I loved it and did not have any problems with it at all. Before having children I was on the pill for many years and found that the IUD was a much better form of birth control. My periods were not any heavier with the IUD than before, but I had always had relatively light/normal periods before. The reason we decided to remove the IUD and my husband got a vasectomy is because I kept getting abnormal paps and I'd have to go back every 4-6 months for a redo. My doctor said it may or may not be attributed to the IUD, so I decided I was done with the frequent paps and the IUD, so we decided it was Hubby's turn to step up and get a vasectomy.

only get it if your done having babies. i am NOT done having babies i have read many horror storries about ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages. but if your all done, then i guess its the right choice. i have the mirena. i also wanted to get the copper one b/c it had no hormones, and the heavier periods was something i could deal with. why i went with the mirena is because it is FLEXIBLE. it hurt so bad going in. it hurt like a labor contraction. i had a friend who has never had a baby and she convinced her doctor to give her one. I told her she was dumb and that it would hurt like hell she made the doctor stop half way be/c it hurt so bad. i regret my decision to put it in. i'm used to it now, but for the firt month it felt like there was something foreign in my body.

I just wanted to let you know that sometimes you can contact the maker of the device and get it for free or at a steap discount when your insurance doesn't cover it. At least that way you only have to pay for the insertion.

Sorry I can't answer any of your other questions but if you do get the copper let me know how you like it, I'm planning on getting an IUD after we have our second.

Hi R.,

I used the Marina and it was great. My doctor was on it and so was one of the nurses. It was great when I was using it. There weren't heavy periods. After about 6 months there was no periods anymore. As for the copper IUD I heard it is heavy periods. My doctor didn't really recommend that to me when I was talking IUD's. All birth control pretty much has hormones from what I have learned since one of my friends did some research on it due to cancer runs in her family and she was trying to find a birth control that had none or a low dose and pretty much found nothing. Hope this helps.

R.

R.,
Maybe get a bilateral tubal. My sis has been on many birth control methods, and she gained alot of weight. I don't have a single scar on me from having the procedure done.
I heard a story a woman had it done twice and still got pregnant. Then the husband had surgery and she still got pregnant. Its been 12 years, Im still fixed. My sis uses IUD but Im not sure which one. One thing good about the pill, you know when your period is. They advertised a new one of taking a pill for 4 months before having a period. I don't remember the name of it. Good luck. G.

R.,

I can't tell you which birth control to use, but I can say that IUD's do not prevent pregnancy. IUD's cause your body to abort an inseminated egg. If you don't plan on having more, maybe you should consider a tubaligation (sic.).

Jackie

Hi R.,
Well I can't help you with the copper IUD but I can give you my thoughts on the 5 year IUD. It is WONDERFUL! I love it and i would still have one even if my husband was to get "fixed". I decided to get the 5 year IUD because the copper was discouraged by my OB. The Mirena IUD has a small amount of hormones but not enough to make a difference in side effects. I have one side effect- no periods. I have small spotting once a month for about 2 days. It is the greatest. I am on my second one. I highly recommend it. I did not want to take the pill because I gain weight on that form of birth control, and got pregnant with my first while on the pill.
I hope this info helps. You should really think about it. It has been a good experience for us.
Good luck!
C.

I JUSt got my second Merina last week. I LOVE it, (after a few days of cramping and a little discomfort from taking out the old and replacing it with the new). With my first one I had NO periods and no problems with hormones. My friend had the copper one and had major period issues and had to have it removed. Good luck with your decision.

what about vasectomy? Out-patient surgery with no down time (except you and he should avoid sex for a couple of days.) No long term side effects and I've never heard of complications (they must be extremely rare), unlike the iud and every other form of female birth control.

I had the Marina and my periods actually stoped all togeather almost I only had one or year for about 4 years. I am currently trying for #2 this is why I took it out. I was very leary of the Copper just becuse I allready have heavy periods and DID not want any heavyier. Good luck!

Hi R.
I was very conflicted and somewhat anti Mirena because I have a terrible reaction to hormonal based birth control. I ultimately got the Mirena and LOVE it. After 3 months of annoying spotting, my periods decreased to almost nothing. It was actually a bit freaky because I am perimenopausal and am never sure if I am not bleeding or not cycling... The first month I felt a teeny bit "different" but since then I have not noticed any effects of the hormones. As your doctor said, it is an extremely small local dose rather than the large dose that affects your entire body like the pill. It needs changing every 5 years--mine is due for removal in August and I am pretty sure that I will get another Mirena.
The very best part is it's in... and you never ever have to think about it. If you go to a clinic, like Women's Health Specialists or Planned Parenthood they can help you get on Family Pact which covers un- and under- insured women for reproductive health needs.

Well I am the exception to the rule here. I have had the copper IUD for 3 years now and I love it. I had a day or two of cramping and almost no spotting. I do have different periods but they are not heavier, just a little longer. Still no cramping either. I suggest you talk to your doctor about what is right for you.

Hello,
I also wanted the 10 year iud for the same reason, besides the fact my husband is a big chicken!! I had it inserted and did just fine for a few months then I start having really heavy periods and cramps beyond belief! The periods lasted longer with only a week or so in between, then another period lasting two or so weeks with only a week in between and so on and so on. Needless to say I had it removed and went with the other 5 year one, I had no period for about a year and then started having light ones with slight cramping. but all is still good and not bad for not having to think about birthcontrol everyday. The hormones have not effected me in anyway that I can tell at this time. If I have not gone through menopause by the end of 5 years I will have it replaced with another one. Hope this helps. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at ____@____.com Luck!
L.

Have you thought about getting your tubes tied? I have 4 beautiful children which all 3 kids weren't planned and so I decided to have my tubes tied so that I don't have to worry about it. As far as your periods being heavy, once you get tubes tied, you can get something to help minimize alot of your bleedings. Talk with your doctor for options. The doctor should be able to discuss options for you when requested by you. That is their job.

Good luck!

You don't give your age and this is important. The older you get the less need you have to be concerned about getting pregnant. After 40, it's slim after 45 it's almost nil. I am a acupuncturist who works exclusively with male and female endocrinology, mainly reproductive, but also peri and post menopause.

This less things you put into your body the better off you are and this includes drugs and IUD's. It's so easy to tell when you are ovulating - there are kits and of course, the tell - tell signs of mid-cycle slippery mucous. Why risk potential problems with a IUD? While copper is a mineral that we need in proper ratio to zinc to support sex hormones, by having a copper IUD in your body 24/7 for years is flirting with copper toxcity. Why do this?

If you don't want more children, then just take rational precautions until menopause and basically you can forget/relax about it after 45.

C. wolfe, L.Ac.

Hi R.,

I have had the Mirena for 2 months now and love it. I had gone online and looked on different forums that talked ill of the device but have had no problems and it sounds like most others on this site liked it as well. I did not have any problems with the BC i was on prior, just figured that I may have another child in the future and did not want to be on pills/patch for ever and did not was to have my tubes tied.

I have had no experience with the copper IUD so I cannot say what the plus' are or what is negative, but my DR did highly recommend the Mirena over the copper. My age may have been a factor in that.

The best thing to do is talk with your doctor and go over all the options.
Julia

Hi R.,
I used the copper T for about a year, and it did make my periods much heavier. Not only were they heavier, but they also lasted longer, from 4 days they went to 7 days. Other than that, I did like how easy it was, I just never thought about it. My husband did say that once in a while he could feel the tiny string that hangs out, but other than that it was a pretty good choice.

I hope this helps, and that you find the right contraception for you!

Hi R.,
I have the copper IUD Paragaurd and it definitely makes my period heavier, but I personally feel it's worth it. (I can't be on any hormones do to a blood clotting disorder). The first few months I also had bad cramping before my period, but that has since stopped. I have now had the iud for 1 1/2 years and don't have any cramping or other symptoms except for the heavier and slightly longer period. However, my period is regular and I very rarely spot. Hope this helps!

R.,

I am someone who can not take the pill due to the hormones. I talked to many of my Dr and friends who had the mirena IUD and decided to try it out. I have been on it for a few months now and have had no problems with it. I didn't have much spotting (they say you can spot for up to 6 months) and have not had a period at all. I really like it so far. I don't know anyone using the copper IUD. Therefore, can't give any information on that. But I do really like the Mirena. Good luck with your decision.

Hi!
I had the copper IUD for one year and my only complaints were that my husband could feel it, and at times I could feel it. Also, my periods seemed more painful. On the plus side, I liked that no hormones were involved and inserting/removing was no big deal. It was also nice that you didn't have to think about anything for years. Although I am somewhat hesitant of using hormones I think I might try the Mirena next time (my baby is almost one year and I am thinking of birth control too). All of my friends that have Mirena LOVE it. Good luck!

I did not like the copper IUD. I had it in for one year and then got it removed. I had really heavy long periods. I was using extra large tampons and had to replace them every hour. My sister recommended the copper IUD since she liked it. I think you will find people who like it and don't.

If you do go with the copper IUD just make sure that you are supplementing your diet with Zinc since it will leach zinc from your body
If you go with anything that has hormones then you need to take additional B complex vitamins because they will be leached from your body with the hormones, in particular The Pill.

I had the copper IUD but for me it is not worth it as it caused a lot of pain and cramps and was difficult to remove (the strings broke in the removal effort) however, it was a very effective form of birth control. But if you do not plan on having any more children, you qualify to have your tubes tied if that was an option for you. and as for your periods, they will be heavier for the first two or three cycles, but they go ack to normal after that.