Iud?

I have the Mirena IUD. Though this is the one with hormones, which is not the one your doctor recommended. If you're considering the IUD, you might want to go back and talk with your doctor again. The hormone in Mirena is progesterone which is the same as in the "mini-pill".

As far as what I think of it? I absolutely LOVE it. I love that I don't have to think about bc.

As far as hormones. I react funny to the pill. My doc and I talked at length about it, and she told me that the hormone in Mirena acts locally. So far I haven't had anything like the types of problems I had with the pill.

I LOVE my merina IUD. I can't remember the last time I had a period and I feel no cramping or discomfort at all. Before I had a merina I had a hormone free copper IUD. I had extra long periods and intense cramping. Defenatly go with the Merina and I bet you will be happy with that choice. I cannot tell it is there (except for a tiny wire) no pill taking or condoms ect needed to stay pregnant free...YES! Awesome!! Go for it girl. Super easy to put in and I became pregnant almost instatly after removing my first one. Dang!! Can't beat that...seriously. Good Luck.

I have Mirena since June with excellent results. I have Migraines and when I was on the pill (even the mini-pill) I had all types of issues, including more migraines, extremely tender breast, and horrible cramping. (I couldn't stand to wear a bra!) With Mirena, I don't get as many migraines and all of my other "pill" problems disappeared.

An extra benefit from Mirena is that now I have 1 day, very light periods. Naturally, after my 3rd child, my periods were so heavy that I was using a heavy pad & a super tampon each hour for 2 days. I was in the hospital monthly because of weakness due to such blood loss. Basically, my GYN told me hysterectamy, pregnancy, Pill, or Mirena. Because I wanted more children, but not immediately and the pill gave me horrible side effects, Mirena was my answer.

I just got the Mirena inserted in Nov and LOVE IT. I wouldnt go back. I feel bad for my freinds without children because they can not get it or so I have been told. I still have had some spotty periods but nothing like before. And to not have to worry about a stupid pill is all the better! Go for it you wont regret it!

I have three children. The first I got pregnant with on birthcontrol pill and using a condom. Our second we tried for for one month and I got pregnant twice because I had two eggs drop two weeks apart from each other. And although I was pregnant with twins for 12 weeks we lost one and then had a healthy baby boy. 7 MOnths later while on a low dose pill because I was nursing I got pregnant with our third child. Because I am still young and was not sure I was done for sure having children, we opted for the IUD(The mirena). It has worked great. I have had it in for just over 2 1/2 years. At first you notice it and still have some break through bleeding, but then after a couple months the bleeding almost completely stops, you don't even realize it is there anymore, and you don't even have to think about it anymore. There are some side effects I have noticed. I had lost a small patch of hair after a year of having it in that is growing back now. And also, I have had more acne than ever before, but I keep this under control with an oil control cleanser and moisturizer, and just use an acne medicated toner when I get my "period". I don't bleed, but you still have slight spotting when you use the bathroom. I don't mind the side effects at all because the worry is gone about getting pregnant which makes it all worth it. I am a 31 year old stay at home mother of three, I sell Mary Kay, and am married to a teacher and head football coach who is the best husband, dad, role model, and friend. Hope the info helps:-)

I had one put in right after my daughter was born and have had it for almost 3 years. I felt it for a couple of days after I had it put in but now I don't even know it is there. I was horrible at remembering to take the pill and I know with have a child I was going to be more apt to forget it. I love the fact that I can have it removed and get pregnant right away. My husband doesn't feel it or anything like that. The one side effect that you can get from it is ovarian cysts. They aren't common but can happen. I did have a cyst from it and it ruptured which was painful but now I have no problems what so ever with it. If the pill makes you feel crumy then try the IUD.

I had terrible migraines while on the pill. I had the Mirena IUD inserted almost 3 years ago and have had no problems. I chose Mirena(with hormones) because I had such heavy periods to begin with my doctor was uncomfortable with the copper, which can make your periods even heavier. I went from using super plus tampons and pads for 4 to 5 days to barely using a light day pad for 3 days. I love it! If you are concerned about the hormone in the IUD, check with your doctor. Mine explained how differently they are released in the IUD (more locally) so they do not affect moods, headaches, etc. like the pill.

Prior to the birth of my 10 month old, I had exactly what you are talking about. I loved it. I never experienced any problems at all and I liked that I it did not affect my cycle at all. I would reccomend that IUD. Now I have the Mirena and that has hormones. I like the one without better. I have not had any problems with it, but it does affect my cycle. (so could me exclusevly breastfeeding). I am all for the IUD with no hormones. Feel free to send me a message if you have specific questions. J.

Hi J. - I was a little worried about "knowing there was something inside me" also when I got my IUD. I chose the copper IUD because I do not like hormones and after a while you just forget about it. I have found my periods to be a bit different and slighty heavier than they were but nothing to bad. I am glad I chose to go with the IUD and have several friends who have made the same choice. It is nice not to haver to worry about birth control all of the time. Good luck with your decision.
C.

I have a Mirena IUD and I LOVE IT! I had it placed last year, had spotty periods for 3-4 months, and since haven't had a period. I used the pill for years too, between kids, after breastfeeding, etc. This time our insurance wouldn't cover the pill, but covered an IUD 100%. So being unsure whether we weanted more children or not after our 2nd son, the IUD was a GREAT option. Ive had it just over a year and its by far the best BC I've ever used. I like that its owrry free, but can be removed at any time. Now that we are sure we want to try for a girl, I'm glad we didn't choose anything permanent, this can be removed any time.

I really liked the Mirena IUD. I actually reccommend it to everyone. It has worked for all of them and they love it. Even my doctor as me how I liked it, because she was thinking of getting one. You don't know it is there. Very great solution.

Good Luck!

I see lots of positive posts on this, but just to warn you, not all people have been happy with their IUD. I have 1 friend who had it taken outlast year after several months of frequent spotting & horrendous cramping. Another friend became pregnant with an IUD, then miscarried.

As an RN, I have always had an aversion to putting anything in my body unnecessarily. My husband & I have successfully used the Sympto-Thermal Method of Natural Family Planning for 14 years now, both to postpone & achieve pregnancy. All of our children were planned. The method is easy to learn & practice, & is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, without any nasty side effects! It also encourages communication & joint decision making between spouses, thus strengthening marriages. Check it out at: www.ccli.org

J.-
I had a very negative experience with an IUD...I had it placed after my daughter was born (last April) and from the moment it was in until I had it removed in January, I had major problems. Although my doctor insisted my issues (chronic vaginal infections, uterine PH imbalances, chronic UTIs, horrible acne, huge bloated lower abdomen, to name a few)were not connected to the IUD, she finally took it out when I told her I was having my period for 13 days at a time. Once the IUD was removed, I started bleeding profusely, with huge clots...I lost six pounds over a weekend, and my belly shrunk down two pants sizes! It was like things had built up for 9 months, and just erupted! All my other symptoms cleared up almost instantaneously, and I haven't had any of those issues since. For me, it was not a good thing; I realize I am in the minority, the 5% of women who do not respond well to IUDs, but for me, it was not worth all of the trouble it put me through. I wouldn't recommend one to anyone. I thought I would be fine with the idea of something implanted in me, but I worried about it constantly, and it really drastically impacted my health. I went on Yasmin, and have been really happy with it. I had issues with pills as well, but I would rather suffer the minor mood issues than deal with an IUD ever again. Good luck with your decision.

Hi,
I tried the IUD after my twins were born. My doctor talked me into it. I hated it from the beginning but I decided I would keep it in for a year. What a relief to finally get that thing out of my body! I am sure we are all different. But, for me I had very strong negative emotions around the time of my period. I would get angry - which is so so unlike me. I really felt like I did not have control of my emotions. I would tell my partner to please not take anything I say personal because I had these angry feelings that had no real source. I would even tell him that maybe he should go away for a little bit because he probably did not want to be around me. It was that bad for me. I had bad cramps too. Mine have always been bad but these made them worse. Again, I am sure it has a different effect for everyone. I never did well on birth control pills either. But I thought it was highly invasive. Good Luck!

I am going to get the mirena iud this month. Since I stopped nursing my periods have been terrible. She told me that after one year many women do not have a period at all. I am not using it as birth control though as I had a tubal.

Hi J.,

As a pediatric intensive care nurse I assume you know the Mirena IUD that all these posts are talking about is NOT the IUD your asking about.

I have the non-hormonal IUD - the copper one - and am not looking to change. I had mine implanted right after my twins were born and they are 17 months now. Before my kids I used to never get cramps and my period was long and slow, and light. With the IUD I do experience cramping that will start the MOMENT my period comes. It kinda sucks but at least now I don't have any surprises. It has also given me a very heavy period but one that is half the length of my pre-baby days.

Since this method is non-hormonal and I haven't had a normal period without the IUD since my kids were born, I'm not sure how much of my changes are due to the kids or do to the IUD. The info that came with the IUD said periods may be heavier and more painful than before, so I attibute these factors to the IUD.

Either way, none of it is enough to convince me to switch back to a hormonal birth control method or get rid of the IUD.

Good luck!

I just had the Merana put in last week. It wasn't painful ( I did take Advil before I went in the the doctors). I am still spotting but I can't feel it at all. I am really excited about as well because like some of the other responders I am horrible about remembering to take the pill. I have two kids under the age of 18 months!

I have had an IUD for 2 1/2 years now. I am not the type of person who has a set schedule or can remember to take a pill at the exact same time every day - so I opted for the Mirena with a small amount of hormone (I was nursing at the time and couldn't take a full-strength pill). It will last me 5 years. The cost was a little more, but considering I don't have to pay a RX cost for 5 years and most insurance companies cover most of the cost, it was a no-brainer. I did also feel like I would have a problem knowing I had something "foreign" inside, that lasted about 2 weeks along with some spotting. Since then I've had no problem with it - and no cycle! No cramps, no pms, no bloating, etc. Hope my experience helps you with your decision! I sometimes feel like I should be their spokesperson! Good Luck!

I have the copper, horomone-free IUD and I LOVE it! I didn't like the way I felt on birth control and had problems with a diaphragm in the past so decided to give this a shot. I had it inserted right after my daughter was born. Insertion was crampy, but not overly painful and it felt odd for a few days, but after your body adjusts you cannot tell it is there. My periods were heavier for several months but now I am pretty much back to the same flow/cramping that I had pre-baby.