Iud - Beverly Hills,CA

I got the non hormonal IUD put in about 4 years ago. The insertion was painful but very short. After that I had very very heavy periods for about a year. Then the periods lightened up and are light and short now. I haven't had cramping. I'm very happy with it. I got off traditional birth control b/c of migraines and barely have any migraines now. There are no "extra" hormones in my body so there has been no weight gain.
L.

I've been using an IUD for 7 years now (they each last for 5 years so I'm on my second one). Pros - 1. the one I use releases a small amount of progesterone into the womb and I basically never have periods (just a bit of "spotting" once a month), 2. It's cheaper than the birth control pill and there's no risk of forgetting a dose! 3. I had more problems with my weight when I was on the Pill than since I've had the IUD inserted (the progesterone stays in your womb and doesn't get into your bloodstream licke the Pill or Contraceptive Injection does). Cons - 1. Insertion can be painful but its over quickly and then you don't even know its there until the 5 years are up and its time to remove it. I'm 42 now so I'll probably need 1 more IUD before menopause (my current one "expires" the year I turn 45 so 1 more will get me to 50). As much as I'm not looking forward to the procedure itself, I think a few minutes of discomfort is a small price to pay for 5 years of no worries! Good luck with your decision,

I had the copper one and it was no worse than getting a pap done. It was a pinch. I did have some cramping for a while afterwords. I didn't get any change in my period. The first couple of months I did have light spotting midcycle, but it went away quickly. I didn't gain any weight from it, it has no hormones to mess with that. The only down fall I had was my hubby would hit it every now and then. That hurt me and him... But I would recomend it to anyone.

I love my Mirena. I had it put in almost 4.5 years ago and haven't had any issues. Pros: no pill to remember every morning, little to no periods, no mood swings. Cons: light spotting for first 3 months, cost, at first DH could feel the string sometimes when having sex. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I'm sad my insurance doesn't cover it. I'll have to go back to the pill in April because of the cost. :(

I had the plastic one placed while deciding if we wanted more children. It was not painful, just uncomfortable while placing it. Took less time to place than a pap does to get done. Unfortunately, mine came out 1 week later and I had to replace it with the copper IUD. After a year we decided to get the Essure procedure done. It was a great way to gain time without worry. I would recommend this for anyone who needs time to think about or wait for more babies. I didn't gain weight but I did have cramping during my very light cycle more than usual.

I have the Mirena -
Having it put in was like having my period w/CRAMPS!!!

Cons- I had to pay for it up front!! at first my bf could feel it
Pros- You don't have to worrie about bc, I no longer get my period- maybe I'll spot one day out of the month.

Now the weight? I still bf & I heard the body holds on to the fat in the body to make milk I still have 20lbs from being preggo

I got mine in on January of this year. After having my baby my period finally came back around June. Periods are extremely heavy at this point. I soak everything and have to stay close to the house and have a HUGE supply of Tampons, etc.. My periods arent straight yet and i H. this bleeding gets under control. My last period was about 10 days....3 heavy bleeding days. I love the fact that it is hormone free and this is the first birth control i have ever been on since i was married. I have 3 children age 4 and under and i H. this works like it is suppose to!

I have had two experiences with an IUD. The first was many years ago - before I had children. At that time I found the insertion was horrible and I had cramps for days on end. I had it removed before the month was out.

Flash forward: I am now menopausal and in desperate need of HRT (hormone replacement therapy). Oral progesterone was not a good option for me, so my GYN (Dr. Lin Nguyen) inserted a progesterone IUD into my uterus - this allows the progesterone to get into my system without having to go through my entire body. It has been in place for two years now and other than the first couple days of cramping I wouldn't even know it was there!

Insertion day was harsh, the second day was really uncomfortable, by the third day - almost no discomfort!

Hope this helps.

I recently read an article that said it was the most effective form of birth control with the least long term side effects.
Google it and you'll find lots of articles.
Good luck!

I've got a Paragard IUD - non-hormone. i LOVE it. No weight gain, periods are heavier, but shorter.

And they're good for at least 10 years .. what's NOT to love!!