IUD Advice

I just had mirena put in last friday and have had no problems. It took about 10 minutes, wasnt painful at all and I have had no physical or emotional side effects. So far so good.

I also want to have only one child so I tried the iud, it didn't work for me ( I think I just wasn't a candidate, somehow it caused me too much bleeding, but my dr. said that it is very rare to have someone like me come along) my sister in law has one and loves it. Some people have a little spotting for a while ( she did) but it doesn't seem to be troubling. I now use the depo shot which is very easy and you get one every 12 weeks. It is 99% effective because there is no "user" error like in the daily pill. I would recommend the shot at first while you think about the iud. I wouldn't be scared of it, but this would give you 12 weeks of birth control and you could think about it. I just didn't want the hassle of the pill again. There are too many ways to mess up the pill and i DO NOT want to get pregnant again. Good luck, but think about the depo shot as an alternative for now...

The pros of an IUD
1) prevents pregnancy
2) no remembering pills - a big plus for those who forget
3) side effects can be minimal
4) sex can be anytime...hehe
5) an IUD will last 5 years
6) when you are ready to conceive, you can begin to try almost immediately after removal

the con's of an IUD
1) Did you know an IUD can fall out? I didn't. So now I am 7 months pregnant. it appears that because i had significant weight loss, my Mirena IUC wiggled out. lol...i get my tie breaker.

the pill
pros
1) prevents pregnancy
2) can help those with heavy painful periods get some much needed relief

cons
1) need to remember to take once a day at the same time
2) when you decide you are ready to try for another young one, it may take up to 18 months for your cycle to get back to normal
3)if you miss 2 or 3 doses you will need to use a backup method of b/c

hope this helps :)

I have had an IUD for years now and I love it! My neighbor/ friend was telling me she had one wasn't having a period anymore so that got me interested immediately. I have nothing to think about with it and it took me almost a year to completely stop having a period but it took my friend a few months. I have no weird side effects and I highly recommend it.

hi Carrie...

I had the Mirena (IUC) and I just had it taken out yesterday in fact, and it is a breeze...I would highly recommend it! Also, be sure you understand that Mirena is different than the IUDs of the past. It does not have crazy side-effects (for most people--and the only adverse side effect I've heard of from people I know is constant/irregular bleeding) and it not harmful to your body like the IUDs of yore. Yes, it is true that getting pregnant on it could be very harmful to your baby and you would probably lose it, but that is extremely unlikely!!!! I had a very light period for a few months and then it disappeared all together. Getting it put in and taken out was virtually painless and you could never feel it in there.

Since the Mirena is fairly new, that's probably the one you're considering. Ask your doctor all the questions you have and read about it online. I highly recommend it and of course it's way better than the pill b/c you don't have to mess with it. But, if you're very diligent and your remember to take your pill at exactly the same time every day it's just as effective. You have to decide what you're most comfortable with and what you're most likely to do because remember those people who use the pill incorrectly are the ones who get pregnant. Good luck!

Good Morning! I have the IUC Mirena and just love it! I don't feel it at all and haven't had any problems since having in put in, in June. My periods are hardly there and I don't have to worry about taking a pill everyday! The best part for me is you don't gain wait with Mirena. I had trouble in the past with weight gain due to my hypothyroid. I would check into this. It's great! Good luck!

I am 30 years old and had my last baby 18 months ago. We had 4 daughters in 6 years and I had a C-section with the last one with plans of getting my tubes tied, I chickened out at the last minute! At my 6 week check up I had an IUD put in and have loved ever since. Having it put in was not fun, very uncomfortable!! The benefits have out wayed the pain, I do not have to worry about taking a pill everyday and I just know it is there! My periods have pretty much stopped with a little spotting here and there. I would recommend this to any one because it is reversible and much more reliable than the pill. Hope this helps!!

I have had my IUD for 3.5 yrs now and I LOVE it!! I have not had a period for that same amount of time. The pain of insertion really was not more than some residual cramping (no worse than mestral cramping). And I do not have to wait like I woudl with the depo if I decide I want to start trying tomorrow i can have it removed. I think it is the best long term decsion that can be easily reversed. The IUD I have is the Mirena... it has been great for me. Good luck!

OK, I had one years ago put in. I could feel it and my husband could feel it! Yeah, it was not comfortable at all. Getting it put in was not a big deal until I stood up and walked to the check out desk. I guess my body went into shock with foreign object in there and I blacked out. Thankfully sat in a chair first. I will never do that again! Mostly the discomfort for me and my husband.
J.

hi i have the mirena iud and i love it. i've had it for 1 1/2 yrs. during the placement there was some mild discomfort but that went away rather quickly. now i have VERY light periods if i have them at all. you can't tell its there, there's no 4gettin if you took your pill or any of the other hassles that you have w other bc. hope this helps, if you have any more questions just contact me or if i remember any more info ill let you know. C.

Go with the Mirena!!!  I had it inserted after my 2nd child.  There was a small amount of cramping the day of the procedure but after that, I never even knew it was there...neither did my husband.  We decided to have a third child.  I had it removed and was pregnant within 2 months.  I will be delivering #3 on Monday (woohoo!) and plan on having my tubes tied.  My doctor has told me that I can even have it inserted again if I choose because, in addition to birth control (though I won't need it for that:-), I had virtually no period and no menstrual cramps. I'm going for it!

Hi Carrie,
My husband and I were pretty sure when we had our daughter that we didn't want any more kids, it took me forever to get pregnant and then when I did it was a difficult pregnancy, were are very grateful for her and love her more than anything in the world,but do not want to go through all that again. I didn't want to do anything drastic at that time because I was only 28 and people convinced me I would change my mind later. So I got Mirena, probably the same 5 year IUD you are referring to. I love it, it is scheduled to come out in a year, and I am still sure I don't want any more kids but I am having it taken out and putting a new one right in, you don't have to even think about it, it has minimal side effects, in fact the only one I have notice is not having a period for 4 years and that is the reason I am getting it put back in versus having my tubes tied. I will take 99.9% effective and no periods over 100% effective and having periods any day. I have a friend that had one fall out, but that generally happens right when they are first put in, if it is going to happen, and she had a new one put in and it has been 3 years and she loves it also. Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck.
M.

Hello. I was just reading your responses because Im also going back and forth about what to do. Call me stupid but I dont get the human life thing? Am I missing something? But anyways when I talked to my doctor about Mirena he said there were really no side effects. He gave me a pamplet about it and it listed tons of side effects! Thanks doc! But I did talk to one of my friends that has it, shes getting hers removed because she is going to try for another. But she said she does think it gives her nausea sometimes. Iv also heard a couple stories about it coming out too. Hmm dont know what to do either!

I LOVE mine. Yes is can be pulled if you change your mind and/or situation chanegs and you want more children. Unlike tying your tubes which is permanent. I cannot evn tell it is in, don't have to "remember" a pill everyday, and there can be spontaneous "fun" since we don't have to remember condoms either. I rarely get a period, and if I do it is so light I can wear a panti-liner. It took 5 minutes in the office, no pain, no cramping. I did bleed for 9 days afterwards which is normal (it clears you out so you start "fresh" with a clean uterine lining. Then NOTHING since forgive a one day period I used a liner for. Good luck with whatever you choose!

I have not had an IUD, but a friend of mine had one. For her, it was absolutely terrible. She had to have it taken out after 1 year or something b/c of bleeding & it messing up emotions. There could have been more to the story, but she did have it taken out. I've tried telling her how easy natural family planning is, which is what we use with success. I'm not sure what they decided on in place of the IUD.

I just wanted to say I had an IUD inserted. It hurt A LOT and seemed like something was wrong, but I went home and 2 days later I had to have surgery to get it out, it had perforated my uterus and was sitting on my intestines. It's about a 1/2000 chance and I was that one. I won't ever get one again, but my point is not to disuade you, it's to say, if you do get one... trust your body. If you feel like something is wrong, make them investigate. If they had figured it out right away, it wouldn't have worked it's way so far and they could have pulled it out without my having to have a sudden surgery while breastfeeding a 3 month old. Most people I have talked to who have them have said it was "uncomfortable" or "hurt a little" to get it in, and then loved it. I think it's always good to leave the possibility open to changing your plans.

Also, I will mention, my sister uses the ring and LOVES it. You insert it yourself and leave it in for 3 weeks and then take it out for 1 week. I may go that route when I am done breastfeeding.

K.

Carrie--I am on my S. IUD right now. I had one put in right after I had my son and then I had it replaced about a year ago. I absolutely love it!!! For the first 4 years, I barely had a period at all. Plus it's very effective--at least for me! I have the Mirena 5 year one just in case you are comparing different ones. Good Luck!

I've had an IUD for 6 years (I got the 10 yr one). I absoultely LOVE it! My husband and I also don't want anymore kids, but weren't ready to do anything permanent. With the IUD, I feel like if I "need" to have more kids, I can... I have had no problems with it other than a slightly heavier period than with birth control pills (mine also doesn't have any hormones). In 3 1/2 years, I have to decide if I want another one or if I should figure out a new method of birth control... at this point, if I had to decide today, I would get a new one... have been thinking about the Mirena(sp?). I say go for it!
B.

It was great for me but not so for my husband. this was over 12 years ago so it may not be an issue now. but, the little piece that hangs down from it would poke him during intercourse. I have the nuvaring now and love it. I can't do the pill because it doesn't agree with me.

Hi Carrie,

I had my son in January, my doctor recommended the Mirena IUD. I have had it in since April and I love it. There was slight cramping when it was put in and then there was a lot of bleeding at first. Then again I was still recovering from giving birth. Since April my periods have been much lighter. I don't notice any other differences. Plus I don't have to remember to take anything and with my busy lifestyle that is key. I have tried the pills, the patch and the ring. I like this the best. My husband is 49 and says if we have another child it has to be before he's 50. I think I have him convinced to start trying again next October. He'll still be 50. Oh, another plus is the financial aspect as well. Take care and good luck.

S. M, mother of 1 boy, 2 stepdaughters

Would I recommend it, yes, yes, yes! It was a little uncomfortable to have it put in place. It took a day or two to feel OK, then a few weeks to feel normal. I bled, lightly, for a few weeks, now nothing, ever! I don't have any worries about getting pregnant, and that is wonderful. If you are 99% sure you are done having kids, this is the way to go. The IUD keeps all the hormones in one place, unlike the pill that goes through out your whole body. Good luck with your choices! I'm happy for you that you are being proactive with your choices.
As for another comment saying it is not a contraception, yes it is, the facts she is getting are wrong, they may have been the case when the IUD was 1st developed, but not anymore. If you are concerned about that, please talk to your doctor, and they will tell you how it works. By the way, you have a good husband who is being supportive, good for you.

I have an IUD. I got the 10-year back in 2004. I have not experienced any problems with it. My sister had the 5-year, and decided that she wanted to have another child and ended up getting it removed. She was pregnant within a couple of months. I was really surprised. Her baby is really healthy. She didn't have any complications with any of it. I think that they are great. I've had mine for almost 5 years. It 5 years in April of 2009. I have not gotten pregnant. It seems to be working great. Good luck.

I have had the Mirena, which the one I am assuming you are talking about, for about a year now and I absolutely love it. Like you, I wasn't very sure that I wanted to be done having children. Now that I have it in, it is one of the best decisions I think I have ever made. The other BIG plus, and I don't know if you found this in your research, if and when you decide to have another child, you have the IUC taken out and you can try to conceive right away, you don't have to wait the recomended time frame after stopping the pill. Once the device is removed, the medicine is removed and you don't have to wait for it to cycle out of you system like the pill. And, you don't have to worry about keeping track of when to take your next pill. For years, I took the pill and I would take it at night before I went to bed, didn't really pay attention to the time I took it. Well, after I had my daughter, my husband and I knew that we wanted another child, but we were wanting to wait a little bit. I was breastfeeding our then 9 month daughter and I was on the pill, a low dose form so that it wouldn't dry up my milk supply, but a pill none the less. The next month, I started having cramping and my breasts were very tender. I ended up getting pregnant with our son. I thank God every day now and I loved that He planned them so close together, but I will never go back to the pill. I was told at my first doctor's appointment with my 2nd pregnancy that if you don't the pill at the same time every night, it's not as effective. In my case, it wasn't effective at all. Just a little food for thought for you. I hope this helps!

I had a friend who got one & it disappeared. The doctor couldn't explain what happened to it & guess what...she was pregnant. I am positive she doesn't have any regrets because she has the most beautiful little girl but just wanted to share that info with you. I did some research on it some years ago. From what I understand the egg gets fertilized but isn't able to implant. I am not sure what your views are on this matter but I know that is not always mentioned to the person getting it done. We went with a vasectomy for my husband.Good luck

Not to start any controversial arguments, but just wanted to respond from a medical standpoint regarding the "human life" issue mentioned in another post. It's true, an IUD might prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg, thus preventing pregnancy (there are also other ways it works, depending on if you use one with hormones or just copper). BUT, birth control pills can do the same. They work by several mechanisms...one of which is preventing implantation if an egg is fertilized (some people will still ovulate while on the pill). That being said, MANY fertilized eggs never do implant even WITHOUT any "intervention" so-to-speak. For whatever reasons, the environment, genes, timing, or whatever might be the case, just isn't right and they pass right on through and you get a normal period. We'd never know that the egg was ever fertilized. Just wanted to clear that up.
It's up to you to decide what is right for you.

As for the IUD, there are 2 main types. One is simply copper. The other is Mirena, which puts out hormones in low doses similar to a pill. It works very well for many people. I had some patients who adored it, others who hated it. Probably the most common complain was irregular bleeding and cramping, but there are some more worrysome side effects that are less common.
I haven't used one myself, but will consider it after we have another child, as I am not ready to do anything permanent.

Good luck with your decision.

I have a Mirena and I like it very much but now I feel that I am starting to go through the change. So my monthly come about every two and a half weeks. I have had mine since January of last year.

Carrie,

I didn't read all of the responses so you may have heard this already. An IUD prevents a fertilized egg from attaching to the uteran wall, automatically causing it to abort. I really don't mean to sound like a bible thumper at all, but, I opted for other forms of birth control because it was an issue for me. Just thought you should know because some doctors leave that part out. Good luck!

I've had the Mirena IUD for nearly 5 years now and I love it! I'm going to have it replaced soon since they last for 5 years. I feel so free with it because I never have an actual period, only occassional spotting. And when I say occassional, I mean every few months and it's very little when it does happen.

Having it put in was not pleasant, but not horrible for me. Of course I had both my babies w/out pain meds, so I have a pretty high pain threshold. Anyway, the pain associated w/having it put in has been totally worth it.

I think I did bleed for about a month after getting it, but since then, it's been very little. I love not having to think about taking a pill or anything else as far as birth control. It is not permanent, which you already know, so I encourage you to go for it. My insurance covered almost all of it, so for me it was cheaper than buying 5 years worth of pills.

Basically, I have nothing bad to say about my experience. I'm thankful to have it and to NOT have periods! Woo hoo!

Hi Carrie, I don't have the IUD but my girl friend does and is very happy with it. I would get one but my doctor will not use them. He dosen't think they are safe, says anytime you open any part of the body you are at risk for infection. So you may want to ask about that. Good luck!!

Hi Carrie,
I'm a grandma now so things are probably very different but...before I had my 2 sons I had an IUD for about a year.I had severe cramping each month (which was not normal for me.) The other issue was that mine did not prevent conception, just attachment to the uterus of a fertilized egg. Best of luck!

Hi Carrie! I have three beautiful children, and got my IUD put in after the birth of my last one. I would definitely recommend the IUD over the daily pill. With the IUD, there is no maintenance and you pretty much forget it is there. Its also nice to know that if we do decide to have another baby, it can be taken out at any time. On the other hand, it has caused my periods to be irregular. Other than that, I have had absolutley no emotional or physical effects. Mine is the ten year copper one, so that might make a difference. Good Luck!

Hi Carrie, There has been some controversy regarding an IUD and human life. One of the things an IUD does, is it changes the lining of the uterus therefore preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg. So if this is an issue with you, you may want to just stick with the pill. Just something to think about. :)

I had mirena in for about a year and a half, of course there were pros and cons. It can last for 5 years, after 5 years you can get the one you have in taken out and another put in. I had a bad experience with it, my ob/gyn told my that I was the only one that had anything bad to say about it. Basically I was having 2 periods a month, which is not normal and most women have extremely light periods or none at all. I got it taken out in January and I am now 3 months along with my 5th!
Good luck!

Since many are telling you that there are pros and cons with an IUD, I thought I would bring up another form of birth control.

Has your hubby considered a vascetomy since you say you have so many reasons to only have one child?

It is a simple, outpatient procedure that is permanent; yet reversable if your situation actually changed.

Again, this is just an idea IF you really don't want more kids.

Best wishes

I've never had one, but it seems really creepy to me--the idea of having something in there all the time. I guess if you aren't sure if you're done, though . . .

An IUD is not contraception. It does not prevent conception. It is strictly an abortafacient; that is, it aborts any pregnancy you may have. It works by making the uterine lining inhospitable to any newly conceived child. Theoretically, you could miscarry with every cycle. Additionally, it can cause uterine rupture, infection, etc. If it fails to abort your pregnancy, your baby could have some serious birth defects because of it.