IUD Users

Updated on December 16, 2011
S.R. asks from Charlotte, NC
6 answers

I was told yesterday by my OB/GYN that since I have borderline high blood pressure she wants to take me off my pill. This is the first time I have ever heard this, I moved recently so she is a new doctor. She told me the estrogen in the pill can actually make my blood pressure higher and I need to get off of it as soon as possible. She gave me a couple of options; shots - which I really don't want to have to make trips to the doctor every three months; the mini pill - which you have to take at precisely the same time every day and well I tend to forget stuff; or the IUD. I have heard horror stories and successes from the IUD. I also read that it is recommended for women with at least one child, and although I have a child some of my friends that have had the IUD haven't, so maybe that is why they had problems. I just trying to hear from those of you out there that have had it or still do. I have been on the pill for over 10 years so all of this is quite new and a little nerve racking for me. Thanks Mama's!

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D.B.

answers from Madison on

I don't do well with the pill, as I was trying to find a pill that worked, I got pregnant (I was married so not a bit deal, just a surprise). After I had her, I tried an IUD (with out hormones) and I had the same problems I had with the pill (which Dr was thinking was hormone related). After a year, I switched IUD with hormones - I used that for almost 4 years before removing. There was more than one time I swore I was preggo and wasn't (I friend on it is always thinking she's preggo after 2 years). All the first symptoms, backache, swollen sore boobs, cramps and no bleeding. I also spotted for a year - fun!! The only perk is after the spotting is no period. I was very emotional, moody and I couldn't take it, so I had it removed and tried the nuvo ring - which I actually loved, but got a yeast infection the whole time I used it. I finally got tired of birth control and went off and started tracking my period on line (mycycles.com) and we used that method (and occational condoms) for about a year before planning another baby. I'm not 8 weeks out from delivery and we know we want one more (I'm 37 and don't have a whole lot of time) so we decided to use condoms until we are ok with having another and see what happens.

2 moms found this helpful

L.M.

answers from New York on

Hi, I have paragard, love it. No complaints. day 1 of my period is heavier than normal but that's about it. I had mirena for a year, but I was getting very bad headaches and acne so went off of it. I have 3 kids. I had paragard taken out after #2 when we decided to try for #3. I got pregnant 3 days later :-)
I got it put back in right after I had my son, at my 6 week post partum checkup. He's 8 months old now, all is good.
Good luck with making your decision. hope this helps.

2 moms found this helpful

K.L.

answers from Sacramento on

I got Mirena after I had my second son. It was a breeze to get put in, since I was six weeks post partum. I had it in for nine months. I HATED it! I gained 20lbs of water weight, got horrible acne and oily skin, and spotted ALL the time. I also had almost no sexual desire, and when we did have intercourse, it would be really physically uncomfortable... It sucked for me. I was also a ball of emotions. Riding that hormonal roller coaster was the worst part.

I got it taken out two months ago, have lost 15lbs, and my skin is waaaay more clear. I am back to normal emotionally, not going off my rocker at the smallest things, and i feel more hormonally balanced. I'm so glad I got it out, and I will NEVER get an IUD again.

2 moms found this helpful
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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

BC hormones trigger cancer in my... so I can't take them, either.

There are 2 kinds of IUDs. Mirena (hormone based) and Paragard (copper).

I've had Paragard for 9.5 years now. Here's what i LOVE about it:

- As effective as a tubal ligation
- Good for 10 years
- Effective on day of insertion / no waiting period
- Not affected by antibiotics
- Does not affect fertility (you can take it out and start trying the next/same day)
- No hormonal side effects (mood, weight, skin, period, clots, cancer)

Your period will 'reset' to whatever it's "normal" is. Most women have shorter periods on the pill, so their period "lengthens" on paragard. For the minority of women who have longer periods on the pil, their period shortens.

The first 3 periods after insertion I was warned would be gnarly/ super crampy. My OB said she'd write an Rx for muscle relaxers if I needed them but midol took care of the cramps easily, and then no more gnarly periods after that! I get crampy periods twice a year (but again, that's normal for me off of hormones).

H.G.

answers from Dallas on

I have the hormone free paragard IUD and I love it. My periods are a bit heavier but I have no other issues. It was very painful fir me to get ut inserted and I have 2 kids. All in all it was worth it since it has the same failure rate as a tubal and lasts over 10 years. I highly recommend it! Good luck!

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E.M.

answers from Louisville on

i had a friend with an iud it got dislodged she had to get it taken on... their were twins growing around it... thats all i had to hear. i have high bp and im on the pill and i dont mean borderline i have high i have been on the pill for over 10 years im fine just stick with it and monitor your bp

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