Para Gard or Mirena

I don't know much about the Para Gard. The Mirena on the other hand cost a lot. I used it shortly after my secend daughter was born. I liked it but my husband did not. He says it felt like something would poking him. A friend of mine said her husband said the same thing. As of right now I use Yaz and like it. I also used the ring. The only thing I did not like about that was I gained weight while on it. Hope I helped.

A.

I'm right along with the rest of the ladies...I have only had my Mirena for a short time and I already love it. I got pregnant off the pill and Depo-Provera...and with both of those the side effects for me were horrible...so needless to say I was hesitant about Mirena...and I couldn't be happier! NO SIDE EFFECTS, NO HEADACHES, NO NAUSEA! That is BIG for me...heck I am trying to talk all my friends into getting it...and as a Doula...it will be suggestion to my clients!

I used mirena for a year after my third child. I had to pay for it out of pocket- I think it was almost $700 and then another $85 or something when it was removed. I loved it, but my husband could feel it, so I took it out as soon as I stopped breast feeding and could go back on the pill. I think it unusual for a man to be able to feel it, but it was a bummer to pay all that money and only get one year's use out of it!

I had the para guard put in two years ago after my second child. It cost me $700 out of pocket because my insurance wouldn't cover it. And then I had to turn around a little less then a year later and have it removed because it became dislodged. The removal cost me another couple hundred dollars out of my own pocket. Also be aware that when you are having it put in and taken out there is a pinching/cramping inside your uterus. It can last for a couple days. So of course that's no fun. But if your's wouldn't give you any problems then the cramping for a fews days would be worth not having to worry about becoming pregnant for years. And, it would be hassle free after you had it inserted. Good luck!

I use Mirena. I have never had a problem. I also had insurance and did a study that covered the whole procedure. The procedure caused severe cramping that lasted for about half an hour. Afterwards, I was fine. I was up and ready to go. I would definitely suggest it but I am not sure of the cost and because it is painful, I suggest not going by yourself.

I have Mirena and I love it. Here's what I know about both, based on what my dr. told me Mirena has a small dose of hormones with it, Paragard (which is copper) does not. However, my dr. told me that Mirena leads to shorter, lighter periods, while paragard tends to make for a heavier flow. Insurance covered mine, so I don't know about the costs.

Hope this helps!

our insurance said they wouldn't cover it either I keep calling and then finally they said they do they "just approved it" if you don't have insurance it costs $450.00 for the paraguard. Planned parenthood will put in it for free.

I had mine put in at 8 weeks post partum. I love it. It's really one of the only forms availabile to me because of blod clot history I can't use hormones. I am not gonna lie I had really bad cramps for the first couple months. I don't know if it was just having a baby and nursing or the paraguard.

Getting it in didn't hurt at all just feels like a little pulling.You will spot afterward and your doc will do testing first.So when the cramps got bad I took ibprofen, it lightened the flow too.

It's been a year I have had no problems at all. I love this thing.when I had it in at first i could feel it in there but after like 3 days I couldn't anymore. Now 3 of my family members are using it too. with no problems. You will have to check for the string when you get your period, it feels like fishing string.

I also started using a menstrual cup at the same time because I hate pads and after the baby the flow made tampons a pain. plus I read they have chemicals in tampons makes your period heavier.

The cup is awesome too, it takes a while to get used to inserting because you fold it up, but it never leaks, you can leave it in all nite then you just empty it in the toliet and wash it. which you only have to do like once in the morning and once before bed.

No buying tampons or pads ewww and no tss. plus I swear no cramps and periods are less painful and shorter??? who knows. Anyways good luck to you.hope this helps you.

I don't know anything about Para Gard, but I have a Mirena and I love it! Right after getting it I had lighter periods and for the last year or so I haven't had any! (I've had it for 2 years) I did have cramping at first for a few months, but now I don't get those either. I don't remember the exact cost as mine was covered by insurance, but I believe it is several hundred dollars. For me, even if I had paid out of pocket it was much cheaper per month than the pill. I also love the fact that once it's in I don't have to think about birth control again for 5 years or until we're ready for more kids.

I had the Mirena twice, for 2-3 years before my first pregnancy, and for almost 3 years after I gave birth to my 3 year old. Normally doctors don't even offer it to someone who hasn't yet been pregnant, but I didn't want hormones in my system anymore and wanted something I didn't have to think about.

I don't even really know what "para gard" is, but I highly recommend the Mirena. You don't even know that it's there, although you are supposed to check for the end of the "strings" weekly in the beginning and monthly after that. My periods got so light I barely had them, yet my body could still go through its usual cycle of hormone shifts.

Good luck with your choice. My experience with the Mirena was very positive, especially since I'm not one to take medications. I think it cost $400, but it stays in for 5 years and the cost may vary depending on where you have the procedure done. If you have any abnormalities with your uterus, you may not want to go to a Planned Parenthood unless the physician is experienced with the insertion. I was told that perforation is a risk.

N.

Hi E.! I am currently using Mirena. I LOVE it! The procedure is very simple and I haven't had any problems with it. I'm not sure of the cost because luckily my insurance covered it, but I'm sure if you talk to your doctor they can tell you the price. If you have any other questions feel free to email me.

E. L

hi! i had mirena for 6 months & decided to have it removed. i had frequent "spotting", which was annoying & it was sometimes painful for my husband during intercourse. (sorry for the details ya'll, just being honest!) there is a wire connected to the little plastic device (for removal purpose) & it would sometimes "stab" him. not good. good luck to you!

Hi E.,
I have the Mirena and LOVE IT. I got it 3 years ago. I love the fact that I don't have to worry about getting pregnant and I didn't to worry about remembering to take a pill everyday. With not worrying the relationship/intimacy between my husband and I got alot better. As you probably know with having two young ones, time is limited and not having to worry about birth control helps. The best part of it is I haven't had a period in 3 years and don't have the PMS systems, yeah:) I have occasional spotting around the time my period would be due, but nothing a panty liner can't control and it only lasts a day. I told my friends about this and since then 2 of my close friends have gotten it. My other friends husbands decided to get snipped. That was not an option for me since my husband is a big chicken. We give birth, but they won't get snipped. Go figure. Oh, your other question about cost. I believe mine was around $450, I didn't have insurance coverage either. But, if you weigh it out it the Mirena lasts 5 years so that is about $7.50 (per month) for the life of the Mirena. If you stayed on the pill that runs about $20 per month x 60 mths. It will cost you $1,200 over 5 years. The Mirena is a big savings in the long run. When I told my husband those figures he jumped on the banwagon for the Mirena. The nice thing too is when the 5 years is up you just call your OB they'll order a new one and the day they take it out they put the new one in. So, you don't miss a day of protection. It is slightly painful to have it inserted. I was told to take 3 advil prior to insertion. I have a very high pain tolerance, so to me it felt like extreme menstrual cramps. But, it only lasted a day for me. The other thing is it has to be inserted during the first days of your menstrual cycle. I don't know if anyone told you that. It sounds gross, but they need to do it that way so that they know your not pregnant and to keep you on cycle. Well I hoped this helped you out. J. D. (I'm 35 and have been married 13 yrs. Proud mom of two daughters ages 10 and 6)

Hey E.! I had the Mirena inserted last June (we have 2 girls, and are still up in the air whether or not we should try for a boy!). I, personally, love it! With the crazy "mother" lifestyle, its nice to not have to worry about remembering to take a pill every day. I will warn you though, your periods will be a little out of whack for the first year. I had bleeding on and off for about the first two months, then after that, my periods have been 1 day (which is wonderful!), but the downside is, I don't know when it's coming! My doc tells me that after a year, chances are I won't even have one. The only other side effect I've had is acne. Some months, my skin is clear, other months I look like I'm 15. The cost was about 500.00 (which is cheaper than paying for the pill once a month for 5 years). With the exception of the above mentioned...I'm pretty happy with it, and I can have it removed if we decide to try for that boy!! Good luck!

My first IUD was about 10 years ago and I loved it so after my 3rd child, I had the Mirena put in almost a year ago. My insurance covered it but I believe it was approximately $620 so I guess it depends on your doctor's charge.

Everyone is different but I had a little cramping the same day plus a little spotting. One side effect is getting a very light period or none at all. I, myself, have not gotten my period since before Thanksgiving.

An IUD gives you the freedom of being spontaneous plus it works out to be less expensive over the course of its 5 year "lifespan".

Good luck with your decision, whichever one you choose!

I've been using Natural Family Planning. No chemicals & 100% effective- not to mention great for marital relationship. Read into it- it's not as archaeic as it once sounded.

I had a Mirena put in and the total cost of it (not including what your doctor charges to put it in) is around $500. I had to pay out of pocket and have my insurance company reimburse me (which I'm still waiting to happen) but figure over a 5 year period it's less expensive than the pill even if I don't get reimbursed.

I had some spotting once every few weeks in the beginning but that went away after about 4 months. Other than that the only other complaint I have is my husband sometimes feels it when we're having sex. I told my doctor that when I went in to have it checked and he cut the string a little shorter. He still feels it but he says it's fine.

Just know that Deprovera has been linked to multiple miscarriage & unable to get pregnant for years.

I have mirena and I had to fight with my insurance company to get it. The doc. office told me if insurance wouldn't pay for it, it was going to cost me like $700. I would have had to pay $450 up front (the cost of the actual mirena) and the rest we could put on a payment plan, but you would have to talk to your doc. about it. I really like it. I'm glad I got it. I have had it for just over a year and I barely have a period now. All I get is a little spotting every month.

I have seen some stuff on tv for Mirena. May be if you went to their website they could give you a cost or may be the doctors office you go to may know.

i read on the net that mirena is about 580 dollars

I absolutely LOVE my Mirena. I have had it for over a year now and cannot believe how wonderful it is! My period still comes, but it is so light I don't even care. My husband and I got pregnant while I was on the pill, and so far so good with the Mirena. It is expensive (about $500), but when you figure out how much the pill or something similar costs over a five year time period, it is WELL worth it! Good luck!

Hi E.,
I can answer this only from my experience, but that does not mean because my experience was not so good, that it won't work for you. But...I tried Mirena after my third and did not stop bleeding the whole time it was in; it was very uncomfortable as well. I could feel it all the time, unless it was put in wrong.
I guess I had it in around four months. But I couldn't wait to get it out. My periods were so scant and irregular for months following. It took us over a year to conceive our fourth. I guess we thought we were done and decided not, but I think the Mirena really messed up my cycle. So, just make sure you are done or don't want another for a while; that's my only advice. Hindsight for us. :0)
As far as cost, I had to pay a little over $400 for it. I hope this helps and that one of them will work out for you.
I would love to know what you decide and how it goes.
C. B.

Hi E.,
I use Paragard. I love it. The first couple of months I had some cramping and spotting in between periods, but that went away quickly. I chose Paragard because I wanted to give my body a break from hormones. And my periods have remained regualar....they have not become heavy. I've had it for 2 years now and I'm glad I selected it. You should contact your obgyn to see about payment plans. I was fortunate....my insurance covered it. Best of luck to you.
-L.

I juat had my 2nd daughter in October- my oldest is 2yrs. 8months.. I recently received the Mirena IUD at my doctor- I'm pleased with it because I don't have to worry- it's just that there is more periodic bleeding throughout the month- not very heavy... I was a bit sore for a day- but other than that, no problems.. an in and out procedure at the gynecologist, and my insurance didn't cover it either- total cost 725.00... pricey, but good for 5 years...good luck in deciding

I have Mirena, and my insurance did cover it... However, I think it was about the same ammount as the paraguard...
I've had mine almost 2 years, no problems, I love it!!!

I had the Mirena put in June 2006 and i love it. I do not have periods anymore or if i do there is just a little spotting. I did spot for about 4 months but then nothing really. You have made sure your insurance will not cover any birth control, that sounds strange, i have never heard of that. I do not know the cost of either, sorry.

Missi in Bishopville MD

I was considering both myself. I totally am right where you are at this time in my life. I am 36, I am 99% sure at this time I will not have any more children. My doctor said because I am SO certain I do not want any more, I should consider sterilization with a uterine abalation to help with the bleeding. I thought long and hard about this. I think back to where my life was 5 years ago, and where I am today, and I just can't gaurantee that I will feel 100% the same way in another five years. SO I too was looking at these two choices. When I spoke with my physician (a Dr. whom I REALLY trust and who cares) he informed me that he is not "wild" about the Para Gard. He said both can have some rare side effects but he recommended the Mirena. I have Factor 5 (a clotting disorder) so I was worried about the hormones (hormones, especially those in birth control pills have a high risk of cause blood clots, especially if you are a smoker). He said Mirena has such a low dose, and since it is released directly near the ovaries, it would not be an issue. He told me that if insurance does not pay for it, it will cost between $500-600. He said because of this expense, you should ONLY consider this if you are planning to keep it for 4-5 years, otherwise it would not be cost effective. I am leaning this way, because I am just not ready to commit to sterilization yet. Good luck and please let me know what you decide. I would like to know how you do before I go for mine. :-) I also would call around. Planned parenthood will sometimes help in some cases with cost. Also, so Dr.s will allow a payment plan or a birth control lay away so to speak.

I love my Mirena. I have had it for almost 17 months now, got it in when my son was ~6 weeks. I have always had a problem with heavy periods and bad cramping. I used to use the heaviest tampons once every hour or two. I would be off school or work for a week--It was hell! But with Mirena (and I'm not sure how much of it is that I'm still breast feeding) I get spotting, but that's all.

I have been on the pill, shot, and even the ring. But Mirena is absolutely the best.

Sometimes I do feel a little cramping if I get constipated--like a little poke. It is great to be able to check that the strings are still in and have that reassurance that it is still there.

I've never heard of Para Gard.

You could see if your insurance would cover it for medical reasons instead of just birth control. My medical said it wouldn't cover it, but my OB told them it was for my painful menstruation and they covered it 100%.

Mirena costs $585.89.
However they have a 4 month payment plan that ends up costing the same. Or a 12 month plan of $50.77/month = $609.24.

Like most birth control, you probably have to get a pregnancy test and remain abstainent until the Mirena is inserted.

Good luck!

Please reconsider your desire to use this type contraception. Most people are not aware that the birth control pill and other chemical agents have negative and lasting results. Oftentimes the pill will put the body into a state of "false pregnancy" causing unknown early pregnancy terminations. This has harmful effects on the woman psychologically as well as physicallyl. See Dr. Joel Brind PhD from Baruch College and his studies on the connection between the birth control pill, abortion and the higher incidence of breast cancer. Natural Family Planning is a safe and effective method of limiting the size of your family. God bless you as you make your decision. Research the facts. They are often untold.