posted
For those looking into the different methods of birth control to find what's right for them, here's one of several threads where users can report their experiences with a given method so that other users can get a more personal idea of what using a given method is like when they're looking into what might work best for them.
If you have used or do use the IUD (copper or Mirena), please report on it in the following format:
Pros: List what you have experienced as the pros or benefits -- the good parts -- of using this method.
Cons: List what you've experienced as the downsides or cons of using this method.
Ease of use: Talk about how easy -- or not -- it's been for you and/or your partner to use, access and afford this method, how it's worked out in your relationships, etc.
Effectiveness: Talk about how well this method has protected you from pregnancy, and if it ever has failed, note that, including any explanation of how or why, if you know or suspect how or why.
Feel free to also add any extra notes, hints or tips!
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • S.E.X: Get my book! Knowledge is power. Information is power. The secreting or hoarding of knowledge or information may be an act of tyranny camouflaged as humility. - Robin Morgan Posts: 39795 | From: Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
Anyone at all with some experience with the IUD? I am thinking of switching, but getting an IUD is really expensive and I just really want to make sure I know what I'm doing before I shell out the cash.
-------------------- -joey Scarleteen Volunteer
"The question is not who will let me, but who is going to stop me." -Ayn Rand Posts: 4406 | From: Europe/IN | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
One biggie with the IUD, Septemner, just so you know, is that it is generally NOT advised for women who are not in long-term monogamous partnerships, due to the increased risks that can be posed if a woman contracts an STI while using the IUD.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • S.E.X: Get my book! Knowledge is power. Information is power. The secreting or hoarding of knowledge or information may be an act of tyranny camouflaged as humility. - Robin Morgan Posts: 39795 | From: Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
I'm using a Mirena. Had it fitted during surgery to treat endometriosis - I was on the pill beforehand, but hopefully the Mirena will eventually stop my periods, and minimise the pain I was getting at the same time. I'm an odd candidate because of my age - I'm 18, and have had no children - and I was wondering whether that might have anything to do with the experience I've had of it since installment.
A week after having it fitted, I'd finished my last set of pills, and within 4 days my period started. It didn't stop for 15 days, and was erratic in colour, flow, etc etc. Headaches and cramps constantly throughout. Very hard to predict, too - it almost stopped at one point, but the next day it was back again, as if it had never stopped.
That was about a fortnight ago. My doctor said it was par for the course and likely to settle sooner rather than later - if it -didn't-, I'd just have to have it removed. I understand this, of course, it was one of the conditions of having it fitted, but I'm yet to find anyone else with it (due to my age and that of the people I socialise with, I suppose) who can tell me how long it took for them to grow accustomed to it. Any Mirena users out there who can tell me how long it took for them to adjust?
Posts: 3 | From: Newcastle, England | Registered: Feb 2008
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posted
How long ago was this Hannah? In general, yes, women who have never been pregnant can have a tougher time with insertion, and may also find them less comfortable. But for most women, some spotting and cramping is expected over the first couple months an IUD is inserted.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • S.E.X: Get my book! Knowledge is power. Information is power. The secreting or hoarding of knowledge or information may be an act of tyranny camouflaged as humility. - Robin Morgan Posts: 39795 | From: Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
I've heard that the combination of starting the Mirena and stopping a BCP can lead to some strange side effects. Your body is having to get used to a foreign body and a hormone change at the same time.
The first three months are supposed to be the settling in period. I think that's about right- I'm about four months in and things feel good. My first two periods with it were odd- my pre-IUD cycle was just shy of seven weeks, and these were four. There was much less flow, but my periods lasted twice as long with the added bonus of a couple days of spotting at the beginning. However, since then, I haven't even had PMS, let alone a period.
I think the Mirena may have decreased my sex drive for a couple of months too, but it's kind of hard to be sure because my relationship hit a rough patch around the same time it was put it. Anyway, things are back to normal now, and the only thing that's different is the occasional two-second twinge of a cramp at some random time.
Posts: 16 | From: Massachusetts, USA | Registered: Jan 2007
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posted
I've had my Paraguard (copper iud) for a little over a month, and I'm happy to share what I've experienced so far.
PROS: I really wanted some form of birth control that was long term, highly effective, and hormone free. The copper iud was the only thing that seemed to meet all of this.
I got my iud through Planned Parenthood, which was a great experience. The staff was very friendly, despite the office always being very busy. I had expected some resistance from them because I'm 19 and nulliparous, but they were very supportive and willing to work with me.
CONS: I had the iud inserted on the last day of my period, spotted for a week, and then my period started a week early, and lasted for a week and a half. This didn't bother me so much, but I don't feel comfortable using my menstrual cup anymore, as some people have reported online that they accidentally pulled their iud out when removing their cup. I purchased some reusable cloth pads which are awesome, as I didn't want to ever go back to disposable pads or tampons. I still miss my cup,though.
Insertion wasn't too painful- I took 800 mg ibuprofen 30 minutes before and was given misoprostol to dilate my cervix. The most uncomfortable part was whatever instrument that clamped on my cervix to hold it in place. I had some mild cramping for the rest of the day.
EASE OF USE: The cost of an iud had me balking (and saving) for a long time- especially since I would be paying without insurance. Between the cost of the iud, insertion fee, pap smear, mandatory pregnancy test on the day of the insertion, and std tests... it added up to quite a bit. I had never spent so much money on anything before, but I'm glad my first big purchase was on something to protect my health.
My partner was really supportive about my decision, despite this, I did find myself dealing with some unexpected emotional issues after the insertion. While an iud was completely my idea, and something I have been reading about for years, I felt resentment towards my boyfriend after the insertion. I was crampy, in some pain, and generally not feeling well, and resented that all the responsibility of birth control rested with me. Previously, we had switched off between condom buying duties. We read some articles together about how iud's work and I let him feel my strings, and he thought it was really pretty cool I had previously kept him out of the loop a bit- I told him about my appointment for my insertion about a week before hand. I had wanted to make sure I was doing this for myself, not for him- but once we had a good, long talk I felt a lot better about my decision.
EFFECTIVENESS: No problems yet- the effectiveness in studies is ridiculously high, and there is hardly any difference between perfect use and average use.
posted
qeii, that is super helpful! Thanks! I'm reconsidering hormonal birth control at the moment, and an IUD looks like an option. My mom has the Mirena IUD, and I remember she had some cramping for a few days, then a few months (4? 5?) of weird periods, but she loves it now. I think she's planning to have it removed and a new one inserted right away when it's time.
posted
I've been using the Paragard Copper IUD for two years now after using condoms, Ortho Evra (the patch) and the nuva ring, and so far I like it the best. My doctor was initially hesitant since at the time it was inserted I was only 19 and have never had kids, but I had been in a monogamous relationship for 4 years (which is still going on) and I assured her that I knew all the risks and she agreed to give me one.
Pros: I don't have to deal with buying birth control every month, I don't have to remember to take a pill or replace a patch. It's always there which allows for more spontaneous sex. The copper IUD has no hormones which means my PMS mood swings aren't as severe, and I don't experience nausea or breast tenderness like I did on hormonal methods. It lasts for up to 12 years!
Cons: Significantly heavier periods. I used to have a period that lasted about five days - now it lasts seven, with very heavy bleeding in the first three days, with bad cramps. As long as I keep myself constantly dosed with Ibuprofen for those two or three heavy days I'm fine, but I definitely notice when the painkillers wear off.
Also, insertion was quite painful for me - it felt like one extremely acute very painful cramp - like someone was stabbing me in my belly - and this was after I'd taken 800 mg of Ibuprofen beforehand. My doctor warned me that what I would feel would effectively be a labor cramp, as the cervix would have to stretch to accommodate the IUD - and boy it hurt, but only for a minute or two. The IUD is a T-shape when the arms are extended, and only about an inch tall but to insert it, the arms fold down and the whole thing fits into a straw-like applicator, which is inserted through the cervix and the arms fold out and the straw is removed.
I also experienced a lot of cramping and pretty constant spotting for about a month after it was inserted - but over the months my cycle normalized and now (2 years later) it's almost like I'm not on birth control at all, except my periods are two days longer.
Ease of use: It's been really easy for me to use the IUD - it's pretty much maintenance free. Now and then I reach up and see how long the strings are - my partner says he can't feel them, except for now and then.
My insurance at the time even covered all of the costs - the $150 for insertion and the $365 for the Paragard - so you might want to investigate that.
Effectiveness: So far I've been protected from pregnancy for two years and have only had one scare where my period came really late but I think my body was still getting used to not being on hormonal birth control.
*One note I'd like to make is that I've continued using my menstrual cup, the Keeper, throughout the two years - I just try to be conscious of the strings, but I have never accidentally pulled on them.*
Posts: 1 | From: Massachusetts | Registered: May 2008
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posted
I'm a recent recipient of the Mirena IUD as well. I got it placed about 2 months ago and it's been fairly good so far. It was a great choice for me because I usually have heavier periods (leaving the copper IUD as a no-no) and I was looking for a long-term, easy and cheap form of birth control. I'm 21, but I'm in a long-term relationship and it didn't seem like regular birth control cut it for me. I was pretty consistent in taking it, but I still got pregnant, so I figured I'd try an IUD instead.
After the initial first month, things have been great. Getting it in was the worst pain I've ever felt, but I think it was worth it. As for side effects, I had some spotting for the first 3 weeks or so, and then it stopped. My period didn't return until 1 1/2 months after getting it inserted. Although I had some initial cramping at the beginning, things have pretty much gone away and I don't even notice it anymore. It's the best thing I ever did and I'm glad I don't have to worry about taking the pill every day (I've tried the patch too, but I was always afraid it would peel off) and it's much cheaper in the long run.
Posts: 1 | From: USA | Registered: Feb 2009
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posted
I have the Nova T 380, a Copper T IUD, which can stay in for 5 years. I had it fitted around three months ago because I had come to absolutely hate being on the mini pill. The combined pill worked fairly well for me for about 4 years but when I had my first migraine I had to come off it.
Pros:
It's hormone free, I don't have to remember it every day and it doesn't cause side effects and stress every single day of the month.
Cons:
The fitting involved a lot of pain for me, probably the worst I've ever had. My mum said it was worse than labour pain when she had hers fitted, so I guess we have un-co operative cervixes?
I had some pain for a few days after but no bleeding. I took my contraceptive pills for another 5 days and two days after stopping them the bleeding started. I was bleeding rather heavily for about three of the six weeks leading up to my check up, with a couple of week long gaps. I had gone about three months without a period before this and just come off a contraceptive pill, so I expected this kind of craziness. I also experienced much creamier and gloopier discharge and a lot of anxiety about getting an infection (I am a complete hypochondriac). I told the doctor at my 6 week check up about all of this and she didn't seem worried, said it was normal and reassured me.
Since then I've had one more "regular" period that lasted 5 days and came at the right time. The bleeding has been heavier and more painful than anything I've had before, but good painkillers and my Moon cup really help out there. Also, the pain isn't constant throughout the bleed, but only for the first few days or so. It is miserable, but really not that bad for me, and certainly much more tolerable compared to what I experienced on the mini-pill.
Ease of use:
I had it fitted in an NHS walk in clinic, so it was all free and access was very quick and easy.
For me, it's been very easy to use as I don't have to do anything with it other than check it's still in place periodically. Aside from that I don't know it's there.
Unfortunately my partner has recently complained about it after sex once or twice. We've had lots of sex where he said he couldn't feel it at all and he said it was fine for ages before it suddenly became an issue. He agrees that it's most likely a combination of my feeling different when my period is due and being squeamish about it; he didn't actually feel anything, just some vague discomfort. We've only had sex once since he said that, which he said it was fine, but I don't consider this issue "resolved" as yet.
We had of course discussed it before the fitting and I would never have had it without his agreement .. but he's always been resistant to using anything other than the pill so I think some adjustment time is needed or a rethink if it really becomes a problem for him.
Effectiveness:
As far as I know, it has worked perfectly since the fitting, though that's only a very short time of course.
Posts: 2 | From: UK | Registered: Sep 2009
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posted
To add to my post, we had trouble again with my IUD causing possible discomfort during sex.
This time I got my partner to feel the threads for himself to see if he thinks they are big and substantial enough to be a problem and he thinks they are. They are quite long and actually feeling a little more pronounced to me than usual, so I am going to get it checked on Monday, make sure it's all in place and see if I can get the threads trimmed down..
Posts: 2 | From: UK | Registered: Sep 2009
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I had previously kept him out of the loop a bit- I told him about my appointment for my insertion about a week before hand. I had wanted to make sure I was doing this for myself, not for him- but once we had a good, long talk I felt a lot better about my decision.
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