Birth Control - Allen,TX

The threads are more like a thin flexible metal is the best way I can think to describe it; kind of like when you are stitched up after having a baby. Anyway, I had an IUD for a short period of time and I really enjoyed it- very convenient and reliable birth control. Unfortunately, I fell into that very small percentage of women whose body expels the IUD; I had 2 placed and both came out. I would recommend it to others though as a great alternative to hormonal birth control.

I'm on my second Mirena.
The first on was in for just over 5 yrs, my second has now been in for almost a year.
I have no period. I suffer from depression and ADHD the low dosage of hormones in it is prefect for me.
no there is no smell.
The threads are cut short and you can not feel them inside you and neither can your partner. The only way to feel them is to physically stick your fingers in there and check it. sorry TMI I know.

I have the mirena and love it. Everyone is different though and reacts differently to things. Never a problem with the strings. My dr. checks them every year.....I'll be gettng a new one next year. One of the best things is no periods. I spot every 5 or 6 weeks very lightly...but otherwise no period.

Mirena has been great for me and I was skeptical because I cannot handle the hormones in regular birth control pills, they make me crazy. I think what makes the difference is the Mirena uses Progesterone instead of Estrogen. I'm on my second one (six years total) and have been very happy with it. I have little or no periods and I admit I don't check the 'strings' regularly but figure it's fine unless my husband were to feel something different than usual. The first couple months you may have spotting or extra long periods but it will get better. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made...

I've had the Mirena for almost three years; got it a couple months after my last baby was born. I love it! I do have periods still (wish I were like the other gals who replied), but they are slightly lighter than they were before. The string is not noticeable. This probably sounds TMI but my husband "felt" it the first time we were intimate after I got it (said it felt like something was poking him), but never after that. The string is actually a little cord that feels kind of like rubber/elastic. My doctor let me feel a sample of the string before she put the Mirena in so I'd know what to feel for. I've actually never checked myself, but the doctor checks it once a year and it's been just fine! No side effects as far as depression or weight gain. Good luck!

I just had the Paragard IUD put in and so far it works great. I have had no cramping or any issues with it. My 1st cycle with it was a little longer but it has no hormones in it and it I really like it. It is a good option if you do not want to use hormonal birth control and it is good for up to 10 yrs. You are supposed to check the strings after your period to make sure it hasn't moved. Not sure about the strings being unsanitary but in that part of our body where the strings are it's self cleaning and nothing worry about. The strings are tiny & thin. I have lots of friends who are nurses and they used the Paragard IUD before having children and some had it for 10 years and had no issues with it. Hope this helps.

Personally, I had a lot of bad side effects with the mirena, one of them being depression. If you experienced depression with other birth control, then just be cautious of it happening with the mirena. Every woman is different, so you can try it and see if it works for you, but it was a terrible experience for me.
Good luck!

I'm also considering an IUD, so I look forward to reading the answers you get!

The "threads" are actually a plastic, I believe, so not germ-holding cotton, and they are completely internal. When you check for placement - you are actually getting very personal with yourself (too not get too graphic here!). So no, smell is not an issue. I am on my second Mirena, and admittedly have not checked on mine in a very long time. It really is a fit it and forget it kind of birth control. I had trouble with mine in the beginning - my body does not like extra hormones, so spotted and had irregular periods for a looong time - almost had it taken out a couple of times but my doc convinced me to stick it out. So glad I did! Now I have virtually no period and my very fertile body has remained without a new resident for almost 7 years. I thought about switching to the copper IUD that lasts 10 years and has no hormones, but my doc said I could expect worse periods - possibly worse than before I went on Mirena - no thank you! I'll stick with what works so far!