Has Anyone Had an IUD for Birth Control?

I saw one of the previous posts...I was wondering why many women get a lighter period or none at all if it doesn't stop ovulation? My doc told me that it does have progesterone in the stem, could it be working differently in different women? I had decided against it because of the hormones and was considering the copper one instead that doesn't have hormones. Anyhow, I have heard mostly good things from women who use it.

I have the Mirena. May daughter was born April of 2005 and I had it put in place July of 2005. I love it. I haven't had any problems. I had some cramping the day the placed it in me, but that was it. I'm not one of the lucky women, however, that no longer got a period. I still get one...but it's very, very light. I love my Mirena and would highly recommend it based on my experience! And you're lucky that your insurance will cover it. Mine didn't and it took me 2 years to pay off the device as well as the doctor's fees to have it inserted! :)

Hi S. - I just had the Mirena IUD put in a few months ago and love it so far. I can not trust myself to take a pill everyday now as my life is very busy. The IUD has given me what I need with out having to remember to take anything. I have very little discomfort with the insertion. I would recommend taking some advil an hour or 2 before your appointment for insertion to decrease the cramping afterward. The cramping was not very intense at all. I plan to have another child in the next year or 2 but not ready just yet. I work with 2 others who have the Mirena also and love it. I had some spotting for a few weeks then my usual period but I am hopefull that I will be period free after 3-6 months.

I had one after my daughter was born, and she is 3. I didnt have Mirena, I had a diffrent one, and it didnt work for us at all. I had bleeding and then it finally stopped, then I had a period that was so heavy it flushed the IUD right out.......this was just me though. Maybe it was the Dr who didnt know what he was doing.....I have since changed Drs and Mirena was suggested to me recently as well,,,,but I opted out.

I had my Mirena put in after my third child (in 2003). It was great!! I only had cramping that first day of insertion. After that, no periods at all. No hormone side effects. Last April I had a heavy period completely out of the blue. Then, last August I had a positive pregnancy test. I only took a test because we are very fertile and I was on meds that would be bad for a baby. The pregnancy was not viable, but the doctor found that the IUD was wrapped up in my uterine tissue. I had it removed and tried the Yaz pill (which I like, but it was expensive through my insurance plan) I really liked having the Mirena. I think my situation is pretty rare. My OBGYN staff were all freaked out because they had never heard of this happening and I'm thinking they see a lot of women with the Mirena. I'm not telling you this story to sway you one way or another, but figured it's worth a mention.

All I will say is get it! You will love it! I know I do! My period are lighter and shorter(like 3-4 days)! My cramps have lessened and I don't have to worry about babies for 5 years! Go get it girl! You will be happy with the result!!!!

I've had my Mirena for almost two years and have really been happy with my choice. I think I was way too scatterbrained after my son was born to even think about taking the pill. I don't have to remember doing anything with the Mirena (except having it removed at 5 years and getting a new one inserted in its place). Also, since I was breastfeeding at the time of insertion and was not menstruating, I never had a period after it was inserted. And, I haven't had one since. It's been wonderful, and the money that I would have spent on pads and tampons is now going to baby diapers and wipes! ;) I know that my situation may be different from other women, but I think most will tell you they definitely have lighter periods that eventually become almost nonexistent after awhile. Talk to your doctor first about your questions, though! Good luck!

Love it. And as far as other people's comments about the hormones, I was told by my Doc that there is only enough hormones in it to affect the local area, not your entire body (ie: no hormone side effects).

My sister has one and loves it too.

ok sorry I'm a little late on this but I just saw it. I got my Mirena in Feb of 2006. 1st off I have 2 kids, 8yrs and 3yrs. I had 2 c-sections. Which caused a problem with putting it in. I survived it all. I'm having it removed this Thurs. and having my Tubes tied. Now the IUD was great at times. I spotted on and off for the whole first year. It wasn't heavy enough for a tampon but enough to ruin your underwear. It would go on for so long that wearing a pad became very irritating. I have gained a good amount of weight and I get horrible breakouts on my face and back..... I never had that problem before. I had asked my doctor to take it out about 1 1/2 ago but they couldn't find the strings. I got frustrated with the situation and didn't follow up. The spotting stopped completely which was wonderful. For a while I thought things were ok. Now I think it has shifted out of place. I spot once in a while again and get pretty sharp pains in my lower abdomen and back. I still have sexual urges and climax ok but he will hit it during intercourse and that is painful for both of us. I have also read that it could possibly cause ovarian cists. But as you know my situation is rare it seems like most are happy with it. My doctor did tell me they will have to do a DNC to remove it before they do the tubal. I do hope your situation is a lot better. Just do as much research as you can before making your choice.

Yes, the Mirena is great. I would highly recommend it. No side effects, except for occasional spotting within the first 3 months after getting it. No complaints here! Also, I know that it is very expensive to get. So if your insurance is covering the cost, I would take advantage of it!:)

Loved it, Loved it, Loved it!!!!! Had it taken out to get pregnant, and my new insurance won't cover it to put it back in again. :( It was a little uncomfortable to get it inserted, but once that was over......smooth sailing...never had a problem with it, and my periods were very light and short! I say YES!! Go for it!

HI S.,
I have the Paragard IUD. I actually like it because I don't have to worry about remembering birth control. We have two 3 year olds and a 19 mo old, so that was a big plus. I've had it for 10 months now. Double check on your insurance though, because I was told that mine would cover it, then they didn't and I was left paying the $500 bill.

The only problem with Mirena instead of paragaurd is that with Mirena has hormones and I have heard a lot of people having side effects from it. Including my good friend who had hers put in at the same time I had my paragaurd put in. Acne, weight gain and irritability. I have had my paragaurd for a year now and I love it. It's the copper only iud and it has no side effects other than a slightly heavier flow and a little cramping the first day for me. I don't even know it's there most of the time. I love the IUD. If you had problems with birth control pills then I would go with Paragaurd instead of Mirena. If you don't then Mirena might work for you. If insurance covers Mirena they will cover Paragaurd.

It is a good option but IF you are breastfeeding, Mirena does have hormones in it and MAY decrease your supply. Yes, the "minipill" and Mirena have small amounts but it may be enough if you are battling milk supply issues...so keep that in mind.
C., IBCLC

I used Mirena for 4+ years and loved it. I had no complaints whatsoever. I had some weight gain but no monthly visitor!?!
I would have gotten another if my insurance would cover it.

I had the Mirena IUD placed when my daughter was 4 months old and like the other poster said if you are breastfeeding you will notice a slight decrease in your milk supply (mine was week 3 after placement.) Don't freak out it will come back, I am not sure why it does this and I almost had mine removed but my dr assured me it was only temporary and it was. I continued to nurse her soley for 14 months!!!!

I have had mine now for a little over a year and I love it!!! I would recommend it to anyone!!!!

Good luck
A.

I just got mine 2 months ago. I had some spotting the first month, but nothing since then. My periods are so light that I don't even need a tampon. I love it!

I recommend that you look @ the package insert and ask your physician exactly HOW it is that your method(s) of birth control work. Here is a link to the package insert for Mirena
http://berlex.bayerhealthcare.com/html/products/pi/Mirena... You should do this with any rx your dr recommends. You are your own best/most important health advocate. You are the one who will live with the consequences of the choices that you make and you should have full informed consent. IUD's work as an abortifacient...in other words, they cause the fertilized embryo not to be able to implant in the uterus. They do not stop ovulation. (you will see this in the package insert) Some people have a moral conflict with this option. Most women are not told that this is how they (IUD's) work. You can google the package insert to any medication to see how it works and the potential side effects, as well as the frequency with which they occur. If your physician is not giving you full informed consent, perhaps you could seek a second opinion.
Blessings,
D. Easthon CD(DONA), LCCE, ELCS, CHBE,
Waterbirth Credentialed,
Community Outreach Director, Dayton Area Labor Support
www.heart2heartbirthmatters.com

I had mine put in in august. My period the first month was 3 weeks, the following month was 2 weeks and hopefully this month it will be shorter again! I have a lil bit of acne (which i have not been trying hard to take care of) and have not gained hardly any weight. I like it! We couldnt deal with a monthly copay for perscriptions either!

If you want to go w/ a non hormonal option look into the copper T. That way if/when you want to have another baby theres no waiting for the hormones to get out of your system. You can get pregnant as soon as the IUD is taken out. I've had the copper T for the past 5 years and am getting it taken out in January so we can try for #2. I have been very pleased with the IUD, the only 'side effect' that I've had is medium/heavy cramping once in a while while on my period. I never cramped before.

The pill did not work for me at all...I have 3 to prove it. After #3 I tried the Mirena IUD. I have had it for 5 years and love it! I have had generally no side effects except the occasional spotting. My periods are almost non-existant now. That makes it a little uneasy, causing you to think you may be pregnant, but other than that it has been wonderful.

Hello S., I love my iud! I have had it now for about one year. I spotted at first and now if and when i have a period, it is so light I only need a pantiliner. I would definitely suggest the Mirena.

I had one from Sept 2005 until Sept 2008. Here's my story... I loved it until it started causing physical problems...didn't know it caused so much until after the fact...read on.
Apparently, in Feb 08, it shifted and although, not officially diagnosed, perferated my uterus. It caused superficial bleeding which is why I was not seen by a GYN immediately. My PCP was no help and suggested a GYN. I didn't have one and had to wait over 2 weeks for the first avail non-emergency appt.
The ultra-sound (done almost a month later...again, not an emergency so I had to wait) showed that it was low, not imbedded in or perforating the uterus. There was no concern.
In the mean time, I had intermitten pain. It was finally removed in Sept because it was almost out anyway. I was at the GYN because of the pain.
Now that the IUD is removed...NO PAIN.
We are using other forms of BC and I will never use the IUD again. I wish it had worked because it was really nice until the problems. My situation is not common but it is a possibility.
That said, I actually recommend it.
Good Luck.

I have a Mirena IUD. I like it now, but the first year wasn't fun. Lots of bleeding. It was weird. Just thought you'd like to know. I wish I had been better prepared for it.