IUD Yes or No

Updated on June 14, 2008
T.M. asks from Suitland, MD
33 answers

I am supposed ot be getting the IUD birth control insertion. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if they had any complications from it or not.

2 moms found this helpful

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So What Happened?

Well, i waited for the iud to be ordered. Slight complication, I'm pregnant! So i guess I'll have to try it out in about nine months or so. Thanks for the comments everyone!

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S.P.

answers from Norfolk on

Get the IUD it is so great! I have one and so far its been easy and smooth sailing! I like it with not having to worry.

As far as complications take a pain reliever before you have it inserted. Other than that you'll be fine!

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E.D.

answers from Richmond on

T.,

I got mine after my second child was born. I had it for 6 months and had to get it taken out because of depression and anxiety attacks. I got cramps a lot that were abnormal to me and my period never stopped while I had the IUD. I was diagnosed with anxiety way before I got the IUD, but it was elevated to the point I had to take medication to control it just about daily where I didn't before. The IUD is not for everyone. If you're considering it and you think you might have complications, I would highly recommend you do a LOT of research carefully and make sure you are 100% comfortable with it. My husband didn't like it either and I think you'd know why. After I had it removed, my anxiety went back to a controlled level without meds and I quit having depression. I also went back to the shot(Depo). The shot is best for me as I don't gain weight and it's easily maintainable and I don't have the side effects like some women do. It's not for everyone, so find what is best for you and don't let doctors talk you into something you're unsure of. You know your body better than they do because it's yours. Good Luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.W.

answers from Washington DC on

I have one & I love it. When I was on the pill I always forgot to take it. I also only get my pd. once in 4 or 5 months & it is for one day & it is sooooo light you really don't know you had it. I love it. I had no problems. When I got it put in it didn't hurt or anything & no cramping for me. So I guess that part depends on the person.

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B.G.

answers from Washington DC on

i used one successfully for over 30 years, 2 planned children and no problems. you just have to remember to use a condom and spermicide for maximum security with the iud.

i hope this helps.

B.

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S.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I've had three IUD's and loved everyone of them my children are 29, 24, 19, 16, you can see that they work my frist three are five years apart. The IUD for me worked just find, I couldn't take birth control pills so I tried the IUD after talking to my MOM whick had also prefered the IUD. I'm talking to my two oldest girls about the IUD because I truly think it's the best Birth contorl around.

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H.C.

answers from Washington DC on

T.--My name is H. and I am a mom of two little boys(71/2y.o. & 13mo.). After the birth of the second, I did not want to get pregnant right away and pills don't agree w/ my system, so I had a copper IUD placed. The first 2 months things were a bit off. The timing wasn't the same as usual for me and the flow was out-of-control heavy,steady and crampy! It's been about 9 months now and my periods are pretty regular, less heavy(although there's still two days of real heavy bleeding) and less cramps. The two days of heavy bleeding are just that! I know it's going to be heavy--at least 1 tampon every hour and I'm usually overflowing then!--and I deal w/ it! It comes almost 28 days ON THE NOSE, so I know when to go to the store and get more supplies. The cramps are very mild, if at all now.
It is simply annoying to get my period--as it has been since I started it many years ago!! :) And I haven't gotten pregnant--BONUS #2!! :)
Any other ??'s, please write--peace,H.:)

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M.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Hello. I got my IUD put in yesterday. It hurts going in, but as soon as it's done that's it! I do suggest that you take IBprofen before you go to help with the cramping and pain during insertion. So far, I've had no complications. You can't even feel it.

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B.B.

answers from Washington DC on

The only thing I can say is make sure your insurance will cover it, I had a appt. back in Nov, drove 45 min to my appt and sat in the waiting room for 30 min and was called up to the dest saying sorry buy your ins. won't cover your IUD you will have to pay $400.00 up front and will be billed later for the balance. Good Luck.

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M.K.

answers from Washington DC on

No to alarm you, but a friend of mine just had emergency surgery cause her doctor inserted the IUD incorrectly. SO make sure your doc has had a lot of experience in this area! ON the other had both my sisters have it and love it. Good Luck

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A.B.

answers from Washington DC on

Never had one, but a friend had complications once, and still ended up pregnant, so I've never been a fan of the IUD. Of course, no method is 100% effective nor free of complications and side effects, except abstinence.

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A.M.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi,
Many women have heavier periods with more cramping w/ an IUD.
You also need to check for the string on and off to be sure it has not come out. Some IUDs have a hormone in them that may make them more effective. Check out the book Our Bodies Our Selves for more info.

Good luck.
A.

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J.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I had an IUD and had no issues with it... then we decided to have another baby a year later. I went in to have it taken out and they said it was almost out anyway. No big deal for me because we were going to start trying anyway. I would suggest definitely having it checked - make sure you go in for you annual - every year. Otherwise, the only other thing for me was that I experienced heavier periods that whole year. All I had to do was use the bigger tampons and more often. I would recommend it. Good luck.

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L.D.

answers from Roanoke on

I guess it depends on how you feel. An IUD only makes your uterus a hostile environment so if an egg is fertilized it might not implant or if it does it will probably abort. But then the pill works the same way.
L.

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P.F.

answers from Washington DC on

I have had the Mirena IUD for four years now and love it. My doctor advised me that my body would react to the IUD almost the same way it does to the pill but a bit more intense. She was right. The first month I had it put in was a bit rough. I had a heavy period for two weeks with cramps like I normally did before I started on birth control. Just like my doctor said, they went away the next month. I still had a mini-period for the next couple months but by month 4 or 5 everything pretty much went away. When I was on the pill I would have very light periods, now I spot for half a day every five months. My cramps are practically non-existent and my face doesn't break out all the time. I don't get bloated and have changes in my appetite anymore either. I can't feel it and I don't have to remember to take a pill or replace something every month. It has been great. I am getting ready to have it removed so I can have more children. My doctor doesn't see any problems with this.

Another thing my doctor explained was the misunderstandings that go along with IUDs. Most people don't understand that there are two types of IUDs. The copper ones are completely different than the hormone ones. There have been many serious issues with the copper IUDs. These are the ones that have perforated many women's uterus causing sterility. The Mirena is the hormonal one. It has hormones just like birth control pills and works very similar. It has less room for error and complications.

After I had my second daughter, I was terrified I would get pregnant again. I had trouble taking pills regularly which is why I have two daughters. I am a working mom and couldn't afford to get pregnant again. I can honestly say I have not had to worry about this for four years now. I have not had any complications only rewards.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. Good Luck!

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J.M.

answers from Richmond on

Hi T.,
I had one put in a little over a year ago....best thing I ever did! It was a little painful going in, but nothing that you can't stand for 10 - 15 minutes. I had cramping for about 24 hours, then felt great. My periods have pretty much stopped (just a little spotting for about 2 days a month). I do not get cramps anymore and I do not get bloated or have mood swings anymore (although, my husband might disagree with that! lol). I did have a friend that got one and she hated it. After a week, she was still having severe cramping and bleeding and had it removed. As with anything, it is not for everyone. I say give it a shot. You won't know unless you try, and if you are one of the lucky ones that it works for, you will LOVE it! Good luck!

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A.K.

answers from Norfolk on

I have had 2 Mirena IUD's & I love them. I got my first one after the birth of my 3rd child. I had no problems & no periods. I had it removed after 2 years so I could ttc, waited one cycle, & then got pregnant. After the birth of my 4th child I got another one. Still no problems & no periods for 3 years now. I think it is the best method for birth control ever.

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M.T.

answers from Washington DC on

I have had the 10 year iud for 2 years. The major change was my first period after the insertion was very heavy and lasted for 27 days. The next one was 20 days and now i'm down to about 8 days. Its so heavy that I need a super tampon and a overnight super pad, changing every hour. My periods used to last 5 days max and 2 days heavy (only needed a medium tampon). So its a huge change to get used to, but I love that it is non hormonal and my hubby doesn't feel anything hanging inside.
I do have one friend who got hers taken out because her husband said he could feel it and eventually found out it was hanging. So maybe that depends on your gyn, mine was great and I have been very pleased with the iud. I've learned to live with my eight days of pads and tampons. But after 4 kids (14,7,5,3), I knew I did not want any more babies. Good luck.

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J.G.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi T.,
I've had mine for over a year. I hated it at first because I cramped a lot. I would say for about a month. The cramping is normal and it went away. I am happy now that I got it. I hardly have a period - maybe a little spotting once every 6 weeks if that. That has been a huge benefit plus not having to worry about taking the pill everyday! I've had no complications since the cramping went away.

FYI: I did have a good friend whose body completed rejected it. Bad cramps, it made her feel sick and then it came out. Her body reacts weird to a lot of things.

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D.S.

answers from Dover on

Hi T.,

I had an IUD years ago; unfortunately, it dislodged somehow and it went up into my uterus, I got pregnant, and lost the baby. I am sure that over the years they have probably perfected it so that things like that wouldn't happen anymore; maybe you could ask your Doctor about it and see if this is still a problem. I wish you all the best T..

Have a great day...Kathy

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S.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I had mine put in after my first child and it was horrible. It was in there for less then 24 hours and my body rejected it. But in that amount of time I was so light headed and had extreme scratching from it falling out and it took several months for that pain to go away and not to mention the cramping and bleeding. I wanted at first because I got pregnant on birth control but then it was just not a good choice for me. As with everything I am sure they are good for some people, I just do not believe the doctors are exposing all the risk to the patients, I was never told. Best of luck to you.

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K.C.

answers from Richmond on

T.,

I had the Mirena IUD inserted a little over a year ago and am very happy with it. Actually, three of my other friends all have it and love it. The only "thing" is that half of us still have a light period (no cramps, but a little PMS and blotting) and the other two don't have anything. So, if one of the main reasons you are interested in the IUD is so you will have less/no periods, there are no guarantees.

The only other advice I have is to check with your health insurance provider to make sure they cover the IUD AND procedure. Mine told me they did and then I got the bill for the procedure and after many "discussions" with them, I had to pay about $300 to my OB/GYN.

K.

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M.K.

answers from Washington DC on

I'm not up on the current IUDs. You describe yourself as single..so remember that while an IUD will prevent pregnancy, it won't protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. You definitely want to protect yourself from that....

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J.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I had a complication...he's almost 20 months old now!

But do bear in mind that although this happens, it's only less than 1% of users who experience it. I'm just one of the lucky ones. :)

Now we've gone the snip-snip route...

Good luck!

Jenny

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I had one put in the whole process was simple not really painful just bothersome.After about five days I was still bleeding and my insides felt like they were being torn apart.Day seven it finally made it's way out of my body.Went to the doctor they say sometimes the body rejects it and we could try it again.I opted to not do it just thougt I would try the nuva ring instead. If you get one ask your doctor if you have to pay each time to get it done if it fails the first time.Kind of expensive to get done. Wouldn't want to pay if it cost me more money.

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M.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I didnt have anything but a little cramping and bleeding after mine was inserted. I took some ibuprofen and it went away and I was on the way to the beach later that evening with no other issues. I have had mine in for over a year and I love it. Within 2-3 months after it being inserted I havent had a period either which is great too. I have the Mirena 5yr IUD and honestly think its one of the best choices I have made when it came to birth control! Good Luck

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J.N.

answers from Houston on

I had the T-guard (I think that was it) inserted after my 2nd child. It's the copper one that has no hormones. I wanted good birth control, but REFUSE to have extra hormones put into my body. I had very heavy, painful periods for about 6 mos afterwards, but either they got better, or I just got used to it. My husband & I decided to go ahead & remove it a little over a yr later, to work on #3. The docs told me that it could take up to 6 mos to get preg after removal. I had it removed exactly 1 wk after my cycle & got preg a week after removal. I had no complications with it, and I was fertile right after removal. So, I'd say yes to the IUD, however, if you are not monogamous (spelling?), then there are more risks involved than if you are. Definately weigh out the pos & neg factors before deciding.

D.S.

answers from Allentown on

Hi T.,

The new models that are being made should be fine.

Good luck. Right choice. D.

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S.S.

answers from Charlottesville on

I just had my IUD replaced, so I am now on my 2nd one. I love this method of birth control. I am peri-menopausal, but do not want to get pregnant again at almost 50. I can not take the pill and am built wrong inside for the ring, the cap, or the diaphram to be used effectively. For me, my periods got too light for tampons, and because they are lighter they also last longer, too. If that is the worst side effect for this method, I can certainly live it.

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A.G.

answers from Washington DC on

I have the IUD. I have had it for a little over 2 years and haven't had too many complications. Shortly after I had it inserted I had to get the strings shortened but besides that it has been okay. My periods don't come near as often and are almost never very heavy...but every now and then the cramps come and hurt pretty bad. Overall I am about 75% happy with it though. Good luck!

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J.S.

answers from Washington DC on

I had the mirena IUD inserted in January. I had spotting (actually more like very light bleeding) until just recently when it totally just disappeared. I was a little nervous about it at first as my body doesnt do well with tampons, that is why I did not choose to go with the copper IUD, even though I believe it lasts longer. It seemed like a great choice as you dont have to worry about taking a pill the same time everyday. I have heard good and bad stories about IUDs myself but I believe they have improved and from my experience so far I would recommend it.

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A.M.

answers from Richmond on

I had my Mirena inserted in December after the birth of my 3rd child. I didn't feel it going in and had no cramps afterward. Everyone is different. I did bleed for a few weeks afterward. I do have periods though. At least I did for March and April. I did not have one in May, but am currently having one now, in June. It only lasts for a couple days and is no more than a light flow. I expect it will eventually stop all together.

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E.R.

answers from Washington DC on

I had an IUD inserted back in November. The first couple of months were painful. A lot of cramping and spotting. In March, it got a lot better. No cramping, very little spotting, and the most important thing no menstrual cycle.

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R.H.

answers from Norfolk on

I have never used it just ask your doctor what kind of reactions you can have with it. My sister didn't with her birthcontrol and she went on the rag for a month over and over. I got a rash from the patch.

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