Birth Control Confusion!

I have Mirena and have been satisfied with it, though I put on 30 pounds within 3 months of having it put in (installed, I call it) and I have zero libido. However, I don't worry about getting pregnant, never have a period, and don't have to do ANYTHING with it. If I had it to do again, I'd investigate Paraguard a little more thoroughly. My OB at the time said that everyone has horribly heavy periods on it and refused to "install" it, but I think it might have been a better choice. Once this Mirena is up (or after the next baby), I'm going to try Paraguard or send hubby to the vet.

I have had Mirena for about two years. I love it. I recommend it. I haven't had any negative side effects. Actually, I haven't had a period since I had it put in (although I was breast feeding at the time), just occasional period-like cramping. My insurance covered the full cost of my Mirena, but I believe the device cost around $750, plus the doctor's charge to put it in. I had my doctor's office contact my insurance company to make sure they covered it before I had it put in.

Good luck with your decision!

I have the Mierna. I got it back in October 2009 after having my 3rd daughter. It did take a few months for my body to adjust, cramping, break-outs, etc. I did not experience the weight gain and actually lost about 20 lbs within 6 months of being on it (but that was due to exercise & diet). I have not had a period which I love and insurance covered the cost completely. I am very happy with it. My only issue is the low libido but that could come with any hormone based birth control. Good luck with your research. I was horrified with the blogs I encountered after having the Mirena inserted however, much of what everyone complained about did not happen to me. So it is very much an individual decision and I have no regrets. My husband especially enjoys the peace of mind knowing that we are protected.

El,

Congrats on your second baby and your family.

You may want to consider Paraguard. It's an IUD with no hormones that lasts up to 10 years. I'm in my 3rd year of using one, and have had an great experience with it. I'd be happy to talk more about it.

A.

I have been on Yaz for about 3 years and like it. I haven't had any side effects. It was costing me $100 for 3 pack(with insurance) but now there is a generic and I got 3 months for $20.

I think you'll probably get a lot of pro and con responses...Mirena seems to be hot topic! ;) I have it and love it. I have had no problems with it. This is the second time I've had it. The first time around it took my body about 3 months to get on a normal cycle, which means it pretty much disappeared totally with ocassional spotting. This time it took me about 4-5 months. I think those first few months of sporadic bleeding is worth it. I do have a friend who had terrible side effects and had hers taken out, but personally, that is the only "horror" story I've known.

As far as cost, it really depends on how much your insurance will pay. If you ask your doctor's office I'm sure they will call the insurance company for you and find out exactly what your part of the payment will be. I don't remember exactly, but I'm pretty sure I paid less than $200. You do have to pay for it to be removed as well, but since this is the final decision for you that won't need to happen for 5 more years. They might just roll that cost together with the placement of a new one, I don't really know...you'll have to ask your doctor.

Besides being a fan of it, I also have to say that if you know you're not having any more kids, I would hesitate to take a pill every day for the rest of your life (or until surgery is an option for either of you). I did it for a long time and I really have no problem remembering to take it, but ugh. As a mom with two kids running around, if you can avoid it, you should!

I dont know if you have insurance or not but I knows its pricey for the mirena....my co pay was going to be around $200.00? to get it put in. I have also tried the patch, depo and nuvaring and they all did not work for me.
I have two but am not sure whether im done or not...I am currently on loestrin and I love it!
Good luck and congrats!

I have the 5 yr Mirena and like it. Only get a small one day period on occasion. Need to wear a pantyliner everyday since I never know when this will be. I bleed most of the month for the 1st month after insertion but this is normal.
Cost was about $600 for the device and $180 for the Dr. to put it in. Our insurance did not cover it but check with your insurance. It is a lot of money up front but since I plan to have it for 5 yrs it is a lot cheaper than 5 yrs of pills.

Hi, El:
Have you thought about a cervical cap.
Just wondering.
D.

I took Yaz after I had my daughter in 2007. I bleed for 4 months straight and I hated it. I was super moody but the only good thing was I lost a TON of weight. But of course as soon as I stopped taking it (b/c I was tired of having a 4 month period) I gained all the weight back.

I would not recommend taking Yaz. Just my opinion.

Good luck!

What about a vasectomy for your husband?

I did Mirena after our second because at that time we weren't sure if we wanted another, then about 6 months to a year later we decided our family was complete and then we decided a vasectomy was ultimately our permanent fix.

From what I've been told the complete insertion and cost of Mirena totals to around $750 without any insurance but lasts for five years. (My insurance covered it completely) I stayed on this for about 2 1/2 years and had some ups and downs from it.

After almost 10 years of being on/off birth control, I can tell you this being off of birth control has been the best thing for me. My libido is the best its ever been for me. And not having to mess with birth control has been wonderful. So if you truly are done with having kids, I highly recommend a more permanent route.

Any of the options with hormones will give you the risks of the things you want to avoid. The IUD with no hormones is probably best.

I had the Mirena and HATED it. I put on a lot of weight (my sister was just saying how I had lost all of my baby weight, but the Mirena put it all back on me and then some) that I could not take off, my face broke out horribly, I spotted constantly, and I felt much more tired and moodier. I had it in for 2 years, and after having it removed, noticed that all of the problems I was having went away. I am still trying to get off the weight that it caused me to put on (2 years later), but I did immediately lose some again. Personally, I don't recommend it to anyone, but I know that there are women who love it. It is expensive (our insurance didn't cover any of it at the time and it was $500), but it does last 5 years. Good luck!

interested to hear... no birth control has ever worked for me!