Intrauterine Contraceptive

Hi A.,
P. here...I have an IUD and it's the only thing I've ever used, after Daniel and after Diego. I don't know what brand it is though. It's been too long! I know EXACTLY how you feel. I don't want anymore children either, BUT, I don't want the feeling of knowing that I can't have anymore either. Yes, it's weird, I can't explain it, but you know what I mean. I just know I would be depressed if I had a tubal. It's too permanent. I love the IUD. I don't have to worry about anything. I'm guessing mine isn't Minera because my only problem is that my periods are pretty heavy. I say, "go for it".

Hi!
I used the mirena iud, and I liked it. My only problem was that my periods, while they were lighter, were actually much longer, but my doctor seemed suprised when I told her, so that's fairly rare. If you're nervous about the hormones, an alternative is a copper iud. My sister used it and loved it.
good luck!

HEy A.,
I had the Merena IUD for about 3 1/2 yrs. And I loved it! It was a great alternetive to the pill. There was never any worry about a missed pill, or pregnancy. I did have it removed recently because it was causing me some pain. I think it may have become twisted over the years. But the pain wasnt severe. I would definalty recommend it and it is much easier to get pregnant once it is removed than it is once you stop taking the pill!! Good Luck

I have four kids very close in age, and didn't want to get pregnant again right away. I have Mirena and love it! I have some spotting but no periods! I am pretty sure the percentage of possilbe pregnancy while on Mirena is 0.01 percent, which is the same as having your tubes tied. I really love it. I have to say the only down side was the first six weeks I had a lot of spot bleeding, like every day. But now I have had it for a few months and I have had no bleeding. I have heard from some people that their husbands can feel it when they have sex. My husband says he can't feel it. My doctor made sure when she cut the strings at the end that the were long enough to curl around so they didn't poke my husband. I would say Mirena is the way to go.

I highly recommend Mirena! I had it about 2 years ago and had it removed as my husband & I planned our 2nd baby. It is true, I did have light periods and I never had to worry about taking a pill and I did save alot of money. One more word of advice, I did get another IUD after giving birth to my 2nd child. I thought I would try the copper IUD being it's hormone free. I made the wrong decision! I just got my first period and it was miserable! It was heavier than the bleeding I had after giving birth. My Dr. advised this was going to happen. I should have listened. I am on my way today to my appointment to have it removed and have another Mirena put in. I should have done that in the first place. Hope this advice helps. :)

This form of birth control is the Best thing you could ever think about using. I wish I could have learned about this long ago.
Like you I say I don't want anymore children but also cannot commit to something like the tubal ligation.

It is a little uncomfortable to get this done but it's fast and in the end you are going to love it and the best is you'll forget it's even there.

I hope this helps and I know it's not much but I can assure you it's going to be one of the best things you can think about doing. It's going to be one less worry and we could all use less of those.

i have an iud, but the one without hormones. it works just as well as the hormone one, and hormones make me crazy, i could never take the pill. anyway, i would suggest the non-hormone one, since the success rate is the same, and it's better for your body. i've never had a problem, and plan on having it removed later this year so we can have our last baby. it's great to never have to think about birth control.

I had the mirena a few years ago, and loved it. The great thing was that after years (actually decades) of not wanting children, my husband and I changed our minds. I had the mirena removed and six months later I was pregnant (I was 38 at the time). It had been a great option for me because on the pill I had terrible migraines every month, plus fibrocystic disease [sic]. After the first few months, my periods were nominal only. I'll get another one here soon. People are often amazed (including my midwife) that anyone would suggest an IUD to a woman who had never had kids before, but I did have one. It was excruciating since I had never had kids, but now would have no problem with the insertion.

My only caveat is that the chances of becoming pregnant are extremely low, but not impossible. The bad thing is that if on the very rare chance that you do become pregnant, it is pretty dicey for the fetus -- i.e., chances of miscarriage are very high.

good luck!
C.

I have awesome insurance but it didn't cover it. my Gyno actually seemed surprised that it wasn't covered. I payed for it out of pocket and it was around 800 bux. It sounds like alot of $ but it is half the cost of 5 years of birth control and that is a huge savings in the long run. It has been known to make people moody at times and break out...you can read about all the side affects when you study it, but I think if you just get past that stage and endure it, you will be happy you did. I am glad I got mine...good luck

love it love it love it love it. Get it if you can.

I have been on the Mirena for about 2 years and I love it! I was in the same boat as you, I could not remember to take the pill and I was not ready for permanant fixation. So I decided on the Mirena. My periods have stopped. Just a little spotting, (if you could call it that). My insurance did cover mine. I would highly recomend it!!

I have had the Mirena for almost 2 years. I love it, minimal bleeding (however a down to that: the periods are random, not on a schedule or as close as you can get to a schedule on the pill), and no worries about accidental pregnancies. I feel it is well worth the copay for the dr's appt. Because that's all you'll pay for!

Hi there! I have had the Mirena IUD for just a little more than a year and a half (my son is 20 months old). I absolutely LOVE it!!! Seeing as how my son is here because the pill didn't work for me (now I'm grateful for that fact because he is just the cutest thing ever), I was not to anxious to go back to it. I also had suffered from moderate endometriosis with just the most horrible periods ever imagniable pain wise and flow wise. With the IUD however, my periods are so light I've actually forgotten many times that I'm having one and they only last 2-3 days. My average period while on the pill was 16 days so 2-3 days is still just so unbelievable to me!
The convienance is also such a huge benefit as well. You don't ever have to do anything. It's just always there. No worrying about taking a pill, making sure you pick up your prescription in time, your husband doesn't have to do anything, it's great! Being someone who got pregnant from previous BC I was very skeptical and scared. Now I recomend it to everyone I know!
I'm now a SAHM but I previously worked in the medical insurance industry. You will absolutely want to call your own insurance carrier and make sure you understand what their policy is. However, I have never heard of a company that didn't cover it. The actual cost to you will just depend on your own policy coverage. Most of the time it is a coinsurance on your part meaning that you will have to pay a percentage of the cost plus your regular copay for the doctor's visit. Again this, is just generalized info. Be sure to call your insurance carrier in advance so you won't have any surprises!!
Hopefully this helps a little in your decision. Good luck!

-M. L.

Just do a lot of research. My sister in law, was one of five people in the history of Mirena to get Staph A throughout her body. about 6 weeks after getting it placed, she was in the hospital.
Lots of people love this device. and it seems good like 98 % of the time.
Just listen to your body, if you have pain, fevers, heavy periods-See your OB!

I have used the Mirena twice now. The first time after the birth of my first daughter(who was conceived while on birth control pills) and now again after the birth of my second. I love it because there is no prescription to call in or pill to remember to take. I also use to have very heavy periods and they became much much lighter and shorter for me with less of the other symptoms that go along with your period. A giant plus for me. I also really like it because when my husband and I decided we were ready for another child I simply went in and had it removed. There was no long wait time before we started trying either as there is suppose to be with the pill. I really think this is a great alternative to birth control. And by the way each time my insurance(a different company each time) covered it.

I have an IUD - with NO HORMONES. It's the plain old copper IUD. I love it. It is still available, still safe and just about as effective as abstinence. There is no reason to add hormones if you don't need to. That is the reason I chose it. IUDs have been around forever and they are very safe. Your doctor is influenced by the drug companies that sell the hormone IUDs. They are not safer, more effective, or more convenient. Mine is good for 10 years, too.
As far as IUDs in general go - be sure that you are absolutely sure that you are done having children. Sometimes more children come because we "miss a pill" or some other unconcious expression of our further desire for children. The IUD works - you won't get pregnant. As I look back, if I had not had it, I am sure that I would have let a pregnancy slip in there - kinda wish I had. So be sure!!

A.,
I have one in and have had since 6 weeks after I had my son in June. I like it a lot and still have yet to have a period. I haven't had any problems whatsoever! I would recommend it for sure and I like it a lot better than taking the pills that I was diligent about for about 8 years. Let me know if you have any questions, I would be glad to answer them.

I am a SAHM of 3 wonderful boys ages 9, 7 and 4. I cannot rave enough about the IUD. Years ago I realized that I was having severe side affects with the pill -- way beyond the weight gain, I was a miserable, hormonal trainwreck. I had taken the mini pill for 13 months while I nursed my 2nd son and LOVED that, but then went on a "regular" pill, and it was a disaster. I heard about the IUD, and immediately called my OBGYN. She recommended the Copper T IUD that can be left in for up to 10 years. It's safe and effective and has very little/no side affects. I was sold. I had it put in and I was in B.C. heaven. The only issue I had at first was a heavy period, which is something I've never had. But by the 3rd month, that subsided. It worked like a charm and I didn't have any additional hormones to deal with! The copper is a natural spermicide. I used it for a couple of years and then we decided to have #3. It was taken out at the end of my cycle, and I got pregnant right away. When #3 was born, I took the mini pill again (you don't have a period as long as you nurse which to me is pure bliss!!) but after a year when I was done nursing, I immediately went in for another Copper T IUD. I had it in from January 05 to February 08 and never had one day of problems. I just had it taken out again, and #4 is on the way! I am a big fan of this birth control method. I will use it for the rest of my life! I haven't used the Mirena IUD, but I cannot express enough how great IUD's are!! My health insurance covers the cost of an IUD, so I've never paid more than a co-pay to have one, but even if your insurance doesn't cover it, it would be worth it to fork out the $500 or so that they cost -- it will be cheaper in the long run than paying $20 a month for a prescription!

With much enthusiasm, I highly recommend the IUD!!

Good luck!!

A.

P.S. -- I wanted to mention that I didn't have one ounce of discomfort with the insertion or removal of my IUD's. It felt a little strange, but not even remotely painful. I didn't have to take any medication or anything. Once it was in, I was set. And having it taken out was all of 5 seconds. Again...in my humble opinion, it's the best thing you can do for yourself in terms of birth control -- fast, easy, effective and no worries!!

One of the bigger arguments against it is that even the FAQ page from Mirena says that it isn't likely that it prevents ovulation. The way it prevents pregnancy is that it slows the sperm getting to the egg. When that doesn't work, the secondary action is that the egg and sperm unite, but the uterine lining is too thin for the fertilized egg to survive. That's why it gives women lighter periods. Some women are okay with this action, others are not. In all fairness, I think every woman should know about this action, though.

I had the Mirena implanted when my child was 3 months old (October '07). I didn't not know anything about it when my child was born (he is 8 months now). However I am in a book club and 2 of the women in the club had used the product and sweared by it. Since I am breastfeeding it was a great options for me because it would not effect my breastmilk as well as the prodution. It was a little painful getting it implanted however (take a couple of Tylenol a couple of hours before) I was able to go shopping afterwards (I was without my son for a couple of hours so I took advatage of it.) My husband and I are going to be trying for another child down the road and this was a good opition for this. Since one of my girlfriend had it remove and got pregnant the following week. I have had slight cramps over the past couple of months (they last a couple of hours, similiar to menstrual cramps) and I have spotted slightly (I am breastfeeding so I have not started by period since giving birth). So those are the only downfalls so far. But not having to remember to take the pill is great (I was on that before). So the bottom line is I would reccomend this product.

Good Luck

J.
____@____.com

I had a Mirena IUC for 3 years and loved it. I had it removed because my husband had a vasectomy. We are both very clear we do not want any more children. I've done Depo and the pill also and Mirena was definitely my favorite. Didn't have the weight gain issues that went along with Depo and the forgetting/remembering issues that went along with the pill. Mirena is a little pricy but if you figure it over the course of its lifetime (5 years) it balances out. Insertion and removal are a little uncomfortable but nothing a some ibuprofen won't fix.

I love it too!!!! I just responded to a woman earlier who was looking for a different method. My husband and I have four but may want one more, who knows. And I HATE taking the pill. So Mirena was and is the perfect option for us. Good luck to you!

I have a mirena. It hurt going in, but it was fast and so much better than childbirth. I bled almost constantly for about 6 months. Now I bleed maybe once a month for a few days. I used to have terrible cramps, now I have an occasional one. I sometimes get mood swings and anger that may or may not be the result of the hormones. A friend with a mirena experiences the same emotions. I do suspect that the mirena may play a part in this. I love not having to worry about taking a pill every day and heading to the pharmacy every month. It is not perfect, but, overall, I am satisfied. I do check my strings each time I 'need' it. My sister had a mirena, but became pregnant. They assume hers fell out. They could not find it with the ultrasound. I have also heard that you should not get it placed right after you give birth. Doing that increases the risk of complications.

I have had this IUD for the last three years and I love it. It was easy to put in and there was no and still is no discomfort. My periods have gon away completly (this is not always the case) If you may be considering more children this may be a good option for oyu right now. Also with all you have your plate the last thing you need is to remeber to callin a prescription when you have run out. I hope this helps.

Hi A.. I have had Mirena since November of 2005 and I could not be happier! I had a hard time remembering to take oral contraceptives and to make appointments for refills-(how I got pregnant) :) So this is a very good option for women.
The only thing that my doctor said I would need to do is check the string to make sure that it's still in position. Getting it put in was easy and fast, although I had mild cramping afterward.
Hope this helped! Good Luck

I dont have the Mirena but I do have the ParaGuard which is also an IUD. I got this IUD istead of other ones they have because it is the only birth control method with out hormones(besides condoms). It is a copper IUD and is good for 10-12 years. When I am ready to have another child it is a easy as pulling the string or I can go in and have my Dr. remove it for me. No having to remember to take a pill every day, put on a patch, or remove a nova ring. I love to spontaneity of it. But it is expensive, mine was $999.

I had a hard time with the Mirena IUD, it caused pain with sex, spotting, and ovarian cysts. Check it out first, but if you do get it you can always get it removed.

I was on the pill for several years and switched to an IUD about a year ago. My main reason was I wanted to be in touch with my own body cycles without the influence of hormones. I've been very satisfied with it. No problems and you just don't have to think about it.

HI! I had a Mirena for 2 years and LOVED it. It was a little weird after my Dr placed it. Some cramping I mean. But then my periods were really light for 2 months and then I didnt have them at all. Then you dont really think about it! They say to well reach up there and check to feel for the TINY fish line that is attached to it but, ew. My hubby said he was aware it was there but did not hurt him:) I would totally recommend this to anyone!

This is probably way too late...but I wanted to put my 2 cents in...and maybe someone else will be able to use my info. I used to work for an OB/GYN practice (a very busy, very good one) and saw lots of girls go in for IUDs. Most had no problems with them, just a little discomfort and spotting after insertion. No biggie...just take some tylenol and wear a pad after... So go for it (if you haven't already), but you may want to check into the copper IUD (Called ParaGuard). They have no hormones, are just as effective, are about $100 (or so) cheaper (most times your insurance will require you to meet your deductible before they'll pay for it and IUDs cost usually between $500 and $1000 depending on the Dr's charges...I know that the Dr's cost for the actual IUD without any prep equipment, JUST the Mirena IUD is $550...ouch!) and they are good for 10 years instead of 5 with the Mirena. Copper may not have the "lighter period" benefit that the Mirena does (ask the Dr...they may). My Mom and sister both have had IUDs and have loved them. I would too but I'm still having babies!