IUD (Mirena) Vs. Nuva Ring?

Hi K., I used the nuva ring starting when my son was 5 months old. I had lost all of my baby weight back to my original weight when I started and within about 6 months gained almost 30lbs. I had a suspicious feeling that it was the nuva ring. So, I had the IUD inserted in April. I have lost 25 lbs since then.
The Nuva ring was nice, but you still had to go by the store and get it, pay for it each month.
My IUD was an office copay when it was inserted and that was it. I do have some cramping and bleeding still with it, but the Dr says that should subside within the next month or so. No remembering to go by the store, no pill, I really like it. it is good for 5 yrs also. You are probably very busy working full time with two kiddos and need as convenient, as possible. I like the IUD

K.,

I got my IUD about a month ago and I absolutely love it. The first few days after I cramped a little and I spot here and there but it is awesome. I hated taking a pill everyday, and regular birth control gave me migraines after my son was born. I haven't had a menstral enduced migraine yet and it is great. I can't say enough about it.

My insurance covered it 100% so I just had to pay my co-pay and that was it.

If you do get an IUD make sure you go back when the dr. suggests to have it checked.

Good Luck,
J.

I was just like you after having my son...I couldn't stand the pill! He's 3 next month - the ring has been PERFECT for me!

Hi K.,

I had the Mirena IUD and loved it. I really liked not having to worry about it everyday/week/month.

C.

I considered both. I am VERY sensitive to hormones, and the ring is a low dose thing... so I used it for 2 months.. but didn't have any sex drive, had cravings... I was cranky all the time. Pretty much the same side effects I had with the pill. If you didn't have any problems taking the pill.. then the ring would be awesome for you! I didn't have any problems with it falling out or being uncomfortable or anything.

I decided against the Mirena because I was worried about having the same effects from those hormones and just having to have the thing removed. Plus, I've heard a lot of stories of people getting pregnant with them. I think it's supposed to be pretty rare, but when it does happen... it can be really dangerous for you, and you're likely to lose the baby.

I'd say to try the ring for a couple of months and see how it goes.. if you dont' like it, do the IUD. I still have 2 rings, in packaging... that I am not going to use, because it just wasn't the right thing for me. I know that my insurance didn't cover the Nuvaring... so it can get pretty pricey that way. I had a doctor give me a one month sample before I bought some myself. Maybe your doctor could do the same for you?

-A.

I cannot take bc pills and so I have tried the patch and the nuva ring and now have the Mirena IUD. I got pregnant with the ring. I had no problems with it other then I now have a 15mo old. I got my IUD about 12 weeks after having my son and I love it. It was annoying in the beginning but worth it in the long run. All of my close girlfriends also have the Mirena and the only person I know to have had problems is my sister in law who has rare side effect to everything she takes. I recommend the Mirena to everyone I know. I can't even tell it's there and my periods are a cinch if I even have one. I wish you luck.

Hi K.,

I've used the nuva ring for 6 months. It stayed in, althoug after having 3 kids I have a severe prolaps and tampons flop immediately out my vagina. But the ring stayed in, only one time after having sex it came out, so I would recommend to check if it is still in place after having sex.
And speaking of sex, with the ring I didn't have much interest in sex.
Now I have the IUD (minera) for 5 months, and my sexdrive is back to normal (still less than my husband, LOL). First 3 months I had a lot of spotting, than 1 month clean and now again one month spotting. So it takes a while for my body to adjust, but I never had cramps.

If it didn't had an impact on my sexdrive I still would use the ring. Why don't you try it for a couple of months, if you don't like it you can always go for the IUD.
Good luck.

My 3rd child was conceived 6 mths after having the IUD inserted...I think I would go with the Nuva Ring!!

I tried the NuvaRing for 3 months. It just didn't work for me. I could never get it in quite the right place ;) I always felt like it was falling out. Keep in mind, I've had 4 kids though, so I'm sure the plumbing has all been displaced.
And it can fall out, but supposedly if you put in right back in, you are okay.

I had the Mirena IUD put in 6 weeks after I had my daughter and I just got it removed last week!!!! I hated that thing I had bad cramps and back cramps!!!! Honestly every thing they say that 3% of people have after a year I had. When I went to go have it removed the doctor said that was the 3rd one she removed that week!!! I was on my period for 11 months and as soon as I got it removed I stopped. I am fixing to start the ring!!! I would say not to do it but for some people the IUD is a good thing!! Good luck on your decision!!!

~C.

I had the Mriena IUD for 21 months. I nursed my daughter for 19 months so in theory I couldn't get pregnant during that time...2 months after I weaned my daughter, I got pregnant. I'd try the ring although the IUD is supposed to be the most reliable...not for me though.

After my fifth child last year i decied to look into non hormonal birth control due to a hx of chronic hypertension. With my doctor's input i chose the Mirena. I'm quite happy with it. The first week after insertion i bled heavy and every month thereafter i had a cycle for about 1-2 days and in all honesty i have cycle just one day a month for less than 24 hours. i only had mild back cramps in the dr office after insertion, but the ibuprofen quickly help-ed with the pain. i would say go for it. i suggest it to all my girlfriends' , it's less expensive for the long term, and less side effects.

NuvaRing!!! I LOVE that thing. I couldn't remember to take the pill everyday and I would get so screwed up trying to play catch up. With the Ring, you have a new one each month, and if you pick the 1st of the month, it's not easy to forget. Also, one GREAT perk about the Ring, is that if you go the 3 months on, 1 month off route, you will only get your period 4 times a year, AWESOME. Plus there isn't a procedure to worry about. You control everything about it. Also, if you ever want to have anymore kids, you can get pregnant after one month. I've been on it for 3 years and only had one pregnancy scare (but I didn't start it on the 1st like I was supposed to!) No complaints and so far, so good!

TMI-WARNING:

Insertion is easy. If you don't have trouble with a tampon, you won't have trouble with the Ring. ALSO, your hubby will barely notice it during "sexy time". haha

I had to stop taking pills b/c of migraines so I've tried the patch, the ring and now I have the Mirena IUD. I have had it just over a year now and I LOVE it. I'll be honest with you, it's un-comfortable going in,I had bad cramps for about 2 days and spotting for a couple of months. BUT, now I'm at a point where either I don't get a period at all or it's very light and lasts, maybe, a day & a half. I never have to worry about taking a pill or remembering to switch anything and it's good for 5 years.

I highly recommend it!!!