IUD Users

I don't do well with the pill, as I was trying to find a pill that worked, I got pregnant (I was married so not a bit deal, just a surprise). After I had her, I tried an IUD (with out hormones) and I had the same problems I had with the pill (which Dr was thinking was hormone related). After a year, I switched IUD with hormones - I used that for almost 4 years before removing. There was more than one time I swore I was preggo and wasn't (I friend on it is always thinking she's preggo after 2 years). All the first symptoms, backache, swollen sore boobs, cramps and no bleeding. I also spotted for a year - fun!! The only perk is after the spotting is no period. I was very emotional, moody and I couldn't take it, so I had it removed and tried the nuvo ring - which I actually loved, but got a yeast infection the whole time I used it. I finally got tired of birth control and went off and started tracking my period on line (mycycles.com) and we used that method (and occational condoms) for about a year before planning another baby. I'm not 8 weeks out from delivery and we know we want one more (I'm 37 and don't have a whole lot of time) so we decided to use condoms until we are ok with having another and see what happens.

Hi, I have paragard, love it. No complaints. day 1 of my period is heavier than normal but that's about it. I had mirena for a year, but I was getting very bad headaches and acne so went off of it. I have 3 kids. I had paragard taken out after #2 when we decided to try for #3. I got pregnant 3 days later :-)
I got it put back in right after I had my son, at my 6 week post partum checkup. He's 8 months old now, all is good.
Good luck with making your decision. hope this helps.

I got Mirena after I had my second son. It was a breeze to get put in, since I was six weeks post partum. I had it in for nine months. I HATED it! I gained 20lbs of water weight, got horrible acne and oily skin, and spotted ALL the time. I also had almost no sexual desire, and when we did have intercourse, it would be really physically uncomfortable... It sucked for me. I was also a ball of emotions. Riding that hormonal roller coaster was the worst part.

I got it taken out two months ago, have lost 15lbs, and my skin is waaaay more clear. I am back to normal emotionally, not going off my rocker at the smallest things, and i feel more hormonally balanced. I'm so glad I got it out, and I will NEVER get an IUD again.

BC hormones trigger cancer in my... so I can't take them, either.

There are 2 kinds of IUDs. Mirena (hormone based) and Paragard (copper).

I've had Paragard for 9.5 years now. Here's what i LOVE about it:

- As effective as a tubal ligation
- Good for 10 years
- Effective on day of insertion / no waiting period
- Not affected by antibiotics
- Does not affect fertility (you can take it out and start trying the next/same day)
- No hormonal side effects (mood, weight, skin, period, clots, cancer)

Your period will 'reset' to whatever it's "normal" is. Most women have shorter periods on the pill, so their period "lengthens" on paragard. For the minority of women who have longer periods on the pil, their period shortens.

The first 3 periods after insertion I was warned would be gnarly/ super crampy. My OB said she'd write an Rx for muscle relaxers if I needed them but midol took care of the cramps easily, and then no more gnarly periods after that! I get crampy periods twice a year (but again, that's normal for me off of hormones).

I have the hormone free paragard IUD and I love it. My periods are a bit heavier but I have no other issues. It was very painful fir me to get ut inserted and I have 2 kids. All in all it was worth it since it has the same failure rate as a tubal and lasts over 10 years. I highly recommend it! Good luck!

i had a friend with an iud it got dislodged she had to get it taken on... their were twins growing around it... thats all i had to hear. i have high bp and im on the pill and i dont mean borderline i have high i have been on the pill for over 10 years im fine just stick with it and monitor your bp