Seeking Others Opinion on IUD

I love the Mirena and am happy I got it. I have had some friends that have had more complications with the copper model. A week or so of discomfort and then in about 3-4 months I hardly had a period which I grew to really enjoy. (At first it was odd) Anyway I'm getting it replaced in January and doind it again...I do not want the alternative.

Let me start by saying, every woman is different and their bodies react differently to things. However, I tried the non-hormone IUD for about 6 months and had a very bad experience with it. I had used various birth control pills over the previous 10 years on and off between three pregnancies and never had a problem with the side effects mentioned like spotting, cramping etc. With the IUD I had 13 day periods every single month (typical without IUD was 5 days) with cramping and EXTREMELY heavy for 3 to 4 days where I would have to go to the bathroom almost every hour (after having very light before). I really wanted the IUD to work for me, but had a terrible experience and would hate to see anyone I know go through something similar. On the other hand, I have a close friend who did the same IUD and had no issues. I just wanted to share my experience, especially since it is not a cheap option and having to have it removed after 6 months is definitely not cost effective. I hope it works well for you if that is the option you choose...

I have the Mirena IUD. I Love it. Pros/Cons: I noticed some discomfort (like a hard pinching) for a few days after inserted but not enough to really hurt. No problems with it since. I have had 2 kids on religiously taking the pill (no antibiotic use or any other reason it would be ineffective) so I am doing good at 4 years with Mirena and no pregnancies! My periods are almost non existent. I don't have one every month and when i do have one they are very light. At first that was a little unnerving since I always wondered about being pregnant again but after I got used to it, it is great. The cost effectiveness of the iud is great too. Its good for 5 years! I have had no bad with this so would recommend it to anyone who wants long term but not permanent birth control. Plan on having it removed and another put in as I am not ready for anything permanent just yet. About what SY said about losing weight you may want to check with your OB about that... I had lost the baby weight before getting mine but didn't gain an ounce since, I don't even get the monthly water weight I used to so that is another thing to consider. I see nothing at all bad about this one unless you have some problems with other forms of birthcontrol (for example a friend of mine gets migrains when on the pill or any other hormonal type birth control so this didn't work for her either, she had 2 kids then got her tubes tied). But I do recommend it highly to anyone who asks. Hope this helps:)

I've had the Mirena IUD in for two years now and love it. As pp said it's a little unnerving at first when your periods start to go away, but once you get used to it, it's great! It's like being a little girl again, not having to worry about when you're going to start your period.

There's a little discomfort with the insertion, but I wouldn't even worry about it because it's just a one time thing and is nothing for 5 years of effectiveness.

In terms of the hormone in Mirena, I'll say that I had terrible migraines on every kind of bc pill including the super low dose ones and on the nuva ring and then pregnant and when my son was a newborn. I have had just one in the last two years and I'm sure that was about stress not hormones. I've also had no problem losing weight while it's been in. I'm not a dieter, but I started going to the gym and easily went down a couple sizes, so from that perspective I think it just impacts different people differently.

I chose Mirena over copper because there is some risk of copper IUDs implanting in the uterus and that just freaked me out, plus there's more risk of side effects like ongoing spotting and cramping.

Hope this helps.

T.

I had Mirena inserted after my 1st kid. I removed it to have the second one ( am pregnant now). I had no problems with Mirena. I liked that it even reduced the flow during my periods which definitely helped with the anemia I had.

I LOVE my paraguard. Go with the copper definitely! I have had it for almost three years without an issue!

J. W

I just had my Mirena IUD removed about a couple months ago. I had it in for about 20 months and during that time my periods became lighter and lighter and more infrequent (about every 60 days). But I was having such a hard time losing weight because of the low levels of progesten that it gives off. It may affect some people more than others but no matter how much I exercised or dieted, I couldn't seem to lose the pregnancy weight. Since I've had it removed, my "dieting" has been much more successful and have been able to shed about 10 pounds. Even my OB said that for some, it makes dieting harder. I would look into the copper IUD later but I heard it causes cramping. Oh, by the way, it really hurts when they put the IUD in so make sure to take some motrin or some other kind of pain reliever.

I got the Mirena IUD - and I absolutely loved it. I had it removed to have another baby - and am hoping to have one more, and then I will have another one put back in! The only thing that I found was that I forgot to take the Advil like they suggested, and it hurt! but I got home took some Advil, and about a 1/2 hour later I felt better, and never had any discomfort after that! I think that they are great. Don't know in particular the copper one, but can't imagine that it would be much different?

I've used this method for years and love it. It failed me once, but nothing's 100%. Other than that, it doesn't cause wieght gain, I don't have to remember anything, and, if I decide to have another baby, it's just a matter of having it removed and we're ready to go.

I have the copper IUD and love it. I haven't had any issues and best of all, no weight gain or acne problems that often can come from the Mirena, because it has hormones. You can google Copper IUD vs. Mirena and see the pros and cons of each. I did and decided the copper, and am very happy with my decision. I've had it since 2007.

Mine both came out and poked my husband. I thought he was kidding.

My doctor probably thought I pull them out or something, but hello, I tried to push them BACK. I even neglected to say anything about the first one for MONTHS thinking it was probably "normal". I found out when they pulled it out that it increased my potential for infections.

I would totally dig this if it stayed in, but my body rejects. I tried the mirena because I have weird hormonal issues and actually felt great on it. However, my husband was sex shy for awhile even after having them fully removed.

Wow your a busy women!Life has so many decisions to make... I chose the Mirena 5yr and it has worked wonderfully. I haven't had any problems at all. And I had no periods! How much better could that get! I had one before I had my daughter and again after I had her...just over 5 years ago and when I went to get a new IUD put recently, I found out I am in menopause(early I am only 42!) Well, since I am so young my OB highly suggested I take hormones. I hate taking pills so she said that we can put in a new Mirena for the progesterone and take a patch for the estrogen so that it is all local and I don't do the pill thing that well. I already take enough of those!
I think the Mirena IUD is wonderful and I have many friends who use it as well. One of them had one come out on her...but..um... it was kinda her fault. lol. thats all I will say about that.
Now if I can deal with this Menopause thing I will be happy...This really sucks!
Good luck to you. Hope this helps.
S.

I've have the copper IUD for almost 2 years and I am glad I have it. It really did not hurt me much to get it inserted. I had spotting for a while (probably the first 1 & 1/2 months, which I guess it's an unusually long time), then it stopped. I remember feeling a little bit of a dull ache in my lower back for a few months after the insertion but it was never really bad enough to warrant an analgesic. I do get pretty heavy periods, but I always have so I don't know how much of a difference it really has made in that regard. I REALLY like the fact that it has no hormones so it does not affect my mood. Another advantage is that it lasts 10 years (vs. I believe it's 5 years for the Mirena). My husband says that it does not bother him at all as he can't really feel it during intercourse. You really just don't know how your body is going to respond to an IUD until you try it. Best of luck in your decision.

I had the IUD for about 2 months. Insertion hurt, horribly. In those two months I couldn't bend over without a stabbing pain. I had a hard time picking my daughter up and putting her down. There were many times where I would freeze half way picking her up/putting her down, and would have to yell for someone to help me because it felt like I was being stabbed. The doctor kept telling me to give it time. Well my insurance was going to run out so I got it removed. The Dr wanted to due a vaginal unltrasound first to see if it slipped and then try adjusting it. I just had her take it out. I couldn't deal with it any longer. I have heard great things about it, but it didn't work for me. I wish it did, because taking pills is a pain.

I use the non hormone IUD and have had no problems with it. A little spotting at first (and occasionally now, but not bad).