IUD Question

loves2shop4shoes

So, I got the non-hormonal Paragard IUD inserted in May.  Since then my cycle has been a bit longer than it was on hormonal BC, but was still reasonably regular.  

Well, I'm 2 weeks "late" and FREAKING out.  I've taken 2 tests and they're both negative.  What gives?

Any thoughts/insight would be greatly appreciated.

loopy82

I really know nothing about the IUD - but if I am not mistaken I thought at some point you were supposed to stop getting your period while on it. Is this correct?

reddrockett

For a lot of folks on Paragard, periods may come less and less or may even stop completely. I've been (happily) period-free for 5 years now.

loves2shop4shoes

My doctor said on Mirena you stop getting your period, but on Paragard they're usually heavier (which mine were).

Reddrockett, you're on Paragard and have had no period for 5 years?  Is there hope for me???

Wrkn925

I just got Mirena almost two weeks ago.
I don't have a period, but I was on Depo for the past 5 1/2 years, so I haven't had one in forever...

It seems like I remember Paraguard not supporting a normal cycle, so I don't think you should be too scared, especially with the tests negative.

AudgiePodge

I wouldn't worry about being late. Just pee on a stick and make sure. Although I was on the Mirena, my doctor said that even with the Paragard it's possible to stop having periods also.

PaigeMcC

zomg please take my period away too!

hetshup

I have a paraguard. Every once is a while I just have a longer cycle. I doubt there is anything to worry about, esp if you have negative tests. Be aware, you might have a VERY heavy period when it does come. That was probably TMI. 

FYI- Paraguard is copper, so it should NOT make your periods stop. Mirena is hormonal, so it can. 

loves2shop4shoes

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_iud-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:1bb7b741-c601-4f81-ad33-21d187c4ab03Post:f2f3d6fe-c7a0-4da3-a59a-d6e08acd78a6">Re: IUD Question</a>:
[QUOTE]I have a paraguard. Every once is a while I just have a longer cycle. I doubt there is anything to worry about, esp if you have negative tests. Be aware, you might have a VERY heavy period when it does come. That was probably TMI.  FYI- Paraguard is copper, so it should NOT make your periods stop. Mirena is hormonal, so it can. 
Posted by hetshup[/QUOTE]

<div>I hope you're right.  I don't want to hear the pitter pattering of little shoes.</div><div>
</div><div>Watch my period arrive on Friday or Saturday...just in time for the debut of my brand new, completely white Fall Ball dress...</div>

hetshup

Don't you have other signs your period is coming? Like your boobs get huge and you have spotting? TMI again? OK. 

Hazel_B

In that case, definitely listen to hetshup. I have a non hormonal IUD and I find everything is longer or heavier now.

hetshup

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_iud-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:1bb7b741-c601-4f81-ad33-21d187c4ab03Post:cb0ffcc8-9172-44ee-992a-b72f879b7600">Re: IUD Question</a>:
[QUOTE]In that case, definitely listen to hetshup. I have a non hormonal IUD and I find everything is longer or heavier now.
Posted by Hazel_B[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>that's what she said. </div>

loves2shop4shoes

No, my boobs were sensitive.  But no longer....IDK what the eff is going on.

Although I will say, I can smell everything and am having weird food cravings.  I'm hoping this is paranoia.

Hazel_B

Well, you are doing all you can right now.

Hopefully you are just being paranoid. You are pretty busy with school right? It could just be stress?

Penny66

Can you use this if you have never been pregnant? I was talking to my Dr. about Mirena and she said that I would not be able to get it if I have never had a child.

Hazel_B

You can definitely get an IUD if you have never had children. It is just more uncomfortable if you haven't had kids.

Wrkn925

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_iud-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:1bb7b741-c601-4f81-ad33-21d187c4ab03Post:86372ca9-3e36-404d-8178-d2d214015bb4">Re: IUD Question</a>:
[QUOTE]Can you use this if you have never been pregnant? I was talking to my Dr. about Mirena and she said that I would not be able to get it if I have never had a child.
Posted by Penny66[/QUOTE]

I've never been pregnant, and I have an IUD.
My doc said I couldn't have one, so I found a new doc. 

It's harder to get the IUD in because your uterus has never been stretched. (I think stretched is the wrong word.) And your cervix has never dilated.
Sometimes it just won't fit.  That was Doc#2's concern.

But she tried, it fit, it's in, and I'm as happy as a frickin lark.

Hetsup, I don't know about anyone else, but TMI is nearly impossible for me, especially on a message board.
The last time I called TMI was at a bar when a lady started talking about thinning hair because she was going through "the menopause".  It was just more than I needed to know about her.  This is relevant information.

Penny66

This made my day!! I have been searching for a new form of BC for a while.

Wrkn925

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_iud-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:1bb7b741-c601-4f81-ad33-21d187c4ab03Post:88db444a-4ad7-4652-b1ac-28d9e2f8936f">Re: IUD Question</a>:
[QUOTE]This made my day!! I have been searching for a new form of BC for a while.
Posted by Penny66[/QUOTE]

It's not for everyone, do your research.  There's some drawbacks.
But then again, I was told it wasn't for me: no pregnancy, history of cervical dysplasia, etc.

Read everything and talk to your doc about it.  Just don't take the "no kids, no IUD" as an answer, because it's not anymore.

My Doc said that the OBGYN board, which is usually super conservative, has stated that it's acceptable to put IUDs in women as young as 15 now. 

And talk to some women that have had it longer than me.  I'm barely pushing two weeks.

AudgiePodge

I'm one of the bad stories about having the Mirena. I started having unbearable cramping about 6 months after I got it. I was put on mild pain pills for about a year. It helped, but then the cramping was getting more severe. My doc didn't want to put me on stronger ones, so I got an ultrasound and it was discover that I had an ovarian cyst on my right ovary that was actually larger than my ovary. The IUD was removed right away. I was given another ultrasound a month later to see if it was shrinking. If it wasn't then it would need to be surgically removed. Fortunately it was, and I wasn't having as bad as cramps.
On the plus side, I didn't have a period for the 2 years I had it

After the Mirena, I got the Depo shot for a year and now I'm on the NuvaRing which I LOVE.

nwernsman03

I don't have any children and was put on the non-hormonal IUD for health reasons.  It took me almost a year for my periods and even my PMS symptoms to go back to "normal".  I've had it now, though, for a little over 2 years and my periods are shorter, I don't get as bad of cramps, and I absolutely love it!  I wouldn't worry about it too much...my guess is your body is still getting used to having something "foreign" inside of it, and your pregnancy symptoms are probably just you being paranoid!

noelle24

OP, this may be a TMI question to ask, but have you checked to make sure the IUD is still in place?  Can you still feel the strings? Are they about the same length as before? If the IUD's in place and everything feels the same, it's very very unlikely you're pregnant (especially after you took a couple tests).  Double check, though, to make sure everything is the way it's supposed to be.  And as always, if you're unsure about anything, call your Doc. 

leia1979

Penny, you may also be more likely to find a doctor willing to discuss an IUD with you if you're older. When I asked a few years ago (at 26 or 27) my doctor said no. When I asked again this year (at 30) the same doctor said "No prob!" I've never had kids, but apparently it can be a little easier to insert the IUD if you're older.

I've had Mirena for 6 months so far with no issues. Except I can't find the damn strings half the time. They were cut a little too short.

loves2shop4shoes

Noelle, yes the strings are still there.  Coiled, but the same as they have been.

cruisebunny7

I also have the Copper IUD (paraguard).  Its been over a year now and I have loved it up to this point.  Are you under a lot of stress lately?  I was under a lot of stress last month and had 2 periods that month.  My doc said that it can happen with stress as the IUD irritates your uterus and when you are stressed your uterus can become inflamed.  He also said you can miss periods with stress also.  I would check with my doctor if I were you, just to be safe.  Like I've said its been over a year and no issues until now.  I have two children from my first marriage so the IUD was a natural choice in BC for me and my busy lifestyle.  But for sure check with your doctor and don't guess, your not the one who went to medical school. 

reddrockett

I'm 26, and I've had a Mirena, though my doc told me Paragard should also stop my periods (maybe she was wrong?)

When she says it's more uncomfortable if you haven't had kids, know that it's the understatement of the century. LOL! But totally worth it.

After my Mirena is done, my doc is going to let me have an Essure procedure. No kids for me or my SO.

Wrkn925

I got mine at 24yrs old.

lizhudson88

I got Mirena about two weeks ago and am 22. I've never had kids and it did hurt pretty bad.  The doctor gave me Misoprostol (3 pills) that I took the night before and inserted three more pills vaginally the day of the procedure.  DEFINITELY ask about that medicine before getting it done.  I've heard the pain is much less with the pills. The pill dialates the cervix.