Mirena & Other IUDs (maybe TMI)

bsidebella

Now that I finally have health insurance, I want to make a gyno appointment and discuss some other birth control options.

The pill and I did not get along - it made me break out, gain weight, I was depressed and, to top it off, I started spotting for 6 months straight. It only stopped when my doc put me on estrogen. When that prescription ran out, the spotting started again within days. I was never regular to begin with - I would go months without getting my period, and when I did, it lasted 3 about days. But the pill didn't help to regulate me like it usually does (I was on it for over a year). I was just as irregular as always.

I want to consider some other options for BC, and based on research, I think the Mirena or any sort of IUD is my best bet.

I want to hear from the gals here who have IUDs, the pros/cons, and maybe other suggestions if you have them?

leia1979

I do not get along with hormonal BC. I'd tried tons of pills, Depo, and Nuva Ring. I went in to ask for the copper IUD, but my doctor suggested I try Mirena. She said the hormone levels are a lot less than anything else I had tried.

I've had it for a year and a half now, and it's great. I had very painful cramps before, and while my period isn't totally gone, it's only spotting without cramps. I did have random on and off spotting for awhile, but it went away. My doctor said she had 6 weeks straight of spotting when she got Mirena, so that is a possibility. Her period went away after that, though, so she's happy with it.

I've heard a lot of stories about insertion being painful. Mine wasn't. I was given medicine to help open things up and I took a ton of Ibuprofen.

There's a great resource called IUD Divas where you can read about other women's experiences and ask questions.

Ollie08

I have the Mirena and I absolutely love it. This is actually my second Mirena (I had one in between my 2 DDs). Insertion was not really painful at all. I was uncomfortable and had some cramping, but it wasn't bad.

I love that I don't have to think about my birth control. It's just there. My periods are nonexistent at this point. I can tell when I normally would have my period because I'll have the other symptoms (irritability, increased appetite followed by decreased appetite, some bloating) but typically won't even spot. It's been wonderful.

elannis

I had the Mirena put in this summer and, honestly, it was probably the most painful thing I've ever done. But I didn't get the meds that they usually give you. My doc decided I could do the consultation and the insertion in one visit. I agree to it.

I had cramping for a few days afterwards, but other than that, I forget it's there. I don't have to remember anything. I have no period, but I was on Depo Provera before so I didn't have a period with that either. I haven't really noticed any side effects either.

I would highly recommend it. I've heard removal doesn't hurt at all and is super easy. I think most insurances should cover it too. So I paid the copay and I'm good for the next 5 years. Love it!!

ETA: I've never been pregnant either, so that's a factor too. I imagine the stuff they give you would help a lot, but all they had time to give me was an extra strength Tylenol.

AudgiePodge

I've posted about it a few times, but I hated the Mirena. It caused me to have an ovarian cyst the size of my ovary, which in turn caused me to be prescribed pain pills for a year. The cyst disappeared on it's own once I had the IUD removed. If you're prone to cysts, I wouldn't recommend the Mirena.

bsidebella

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_mirena-other-iuds-maybe-tmi?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:68cab8c6-5b3d-45fb-8478-70c96404ba89Post:114fd28a-5ff8-4d2e-80d2-6b28387cc9f3">Re: Mirena & Other IUDs (maybe TMI)</a>:
[QUOTE]I've posted about it a few times, but I hated the Mirena. It caused me to have an ovarian cyst the size of my ovary, which in turn caused me to be prescribed pain pills for a year. The cyst disappeared on it's own once I had the IUD removed. If you're prone to cysts, I wouldn't recommend the Mirena.
Posted by AudgiePodge[/QUOTE]

I don't know about that...I thought I might have had PCOS because of my irregularity, but I was tested when I was 17, and it was negative.

sapphirebaby926

I have a Mirena and have had no problems with it so far. Insertion was painful but not overly bad - I've had worse cramp pain.

I would call your insurance first though and make sure they will cover it - my insurance did not (even though I asked them) and I ended up having to pay for it myself.

elannis

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_mirena-other-iuds-maybe-tmi?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:68cab8c6-5b3d-45fb-8478-70c96404ba89Post:114fd28a-5ff8-4d2e-80d2-6b28387cc9f3">Re: Mirena & Other IUDs (maybe TMI)</a>:
[QUOTE]I've posted about it a few times, but I hated the Mirena. It caused me to have an ovarian cyst the size of my ovary, which in turn caused me to be prescribed pain pills for a year. The cyst disappeared on it's own once I had the IUD removed. If you're prone to cysts, I wouldn't recommend the Mirena.
Posted by AudgiePodge[/QUOTE]

I've never had a cyst before. How do you know if you have one? Is it just the pain as an indicator or are there other symptoms? So far I've had no problems with the Mirena, but I've always wondered about cysts.

AudgiePodge

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_mirena-other-iuds-maybe-tmi?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:68cab8c6-5b3d-45fb-8478-70c96404ba89Post:a8e16b5e-0d47-4bdc-be57-4d6e0f3fce87">Re: Mirena & Other IUDs (maybe TMI)</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Mirena & Other IUDs (maybe TMI) : I've never had a cyst before. How do you know if you have one? Is it just the pain as an indicator or are there other symptoms? So far I've had no problems with the Mirena, but I've always wondered about cysts.
Posted by elannis[/QUOTE]

<div>When I went to my doctor, they thought the pain was from cramping.  When it kept persisting and getting worse, they did an ultrasound and found the cyst.  The IUD was removed a week later and the cyst eventually disappeared.  I had no history of having cyst before, but it is common to get them on the Mirena, it's just not as common to get them as big as mine got.</div>

MLekathLEEN

I had a cyst in 10th grade. It was befoshaun ever had sex or was on the pill so there was no real causing factor. had horrible cramps before bc and when I had my cyst, I had horrible cramps all the time. They were almost to the point of me passing out. I did a few ultrasounds and it eventually disappeared. I've never ha a problem since.

elannis

Hmm, ok. Thanks for the info!

Narwhal

I did horribly on any pill that I've tried... awful mood swings, migraines, and it never controlled my period the way it was supposed to. AF is very (very!) heavy for me.. Yaz did a good job lightening it but it after 3 months I was having very heavy breakthrough bleeding so they switched me to Yasmin which did me no good.

Since no pills were working for me, my gyno suggested something that's progestin only like depo or Implanon. I like the idea of Implanon (it goes in your arm and it's good for 3 years) so my doctor wanted me to try depo first to make sure that it works for me before putting something so expensive in my arm. I've been on it for a month and I haven't had any problems at all. I've actually lost weight, haven't had a migraine, and I haven't had any sort of bleeding at all yet. Oh and I actually have other emotions besides bitchy and sad, which is a plus.

I wouldn't suggest the depo as something to stay on because it sucks the calcium out of your bones and it causes a lot of people to gain weight, but maybe you should look into Implanon as an option.

Ollie08

I did get several cysts with my first IUD, but I didn't realize until I had an ultrasound right after removal. I'm sure I have them again, but they aren't bothersome.

loves2shop4shoes

I have always had irregular periods too.  I tried Paragard, and the lack of hormones made my body nuts.  I was hemmoraging for 3 months straight.  Then I'd stop getting my periods for another few months.  Then it'd start over again.

I've been on Mirena for a few months now and I love it so far.  I've basically stopped getting my period altogether...which is AWESOME.  YAY!

Wrkn925

Ive had my Mirena for a year now. Honestly, insertion and the first few days blew. I was not a happy camper. It stayed 'uncomfortable' for a month or so.

I'm good now, glad I stuck through it. I was on Depo for five years beforeMirena, with no periods, so that took some getting used to. I only have light periods now, but they are a little unpredictible.

I'm overall happy with it and plan to continue using it until we start TTC.

deburnin

I have the Paragard. Coming off the hormonal BC was probably the worst part of the entire experience. For that reason I will *never* go back on it. We're talking mood swings like crazy, crying fits for no reason at all. Sleeping an entire day away and still feeling tired and my face breaking out horribly. I was like an agnsty teenager all over again.

My biggest complaint about the Paragard is my period is kind of unpredictable. It's still relatively regular. Sometimes I'll have spotting which I never had on the pill, but one month it's a lighter flow and the next will be super heavy. I miss knowing that I'll have a super light three day period like I did on the pill, but I'm still willing to put up with it to keep from going back on hormonal BC.

I'd say it took about six-seven months for my body to adjust to it. I was about ready to give up on it a few times, but kept reading things that said just to stick it out for the first year. I'm still not to the one year mark and for the most part, I have no other complaints.