BC

GoldenPenguin

Okay, so I know I'm new around here, but we're going to cross this line right now. I hope it's not too soon. :-)

Does anyone have, or know anyone who has, an IUD? I was on the pill for 12+ years, and when my prescription ran out this time, I just let it go. BF & I have talked about it - I have never wanted kids, and he is on the same page, so from that standpoint, an IUD makes sense. I have talked to a couple people who have/had them & loved it, but I also read some stuff online (probably my first mistake) that makes them sound like the worst thing EVER.

I realize I'm probably in the minority with the no kids thing, but I figured this might be a good place to get some opinions :-)

Ollie08

I have an IUD, but I also have 2 kids. I LOVE it. It is the best form of birth control for me. I am completely unreliable taking pills every day, never mind at the same time every day! I had one in between the girls as well. Insertion for me was fine, some mild cramping, but nothing worse than a period. And I don't really get periods anymore. I have symptoms from time to time like bloating, fatigue etc when my period would normally come, but I never actually have one.

There are a few ladies on here that have IUDs that don't have children.

lennonkdc

I had the Mirana (sp?) I loved it, BF not so much. The issue we (he) had with the IUD was that the 'strings' are actually very thin wires that poke out of your cervex. He said it was like needles jabbing into him during sex. Not cool. 

I loved the fact that I didn't have a period for the time that I had it, but there was a lot of cramping for the first few months. I had it removed after almost a yera b/c I had a bad case of PID (insertion issues) but would have had it removed any way due to BF objections.

I have the ring now and love it! 

GoldenPenguin

Ollie - that's what my one friend told me about hers as well. I've heard that the reason they recommend that you have it after having kids is because it's easier for insertion, because your cervix has already been dialated. I'm not so much worried about the pain (I had a LEEP done before, and I figure it can't be worse than burning out pieces of cervix!) but just that it's reliable & that it's not going to poke itself out of my uterus. I've been looking mostly at Mirena (because my insurance only covers hormonal IUDs) - is that the most popular option?

Ollie08

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_bc?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:a0eca9c8-0c90-4e15-af30-5e8ab3dcce7fPost:287712bc-cc13-4c57-84c9-fea3edf417dd">Re: BC</a>:
[QUOTE]I had the Mirana (sp?) I loved it, BF not so much. The issue we (he) had with the IUD was that the 'strings' are actually very thin wires that poke out of your cervex. <strong>He said it was like needles jabbing into him during sex</strong>. Not cool.  Posted by lennonkdc[/QUOTE]

My Dr. said they could trim the strings if FI felt them at all during sex so they wouldn't bother him.

Ollie08

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_bc?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:a0eca9c8-0c90-4e15-af30-5e8ab3dcce7fPost:c24ea5bc-62a5-4f30-8c1d-c3c7f47d2b02">Re: BC</a>:
[QUOTE]Ollie - that's what my one friend told me about hers as well. I've heard that the reason they recommend that you have it after having kids is because it's easier for insertion, because your cervix has already been dialated. I'm not so much worried about the pain (I had a LEEP done before, and I figure it can't be worse than burning out pieces of cervix!) but just that it's reliable & that it's not going to poke itself out of my uterus. I've been looking mostly at Mirena (because my insurance only covers hormonal IUDs) - is that the most popular option?
Posted by BriSox81[/QUOTE]

I think so. I have the Mirena as well. And I also had a LEEP done before, so for me it was about equal as the pain after that. But my LEEP pain wasn't that bad either, and I had that done pre-pregnancy.

GoldenPenguin

Lennon - that freaks me out a little bit! How common is that?

GoldenPenguin

My LEEP pain wasn't too bad after - a little cramping, but not bad. The worst part of that for me was that I didn't numb all the way, so I actually felt one of the cuts. That was not so pleasant.

So, what I'm gathering is that all the horror stories I read online should probably be disregarded for the most part?

Liv - it's nice knowing I'm not alone. It seems like such a controversial choice - for being such a personal one. It's hard getting told that it's the "wrong" decision, that I'm missing out on so much, and that I'm "definitely" going to change my mind.

Ollie08

Wow, that's crazy. I was put fully under for my LEEP. They numbed me for the biopsy that I had to have before the surgery, but for the actual procedure I was completely out. That sucks you felt it.

For me it has been. I've had nothing but success with it. I did have some cysts from my first IUD (heck, I probably have them now too), but they went away a few months after they removed it and it didn't bother me.

And if for some crazy reason you did decide to have kids down the road, I can tell you that I didn't have any trouble getting pregnant as a result of the IUD.

pockysquirrel

I want kids, but not necessarily in the near future. I have thought a lot about getting an IUD, but I've had so many problems with birth control and other 'down there' issues that I'll not get into for fear of TMI that I'm pretty scared to try anything other than what I know will work for me.

FWIW, the one thing that really stopped me from getting a non-hormonal IUD was the possibility of getting cramping, increased bleeding, or other menstrual wonkiness. My periods are bad enough on their own (when I'm not one one very specific BCP). No thank you. :P

ETA: If you two are both on the same page about never ever wanting kids, have one or both of you considered a more permanent option like vasectomy or tubal ligation?

Hazel_B

Bri - I have an IUD (never had kids) and have had a LEEP. Based on my doctors reaction, I think my reaction to IUD insertion was unique. It was weird, for the LEEP they told me to have someone pick me up and I was absolutely fine. a little uncomfortable, but fine. For the IUD they didn't give me any directions like that and I would have definitely not been able to drive. However, once the initial insertion cramps were gone I have to say that I love it. I have a non hormonal one, so cramps are a bit worse. Although I'm not sure if they really are worse or not since I was on the pill for a long time. Feel free to ask me any questions.

In terms of strings, the doctor cuts them. If the strings don't lay down properly then they'll be a problem because they are either too long or too short. MY FI notices them every once and awhile but no huge complaints.

lennonkdc

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_bc?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:a0eca9c8-0c90-4e15-af30-5e8ab3dcce7fPost:0dd52ddd-8b7a-4c05-bd6d-5855ecbc7045">Re: BC</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: BC : My Dr. said they could trim the strings if FI felt them at all during sex so they wouldn't bother him.
Posted by Ollie08[/QUOTE]

<div>I had my put in at Planned Parenthood, and when I I went in for a check up I mentioned the string issue, they told me they would not cut the strings down due to removal issues. I actually ended up finding a new Dr, (finally had insurance) and she recommended removal due to the PID. When PP inserted the IUD, the NP was called out of the office after opening the sterile packaging, and left the IUD in the open air (and me in the sturrips...) for about 10 min. Then she came back in and inserted the IUD. As a result I got a bacterial infection in my uterus. Once I saw a new Dr, she was able to diagnose it, and had me remove the IUD. Since I had not hat kids, she did not recommend a new IUD.  Since then I've done the ring, and I really like it. Very easy to use, no pills to remember and my periods are short and light. </div>

GoldenPenguin

I didn't even have the option to be put under for my LEEP! She stuck some novacaine up there, which totally sucked, and then went after it. I had minor cramping & just kind of a yucky feeling, but nothing major.

Hazel - What was the discussion with your doctor like, being that you don't have kids? Did he/she encourage/discourage or anything?

This was my first month having my period not being on the pill in 12+ years, and I had some cramps, and it's definitely lasting longer than it did when I was on the pill, but nothing major or debilitating.

Pocky - we haven't talked about more permanent options. I'm sure down the road we will, but honestly, I have never really thought about that as an option. You're right though - there's no reason not to think about that if this is our final decision.

Hazel_B

Bri - I had the same sort of thing with my LEEP, definitely wasn't put out. In terms of discussion with my doctor. I have some blood pressure issues and after trying a bunch of different BC methods and nothing changing, my doc recommended the IUD for safety reasons. I did learn a lot from him though. He refuses to do IUD insertion because of the wide range of reactions people can have, so he referred me to a special women's health centre at the hospital. Considering they kept me for 2 hours to ensure I was alright, I'm glad that he did. Talking about this is reminding me of things. I don't think the actual insertion part was bad, it was the measuring of the uterus so it'll fit part that was brutal for me. Then, because I moved during the measuring part they had to try again for the insertion. I can't see why a doctor would try to discourage you. You are in a committed relationship and this is reversible if you do end up changing your mind. If you take the non hormonal route you even have that argument as well.    

GoldenPenguin

Thanks for all the advice, ladies! My appointment with my doctor is Nov. 14th, so we'll see how that goes!

Hazel_B

Bri - I'm sure it'll go fine! You are doing your homework after all Do you know how much it'll cost? I know the cost can really vary and a lot of insurance doesn't cover it.

AudgiePodge

I hated my Mirena. It caused me to have large cyst on my right ovary that was the size of my ovary itself that required me to be on pain medication for over a year before the IUD was removed. I had it in for a total of 2 and a half years. I loved it for the first year and a half before I could feel pain from the cyst.

deburnin

I have the Paragard, aka copper IUD. It took awhlie for me to like it. The first six-seven months were just one side affect after another. Super heavy period, horrible bloating and discharge, not to mention coming off the hormonal BC I was a mess... But now my body's pretty much adjusted to it. I like it a lot. It's nice not having the extra hormones in my system and not having to worry about taking a pill every day.

Also on the strings, they should be kept long enough so that you can bend them back around the cervix to stop poking. If you can't, they were cut too short.

GoldenPenguin

I know my insurance covers hormonal IUD - like Mirena, but not non-hormonal like Paraguard. I'm not sure how much the co-pay is, but my insurance is pretty good, so hopefully it won't be too much.

Deburnin - where in Upstate are you?

Hazel_B

That'd great that they cover something, my insurance only covers the pill.

deburnin

Bri- Just outside of Buffalo.

leia1979

I'm late to the discussion (all you earlybirds!), but I've had Mirena for 1.5 years now. I can't take the pill or even use Nuva Ring because the hormones make me crazy. I've tried a bunch of pills and used the ring for a couple years (which was way better than pills, but still made me crazy).

I was going to go for the copper IUD, but my doctor said I should try Mirena. Insertion was easy for me (though that's often not the case for many people without kids--it helps that I was 30). I haven't had the crazy mood swings that other BC caused. I  keep hoping my period will totally go away. It hasn't, but it's super light and I don't have the killer cramps that I had without BC.

From my own experience, I highly recommend it, and so far I plan to get another one when my 5 years are up.

zipis1

I have had a Mirena for over three years now (got it at 20), and I got it without having had children or even having sex!

I love this darn thing. LOVE it! I got it pretty much to stop my period and it has delivered for me, so yay! I had a bit of a difficult time with insertion, but a lot of that had to do with the fact I didn't take enough painkillers beforehand. And for awhile there the cramping was pretty intense, but it was definitely worth it.

Unfortunately some doctors won't insert it in nulliparous women though, because of some BS reasons that just won't die. So if you really want it, and your first doc won't prescribe it, keep looking til you find someone who will. And if possible, try to get someone who has inserted it many times before to do it, as that lowers the chance of expulsion.

My sister also has it (has had it for over two years. Got it on my recommendation ;P) and loves hers too. It doesn't bother her husband during sex (generally if they're poking the penis, they've either not had a chance to soften yet, or you should ask your doctor to fold them behind your cervix), it also stopped her period, and since it's even more effective than sterilization, she's stoked [she got pregnant three times in one year using various forms of BC on the first two. The third was made during a lapse of judgement :P] She's a fertile Myrtle).

So the Mirena gets a big thumbs up from me. And IUDs are the most widely used and highest rated forms of BC in every first world country but the US, so in general the seem to do well!

And just so you know (and Pocky as well), sterilization is nigh impossible for a young, childless woman to get. Most doctors refuse to do it saying you'll change your mind and sue later. Men have slightly more luck, but it's an uphill battle for them too.

ElleB87

I'll be getting my copper IUD in next week so this post was very helpful! I am a little worried about the insertion and side effects but this is the only this I can do because I cannot use hormonal bc (the IUD will be used with condoms). I'm mainly worried about heavy bleeding and cramping.  I'm trying not to get freaked out because, like you OP, I've heard a lot of negativity on the boards about IUDs and I really need this IUD to work out.

Best of luck!