Thoughts or experiences on IUD's ?

I'm going to the ob/yn tomorrow & I'm so back & forth about getting it. I know I don't want another baby so it seems like a good idea but I'm afraid I'll be able to tell it's there or it will make my period worse. Anyone have any insight? I asked a while ago & got some good info but wanted a few more opinions since I can't seem to make up my mind.

Re: Thoughts or experiences on IUD's ?

I'm afraid of getting an infection. A Dr in my family says he sees that a lot at the hospital. I'm prone to UTIs and i've been meaning to see if there's any correlation.

You have to get it placed during ur af. I've been thinking about it and let my first af pass a few weeks ago.

Re: Thoughts or experiences on IUD's ?

Im getting Mirena soon. I know of someone with it and she tells me it will feel weird for about a month but after that you're fine.

Re: Thoughts or experiences on IUD's ?

I will soon be getting the Mirena again, for the second time. I loved it! I had it out since my 5 years were up. I just had another baby and that's it for me, so I will get it again.

I had no issues at all, except that the first month, I had light spotting which was annoying. I did not have it put in when I had my period (I was actually breast feeding the first time I had it put in and hadn't gotten AF yet). I didn't really get AF while I had it either, which was a big bonus for me.

I have high blood pressure and my OB said no hormonal BC for me. Yes, the Mirena is hormonal, but is such a low dose and delivered to the uterus, and doesn't have estrogen.

Any other questions, just ask.

Re: Thoughts or experiences on IUD's ?

I have the Paragard since January. I don't feel a thing. My periods are heavy for about two days, but not out of control. I do feel "crampier" the week before my period.

I hated having it put in... it was a little pinch, but to me, not as bad as the nausea, cramping and slight light headedness after. I felt like I did when I was in recovery from the c-section. And while it was going in, I felt like I had to, um, poop . So, try to go to the bathroom before. I hope that wasn't just my experience, or else I'm really embarrassed for sharing that! Lol. That all passed and I was able to drive myself home, but still felt crampy.

Overall, though, I'm glad I did it. Mine is non-hormonal, which I needed because I tested positive for thrombophilia, and hormonal birth control can cause blood clots. And I am planning on having another baby, so I can just take it out the day I'm ready to try again.Good luck!

Re: Thoughts or experiences on IUD's ?

I am on the fence too
I hear Paraguard gives you horrendous periods and my periods are already bad since having DD and I also have a fibroid that I think makes me bleed worse.

I hear Mirena gives you light to no periods- but it has hormones and that scares me.

I really hate that there is no one perfect birth control!

Re: Thoughts or experiences on IUD's ?

I have post partum bleeding until 5 months after baby so my OB recommended the IUD and once i got it, i had some cramping and and still bleeding for the first month but then the bleeding slowed and went away and cramping is gone. I had one period (and im super regular normally) and haven't had one since, maybe some spotting a little in the first week of every month but that's it, DH doesn't feel it and neither do it, beats taking a pill every day.

Re: Thoughts or experiences on IUD's ?

I got paragard inserted about 5 months after having my DD. The insertion, for me, hurt really bad. The cramping was out of control but after it was inserted I was fine.

The first few months my period was really heavy for 5-7 days and I had a lot of cramping. Now at 7 months post-insertion I am do not get bad cramps and if I do have cramps they are very light and sporadic. My period now lasts about 4 days and the 2nd & 3rd days are pretty heavy but the first and last days are really light.

Re: Thoughts or experiences on IUD's ?

I had the paraguard inserted day after christmas.
I feel like the first two months - i had heavy bleeding with period and cramping.
Third period was a lot less and hardly cramping at all.
The best decision ever - I am not finished having children so i chose to go the non hormonal route.
Good luck with your decision

Re: Thoughts or experiences on IUD's ?

Got the paraguard at my 6wk pp check after 2nd DD and hated it. Periods were very heavy and long. Got it taken out after a year and had the Mirena put in. So much better! The Mirena is not systemic birth control only small amounts go into uterus. Still get AF but only need a liner for about 2 days.

Re: Thoughts or experiences on IUD's ?

Mirena user here

First month did 'feel' funny. But I think it had a lot to do with me consciously thinking of it being there.

I spotted off and on for 6months. Drove me crazy. My periods got lighter and lighter.

Then 6months in they stopped all together. I went from April 2011 to Feb 2012 with no period at all! Loved that big time! I finally got one and it was a good week and medium to light. Then a month later got another one.

Still they are managable and light. The benefits (aka not having a child and gone a 9months without a period) well make it worth it.



Got mine Oct 2010. Love it!

Re: Thoughts or experiences on IUD's ?

Thanks this is all really helpful!

Re: Thoughts or experiences on IUD's ?

I got Mirena in March of 2009 (3 months pp) and I LOVE it!!!

It was uncomfortable for the first few weeks and my first period was a little heavier then usual. Each month my period got lighter and lighter until November 2009. I have not had a period since (had very light spotting a few times but only for 1 day) and I LOVE IT!!! This was the best option for me since I knew I was not going to remember to take a pill everyday and we did not want any surprise babies.

I plan to take it out later this year or early next year to TTC #2

I went with Mirena because I did not like the idea of putting copper (Paraguard) in my body. Mirena is plastic and the hormone levels are extremely low.

Re: Thoughts or experiences on IUD's ?

I had Paragard put in 2 months after having DS. The first few months were unbearable between the cramping and super heavy periods. My dr said to give it up to a year before making a final decision. Well, 13 months later I had it removed, and I am sorry I waited that long. I have had 2 periods without it and see and feel a world of difference.

I personally wouldn't recommend it to anyone.