[humanist77]

Does anyone know or know where I can find statistics on the risk of expulsion for women who have not been pregnant before? I'm not sure if there is a difference in this case between the Mirena or Paraguard-but I am specifically interested in the Paraguard. I think this possibility is the only thing that bothers me about them-because they are expensive, and I'd hate for it to pop out after a week of having it--but if the chances are low, then it might be worth a try. Thanks!

[maddy29]

hey, i have a mirena-you can scroll down through this thread to see my experiences with it.

it hurt bad. honestly, it did. BUT, it was very fast. but dang, it hurt in new and special ways. definitely take a painkiller beforehand. if you can, bring someone with you. my roommate hung out in the waiting room and then called the cab to take me the 3 blocks home, because i had puked and pooped a bunch at the doctor's and my stomach hurt so bad i couldn't stand up straight.

my dr. said that messing around with the cervix can cause problems with blood sugar levels, so afterwards i couldn't sit up because i kept feeling like i'd pass out. she gave me some juice and that helped, but then i had to run to the bathroom to pooh and puke at the same time it was lovely i think a lot of it was that i was SO scared about it-so i had all this adrenaline in my system and stuff.

not to scare you-it wasn't THAT bad. once i got home into bed i was ok. it is a weird feeling. i took some pain killers. mostly it was just these new weird feeling cramps. i would plan on going home afterwards and if your partner can be there that'd be great.

it took a while for the spotting to ease o ff, but i LOVE it now. i pat my belly all the time and am SO happy that i have it. my periods are so light-i even use the slim tampons now! instead of supers, so it rocks my world!

hope this helps-check out the rest of this thread.

[deschatsrouge]

I'm getting A mirena inserted to treat my polycycstic ovarian syndrome. any advice? does it hurt? Will I need time to recover?

[maddy29]

Bump for deschatsrouge

[spazmatazz]

bellakay, i got my iud about 2 years ago and am soooo happy i did it. yes, the insertion was a bit painful, but no more so than the LEEP you had done (i had also had a LEEP and colposcopy prior to getting my iud). the pain is more crampy than sharp; at least it was for me.

i'm a little embarrassed to say that i can't remember what kind of iud i have; the one without hormones...so, maybe that's the paraguard. see how little you think about an iud after you have one for awhile? it's awesome!

Yes, my bleeding is heavier now, and my cramps are actually a little worse than they were before. But, i really feel like those are small prices to pay for not having to remember to take a pill, or deal with hormones, or any of the other shit that comes with the various birth control methods that just never felt right for me.

the iud isn't for everyone; i found that it was the easiest way for me to be more responsible. either way, you can always have it removed if you don't like it. your gyno will probably tell you to give it at least a 6 month trial, though.

my two cents...good luck!

[anne80903]

i only had bleeding for a few days following insertion, and it was more like spotting. i'm having my first period on the iud now and ive had a bit more bleeding (maybe twice as much as i had while on the pill), but its definitely manageable for me.

as far as the pain goes, for me, it was pretty painful, hurt a lot and i had bad cramping during insertion, and some mild cramping the rest of the day, then nothing really. but the insertion only lasts for maybe ten seconds or so. ive also never had a kid, and i hear that if you have the insertion is less painful. hope this helps.

[bellakay]

hi there all. i have been reading about the paraguard and im interested. i have an appointment for insertion thursday, but i won't be on my period. the doctors says this is ok, but may be painful. just how painful is this? im wondering if anyone can tell me. also, does anyone know if it matters that i had the LEEP procedure 5 years ago for cervical cell displasia? i am also concerned about the heavy bleeding. it sounds like everyone has it! yikes! im having second thoughts about going through with it!! any suggestions?

[anne80903]

just wanted to revive this thread....

i just got the paragard inserted a few days ago and have had some light bleeding and cramping, but nothing too serious. i usually dont have any cramping with my period and only bleed for a few days. i was wondering has anyone used a menstrual cup with the paragard.....should i wait awhile to use it?? i dont see why there would be an issue, but just wondering if anyone had info.....

[dayglowpink]

The risk of perforated uterus thing really freaked me out too. But then the nurse practitioner reminded me of the risk of death and complications associated with pregnancy which is actually like 2% or something, and that made me feel a little better. Anything we do with fertility, sex, etc. has some amount of risk associated with it, so it's sort of a risk/benefit analysis, I guess. We all have to find our own comfort levels though, obviously.

[hellkat]

sorry i must have read that elsewhere....gooodluck either way!!

sorry i must have read that elsewhere....gooodluck either way!!

[prophecy_grrl]

Thanks all for the feedback - it is most helpful.

polly - My understanding is that you are at more risk for BV with multiple partners and that's not an issue for me. No, I'm not quite ready for the leap into permanent BC and when I am, it will be prophecy_guy's problem. I've been responsible for BC for 10+ years, so he can have his turn!

hellkat - not sure how I gave the impression that I'm a mom, cuz I'm definitely not! Still the installation (or insertion, I guess!) does make me nervous. Not just the pain, but the whole risk-of-perforated-uterus; yikes!

Still not making a definitive decision 'til I talk to my doc.

[hellkat]

hey prophecy grrl, this is my first post i just joined today. i immed. wanted to reply becuase i just got a copper iud last month. you should do fine with the insertion as you are a mother, apparently that makes it a lot easier, lucky u! as for positions my bf told me he could feel the strings only once in like a low doggy style. cramping is definately worse and period length doubled in my case, but it's only been a month. i recommend it though despite this as hormons can kill you and they last 3-5 years. good luck!

[pollystyrene]

I can't help you with the IUD info, Prophecy, but I was looking for info on bacterial vaginosis (I don't know why- I don't have it, but after lurking in the BV threads here, I'm freaked out about it...just being paranoid, I think) and one of the pages I read said that having an IUD puts you at increased risk for BV. The BV thread here has some *very* informed people, so maybe they can provide more information about that, but it's something to consider.

Have you considered Essure? Not sure how permanent you're looking for, though.

[dayglowpink]

prophecy grrl- I'm not sure about the issue with coming off bc pills. I guess your body and natural hormones would have changed a lot over 10 years, so it's hard to say what you might expect. In my experience with the copper IUD (have had it for about 6 months), my periods were quite a bit worse for the first few months, but now they have stabilized pretty well. They're slightly heavier with a little more cramping than before the IUD, but it is very manageable for me. The strings on the copper one are softer and seem to cause less of an issue than the Mirena. My sex buddy's dick is over 8 inches, and he says he has never even noticed them in any position. I haven't felt anything different either. Very occasionally I will get a tiny bit of spotting after very deep penetration, but no pain or anything like that. That's just been my experience, hope it's helpful.

[prophecy_grrl]

I'm hoping to get some reviews on the copper IUD (not Mirena). I've read all the posts in this thread, and they've answered some of my questions, but I'm still wondering about some things.

I really want to go hormone-free (been on pill for 10 years!) and there is just too much risk involved with barrier methods, so copper IUD seems the best option. So, I know I can expect heavier periods, more cramping/pms, but what about other side effects from coming off long-term use of hormone BC? Acne, weight issues, etc.?

Also, does someone feel comfortable elaborating on what specific positions cause pain/discomfort during sex? When does your partner feel the strings?

I've got my yearly gyn exam next month, so I do plan to discuss it with my Dr., just wanted a little user-feedback first . . .

[maggalicious]

Hello! I've been hanging out in the BV area...but I thought I'd come over and share with you all my IUD experience...
I have a 3 year old daughter, and my current boyfriend and I are not ready for more kids, so, I thought and IUD was a practical, non invasive, responsible choice.
My GYN suggested Mirena due to the fact that it "decreases " periods. When I had it inserted, it really was only slightly uncomfortable for a seond. Shortly after getting it, I developed an infection, which they are more prone to. Treated that with metrogel, but the profuse offensive odor never really seemed to leave. I did everything I could...douching with tea tree oil...etc...
Also, there was constant spotting, all month long. Sometimes during sex, which would promptly end it. I really wanted the IUD to work, it seemed like it would be so great once all the nonsense stopped.
Well, from there, the spotting was constant, and inbetween was discharge, REALLY REALLY stinky and thick, sometimes brown, which I was told was blood..gross?! I though if I just gave it time that my body would adjjust and adapt to it being in there.
I still had periods, too, they say they go away, to sometimes only 4x a year. I had mine every month, but it was dissipated to alot less, and brown alot ICK!
Anyway, this basically went on for 9 months, including the part where my boyfriend and I temporarily broke up because of so much frustration, and I had a naturopath treating me, and did a total diet change and cleanse, boric acid, you name it.
After 9 months I finally had it taken out. That thing and I just didn't agree with each other. It was a waste of money, unfortunately. And seeing as I paid out of pocket, when it was all said and done, it was around $1500.
IUDs apparently aren't for everyone. I still wish it would have worked though.

[maddy29]

Another update-for anyone who is interested, on my Mirena IUD.

Ok, I got it in April, and for months my period was all over the place. for the last few months, it's totally been regular and normal. it's MUCH lighter, mostly just spotting for several days, and 2-3 days of actual period. i only use a few tampons during the whole week, because its' just really light. yay!

i was hoping it'd stop like my sister's did, but ah well.

other than that, nothing. no side effects, no discomfort, nothing. once in a great while me or my boyfriend can kinda "feel" it during sex, but it's only happened 4 times, and it's really not a big deal, we just switch positions a little bit.

i just love it. i don't have to think about it at all. i never have to think about taking a pill or worry about getting pregnant. (i mean of course i still could somehow..) when i think of it being in there, it kinda grosses me out, but mostly i just don't think about it. i am aware of it right before my period and a bit during-just a slight sensation and i can tell it's there.

i don't check the strings-i can tell it's in there. i just finally got my check up and dr. says it's there, looks fine. she did say that the strings were pretty short, and that might be why my boyfriends cock got a couple tiny red holes in it. whoops so i'd advise people to not go too short on the strings....

anyways, i just love it! it was extremely painful going in, and getting used to it was hard, but now i just never even think about it. and, i'm set for 4.5 more years! i don't have to thinka bout birth control until i'm 34! woooot!!!!! at that point i may just get my tubes tied and be done with it!

the other thing-my cramps are totally different now-less painful but also just different, in a different area and feel like a slightly different kind of pain...

[dayglowpink]

Sorry to all you guys who are having trouble with your IUDs! That really sux. An update on my copper one which I have had for about 4 months now: I really haven't had any problems. My period is slightly heavier and a little longer, and I usually start spotting several days before it actually starts. That's about it, though, I am very happy with it. No one that I have had sex with has noticed it at all. The only weird thing is that my right boob has been sore more than usual. Like my boobs used to get sore right before my period, but now the right one stays a little bit sore kind of all the time. It's weird, and I'm not totally sure if it's related to the IUD, because I can't think of any rational explanation for this, since there are no hormones in the copper one, but it only started after I had it inserted. The soreness feels exactly the same as the pre-period soreness felt prior to getting the IUD, so I don't think it is something completely new. Who knows? Good luck to everyone else with getting your problems resolved!!

[maddy29]

Ok, here's my next update post on the Mirena IUD. I think I've finally really smoothed out my cycle. My period is VERY light-like tampon for 1-2 days and then panty-liners for the next few days. I used to use super tampons, etc. So, that's pretty cool. I had a bit of breakthrough bleeding between periods, which is a pain, but it's not too bad.

My boyfriend hasn't said he can feel it anymore, so either we've just adjusted or the strings have moved or something...

I get cramps now the day before I start, which is weird to me. They are different cramps, more from the cervix or something.

Also, I've lost weight since going off of the pill. My boobs have shrunk back to their normal B- cup size. I'm glad to lose the few pounds, but I have to admit I'm a bit sad about my boobs-I finally got to have biggish boobs for a couple of years!

So, to sum up-I love it! I'm soooo happy I don't have to mess around with pills and worry about forgetting or anything.

[freckleface2727]

I think I'm going to get my copper t removed.

the mr realises now how totally shitty it's been for me, (now that it's affecting him <le sigh>), and as I'm unsure at this moment about a tubal, I guess we're just going to go back to condoms for the time being. (his actual words, to ease my mind, that he would actually voluntarily wear them).

who my actual dr is is somewhat up in the air as w/ the mr's job change also came some changes in where I go and crazily, I want to go someplace I feel comfortable enough to return to and can discuss other options (such as the surgery), but at this point, the mr is actively encourgaing me to just do it now.
he's right.

this hasn't gotten any better.

edingirl, your removal (tho not the same type of iud ) really was painless?