Have you ever used an IUD for birth control? What was your experience with it?

I got my first copper IUD many years ago. I got it because almost every other form of birth control had very negative side effects on me. The pill made me positively psychotic, and any other form of birth control that used hormones had the same effect. Even the NuvaRing which is supposed to use a very low dose of hormones. I'm also latex sensitive, so most condoms are out of the question. I can use non-latex condoms, but they are ridiculously expensive. So... my gynecologist recommended the copper IUD. And boy am I glad she did.

Yes, I did experience some fairly bad cramping and heavier than usual periods for the first couple of months, but then things settled down, and now I never even notice it. I do check to make sure the strings are still hanging out of my cervix every couple of months. When I'm taking a shower, I just squat down and slip my fingers inside to feel the strings. So far, they've always been there. The strings were very slightly stiff at first, but they softened up fairly quickly.

I did have to have my first IUD removed when an earlier sexual partner actually pulled on the strings and pulled the IUD out of place. I'm not quite sure how he managed it since the strings are pretty short and somewhat slippery. But you know what they say about foolproof and fools. And he was quite the fool. So make sure you tell your partner NOT to pull on the strings. None of my other partners even seemed to notice the strings, or if they did, they didn't say anything. I've been with my husband for almost eight years now and he has never complained about feeling the strings during sex. I'll try and remember to ask him if he's ever even felt them.

I've been using an IUD for over 12 years now. So even if the fool hadn't pulled on the strings I would have had to have the IUD replaced, since you need to replace the copper IUD every 10 years. The IUD's with hormones need to be replaced every five years. I plan on continuing to use an IUD until I no longer need any form of birth control. It's just the easiest and most effective form of birth control out there.

I've never gotten pregnant since using the IUD and I would definitely recommend using one to anyone who has already had a child. There is some concern about women who have never had a child using an IUD because the body might try to expel it, but I don't know what the statistics are on that. I'm pretty sure they will give you an IUD even if you've never been pregnant, but you should talk to your gynecologist about the risks involved. less

Thank you for your post, you bring up some really good points. I've never been pregnant and I didn't have an issue getting approved for an IUD, nor has my IUD tried to dislodge itself. I check the strings monthly and I've warned my partner not to tug on them, although he was able to deduce that for himself. That's a real bummer that yours was pulled out of place. I'm curious (if you don't mind answering), how uncomfortable is it having the IUD removed compared to having it inserted? And is it easier the second time?

I originally wanted to get the copper IUD, but I have various metal allergies so I opted not to risk it.

As for it being the easiest and most effective form of birth control, my roommate actually got Implanon (a hormonal method) shortly after I had my IUD placed, and statistically it is equally as effective as a hormonal IUD (about 99.8%). It's a matchstick-sized piece of plastic that is injected into the upper arm and lasts for about 3 years. It's worth looking into if you can use hormonal birth control, want something very effective, but are turned off by the idea of an IUD. less

Thank you for your post, you bring up some really good points. I've never been pregnant and I didn't have an issue getting approved for an IUD, nor has my IUD tried to dislodge itself. I check the strings monthly and I've warned my partner not to tug on them, although he was able to deduce that for himself. That's a real bummer that yours was pulled out of place. I'm curious (if you don't mind answering), how uncomfortable is it having the IUD removed compared to having it inserted? And is it easier the second time?

I originally wanted to get the copper IUD, but I have various metal allergies so I opted not to risk it.

As for it being the easiest and most effective form of birth control, my roommate actually got Implanon (a hormonal method) shortly after I had my IUD placed, and statistically it is equally as effective as a hormonal IUD (about 99.8%). It's a matchstick-sized piece of plastic that is injected into the upper arm and lasts for about 3 years. It's worth looking into if you can use hormonal birth control, want something very effective, but are turned off by the idea of an IUD. less

I'm curious how many other women use the IUD (Intrauterine Device) method of birth control and what their experiences with it were. I've had the Mirena IUD for three months now and it's the first form of hormonal birth control I've used. I chose it because it is one of the most reliable contraceptive methods, it is likely to give shorter, lighter periods, and it was free due to a reproductive health program in my area.

My IUD has been effective so far--no pregnancies--but I definitely got the side effects they warn you about. For me, it was a month straight of bad cramps and spotting, followed by a month of more intermittent cramping and spotting before I finally got my period again (right on time, oddly enough)--and rather than being lighter, it was longer and heavier. I occasionally experience very brief cramping during work or other average physical activities, but the constant cramping and spotting seems to be over.

My partner felt the strings once during sex and he said it felt like something "poking" his penis painfully. We dealt with that by using a condom, but other than that one time he says he's never noticed it.

I'm curious as to what others' experiences have been with an IUD. less

The IUD is NOT in your vagina. It's in your uterus. Once it's properly placed, you can't even tell it is there. Okay, there are two small strings that hang out of your cervix and can be felt if someone really sticks their fingers up in there and feels around. But I've never heard of a penis that was as sensitive as a fingertip.

Are you sure those "other people" weren't talking about the NuvaRing? The NuvaRing is a round rubber ring that is placed and left in your vagina for three weeks at a time, and could, possibly interfere with sex in some way. less

No, irishlove is right-- I have spoken to people who had problems with the strings during intercourse, but it's different for each person. My sister has the Mirena IUD just like I do, and she says that her husband frequently experiences discomfort with the strings and that they even scratched his penis. My partner only felt the strings once, but there was one time about a month later when I found an unexplained scratch on the shaft of his penis. After hearing my sister's experience, I think the strings may have been the culprit. less

The biggest problem I have with my IUD is I like having rough sex and if I get pounded too hard then the IUD stabs me in the uterus or cervix I'm not sure actually and I bleed afterward.

The strings have had no problems for us at all during sex. less

It shouldn't matter how rough your sex is, your IUD shouldn't poke you and you definitely shouldn't bleed. I was heavily involved in martial arts for a while and I asked about being punched or kicked in the stomach and if that would affect my IUD. The doctor assured me that they would have to be able to reach into my uterus in order for it to be a problem.

Have you spoken to your doctor about this? Your IUD may have slipped out of place or there may be some other problem. But you should definitely get it checked out. less

I'm curious how many other women use the IUD (Intrauterine Device) method of birth control and what their experiences with it were. I've had the Mirena IUD for three months now and it's the first form of hormonal birth control I've used. I chose it because it is one of the most reliable contraceptive methods, it is likely to give shorter, lighter periods, and it was free due to a reproductive health program in my area.

My IUD has been effective so far--no pregnancies--but I definitely got the side effects they warn you about. For me, it was a month straight of bad cramps and spotting, followed by a month of more intermittent cramping and spotting before I finally got my period again (right on time, oddly enough)--and rather than being lighter, it was longer and heavier. I occasionally experience very brief cramping during work or other average physical activities, but the constant cramping and spotting seems to be over.

My partner felt the strings once during sex and he said it felt like something "poking" his penis painfully. We dealt with that by using a condom, but other than that one time he says he's never noticed it.

I'm curious as to what others' experiences have been with an IUD. less

I have talked to my doctor because of multiple types of bleeding problems and they related the bleeding to ovarian cysts, but I'm the stabbing feeling really feels like it's from the IUD, I get it from time to time sometimes when I'm not having sex as well. I have had several ultrasounds to check on the placement of it and they found the IUD to be fine. Now you've got me concerned that they were wrong though. less

I'm curious how many other women use the IUD (Intrauterine Device) method of birth control and what their experiences with it were. I've had the Mirena IUD for three months now and it's the first form of hormonal birth control I've used. I chose it because it is one of the most reliable contraceptive methods, it is likely to give shorter, lighter periods, and it was free due to a reproductive health program in my area.

My IUD has been effective so far--no pregnancies--but I definitely got the side effects they warn you about. For me, it was a month straight of bad cramps and spotting, followed by a month of more intermittent cramping and spotting before I finally got my period again (right on time, oddly enough)--and rather than being lighter, it was longer and heavier. I occasionally experience very brief cramping during work or other average physical activities, but the constant cramping and spotting seems to be over.

My partner felt the strings once during sex and he said it felt like something "poking" his penis painfully. We dealt with that by using a condom, but other than that one time he says he's never noticed it.

I'm curious as to what others' experiences have been with an IUD. less

The biggest problem I have with my IUD is I like having rough sex and if I get pounded too hard then the IUD stabs me in the uterus or cervix I'm not sure actually and I bleed afterward.

The strings have had no problems for us at all during sex. less