Greetings ladies!
I recently have been seeing a few questions/misinformati ons being talked about in regards to IUDs. I personally have a Mirena and thought it might be a good idea to start some talk about these magic little T's! If anyone has a Paraguard and would like to share their thoughts about them, please do!
IUD - intrauterine device
IUDs are little t-shaped devices that are inserted through the cervix and into the uterus. Doctors are still not entirely sure how they work, so there are several theories. One theory is that the thicken the walls of the uterus and make it impossible for an egg to implant there; others suggest it changes the chemical balance in the uterus. Either way, they are extremely effective at preventing pregnancy--IUDs are the most reliable form of birth control aside from sterilization. IUDs are often given to women who have just given birth and wish to go on birth control, but they can be given to women who have never been pregnant or sexually active as well. If a doctor tells you you can't have one because you've never been pregnant or given birth, he or she is misinformed.
When IUDs were first developed, the 'threads' were strings and caused a wicking effect that drew bacteria into the uterus, causing life-threatening infections. Many people have heard about this, but don't know that in the past decade, the new IUDs use a completely different kind of thread that does not have this issue. They are very safe!
Mirena vs. Paraguard - What's the difference?
The primary difference is what they are made of. Mirena is made of plastic, Paraguard is made of copper. Mirena releases a low-level of the same hormones in the pill. It's often given to women who are unable to take the pill because of interactions with other medications like mood stabilizers or epilepsy. Both are approximately the same size, about an inch long and an inch wide.
Insertion is the same for both; first your doctor will 'sound' your uterus by inserting a measuring stick into your uterus through your cervix. Once he or she knows the measurement, they fold the arms of the IUD down and insert it the same way. The little arms pop back up inside your uterus and a pair of 'threads' will hang down outside your cervix. They will be trimmed to be about one inch long. Your doctor will recommend that every month or so, you insert your fingers into your vagina to check the length of the strings. If they have changed significantly, this means your IUD has moved and needs to checked.
For some women, the insertion process is practically painless; for others, it can cause extreme cramping for a brief period of time. Doctors recommend you wait until you're on your period to get it inserted, as your cervix is softest then. Personally, I experienced significant pain during the insertion, but was fine about two hours later.
What Do They Do? - Mirena
Mirena is a chemical form of birth control, but in 90% of women, it will also lessen or stop menstruation after 1 year. You will still ovulate, but your uterine wall will have thickened and stopped the 'shedding' that is your period. I got my Mirena specifically for this purpose; I had extremely painful and disruptive periods that were affecting my quality of life. I'm not nor was I at the time sexually active, but that doesn't mean you can't get one! And indeed, after about a year, I stopped getting my period. I also stopped getting all the other horrible things like nightmarish cramps, flu-like symptoms, and other problems.
Mirena is effective as a birth control for 5 years; after 5 years, you change it out for a new one. If you choose not to get a new one, you can get pregnant immediately after removing it. Once removed, the IUD will have no effect on your ability to conceive. Paraguard lasts 10 years, and also can be removed to get pregnant immediately.
IUDs DO NOT protect against STDs, so if you are with multiple partners or there is a chance of exposure to STDs, please still use a condom!
Why Should I Get One? - Mirena
IUDs are great for spontaneous sex, or for people who have trouble using the pill consistently. They are also excellent for married couples who plan to have children at some point, but aren't ready yet. Mirena is a good treatment for extreme period irregularities or problems caused by various hormonal imbalances. They're also excellent for people who cannot for medical reasons take hormonal birth control pills; because Mirena is placed directly in the uterus, the amount of hormones it releases are fractions of what is in the pill. If you are unable to use any hormonal birth control at all, such as people with epilepsy, Paraguard is a great choice.
Emergency Birth Control - Paraguard
If you have an accident or other problem in which you think you may be exposed to pregnancy, a Paraguard can be inserted within 72 hours and will prevent the pregnancy the same way Plan B would. It will not allow the egg to implant, thereby preventing pregnancy.
Where Can I Get One?
Your OBGYN can set you up with either one, as can most Planned Parenthood locations in the United States. Prices will vary; some insurance companies will cover the costs completely, others will cover only part. Many clinics will allow you to pay for the IUD in a payment plan spread out over several months or a year, depending on your ability to pay. It never hurts to call your insurance company or local Planned Parenthood and ask!
My Personal Experience - Mirena
I credit Mirena with giving me back my life. I suffered from extremely debilitating menstruation. I bled a lot, painfully, excruciatingly, to the point of fainting from anemia and pain on a monthly basis. Doctors repeatedly told me to take ibuprofen, but no matter how much I took, it was utterly ineffective. I was missing a lot of school because I couldn't get out of bed; I couldn't take the pill because I'm Bipolar, and after trying four different brands, all four caused my mood stabilizers to stop working. It was at that point that my friend recommended I talk to a doctor about getting an IUD. She has epilepsy and has a Paraguard. On her suggestion, I went to Planned Parenthood and was given a Mirena. It changed my life. I've had it for four years now, and I bleed a very small amount every four months for one day. I don't have cramps, I don't faint, I don't even feel tired!
Next spring I'll need to get a new one placed, and I have every intention of doing so, because Mirena took me from being basically bedridden for a week every month to being perfectly normal. It also is comforting to know that when I become sexually active, I have a constant, completely effective form of birth control already!
That's my experience; what about you ladies? Any other IUDivas in the house?
I recently have been seeing a few questions/misinformati ons being talked about in regards to IUDs. I personally have a Mirena and thought it might be a good idea to start some talk about these magic little T's! If anyone has a Paraguard and would like to share their thoughts about them, please do!
IUD - intrauterine device
IUDs are little t-shaped devices that are inserted through the cervix and into the uterus. Doctors are still not entirely sure how they work, so there are several theories. One theory is that the thicken the walls of the uterus and make it impossible for an egg to implant there; others suggest it changes the chemical balance in the uterus. Either way, they are extremely effective at preventing pregnancy--IUDs are the most reliable form of birth control aside from sterilization. IUDs are often given to women who have just given birth and wish to go on birth control, but they can be given to women who have never been pregnant or sexually active as well. If a doctor tells you you can't have one because you've never been pregnant or given birth, he or she is misinformed.
When IUDs were first developed, the 'threads' were strings and caused a wicking effect that drew bacteria into the uterus, causing life-threatening infections. Many people have heard about this, but don't know that in the past decade, the new IUDs use a completely different kind of thread that does not have this issue. They are very safe!
Mirena vs. Paraguard - What's the difference?
The primary difference is what they are made of. Mirena is made of plastic, Paraguard is made of copper. Mirena releases a low-level of the same hormones in the pill. It's often given to women who are unable to take the pill because of interactions with other medications like mood stabilizers or epilepsy. Both are approximately the same size, about an inch long and an inch wide.
Insertion is the same for both; first your doctor will 'sound' your uterus by inserting a measuring stick into your uterus through your cervix. Once he or she knows the measurement, they fold the arms of the IUD down and insert it the same way. The little arms pop back up inside your uterus and a pair of 'threads' will hang down outside your cervix. They will be trimmed to be about one inch long. Your doctor will recommend that every month or so, you insert your fingers into your vagina to check the length of the strings. If they have changed significantly, this means your IUD has moved and needs to checked.
For some women, the insertion process is practically painless; for others, it can cause extreme cramping for a brief period of time. Doctors recommend you wait until you're on your period to get it inserted, as your cervix is softest then. Personally, I experienced significant pain during the insertion, but was fine about two hours later.
What Do They Do? - Mirena
Mirena is a chemical form of birth control, but in 90% of women, it will also lessen or stop menstruation after 1 year. You will still ovulate, but your uterine wall will have thickened and stopped the 'shedding' that is your period. I got my Mirena specifically for this purpose; I had extremely painful and disruptive periods that were affecting my quality of life. I'm not nor was I at the time sexually active, but that doesn't mean you can't get one! And indeed, after about a year, I stopped getting my period. I also stopped getting all the other horrible things like nightmarish cramps, flu-like symptoms, and other problems.
Mirena is effective as a birth control for 5 years; after 5 years, you change it out for a new one. If you choose not to get a new one, you can get pregnant immediately after removing it. Once removed, the IUD will have no effect on your ability to conceive. Paraguard lasts 10 years, and also can be removed to get pregnant immediately.
IUDs DO NOT protect against STDs, so if you are with multiple partners or there is a chance of exposure to STDs, please still use a condom!
Why Should I Get One? - Mirena
IUDs are great for spontaneous sex, or for people who have trouble using the pill consistently. They are also excellent for married couples who plan to have children at some point, but aren't ready yet. Mirena is a good treatment for extreme period irregularities or problems caused by various hormonal imbalances. They're also excellent for people who cannot for medical reasons take hormonal birth control pills; because Mirena is placed directly in the uterus, the amount of hormones it releases are fractions of what is in the pill. If you are unable to use any hormonal birth control at all, such as people with epilepsy, Paraguard is a great choice.
Emergency Birth Control - Paraguard
If you have an accident or other problem in which you think you may be exposed to pregnancy, a Paraguard can be inserted within 72 hours and will prevent the pregnancy the same way Plan B would. It will not allow the egg to implant, thereby preventing pregnancy.
Where Can I Get One?
Your OBGYN can set you up with either one, as can most Planned Parenthood locations in the United States. Prices will vary; some insurance companies will cover the costs completely, others will cover only part. Many clinics will allow you to pay for the IUD in a payment plan spread out over several months or a year, depending on your ability to pay. It never hurts to call your insurance company or local Planned Parenthood and ask!
My Personal Experience - Mirena
I credit Mirena with giving me back my life. I suffered from extremely debilitating menstruation. I bled a lot, painfully, excruciatingly, to the point of fainting from anemia and pain on a monthly basis. Doctors repeatedly told me to take ibuprofen, but no matter how much I took, it was utterly ineffective. I was missing a lot of school because I couldn't get out of bed; I couldn't take the pill because I'm Bipolar, and after trying four different brands, all four caused my mood stabilizers to stop working. It was at that point that my friend recommended I talk to a doctor about getting an IUD. She has epilepsy and has a Paraguard. On her suggestion, I went to Planned Parenthood and was given a Mirena. It changed my life. I've had it for four years now, and I bleed a very small amount every four months for one day. I don't have cramps, I don't faint, I don't even feel tired!
Next spring I'll need to get a new one placed, and I have every intention of doing so, because Mirena took me from being basically bedridden for a week every month to being perfectly normal. It also is comforting to know that when I become sexually active, I have a constant, completely effective form of birth control already!
That's my experience; what about you ladies? Any other IUDivas in the house?
