Please tell me about your experience with IUD's!

Contributor: VioletMoonstone VioletMoonstone
I'm considering getting an IUD but am unsure about it. The whole idea of poky plastic, hanging strings, and possibly being able to feel it during sex freaks me out. I'm used to taking pills but I think either the hormones or my weight (or a combination of both!) are messing with my blood pressure. I was on the combined pill for 4-5 years but they switched me over to the mini pill because my blood pressure was climbing. Then I had an unplanned pregnancy (with perfect use of pills even! Damnit!) =[ I'm definitely in a position where I could get an IUD if I asked for one but I don't know... Something about it freaks me out I guess? Like, can you feel it when it's inside you when you're having sex or working out? Do the strings bother your significant other? Have you had any problems with it? I want to know eeeeverything.

I'm debating wether or not to ask for combined pills again (lower dose possibly), Mirena, or a copper IUD.
11/07/2012
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Contributor: Thumper Logic Thumper Logic
I have the mirena IUD. First of all, if you're a wuss about pap smears and cervical swabs, you might want to look at the shot, the ring, or just staying on the pills. That aside, I had my first one put in, and I was in that glorious 5% expulsion rate for the first year of having one. Now that's not to deter you, because 95% of women do not expel theirs, but this is just what happened to me. I got my second one put in, and everything has been grand so far (I'm 7 months out from the insertion). I really like it, and I had the same high blood pressure issue as you. I would definitely recommend it since it's as effective as tubo-ligation for preventing pregnancy, and the mirena lasts 5 years.
As for partners, I haven't had anyone complain that they could feel the strings and my doctor left them a bit long, so we could trim if necessary. I personally can't feel them during sex, and when I check my strings they are right up by my cervix, almost wrapped most of the time.
It's your decision and your body, but this is the best information that I can give you from my own experience. Feel free to message me with any questions if you feel the need. Hope this helped!
11/07/2012
Contributor: funluvinmama funluvinmama
I have the Mirena, I got my first one put in back in 2005. I had it replaced after the 5 years. I have had it for a total of 7 years now. I have not had any issues with it, I cannot feel it. Hubby cannot feel it unless he sticks his fingers up there and tries to find it. As ThumperLogic said, they do wrap up next to the cervix. I am even one of the lucky few who don't have their monthly bleeding (It is so nice).

And again, everyone is different. The only way you will know if it works for you is to try it.
11/08/2012
Contributor: VioletMoonstone VioletMoonstone
Quote:
Originally posted by Thumper Logic
I have the mirena IUD. First of all, if you're a wuss about pap smears and cervical swabs, you might want to look at the shot, the ring, or just staying on the pills. That aside, I had my first one put in, and I was in that glorious 5% ... more
I'm definitely not a wuss after what I just went through. I heard that it hurts when they insert it but I'm totally willing to go through with it if it meant that I didn't have to worry about it for a long time.

If the pills have both hormones and so does the Mirena... then it really shouldn't make a difference which one I choose does it? The hormones could effect me either way. I'm a really good with pills and never forget to take them. I'd much rather take pills honestly but the IUD is definitely my second choice. I have to go back to my clinic for a follow up soon so I've been worrying about what they're going to tell me. It all depends on my stupid blood pressure. >=[ I would love to have my pills back though but only if they allow me to. I have some anxiety about it.
11/08/2012
Contributor: VioletMoonstone VioletMoonstone
Quote:
Originally posted by funluvinmama
I have the Mirena, I got my first one put in back in 2005. I had it replaced after the 5 years. I have had it for a total of 7 years now. I have not had any issues with it, I cannot feel it. Hubby cannot feel it unless he sticks his fingers up there ... more
Thanks for replying.

If I get it I hope that it works out for me. I think for now I'm going to try to get my pills back because that's what I'm comfortable with. I really don't know what's going to happen at my follow up. I have some anxiety about what's going to happen when I go back soon. I'm sure my blood pressure still sucks because I haven't worked out in a month because of what happened to me recently. They might refuse to give me anything, maybe... That's my fear. Blah.
11/08/2012
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
I had the Mirena for about two years. All of a sudden I started cramping up so bad I couldn't walk for a week. They ran all sorts of tests thinking I was developing cancer and couldn't figure out what was wrong. I asked my OB/GYN if the Mirena could be causing it and he said it was rare but could happen. Before I went for more testing I had it removed. About two days later all my symptoms cleared up.

After that experience I would never get another IUD. That week was awful and with all the testing I was scared I was gonna die.

I now have Implanon which is an implant they put in your arm. I've had it for 2.5 years and have had zero issues.
11/08/2012
Contributor: VioletMoonstone VioletMoonstone
Quote:
Originally posted by - Kira -
I had the Mirena for about two years. All of a sudden I started cramping up so bad I couldn't walk for a week. They ran all sorts of tests thinking I was developing cancer and couldn't figure out what was wrong. I asked my OB/GYN if the ... more
Thanks for sharing. I wonder if maybe the IUD wasn't in the right position or was coming out or something to cause all the cramping? That sucks. =[ I really want one because of how long it lasts but I'm just scared of it. The shape of it, the thought of having this foreign object up there...yeah.
11/09/2012
Contributor: naturegirl naturegirl
I had the Mirena coil for 7 months when I started the menopause, it was not a good experience!!
I suffered headaches, gained weight, my husband could feel the thing during penetration but worst of all was the continual light bleeding!
I persevered as long as I could but in the end it had to go. I've been on HRT since and that is way better!
11/11/2012
Contributor: novanilla novanilla
I have a paragard and I love it. It has no hormones, so I am in my natural state and it's the most wonderful feeling. I don't waste my time going to pharmacies, my period is normal (though a bit heavier, I admit) and I'm not grumpy. Being bisexual, it's also nice to not bother with it. It's good for 10 years, whereas the Mirena is only good for 5, so that is a perk.

Mirena is not the same as taking pills or nuvaring or something though. A lot of pills, and nuvaring, are combination, meaning they have estrogen and progestin, but Mirena is just low doses of progestin, lower than a progestin only pill even.

My experience with insertion of paragard was fine. I had cramps that day, but it was nothing I could not handle and they were gone by morning. The process took 10 minutes at most. Pain should not stop you. Take a pain killer beforehand. 10 minutes of pain for 10 years of great, effective birth control with no maintenance is totally worth it.
11/13/2012