IUD Info

Hi L., I have had Mirena iud for almost 4 years now and it's been great, you would'nt even know its there. Except for a lot of spotting the first few months, which was a bit of a nusance, but now I hardly even get a period anymore (well worth the trade off). Good luck!

Hi L.. I know you are asking about info on the iud, but I just have to RAVE about my procedure that I had done in March 2009. I have 3 kids and I am done having children. I spoke to by ob/gym and he suggested the ESSURE procedure. Basically, it's a procedure done right in the docs office and there is no cutting or anything. He inserts coils into the filopian tubes. Blocks the tubes so you don't get pregnant but you still get your period. Awesome birth control, I dont' have to think about it or worry about hormones being pumped into my body. Check it out on the internet if you are interested and good luck to you!

I took mine out about a year ago and the thought of it still makes me feel ill. But that's only because of personal feelings and my weak stomach.
It wasn't bad getting it put in, but because I have a weak stomach and could feel what they were doing, I almost passed out.
I normally have a heavy period for a day or 2 then spot for a day or two. That part stayed the same but the heavy days mulitplied by about 3X what they were and more cramping that ussual. I choose the non-hormonal because of health risks I have. I had to get to a bathroom approxamiately every 2 hours and I use a menstrual cup which holds a LOT and wore a pad that was soaked through as well. I had a lot more bleeding than I was use to on my heavy days.
I did feel cramping which is very normal in the beginning and could even feel it twinge or move around a bit with certain positions I was in. I use to use the birthing/excersize ball to sit on when scrapbooking or working at a desk which I could no longer use. That always seemed to put pressure on it and cause spotting.
I know the DR's say it basically causes a hostile enviorment so the fertile egg can not attach itself to the wall of the uterus. For me personally, it was like aborting a baby, which is what made me want it out. But that is strictly my personal feelings only! Luckily through the year I had it in was a very RARE chance I actually did have any firtile egg. I'm not sure if having it in can cause a decrease in your sex drive or if it was just me and they way I felt with it in. I didn't read through others comments to find out if anyone else had that issue but a close friend of mine who has one and doesn't have a very active drive either.
Best of luck with your decision.
I didn't have any weight issues that I remember and no acne issues either. But that may be because I didn't choose the one with hormones although I hear it's hormone level is pretty low.

I chose Paraguard IUD following the birth of my son. It worked out great for us. I'm not pregnant! A few things to mention, initially my DH said he could "feel" it. The fix for this was to have my OB shorten the string. No problem except that I can not longer feel it to check for placement as suggested. I also noticed MUCH heavier periods (we're talking 2x the protection needed) and cramps. I did not gain a pound from paraguard and acne, depression, etc is not a risk because Paraguard unlike Mirena is non-hormonal.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Oh and for the record, I am having my Paraguard removed in April to try for baby #2 but plan on going back to it afterwards.

i just went on mirena after 2 years on NuvaRing. I loved NuvaRing but it was expensive. i went to Mirena b/c it was only a $20 office visit co-pay, and it wasn't hormonal based (to help with lack of desire).

It's been great - i spotted on and off for the first month. then i got an actual period - and that was it - haven't had a period since. no headaches, no acne, weight gain etc.

I got the Mirena IUD 6 weeks after my daughter was born. I've never been on any pills or any other method, so I can't compare. But I love it! I've had it for almost 4 years now. It has "toned down" (I guess you could say lol) my periods significantly. I used to have horrible, painful periods. But after getting the IUD I hardly have any pain at all and it is always very light. It did hurt the day it was inserted, but I think I was fine the next day. I haven't gained any weight from it, or any acne or other symptoms. It's been great for me! And it does it's job too--haven't gotten pregnant! :)

HI L.,
I have a Mirena IUD and have had a very good experience with it. In fact, my five years are up and I'm getting another one inserted in a week. The first couple of months with it are a bit unsettling because bleeding/spotting can be sporadic and unpredictable. But I had no weight gain, no mood swings, no side effects at all. The experience is different for everyone and I know some women are not as fortunate as I've been but it might be as good for you as it's been for me, so I recommend trying it.

Good luck!

I got the Merena IUD. Researched it for weeks and decided it was the best way to give us time in making a final decision on whether or not we want another baby. After getting it inserted, I pretty much had bleeding for 3 1/2-4 months straight. It was horrible. I had cramping, lost all sexual contact with my husband because things felt uncomfortable down there, and add the bleeding onto it, and it was just not great. Everyone tells me that once you get past the initial 3-4 months of bleeding, it lightens and you barely see your period, but the first 4 months were so unbearable to me, I had to get it removed. It almost felt like it was fighting my body to do something my body naturally wanted to do. Also, since then, my periods have never been the same. It was a lot of out-of-pocket expense for 4 months of birth control.

This is only my experience. I have heard of many that have an IUD and love it. It just wasn't for me. We now watch my cycle to avoid intercourse when I'm ovulating and use condoms.

I went on Mirena after the birth of my daughter and LOVE it!!! The first 4 months my periods were a bit heavier then normal and lasted a bit longer but after month 5 it's been GREAT...lighter shorter periods (saving on tampons now); I have no moods swings, acne or weight gain...I'm actually 10 pounds lighter then I was pre-pregnancy. I also have 3 close friends on Mirena that initially talked me into getting it....Thumbs up to Mirena