birth control options? iud?? please help!!!

Sheila - posted on 05/18/2010

I got my Mirena put in two weeks ago (right before my period was supposed to start) and so far it hasn't stopped yet. It finally started getting lighter yesterday and I am hoping it will be over in a few days. So, I have had a heavy period for about two weeks now which really sux. But I am hoping that I will not have any spotting. My body has been so messed up since the pregnancy it isn't even funny. Hopefully something wacks my hormones back into some kind of normal cycle...or that I don't get a period at all anymore! That would definately be ideal. lol

Amber - posted on 05/18/2010

i am exclusively breastfeeding and i just got the Mirena IUD put in last week. it hasnt affected my milk supply or anything.



the procedure itself was only mildly uncomfortable. when she put the speculum in it seemed like she opened it wider than ever before...that was probably the worst part. afterward, i only had a little bit of cramping (nowhere near as much as a period, and not even enough to take ibuprofen). that night i had a little spotting, but it stopped by morning. she said it would be safe to have sex again right away but that i should wait a few days just to be sure. 4 days later everything was back to normal with just a little spotting here and there. sex wasnt uncomfortable for my husband like some people had said it would be.



my doc said it would lighten my periods or even take them away altogether! menstrual cramps are supposed to be way better too.



the copper IUD, from what i've heard, is a horrible choice. it has a higher possibility of pregnancy and i've heard it would terminate it if it were to happen. if you dont like the idea of an abortion you probably shouldnt go with that one. my doc said the chance of pregnancy with Mirena is VERY slim (less than 1%) and even if you did get pregnant it would have a chance of survival if you catch it on time. i heard of a woman who had a successful pregnancy with the IUD in the whole time. if its caught, they would try to take the IUD out, which could cause a miscarriage, or they could leave it in and hope for the best...both scary options, but the chance of actually getting pregnant with it is so slim, i was willing to chance it.



overall (so far), its SO worth it. i would recommend it to anyone that is too busy with their kids or work or w/e to remember the pill every day (or in my case, the patch every week!).

Christine - posted on 05/10/2010

im thinking of one too but heard that the periods are real bad. i think i would rather tremember to take a pill than deal with bad cycles but still considering it................... heard the copper one isnt as bad????

Diana - posted on 05/10/2010

I just got my IUD (Mirena) put in this morning and for me it was a short but painful process. I'm having cramping and light spotting. Not loving it so far but I hope it gets better over time. Good luck making your decision.

Sheila - posted on 05/08/2010

My dr told me that if he can feel the strings that you can go back in and have the strings clipped shorter. I just got Mirena put in on Wednesday, and then got my period. So I am interested in seeing how long I have it for and for how long I may spot.

Christina - posted on 05/08/2010

I havent read the other posts, so I dont know whats been said, but heres what I have to say abou the IUD. I Have had it about 3 weeks now, and have been bleeding pretty much since I got it in. Its not heavy, just there enough to annoy you. Also, Idk how your significant other is size wise down there, but I know my hubby says he can feel the strings poke him when we have sex. TMI Maybe, but its a good thing to know. I worried about this before I got it, and asked one of my friends who has the same IUD, and she said she never had that problem. She also said she hasn't had a period since shes gotten it, and idk if that comes after the initial bleeding stops, or if it happens at all, I just really hope it stops soon! My hubby doesn't like the IUD and wants me to get it taken out and have the shot or nuva ring, but the nuva ring can raise blood pressure, and I had high blood pressure from pregnancy and it didn't go back down for two weeks after, so I'm not sure if its such a good idea, and the shot can make you gain weight, and being already slighty overweight now sure how good of an idea that is either...probably not much help for you, but just so you know sometimes the guy CAN feel it! =s

Jennel - posted on 05/07/2010

Ok so im leaning towards the Mirena, im just double checking you can have it while breast feeding is that right. I see the nurse on monday to do all the swabs and stuff prier so i will ask and double check every thing with her but just thought i would ask since some of you have had this. thanx

Danelle - posted on 05/07/2010

I had Mirena after i had my first child and am waiting for it to come in again so i can have it again. I currently breastfeed my second child and it doesn't affect my milk at. Just thought i would say that incase you BF. But i had no problems with it. I had it in for almost 5 years and then me and my fiance decided we wanted to have a baby. Didnt feel it being taken out at all. Then i was pregnant a month later. Also when it got put it i also didnt feel anything. I did bleed for about 3 months but after that i didnt have a period at all! I love the fact that you dont have to remember to take anything. And i never felt it. I would say give it a try.

Cesiah - posted on 05/06/2010

I just got my IUD this morning and its not bothering me at all. I got the ParaGard n unlike the mirena it has no hormones which i think is great and it last for 10 yrs, I got pregnant with both of my kids while on the pill n with two infant babies its super hard to keep up with everything n the last thing i want to think of is to take a pill!

Jillian - posted on 05/03/2010

I went ahead and got the Mirena, and it wasn't that bad. It was borderline painful, but uncomfortable would be a better term... and I only spotted for 2 days. I haven't experienced any cramping whatsoever. I just wished someone had warned me of the uncomfortability before I got it done. But in my opinion it is better that going to the pharmacy once a month and trying to remember to take a pill everyday

Katharine - posted on 04/29/2010

I had an IUD after my first daughter...kept it for the full 5 years...worked great and would recommend it!

Gayle - posted on 04/29/2010

I'm getting the Mirena put in tomorrow.... and hoping that it works well..... I was on the pill for 12 yrs, used nothing for 6 yrs before i got pregnant... My dr told me that Mirena is one of the few options out there for me, because you have to be more selective if you breastfeed.... I'll let you know how it goes!!!!

Emma - posted on 04/28/2010

The dr shouldn't tell you what's best for you, you should be able to make that decision yourself. I was on the pill when I got pregnant with my first, my second I stopped taking it because I wanted another but I get a little worried as my sister nearly had a stroke on it. However, it's actually the best option for me.

Shannon - posted on 04/28/2010

I also was on the Nuva Ring when I got pregnant, so I do not reccommed it! I will be getting the IUD at the end of May, I have to wait 12 weeks because of c-section. My sister had had the Mirena IUD for 3 years and loves it. She has not had a period for 2 years and has not had any complications. I have a horrible time with the hormones in bc pills, even the low dose ones. The Mirena IUD does have it but it stays more localized to your uterus instead of being systemic. I hope it works for me, and you too if you decide to try it:)

Jillian - posted on 04/22/2010

I am at that point as well. I was on the Nuva Ring when I got pregnant for my 1st (an only) child, but no birth control is 100% effective, nor without side affects. For us breastfeeding mothers the choices are even more limited due the effect hormones have on milk produciton. I am personally looking into the "mini pill" because I do not want to give up breastfeeding for bc!

Renee - posted on 04/21/2010

I got pregnant with both of my children while on the pill. I have been doing research on different forms of BC, since we don't want another baby for awhile, or if we even want another...but don't want to do anything permanent yet. All forms have side effects that are kind of scary. Yaz has been on those lawyer commercials for being a "bad drug", Mirana falling out and puncturing your uterus, pills for blood clots and strokes, Nuva ring has higher rate of infections and irritation, a friend of mine got pregnant with twins on depo...BUT if you read the side effects of your normal meds you take on a daily basis it is kinda scary as well. I haven't heard of the copper IUD, I will have to look into that.

Meredith - posted on 04/21/2010

I had a copper IUD for years before having my first child and again between my first and second. They are wonderful! No hassel and no hormones! Yhe copper IUDs last for 10 years and they are super easy and quick to insert and remove.

Maree - posted on 04/21/2010

Hi, just thought that I would share with you that I used to use the Mirena. It didn't work well for me. I had a fair bit of cramping and bleeding and after about 6 months it fell out, within one month of that happening I was pregnant with my 3rd child lol. Not that I am complaining cos I love her to bits. I am not saying that this would happen to you. But personally I would never use it again. I would also not use Implanon again because of the side effects. I have chosen to go back to using the Depo Provera injections every 12 weeks. I know that works and there is no way of me forgetting to take pills. Not sure if this helps but I thought I would share it with you.

Stephanie - posted on 04/18/2010

I am at that point as well! I just had the six week check up, and had done my homework, and was wanting to go with the patch or with Yaz. However, something that I didn't consider, because I had been on birth control before, was my high blood pressure. Although it is under control with medication, my OB was not having it for me to be placed on another hormonal birth control. He suggested the IUD. I've read the pros and cons of the Mirena vs the ParaGard. I must admit a since of relief for the non hormonal version of the IUD and feel that it is a great choice. so do your homework, but if the side effects are keeping you leery with the Mirena, I think it would be worth it for the ParaGard.

Autumn - posted on 04/17/2010

I was thinking about doing Mirena as well, but when I was researching it, there was alot of people that complained about excessive weight gain and cramping well after the first couple of weeks. I'm probably going to go back to nuvaring and have to put my baby on formula.

Sheila - posted on 04/16/2010

I am there, too. I am probably going to go with Mirena. I have some friends who have gotten it and they don't have anything bad to say. One had a bunch of spotting in the beginning but really no probs since. The other friend, no problems and doesn't get her period either (her LO will be 2 in August), which sounds wonderful. I am sick of taking the pill and the mood swings that it caused me, even on a lower dose. I don't plan on having any more kids, but am not really comfortable with the thought of something permanent.

Niki - posted on 04/15/2010

I am also trying to decide what to do when its time for my six week checkup. I also dont want anymore children for a while but im also nervous about the iud, even though its probably the best option for us out there. Listening to all of the side effects and possible complications on the Mirena commercial is enough to make me reconsider. the part about where it could possibly become implanted into the uterine wall and cause infertility is particularly worrisome. Anyone have luck with it?