IUD Birth Control

[three]

Forgive me if this is: a) a topic already addressed on the site (I couldn't find any threads on it in the search window), or b) TMI

I have been debating the IUD as my birth control method. Currently I'm using the diaphragm and the less-than-reliable method of withdrawl. I have a steady partner, but I'm starting to wish I had something that got me close to 100% efficacy.

I went off the pill several years back and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I've been trying to do things as naturally as possible since then, but these days...natural is just a little too risky, it seems.

My problem is that most all of the internet reviews I find are filled with horror stories, which scare the heck out of me. I know the IUD is the most widely used method of birth control around the world and the U.S is slow to catch on, most likely because of the money-making machine that birth control pills are. Anyway, if the vast majority of women around the world use it...one would think it's not such a bad option.

Most of the horror stories involve detailed experiences with extreme bleeding, loss of libido, severe cramps, and bad acne (among other things).

This community is large and global, so I'm hoping some of you have ventured into the IUD world and can offer me some honest feedback - whether from your own experience, or those you know.

Thank you!

[Miranda]

I think the net is a wealth of information. One thing to remember though, is that the squeaky wheel is the one that gets the oil. I think when people are happy about something, it's less dwelling on their mind. When they are unhappy, it's hard to ignore... and gets burning attention. Not to make light of those stories, but just a grain of salt in the decision making pot.

I personally have not had a IUD. I have know a few girls that have, and they were happy with it. I think for ME, I would be one of those cases with the cramping problems. I tried something similiar to the Diva cup (the Instead cup) that I found on this board for your period. That just made me cramp like crazy. I've had a couple repair surgeries for prolapse, and pre-surg I tried the non-surgical option of a pessary (similiar concept to a diaphram for bc). The pessary made me cramp like crazy too. So, my verdict was that my body just does not like foreign objects in it, and protests. Thus, I would never try the IUD based upon that.

After much serious heart to heart discussions with my gyno after the last prolapse repair surgery, I got the tubal sterilization surg at the same time (my poor body and health could not take bearing any more children after some close to death experiences unfortunately). Now, that is considered to be extremely effective, as well as technically permanent. There are those ladies that have gotten it repaired, and had babies. Very low, but possible. What is "permanent" as my gyno said is getting the hysterectomy. You're pretty much done then.

My point in telling you those words from my gyno, in relation to the IUD, is that... it can be undone. I would ask lots of questions about that. "OK... if I am one of the unfortunately that xyz happens... then what?". I believe in getting a second opinion. I love my gyno to death I have right now, and would trust my life with him. But, he was found as a second op after having doctor #1 mess me up. Even for him, wise, 20+yr practice doc, still was humble enough to consult an even more experience doc (with my permission) about my options. I think that says a lot.

Crap shoot... try it out... doesn't work... you know, and change it. FWIW. Good luck with your decision:).

Miranda

[GLC1968]

I have an IUD - the Mirena to be exact. It's been super easy for me and I don't get my period at all. I had it inserted after two fibriod removal surgeries and massive bleeding issues (sorry if TMI). Prior to getting it, I'd been on the pill for 18 years. The biggest benefit immediately was the cost. I paid like $35 for the IUD after insurance - I was paying over $30 a month for BCP!

There was some initial cramping during the insertion (I won't lie - it SUCKED)...but I also have not had children and I've heard it's worse if you haven't. I have never had a regular period prior to the pill, and I've been regular since being on this. Of course, I cycle regularly (which I can track by the occassional crampy day, occasional tender breasts or acne flare ups), but I don't bleed at all. I had acne before getting this, so it didn't cause it at all.

My only concern is that I've gained quite a lot of weight since getting it. I know that I've gained because I've eaten too much, but I can't help but wonder if this IUD doesn't have some contributing factor. In a nutshell, I've gained about 30 lbs since I started biking 3.5 years ago. I got my IUD two months after I started biking. Could be coincidence, but never in my life have I had such a steady increase in my weight, particularly while remaining active. I tried to do some research on it and ran into so many anecdotal and useless information. I figured that I'd have mine removed when it 'expired' and see if my weight problems improved. If not, then I can always get another one.

I know a number of women with the Mirena and their experiences are similar to mine, though about half are without any weight gain. I have one friend who has the Paragard IUD (non-hormonal) and she gets very heavy periods and heavy cramping once a month. Other than that, she has no side-effects and she likes it well enough. She also has not had children (yet).

[Cataboo]

I have a friend that has an IUD that absolutely loves it. I know a number of years back, she did have one type of IUD that did cause cramping, but removing it and replacing it with one of the more modern options fixed all of that. I can ask her the details if you like, I just forgot.

I know you're trying to be as natural as possible - but you might want to consider nuvaring. Flexible ring inserted up the vagina that gives a very low dose of birth control hormones - you can leave it in for 3 weeks, remove it, menstruate, and then put another one in - or you can leave it in for 4 weeks, forego menstruating and then put in a new one.

Because of where it's placed, it's a much smaller dose than birth control pills and has less side effects.

[Grog]

I started a thread on this a while ago:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=19171&highlight=mirena

For the record, I haven't had one inserted because we are planning to have children within a year or two, so I thought it was silly to try to fix something that wasn't broken at all. (I have no problems with the pill and never had any.) I am mostly annoyed with the pill because of all the estrogens that are released in the streams and rivers and oceans (a big problem now in Eastern Canada and most likely in the States as well... antidepressants too) as a result. But it will soon be over for me...

[three]

Thanks for the responses!!

And thank you Grog for letting me know about the original thread. I figured there was one somewhere, I just couldn't find it. I'm off to read about it now...

[Tuckervill]

I've had two different IUDs. The first one worked GREAT! I can't remember which one it was because it was so long ago, in my early 20s. The second one was murder--terrible cramps and heavy heavy bleeding. It was a copper one--t-shaped, I think. I was only able to have it for a few months before I gave up on it.

I had my first child at 20, so I was a good candidate for an IUD. I thought it would be wonderful to have one again after I married my husband, but it wasn't. I think the newer ones are probably better than the ones I had. My experience indicates that if you don't like one version, you might want to try another.

Karen