I've had a Paragard (copper T) IUD for the last 9 years. Many doctors do not recommend IUDs for unmarried and childless women for two main reasons. First, a woman with a never-stretched uterus is more likely to have heavy periods, cramps, and slightly higher risk of expulsion of the device. Secondly, the IUD strings do pass through the cervix which can make it easier for an STD infection to travel upwards into the uterus, leading to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

These two reasons are real. However, it really drives me nuts when doctors discourage young unmarried childless women away from a good, cost-effective, reliable solution based on cultural assumptions that married women are not at risk of contracting an STD. Not to mention assumptions that unmarried women are somehow incapable of engaging in safe sex. (Don't get me started on this one!!! )

Anyway, I had mine inserted at Planned Parenthood, who were willing to respect my wishes, as a 20 year old nullipara nullihubby young woman looking for reliable non-hormonal protection. They also have a sliding-scale payment system which really helped me to afford the high upfront cost.

Insertion was unpleasant but bearable, with a few days of cramps afterwards. For the first year or so my periods were especially heavy and crampy. Since then, my periods have been basically the same as they were before the IUD (that is to say, "normal" heavy and crampy ). I've heard that most women who have already had something the size of a bowling ball up in there do not have nearly the cramping/discomfort problems.

I know a lot of women have benefited from the hormones in the Mirena, I just prefer to not use hormonal contraception. Also, bear in mind that the Mirena needs to be replaced every 3-5 years, while the copper IUDs have a 10-12 year effective lifespan. Also, while fertility is immediately restored with the copper IUDs, I don't know if that is the case with the hormonal Mirenas. In case future fertility is important to you.