IUD / Mirena?

[badger]

Are you going to the Willow Women's Clinic on Burrard? that's where I got my copper IUD 4 years ago.

I don't have kids and debated about Mirena, but I was psycho on the pill, and at $300 (at that time, could be more now), I just couldn't chance it. So, the cheaper copper one won out, and I haven't looked back. I did notice that my periods were heavier and cramps were more, but they got back to normal after about 6 months.

I should mention that it wasn't without subsequent trips back to the clinic. Insertion was a bit traumatic as the doctor couldn't get it past my cervix. It eventually did. Then after about 2 months, the strings disappeared. After the ultrasound, it was determined it crept up my uterus. No biggie, they'll just have to go "dig" for it. Thankfully it dropped back down last year.

I was recently at my GP for a pap, and she mentioned that even though most doctors say the copper ones are good for 5 years, the manufacturers only guarantee for 2.5 years. I'm due to get mine out next year and I'll likely get it again.

[Meaux]

I got the Mirena in February, it has been wonderful. No periods at all since it was inserted (they were previously painful and irregular). No more pills to worry about, it has been such a blessing. My OBGYN didn't even blink when I asked of it, and I do not have any children as of yet. Insertion was a bit painful, but the cramps subsided after a day or two.

[Andrea]

I was recently at my GP for a pap, and she mentioned that even though most doctors say the copper ones are good for 5 years, the manufacturers only guarantee for 2.5 years. I'm due to get mine out next year and I'll likely get it again.

My doc said that I can keep the same one for 10 years!

I'm glad to hear that the cramping goes away in a few days- it's better today, but still bugging me a bit.

[Flur]

Hmm... only $300? I pay $600/year for my BCP, so $300 for something that I could leave in until I'm over 40 sounds like a good deal...

So I'm wondering about this "H getting poked" thing. Is this a common occurrence? Does it matter if the H is well-endowed or not?

[Blueberry]

So I'm wondering about this "H getting poked" thing. Is this a common occurrence? Does it matter if the H is well-endowed or not?

The only time we had a problem was when mine rotated, and one of the arms was sticking out... Not the normal situation. Before that, it was fine.

CA

[jesvetmed]

Just wanted to say thanks to you all for sharing this info. I'm on the pill (and at age 42 have been for .. well far too many years). With my sometimes working nights, and sometimes days, my "routine" has faltered in many ways, including taking my pill and my vitamins.

Mirena may be a good option. I will ask at my next appointment. I think that they want me to keep on some type of hormones due to the extensive network of fibroids I am carrying around (can I blame weight gain on those? ) Supposedly the hormone will help keep that bleeding under control until I hit menopause.

It would be nice not to have so many hormones streaming through my bloodstream, and have less breakthrough bleeding due to forgetting a pill for a day (ie, sleeping thru that day!). lately I feel like I've been constantly on my period. YIKE.

THANKS AGAIN!

[badger]

They say Mirena's good for 3 years (I guess they impregnate it with progesterone and can only last so long). I've heard of doctors leaving copper IUDs in longer than 5 years, but I guess they don't want the liability of pregnancies.

If I wasn't so psycho on the pill, I would get Mirena in a heartbeat - to not have the monthly visits by aunt flow would be so liberating!

Jes, I would imagine Mirena may help you with your fibroids as the progesterone will thin the uterine wall, hence the lack of bleeding after about 6 months.

Isn't peri-menopause fun? I started using progesterone (wild yam) cream for my night sweats; they went away!

[Brandi]

They say Mirena's good for 3 years (I guess they impregnate it with progesterone and can only last so long). I've heard of doctors leaving copper IUDs in longer than 5 years, but I guess they don't want the liability of pregnancies.

If I wasn't so psycho on the pill, I would get Mirena in a heartbeat - to not have the monthly visits by aunt flow would be so liberating!

Jes, I would imagine Mirena may help you with your fibroids as the progesterone will thin the uterine wall, hence the lack of bleeding after about 6 months.

Isn't peri-menopause fun? I started using progesterone (wild yam) cream for my night sweats; they went away!

Ummm I believe the mirena is 5 years. i have had mine almost that long and have card that says it come out april of next year.

[Dianyla]

So I'm wondering about this "H getting poked" thing. Is this a common occurrence? Does it matter if the H is well-endowed or not?

In my experience with, uh, a reasonable sample size including, uh, a variety of depth and breadth... Yes, it does matter. Some don't notice at all, some notice and don't care, some notice and yeeeouch!!! Your healthcare provider can trim the strings short so that they're flush with the cervix if it's a problem.

Note: Just last year, the FDA extended their approval for the copper Paragard devices to last for 12 years. I was very happy because I was about to go in and get mine swapped out, but now I can keep it for 2 more years!