Cycling, IUDs, and Cramping

[Dianyla]

Hmmm, the manufacturer recommends that the copper IUD I have (I believe it's the Nova T) be replaced every 3 years. My doctor said that it would probably be fine for up to 5 years, though.

Oh, you have the smaller sized Nova T then? This has less copper in it (200 mm^2) and hence a shorter lifespan. I have the Paragard T380A which was recently extended from a 10 year lifespan to 12 year. The drawback is that it is larger and less comfortable for us nullipara women.

The hormonal ones have a shorter lifespan because once they run out of their impregnated dosage of progestins they become ineffective. With the copper ones, the copper does gradually dissolve, and aging IUDs can eventually have issues with structural breakage. There have been research studies indicating that most copper IUDs have an actual lifespan several years beyond the official policy determined lifespan.

Besides the discomfort, you really don't want to reinsert a new IUD sooner than necessary. Every time you open the cervix and insert an IUD, there is the risk of introducing sepsis (leading to PID) in the normally sterile uterus. This is the main reason reason to not routinely swap IUDs out before the end of the device lifespan, assuming one wants to continue using this method of contraception.

When I was researching IUDs, I was kind of surprised by the fact that the choices were so much different in here in Canada vs. the United States. Also, Europe is light years ahead of North America when it comes to IUDs. I know a lot of women who don't like hormonal birth control pills for a variety of reasons. I'm not sure why more doctors don't recommend IUDs to more women. Painful cramping aside, it's a low maintenance, worry-free method of birth control.

There are a few factors. One big thing I kept hearing about from concerned friends and family members was the Dalkon Shield fiasco. Additionally, concerns over hormone safety are a lot lower in the US than they are in Europe. I think they are too low, frankly.

While I have no facts to back this up, I think the biggest reason that IUDs are discouraged in favor of hormonal methods is money. Monthly prescriptions for hormonal contraceptives are a lot more profitable. A secondary reason is that many providers are not trained to do insertions.

[limewave]

I got the IUD on Monday. I'm hating it. I was really nauseated on Tuesday. And now I'm really grumpy and moody.

[jenniferh]

I got mine in Jan of this year, but since I'm nursing I didn't get my first period until 3 months ago. They are WAY heavier than normal and I soak through super maxi pads with tampons at the same time in a couple of hours. The first months I freaked out, but I've been reassured it just takes abouy 6 months to normalize.

I don't get cramping on the bike though. I do feel different - I can't really pinpoint what. I think I notice being drier some weeks and wetter some weeks when I'm on the bike. No agony here though.

Is it possible you have an infection of some sort?