More birth control questions- IUD users

My DH was going to get a vasestomy but I freaked at the last minute. I am sur e it will be fine but I am afraid he will think things have "changed" somehow.

So I was thinking of going the IUD route. I would love to go hormone free- anyone want to share their experiences?
We are done with expanding our family I would love to hear from those who had the Essure method too!

Re: More birth control questions- IUD users

I had the Paraguard IUD put in back in March, 3 months after DD was born. It is the non-hormone one.

I have since had 3 periods. I told DH that I am going to give it a year. When I go back for my next annual next March I will decide if I want to keep it or have it taken out.

My first PP period was bad. Very heavy bleeding. Lasted a long time. Had some pretty strong cramps. But I'm not sure if it was from the IUD or the first PP AF.

2nd AF was a little bit better. Not as much cramping. Still bled heavy, but not as many heavy days. AF still lasted long.

Just ended my 3rd PP AF. It seems to be getting better. But I'm not happy with how long AF seems to stick around. When I was on the BC pill, I had it for 5 days and it was over. Now, I'm noticing that I spot for a few days, have 3 days of heavy flow, then spot several days more. It feels like a week and a half which seems like forever to me.

Besides the fact that AF is longer, I'm happy with it. No pill to remember, don't have to do anything.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Re: More birth control questions- IUD users

Thank you SO much- I am really trying to decide what to do before I call my doc.

Re: More birth control questions- IUD users

I also have the paraguard. Just got it inserted the beginning of August. The insertion was very painful for me, as I had a c/s & never dilated. It was quick though. Had bad AF cramps the rest of the day but took some tylenol & was fine by the next day. At first the strings felt rough, hard, and long. They now have softened and kinda curl around the cervix, I may have them shortened eventually. I had some bleeding after insertion, and dealt w/ some spotting last week which was really annoying. I am also giving myself a while before I decide if I like it or not. I have read that the first 3 months you get spotting, and then your body gets use to it. I have noticed an increase in cm which I could do w/o. If in a year I am not happy I will have it removed. I love that it doesnt have hormones, and nothing to remember (you check the strings once a month or so after AF). FM me if you have any questions.

Re: More birth control questions- IUD users

I had the paragard inserted 3 months after DC were born. It didn't hurt that bad, just a pinch really (I also had a scheduled C and never dilated).
However, my periods were AWFUL. Long, heavy, and the most horrible, painful cramps. Like I would have to lay curled up in a ball cramps.
I thought maybe that was my luck with my new PP periods, since i didn't start AF again until 5.5 months PP.
Around 9 months after having it put it, I go it taken out so I could know what was causing the cramps. My next period came and I barely had any cramps at all. The next period after that, no cramps.
So it was the IUD causing the debilitating cramps. I would never get paragard again, but of course everyone has a different experience.

Re: More birth control questions- IUD users

I have Mirena and it was awesome, no AF! I'll take a little hormone for that any day!

Re: More birth control questions- IUD users

I am dying to know if anyone had the Essure thing you mention.
I saw an ad for it in my OB's office- basically it's less invasive alternative to getting your tubes tied.
But it's pretty new so I don't think that many people have had it yet.