Does anyone use an IUD for birth control??

I've been on the pill for 9 years but my blood pressure is high and we tried switching to progestin-only which didnt work, so my gyn took me off the pill. We don't plan on TTC for about a year so she suggested if we don't want to have to rely on condoms I could try an IUD. I don't know much about them and wanted to do some research and what better place to get opinions than you guys! So if you do use one or know anything about them please share....and if you feel more comfortable FMing me please do!

Thanks!

Re: Does anyone use an IUD for birth control??

I just sent in the prescription for mine.
They have 2 brands (or that is the info my gyn gave me). Paraguard is copper with no hormones. It's purely mechanical.
Mirina has some hormones in it. My gyn gave me a brochure on each. You should be able to get info from their websites.

Re: Does anyone use an IUD for birth control??

Re: Does anyone use an IUD for birth control??

I have the Paragard. I got it back in September and I honestly wish I would have known about it sooner! I cannot take BC pills because they make me have terrible mood swings, so this has been the perfect solution for me.
I will say this, my period is much, much heavier than it was in the past, however, that only lasts for a full 24 hours, then it's like a regular period for about 5 days. Other than that, I love it. I never get cramps anymore, either. I totally recommend it!

Re: Does anyone use an IUD for birth control??

I have a paraguard IUD. It is the best BC decision I have ever made. The first few months my period was VERY, VERY heavy but after about six months it went back to normal. Now the first day is a bit heavy but my period only lasts four days total. I like not having to remember to take a pill every day.

Re: Does anyone use an IUD for birth control??

Please make sure you talk to your doctor about checking it periodically to make sure it is in place. You have to do this yourself in addition to your GYN visits. I had mine (Paraguard) checked by my doctor (about a year or so after it was first placed) and it was fine. I never checked again and about 3 months later, I was pregnant! The IUD can move and this is what happened to me. My GYN said that she has seen this many time in her practice and has delivered healthy babies with the IUD still inside the mom! I happened to have a miscarriage for unrelated reasonse, but the pregnancy could have gone to term. Make sure you check!!

Re: Does anyone use an IUD for birth control??

I've written on here before about my experience with an IUD (paraguard). I had a horrible experience and would never recommend it, but that's just because of what I went through. Plenty of people are happy with it.

First, my periods lasted about 14 days. So we couldn't even have sex anyway!
Second, it moved. I wasn't aware it moved until i had an ultrasound because of the heavy bleeding. It was completely out of place and far down in the uterus, doing absolutely nothing to prevent pregnancy.

Third, it had to be removed because it was out of place. After my doc removed it she found out it caused an infection in my uterus and i had to go on antibiotics for 6 weeks.

Obviously i'm not a fan and would never go near it again. I'm not on bc pills either because of migraines. We've been using the Pull n Pray method

Re: Does anyone use an IUD for birth control??

Re: Does anyone use an IUD for birth control??

I've had Mirena in for about 3 months now. Had a normal period after one month, and nothing since. So far, so good.

Re: Does anyone use an IUD for birth control??

I have the Paraguard. Had it put in last April so I'm coming up on almost having it for a year.

I will admit that when I first started getting my periods after getting it put in (I had it put in while I was BFing my DD so it was a few months before my periods started) my periods were BAD!

Bad cramping, HEAVY, HEAVY flow. As in the heaviest periods I ever experienced in my life. I would bleed through a super tampon in less than 2 hours. It was crazy.

But after about 6 months or so my body regulated and now I am very happy with it. You just have to deal with your body adjusting to it.

Re: Does anyone use an IUD for birth control??

I had the Mirena in for just about 5 years, I recently had it removed. I LOVED it. I got one or two light periods after having it, and spotted for 1 month or so, but after that, nothing for the next 4.5 years!

I was plagued by heavy periods in my late teens and 20's, so the last thing I wanted was to deal with a heavy period. SO Paraguard was out for me.

I am on the fence about getting Mirena again... and only because I'm pushing DH to get the V.... IF it doesn't happen, I will get it again!

Re: Does anyone use an IUD for birth control??

I don't use an IUD, I use an I B ME and it works wonders



(for anyone who doesn't get that.. please refer my posts on the infertility board )