Opinions on IUD

[Mlasley]

Anyone out there use Mirena? Does it hurt to get it placed? Any problems with it? I'm thinking about going that route, my GYN actually has one, but would like a little more reassurance from people who use it. TIA

[Molli526]

I got one a little over a year ago. I love it! I took some Advil prior to the procedure, which took hardly any time at all. There was a pinching feeling when it was getting placed, and *maybe* some cramping after, but nothing unbearable. I did have some spotting the first couple of cycles, but now my period is a couple days if that, very light, and infrequent.

[charley]

Just make sure you're monitored on a regular basis! I used the Progestasert IUD in the 70s and ended up with PID and subsequent fertility problems. I was never able to conceive again.

[Robyn1007]

Just make sure you're monitored on a regular basis! I used the Progestasert IUD in the 70s and ended up with PID and subsequent fertility problems. I was never able to conceive again.

Current day IUDs are VERY different than the ones in the 70s. I wish I could get one but, alas, having not had kids yet I don't qualify.

[aggie94]

FWIW, Robyn, you CAN still get one. I talked with my doc about this at my last annual (even though I don't plan to have kids, I was curious as to why docs are hesitant to insert them in patients who have not had children), and her explanation was this:

If you were to get an STD while you had Mirena inserted (and Mirena does not make one more prone to getting an STD), the infection can be exacerbated by the presence of Mirena. Similarly, if you were to become pregnant while you had Mirena inserted, there is a greater likelihood of ectopic or tubal pregnancy. In both cases, there is a risk of infertility, so the theory is that if you have already had one child, while becoming infertile may still be unfortunate, it is not "as big a deal" as it might be for someone who has not had a child and wanted to. So some doctors are hesitant to insert it in patients who have not had children, just because of the risk of infertility if one of those two circumstances were to occur. From a strictly medical/physical standpoint, there is no reason that a person who has not had children cannot use Mirena.

Anyway, just thought I'd mention that. This is something I have been considering for the past year but haven't yet talked to the OB/GYN about it further. Maybe this year. :rolleyes:

[krhm]

I don't have a Mirena, but I have one of the traditional IUDs. Although I have had some rough periods, they weren't that much worse than issues I had while on the pill, and I love not having to worry about birth control. I wasn't quite ready for a permanent option, so this was an excellent compromise. I hardly ever think about it, actually.

[charley]

Current day IUDs are VERY different than the ones in the 70s. I wish I could get one but, alas, having not had kids yet I don't qualify.

The Mirena is hormone-based the same as Progestasert. Progestasert was discontinued in 2001. Word to the wise ... be vigilant. Take nothing for granted.

[Mlasley]

Charley:
When you say be monitored, what exactly do you mean? Annual checks or more often then that?

[newtricks]

I have a Mirena and am very happy with it. Yes, the insertion did hurt for a few seconds. But so worth it, my periods are almost non-existant and I don't have to worry about birth control.

Charley - is it "monitoring" that is necessary? Or do you mean that if you have any symptoms of an infection that you should definitely see your doctor. There are side-effects and complications to any medical procedure. And it's important to weigh the risks. I think that's why they recommend the Mirena mostly to women who have already had their children. For me, the benefit of no longer being anemic and not having to worry about an "oops" pg outweigh the pid risk. And just for me, the risk would not be worth it if I hadn't had children yet and there was even a tiny risk that it could affect my fertility.

[TieKitty]

I also had an IUD placed in the 70's. Although the doctor told me it was 99% effective I became pregnant.:rolleyes:

[Robyn1007]

I also had an IUD placed in the 70's. Although the doctor told me it was 99% effective I became pregnant.:rolleyes:

99% is not 100% so I don't believe that's an indicator that the overall efficacy isn't accurate. I take birth control pills but I know that there is the chance that I could end up pregnant even though I'm very careful about taking it accurately.

Newtricks, I think your point is a very good one. Rather than forcing doctors to have to manually "monitor" we need to learn to listen to our bodies better. If something is amiss (and I'm not saying you should have known Charley) we need to tell our doctors. I think far too often we hope the symptoms will just go away.

[muriel3002]

I also had an IUD placed in the 70's. Although the doctor told me it was 99% effective I became pregnant.:rolleyes:

Me, too... and I lost the baby at about 12-14 weeks.

[miller88]

I had a Mirena inserted a few years ago and I've been very happy. For me, the insertion was quite painful. I wasn't told it would be so the cramping really shocked me during the insertion. I cramped for a couple days afterwards and bled (I remember vividly because I was on vacation).

After that, however, it was great because I didn't have a period for nearly two years. Unfortunately, it has come back within the past 6 months or so and it's been very unpredictable. I probably need to discuss with my doctor.

[leightx]

I have the Mirena, which is very different from the copper IUD that many women had in the 70's. It's hormonal, and instead of heavier periods, most women have very light or none at all (me!). I love it, and wouldn't go back to any other form of birth control.

The insertion was very painful for me - not so much while she was inserting it, but about 5 minutes afterward. I had painful cramps (more on the level of contractions :eek: ) for a few hours. No bleeding other than some light spotting though. It was worth the pain, however, to be period-free for so long!

[charley]

Knowing what I went through in the 70s, if I were to get an IUD today I would definitely see the GYN every 6 months just to make sure everything was ok.

I was totally caught off guard with the PID. When I started having pains I didn't associate them with the IUD. Was hospitalized and had a series of tests run, before a chance visit from my GYN who immediately ordered a pelvic exam. I don't know if all that could have been avoided if I had seen the doctor more than once a year, but it sure wouldn't have hurt.

[Robyn1007]

Knowing what I went through in the 70s, if I were to get an IUD today I would definitely see the GYN every 6 months just to make sure everything was ok.

I was totally caught off guard with the PID. When I started having pains I didn't associate them with the IUD. Was hospitalized and had a series of tests run, before a chance visit from my GYN who immediately ordered a pelvic exam. I don't know if all that could have been avoided if I had seen the doctor more than once a year, but it sure wouldn't have hurt.

See, that's the difference. If I have anything like an IUD in my body and I start having pelvic pains I would immediately be calling my GYN.

[leightx]

I'm not sure that I would automatically call an OB-GYN or not, since I'm occasionally crampy (similar to the little pings and twinges that I used to get when I ovulated, and rarely more like menstrual cramps), which is supposed to be perfectly normal. Hmmmm....perhaps I'll do a little more research on PID.

[charley]

See, that's the difference. If I have anything like an IUD in my body and I start having pelvic pains I would immediately be calling my GYN.


They weren't pelvic pains that's why there was no association with the IUD. The pain was in my middle and lower back. And you might also be surprised to learn that there are often no symptoms with PID until it's too late.

[Varaile]

I got one last May, as did a co-worker. Neither one of us has had kids. My sister had one on year ago, she has one 18 mo old.

For co-worker, she had no problems except some cramping from the procedure itself. For me, I had problems. The Dr discovered my uterus is tipped and folded to the right which made things problematic. So first appt was a wash. Second appointment we she knew what was going on though she still had to bring in a second Dr. After a bit things went fine. She explained to me that a having a child first prevents some of those tippy uterus problems.

Otherwise, I had one heavier cycle (on vacation too) :mad: one month afterwards but since then not much of anything. And the yearly exam is still super important.

[Denise]

I don't have any experience with an IUD, but I use the Nuova Ring. I replace it every 3 weeks, so I don't cycle at all, which I love. I don't notice that I have it in at all and neither does my husband. If you decide not to go with an IUD you might look into that.

[Robyn1007]

They weren't pelvic pains that's why there was no association with the IUD. The pain was in my middle and lower back. And you might also be surprised to learn that there are often no symptoms with PID until it's too late.

Actually, not surprised because I already knew that but since I get cramps primarily in my back that would have been a red flag for me. I'm not saying that you did anything wrong, I'm just saying that we (as in just about every one of us) can be more aware and proactive about our health.

[charley]

Robyn, I'm glad you're so aware of your body. I thought I was too, but I learned the hard way that things aren't always clearly defined.

[newtricks]

Robyn, I'm glad you're so aware of your body. I thought I was too, but I learned the hard way that things aren't always clearly defined.

Charley - Perhaps the issue is that you weren't warned to look for PID? Or that the medical community was not aware of a connection between iud's and pid?

In general, and in this case, I agree with Robyn's point that we are responsible for our own health. In the case of monitoring for pid -how would one do that? Go to the doctor every month? It's not like, say, a growth that can take a year to develop - it's something that progresses fairly quickly so depending on a doctor to monitor it would be fruitless. Or I'm missing something :confused:.

[Mlasley]

I'm not going with the nuova ring because my receptionist was using it and just had a healthy baby girl a few weeks ago...yes, I know nothing is 100%

I'm a little concerned about the cramping because I'm having it done during lunch hour and seeing patients about 15 minutes after for the rest of the afternoon. The gyn didn't think it would be a problem. She just said to take some motrin before the appointment and scheduled it during my menstrual cycle because that makes it easier to insert.

I have a question about the removal strings - the mirena webpage says to check them to make sure everything is ok. How long are the strings? Can you feel them during intercourse and is it possible to accidently pull it out?

[charley]

Charley - Perhaps the issue is that you weren't warned to look for PID? Or that the medical community was not aware of a connection between iud's and pid?




Well, it was 1973 ... a year before the Dalkon Shield was taken off the market. I can't remember a discussion about PID. Maybe a couple years later would have made a difference. Do doctors now discuss the possibility of PID with potential IUD users? Leigh's comment makes me wonder.

[Robyn1007]

I'm not sure that I would automatically call an OB-GYN or not, since I'm occasionally crampy (similar to the little pings and twinges that I used to get when I ovulated, and rarely more like menstrual cramps), which is supposed to be perfectly normal. Hmmmm....perhaps I'll do a little more research on PID.

I guess if they're bad enough to have me in the hospital I'm thinking it's bad enough to mention.

[scout1222]

I have a question about the removal strings - the mirena webpage says to check them to make sure everything is ok. How long are the strings? Can you feel them during intercourse and is it possible to accidently pull it out?

I have a non-hormonal IUD. I have to REALLY stick my fingers way up there to feel the strings. My BF has never been able to feel them, that he has mentioned.

I have heard that it is not advisable to use a menstrual cup if you have an IUD, because the suction caused on removal can tear out your IUD. But otherwise it would be pretty tough. I use tampons exclusively, and there's zero issue at all each month.

[charley]

After reading this thread and thinking back to what I went through 35 years ago, IUDs seem like a less than desirable form of birth control. The Shield was removed from the market. Progestasert was "discontinued" ... what's next? PID is a common risk factor which often results in infertility ... or worse. Doesn't seem like much has changed. If you know you don't want kids why not have a tubal ligation and be done with it? I've heard it's even supposed to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

[scout1222]

Because I didn't want to go through a medical procedure like that? Because an IUD was less expensive? I would say I'm about as close to 100% sure I don't want children as I can get, but an office visit to get an IUD crammed up me seemed like an easier solution than a tubal ligation. I guess I'm just not as concerned with IUD safety.

But hey, that's the great thing about having so many choices in birth control. While it is sometimes overwhelming to try and decide, we at least have the luxury to choose whatever option we think is best for us.

(On rereading this, I hope I'm not coming across snarky - but to be sure, I had my reasons and didn't make the decision in a vacuum.)

[Mlasley]

I don't want to do tubal ligation if possible - as scout1222 said, it is a much more invasive procedure. Even the sterilization they do with the coils in the fallopian tubes requires sedation in an OR to insert and later testing with contrast to be sure enough scar tissue has formed.

[newtricks]

After reading this thread and thinking back to what I went through 35 years ago, IUDs seem like a less than desirable form of birth control. The Shield was removed from the market. Progestasert was "discontinued" ... what's next? PID is a common risk factor which often results in infertility ... or worse. Doesn't seem like much has changed. If you know you don't want kids why not have a tubal ligation and be done with it? I've heard it's even supposed to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

As everyone else said, I prefer it over general anesthesia/surgery which as I hope you're aware carry their own risks .

[Valerie226]

As a veteran of the dalkon shield and several copper T and copper 7 IUDs, I will say that docs have always, in my experience, warned of an increased risk of PID with IUDs. they also ask that you check monthly to feel the strings to make sure it hasn't accidentally been expelled. Having had several removed and replaced, an accidental expulsion seems pretty remote to me! Definitely take some Advil ( my doc recommended 3 advil about 1 hr before) before insertion or removal.

I'm not sure how much the PID risk increases, but they often will not prescribe a IUD for someone not in an "exclusive" relationship since multiple partners will increase the risk of PID, IUD or not. PID is not a new disease that came along with the advent of IUDs. But theoretically the strings can provide a conduit for foreign bacteria to travel uphill more easily and with different partners the exposure is much greater than with an exclusive partner.

FWIW I did not have children and never intended to, but didn't want to have a surgical procedure ( any surgery has risks involved) so I relied on an IUD with safe legal abortion as a backup. I never had a problem and it worked well for me for all my fertile years. there are more choices these days so I'm not sure what I would do but personally did NOT do well on BCP and needed another option.