Hi everyone,
For the past two years, my boyfriend and I have been using a diaphragm as a birth control method, but we need something more effective. I can't take hormones b/c they affect my moods too much as well as my stomach, as I have irritable bowel syndrome. I want to try the Copper IUD. Any experiences with that are welcome, including how uncomfortable it was to be inserted because honestly, I'm a little nervous.
Thanks,
Katalina

No one has used the Copper IUD??

Still looking.

Hi, I was searching through the past posts to find info about the Copper T. I am getting ready to get an IUD inserted, this week or next week. I can post back here what my experience was. I am really nervous since there isn't much information about it here. My Physician said IUD is not yet common here in USA but it is widely used in other countries. I have not had children yet, and I have heard it is going to be painful. I will let you know if you are still interested.

Annie

hbannie,
Thanks, that would be really helpful, because I am rather nervous about the insertion, since I've also never had any children. Right now, I think I'm going to go with taking the mini-pill because I don't have health insurance that will cover the Copper IUD, and it's too expensive. I am also nervous about hormonal birth control, but I'm going to give that a shot until I can afford an IUD. I hope your experience goes well.:)
~Katalina

Katalina,

The company I am getting my IUD is called Paragard. They have help for those who need it. My doctor was going to help me, and get it for free but I chose another place. Anyways, you want may contact your doctor and see what you could do to get it free. [removed} I have to call today, since they reccomend being in the middle of the menstruation cycle. I am so wish me luck.

Annie

I'm getting the Mirena IUD next Monday. I'm looking for experiences with it but have had little luck getting replies so far.

I initially wanted the copper IUD buy my GYN prefers Mirena in her experience so I decided to take her advice and go with that one. She said she has had no complaints from any of her patients about side effects from Mirena and that periods are easier on it and may possibly stop getting periods all together. Which would be nice. I don't have much natural progesterone anyway so I guess it would be good to get some in the uterus but I do have concerns about weight gain and acne anyway.

{removed}

Good luck to you. :)

hbannie,
Oh wow, I wasn't aware that you can get help with financing an IUD! Thank you for that information, I will look into that immediately!

~Katalina

Tigress,
Does the Mirena IUD only have progesterone in it or is a combination of hormones?

~Katalina

Dear Katalina,
I posted a little not too long ago about the Paragard (copper bearing IUD). I have had mine for 17 months. It is recommended more for women who have given vaginal birth (or had a D/C) as this opens the aus, which is the opening in your cervix (the aus is a little more open during your period, which supposedly makes insertion easier). I have no prior children, so the insertion was rather painful for me. Practicing relaxation breathing may be helpful to you.
The insertion is quickly over; the pain I experienced disappeared immediately with the removal of the sound (guide used to insert to IUD). I was left with severe cramping which subsided over the next two days (OK- I actually remained in bed with a heating pad for 48 hrs). Just to be safe, my gyne ordered an ultrasound to ensure proper placement of the IUD.
The first few periods I had were very uncomfortable as far as cramping goes. It does get better as more time passes and your body becomes accustomed to having the IUD in place. By the time I had reached the six month mark, things felt pretty "normal". The only "side effect" I seem to have is heavier bleeding with my monthlies, which sometimes leaves me really tired. It is not so bad when I pay special attention to eating right and getting enough rest. Any cramps that I get are easily overcome with naproxen or ibuprofen.
I know all this may sound discouraging to you, but it is important to keep in mind that every experience is highly individualized. After the "shock" of the first week, everything was just fine for me. In retrospect I would do the same thing over again.
I found the Paraguard appealing because of its high level of effectiveness, safety track record, and the 10 year duration it can be used. I like that I can safely prevent pregnancy and also allow my body to function the way it wants to. I am more in touch with myself knowing my own natural rhythms.
To help offset the cost of the IUD/insertion, your local health department may be an option for you; you may also want to see if financing is an option.
I hope this has been helpful to you. Good luck.

Katalina,

Hello there. I just wanted to report back to you about the IUD experience. I had an IUD inserted last week, 3 days before Thanksgiving. Anyways my experience was not at all bad. The whole procedure took less that 20 minutes. I have not had children but was still able to have it put in. My physician told me to take IBprofen and eat before coming in. First she cleaned the area, and then measured the distance to my uterus and the size of the uterus to make sure the IUD would fit. Every thing was fine. This was a little uncomfortable and did cramp a little (period cramp, not severe). I do yoga and in yoga they teach to breath out pain and discomfort. This worked for me. When she actually placed the IUD in, it cramped a little but nothing bad. After the whole thing was over and I left, I cramped the whole day. The next day, hardly any cramping, car rides kind of hurt a little though. By day 3, cramps were gone. My overall experience, I'd say it is totally worth it, and definately better than hormonal pills which caused me to be depressed and have migraine headaches. Now, my mood is much better and the headaches have gone away, not to mention the convenience of not having to worry about taking pills on time, or going back for shots every few months. The overall cost, compared to pills and shots, it's much better. The cost up front is a bit much but it's a one time fee.

Annie

hbannie,
I really appreciate you sharing your story. Temporarily, I started progestin-only birth control pills, so I cut out any side effects that I might have from pills with estrogen. I took my first one yesterday, and to my disbelief, I felt fine! Normally, my pill-taking experiences aren't too great, but I don't feel any differently, so far. My grandpa is getting me health insurance so that I can find out what's ailing me and move on with my life, so soon, I'll be able to go back to my gynecologist that was willing to give me an IUD. I went to Planned Parenthood because it's inexpensive without insurance for my progestin-only pills, but the are strongly against giving anyone without children an IUD. So shortly I can get an IUD from my old gyno. Your experience didn't sound pleasant, per se, but it sounded very bearable. I think I can handle that. I know the experience is different for everyone, but it sounds like taking some ibuprofen beforehand and relaxing are key. Also, I am not extremely sensitive to pain, so I think I'd be fine. The only thing I'm curious about are how your periods are going to be. If you could update me on whether or not you have extreme cramping and heavy bleeding, that would be great. For the amazing effectiveness of the IUD, I wouldn't mind heavier bleeding and cramping. Thanks for telling me your story:)
~Katalina

Hi, I got my IUD inserted the same week as Thanksgiving. The whole process took about 20 minutes. During the insertion there was a little bit of pain, but I do yoga and it teaches you to breath out all pain and anxiety which is what I did. The pain lessoned tremendiously then. After the insertion, I cramped a little, it was kind of painful on the way home. I did not do any kind of harsh movements for 2 days. On the third day, I was pain free. I am still pain free except for an occasional cramp. I am very happy I went through with this, it is much better than having to deal with hormones, and also with taking the pills on time every day.

Annie

I've never tried the Copper IUD but I have the new Mirena IUD. It does contain a hormone but only a small amount. Insertion wasn't bad and now my periods are very very light.

amanda

Hey,
I just got my Copper IUD inserted about two weeks ago. They told me I would experience moe pain than others because I had never given child birth and wasnt on my period. I will bak up and explain that part. I was told that women who have given vaginal delivery before getting an IUD experiece less pain because the ervix is softer and easier to strech... I havnt had a kid so they (they as in my doctor) told me the second best thing would be to come in on my period because te cervix again is softer. I work a lot so I was way nervous when I could only schedule my appt. on a time when I wouldnt be on my period. I went in and they had given me some pain meds the day before to take one hr before the procedure and then a second set to take after. I do have a pretty high pain tolerance but for not being on my period and never given birth I didnt feel much pain. It was a very uncomfertable and slight painful feeling but it was so quick like under 5 minutes. It was effective immediately which was a plus but the refer you wait 5 days to prevent infetion. I havnt had any problems so far with mine. I did spot a little for the next week but not Im back to normal. Its great to not have to worry about taking pills and i love that there is no hormones because those effeted my moode and weight. [ please carefully review the posting rules - no emails ] I hope this helps you out. Good Luck hun!
becks