Thinking about IUD

[Post-It]

Hi, I'm a 25 yr old married woman who is not planning on having children for about 5 more years. I know that typically an IUD is recommended for women who have had children but lately it seems like more and more docs are using it as a BC option for younger women.

I have been on Apri Oral for 1.5 years. I didn't think I had any side effects from the hormones until I realized that once I started taking the pill, I started having panic attacks, depression, serious (30 lbs) weight gain with no real change in lifestyle and unable to lose weight, increased breast size, and so on. On top of that, I am highly concerned about the increase in risk of breast cancer from taking the pill.

A friend who is having trouble with the hormones in the pill is considering the IUD as well. If I understand this correctly, the IUD doesn't contain hormones? Has anyone had experience (good or bad) with the IUD and is it safe for women who have not had children?

Thanks!

[livinTX]

There are 2 types of IUD: the copper IUD is hormone-free and the Mirena IUD has hormones. If you want to go with an IUD, I'd suggest the copper IUD. I know some women have it and love it, and you can find docs who will give it to women without children, but you have to shop around.

You should be sure you don't have a copper allergy first by wearing a copper bracelet for a week (no irritation caused by the copper). I know some women don't have a uterus suitable for an IUD, but the doc has to examine you to decide. It tends to make your first periods heavier with more cramping, but then I think it settles down afterwards for most women.

I agree that you should steer clear of hormones!

[desertdweller]

I work with a girl that has no children and has tried both types of IUD. Her first type had no hormones, but she had a lot of break-through bleeding. Her second type has a slow release hormone. She has gained a significant amount of weight with it, so she wants to go back to the other type she had previously.

[mama2izzy]

I have the Mirena IUD and it says on all the info the doc has given me plus on the website that it is recommended only in women who have had at least one child.

On another note, I am thinking of having mine removed. I got it put in in December and since then I've had a very light spotting, though heavy enough to stain underwear every day and the cramps I get are weird. They go from the uterus, to the back, and into my thighs. Any woman who has kids and is thinking of getting this, please look into it further than the info at the doc's office, there are some real horror stories out there!

[MK12]

Originally Posted by mama2izzy

please look into it further than the info at the doc's office, there are some real horror stories out there!

And if one thinks back to pregnancy there are a heck of a lot of horror stories about pregnancy and child birth too!

My point is do not judge based on others horror stories talk wiht your doctor because as previously mentioned you need a pelvic exam to make sure you are even eleigible to have and IUD in place. Many gyn's will put in an iud if you have nto had a child but be warned the recommendation for having a child is to reduce the patients discomfort a baby has fit through the cervix for most of us with iuds and we still experienced discomfort to down right pain. I have read that in women with no children they use a local anesthetic and a special device to hold the cervix open.
I have the mirena iud i find it very convenient and the hormones do not bother me. there is brek through bleeding to be expected for at least the first 6 months to year then your periods shoud be greatly reduced in duration and amount.

mk