Just got IUD - Women's Health Message Board

brightstar · 09-19-2003, 04:58 PM

Well after 6 years of being on the pill, I decided to get away from hormones altogether and had a Paraguard IUD (the copper-T type) inserted yesterday. I just thought I'd share this for anyone else who's interested, but keep in mind everyone's different so your experience might be completely different!

The insertion process wasn't bad at all until the Dr. used a device to open my cervix in order to insert the IUD. Yeeeouch! (I don't have children so it was a tight fit) But that part was over quickly and the actual insertion after that wasn't bad. The embarassing thing is, I almost fainted on the way to check out of the clinic and had to back to the exam room to lie down! The rest of the day I felt a little nauseous and had pretty bad cramps (I'm on my period), but took plenty of Advil and used a hot pad and that took care of it. Today I woke up and felt just fine.

I'm really curious now how my body is going to adjust to not being on the pill. The pill kept me from getting pregnant, but I just had too many side effects.

kitty_popper · 09-22-2003, 04:11 PM

I saw this from June, just curious -- how is it working out? I am thinking about an IUD too.

citrine2 · 09-23-2003, 11:03 AM

I had a baby several years ago and since then have not been on any birthcontrol, wanted to balance out my hormones from a bad bout with post-pardom depression...anyway, I recently decided to get back on some birthcontrol and looked into my options and found that the non-hormal IUD (copper) seemed like a good choice. I went through all of the tests before hand and had it inserted yesterday. Since I have had a child, my cervix was pretty accepting to it, pretty much no pain at all. But now, I am worried that it will fall out of place or something...the doctor says that it shouldn't and if there are going to be any problems, it will occur within the first four months. But so far, all is good. I is nice to know that if all goes well, I don't have to worry about birthcontrol for another 10 years.

brightstar · 12-14-2003, 12:39 AM

I know this thread has sort of died, but I wanted to post an update in case anyone is interested...

Since getting an IUD/going off the pill in June, my mood has improved, I have less PMS symptoms, my periods have been totally regular, I have a noticebly heavier flow (but it was very light before, I'm still just buying the regular tampons) but almost no cramping, and best of all, No Pregnancy!!!

I thought, knowing my luck, I would be one of the women who expells the darn thing or has such horrible cramping that I would have to get it removed, but so far, so good (knock on wood). IUDs aren't for everyone, but for me it was the right decision.

ringstossed · 12-14-2003, 03:09 PM

I've had one in since my last child was 6 weeks hold (he'll be 4 in the spring) The only thing that bothered me was the heavy period, and that lasted for about a year, it's normal now. I can't do hormones and get pregnant very easily and I've had NO problems with my IUD (also a copper one) I think it's a perfect alternative for me.